Overview of your 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
This 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga takes you over the High Atlas Mountains to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and back, at a relaxed pace. On the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga you visit the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge, ride a camel into the Sahara and sleep in a desert camp. On the way back you follow a different road through the kasbah villages of Nekob and the palm groves of the Draa Valley, with a night in Ouarzazate and a visit to Ait Benhaddou before returning to Marrakech.
Why this tour is unique
Most short desert tours drive back to Marrakech in one long day. With one extra night, this tour splits the return in two, so you have time to stop in the Draa Valley and explore Ait Benhaddou in the quiet morning light, before the day visitors arrive.
Tour highlights
- High Atlas MountainsCross the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,200 m).
- Dades Valley & Todra GorgeStand beneath 300-meter-high vertical canyon walls.
- Sahara Camel Trek & Desert CampRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under the stars.
- NekobPass the village of 45 kasbahs at the foot of Jbel Saghro.
- Draa ValleyDrive along the palm groves of Morocco’s longest river.
- Ait BenhaddouWalk through the UNESCO-listed clay Kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
Route map
You will depart Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountains to the Dades Valley for your first night. On day two, you continue east through the Todra Gorge to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga. On day three, you return west through Alnif, Nekob and the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate, and on the final day you visit Ait Benhaddou and cross the High Atlas back to Marrakech.
Day-by-day itinerary of the Marrakech to Merzouga 4 day tour
Day 1: Start of your 4 days Morocco desert tour from Marrakech, to the Dades Valley
6 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or from the airport. We cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with photo stops in Berber villages along the way. 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 Nekob, the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate
6 hours driving
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, you ride your camel back to the edge of the desert to meet your driver. We head west through Alnif to Nekob, a village known for its many kasbahs, then follow the palm groves of the Draa River (opens in a new tab) north to Ouarzazate, where we spend the night.
Day 4: Ouarzazate to Ait Benhaddou and Marrakech
4 hours driving
After breakfast, we drive about 30 km to Ait Benhaddou for a morning walk through the UNESCO-listed Kasbah (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou) while it is still quiet. Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). We then cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, where your driver drops you at your accommodation.
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 Amlal
- 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
- Riad Dar Chama
- Les Tourmalines Guest House
- Eden Boutique Dades
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
- Berbere Palace
- Oz Palace
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
- 3 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (3 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation or the airport
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 whose route included Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and Merzouga. They praise the clear price agreed upfront, a proactive and friendly organizer, licensed local guides and the top hotels with the best suites on the premium option.
A family trip of 6 days from Marrakech to Merzouga. They praise the owner, Mohamed, for quick answers and careful planning, and their knowledgeable, multilingual driver-guide Mohamed Ouargaga.
A trip with friends from Marrakesh through N’kob and the Dades Valley to M’hamid. They loved the special places to stay and their kind, attentive guide Mohamed, who made the trip feel personal.
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
The road over the High Atlas is winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed. On this 4 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, no single day has more than about 6 hours of driving.
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 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
How much does the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga cost?
Prices start from €450 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €630 and the Luxury package €810 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 on the Marrakech to Merzouga 4 day tour?
Merzouga is roughly 550 km from Marrakech. On this tour the driving is split across four days, about 6 hours on Day 1, 5 hours on Day 2, 6 hours on Day 3 and 4 hours on Day 4. 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).
Should I choose the 3-day or the 4-day tour?
Both visit the Todra Gorge, the Erg Chebbi dunes and Ait Benhaddou. The 3-day tour drives back to Marrakech in one long day of about 9 hours. The 4-day tour splits the return with a night in Ouarzazate, adds the Draa Valley and Nekob, and keeps every driving day to about 6 hours or less. Choose 4 days if you want a slower pace. 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. 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 4 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga?
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.
Where do we sleep on this tour?
Night 1 is in a hotel in the Dades Valley, night 2 in a desert camp in Merzouga, and night 3 in a hotel in Ouarzazate. The level of each hotel and camp depends on the package you choose.
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.