Overview of your 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
This 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is an express Sahara itinerary for travelers who want the magic of the desert with limited time in Morocco. Over 3 days and 2 nights you cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge, and spend a night in a desert camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes. It is a private 3 day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech, with a local driver-guide, a hotel night and a night in camp.
Why this tour is unique
While the drive on the final day is long, we break up the journey with perfectly timed stops at Morocco’s most iconic southern landmarks. You’ll wander through the ancient clay streets of Ait Benhaddou, stand dwarfed by the 300-meter-high cliffs of the Todra Gorge, and arrive in Merzouga exactly in time to ride a camel into the sunset.
Tour highlights
- High Atlas MountainsCross the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,200 m).
- Ait BenhaddouWalk through the UNESCO-listed clay Kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- Dades Gorge & Todra GorgeStand beneath 300-meter-high vertical canyon walls.
- Sahara Camel TrekRide a camel across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
- Desert CampSleep under a vast, star-filled sky to the sound of Berber drums.
- Sahara SunriseWake up early to watch the sun rise over the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Route map
You will depart Marrakech and head southeast across the High Atlas Mountains to the Dades Valley for your first night. On day two, you push further east through the Todra Gorge to reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. On the final day, you make the long, scenic return journey back to Marrakech through Alnif, the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate, crossing the High Atlas Mountains once more.
Day-by-day itinerary of the 3 days Marrakech desert tour
Day 1: Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou and Dades Valley
6 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or from the airport. We begin by ascending the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Our main morning highlight is the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou). Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). After lunch in Ouarzazate, we drive through the Valley of Roses to reach our hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 2: Dades Valley to Todra Gorge and Merzouga
5 hours driving
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge. You’ll have free time to walk through the massive 300-meter-high canyon walls. We then continue our journey through Erfoud until the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) appear. Trade your vehicle for a camel, riding into the desert at sunset to reach your camp.
Day 3: Merzouga to Ouarzazate and Marrakech
9 hours driving
Wake up early to witness a magical Sahara sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you will ride your camel back to the edge of the desert to meet your driver. Today is a long driving day back to Marrakech, traveling through the vast desert landscapes of Alnif and the Draa Valley, before crossing the High Atlas Mountains once more. You arrive back in Marrakech at about 7:30 pm.
Prices and packages
We offer three tier levels to suit your travel style. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Private transportation
- 4-star hotels or traditional riads
- Standard desert camp
- Excellent 4-star to luxurious 5-star hotels
- Upgraded luxury desert camp
- Comfortable private car
- Hand-picked 5-star and high-end boutique hotels
- Premium VIP desert camp
- Entrance fees included
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free.
Hotels and camps where you’ll stay
Choose a package to see the hotels and camps we use on this tour.
- Riad Bahammou Hotel
- Grand Canyon Lodge
- Dar Ahlam Dades
- Ksar Sultan Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Riad Dar Blues
- Hotel Xaluca Dades
- Palm Hotel Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Tents with air conditioning
- Eden Boutique Dades
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
Every desert camp tent has a private washroom with a shower. We confirm your exact hotels when you book, depending on availability.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- Private, air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver/guide
- 2 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (2 breakfasts, 2 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- Pick-up at your Marrakech accommodation or the airport, and drop-off in Marrakech
Excluded
- Lunches and daytime drinks
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (included in the Luxury Package)
- Tips and gratuities
What travelers say about this trip
Reviews from our sister company, Morocco Top Trips
A couple who chose us over two other companies after weeks of emails. They highlight the Sahara Desert tour, a safe and good-humored driver in a 4×4, hotel upgrades added along the way, and an owner who stayed patient and kept adding value.
A couple whose tour included Ouarzazate, visits to nomad families and a night in the desert. They loved the thoughtful touches, like a birthday cake in the desert, and the experiences away from the usual tourist path.
A spontaneous 6-day trip from Marrakech over the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara, where the night in the desert was the highlight. They praise a riad near Jemaa el-Fnaa, a guided city tour and their caring, informative driver Mohammed Ouargaga.
Good to know before you go
Pick-up and start
Pick-up is usually at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or the airport. If the time changes, your driver will message you on WhatsApp with the time and meeting point.
Distance and driving
On the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech, the road over the High Atlas is winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler evenings. In summer, daytime temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C. In winter the days are mild, but nights near the dunes can get close to freezing.
The camel trek and the camp
The sunset camel ride into camp lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 instead. Your bags travel to the camp by SUV, and anything you leave in the vehicle is safe.
What to pack
Layers are crucial. The desert is hot during the day but temperatures drop sharply at night. Bring a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf (for sand and sun protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While hotels and larger restaurants take cards, you should carry cash for small purchases, lunches, and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Expect to tip guides, drivers, and camp staff if you are happy with the service. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Most hotels along the route have free WiFi. The desert camps have limited to no connectivity, so embrace the chance to unplug and enjoy the stars.
Frequently asked questions about the Marrakech desert tour 3 days
How much does the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour cost?
Prices start from €340 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €476 and the Luxury package €612 per person, based on two travelers. The difference is the level of accommodation, and prices may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what each package includes.
Do infants and children pay?
Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free. For older children, tell us their ages when you send your request, and we will confirm the price for your group.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Merzouga is roughly 550 km from Marrakech, about 9 to 10 hours by road without stops. On this tour the driving is split across three days, about 6 hours on Day 1, 5 hours on Day 2 and 9 hours on the way back on Day 3, arriving in Marrakech at about 7:30 pm. Those are driving times, and you also stop for photos, meals and visits along the way. Arriving in Marrakech a day early? See 10 Best Things to Do in Marrakech (opens in a new tab).
Is a 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour worth it?
Yes, if you have limited time and want to see the Sahara without flying. You cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Benhaddou and Todra Gorge, and spend a night in the dunes. The trade-off is long driving days, especially the 9 hours on the way back. If you prefer a slower pace, a 4-day or 5-day tour covers the same route with more time at each stop. Flying into Casablanca first? See Best Things to Do in Casablanca (opens in a new tab).
Is it safe to travel to Merzouga and the Sahara?
The route from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of the most popular tourist routes in Morocco. You travel in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide who knows the roads, the stops and the camps. As anywhere, keep your valuables with you in busy places, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go. If you have any worries, message us and we will be happy to answer. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
What is the best time of year for a Sahara tour from Marrakech?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. See the “Good to know” section above for what to expect in summer and winter.
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the first day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Is the 9-hour drive on Day 3 too difficult?
It is a long day on the road, but we make several stops for coffee, photos, and lunch. If you prefer to avoid a 9-hour driving day, we highly recommend upgrading to a 4-day itinerary so the return journey is broken up.
What happens to my luggage during the camel ride?
We take your bags to the camp by SUV, so you can ride the camel with nothing to carry. If you would rather leave something behind, it is safe in the vehicle.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. The camel ride is optional. If you prefer not to ride, we transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 instead, and you still enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Just let us know when you book or tell your driver on the day.
Are there toilets and showers in the desert camp?
Yes. All our packages include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp.
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.