Examine the detailed plan for the 3-day Marrakech desert tour below to visualize the high points of the journey. If you wish to customize the route or are thinking about extending your time, please kindly let us know by completing the booking form available below.
Start your 3-day Marrakech desert tour with an 8:00 am pick-up from your riad or wherever you are located in Marrakesh. We will exit the city and travel through the High Atlas mountains, reaching the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, which is situated at an elevation of 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) above sea level. We will pause to admire some picturesque Berber villages on the way.
Next, we will visit the celebrated Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, an old fortified settlement renowned for its unique traditional Moroccan architecture. Many well-known movies have used this location, including “Kingdom of Heaven” in 2005, “Babel” in 2006, “Prince of Persia” in 2010, “Game of Thrones” in 2012, and the recent documentary “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet” in 2020. You will have ample time to explore this ancient Kasbah.
After a delicious lunch, we will head south along the famous “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to Dades Valley, passing through areas like Ouarzazate, Skoura, and the Valley of Roses in Kalaat M’Gouna. Upon arrival in Dades Valley in the afternoon, we will take you to see some impressive geological features known as the “monkey fingers,” time permitting. If time is short, we will visit this remarkable spot the following day. You will spend the night in a comfortable hotel of your choice.
Driving distance: Approximately 353 km
Driving time: Approximately 6 hr 30 min
We will begin the second day of your 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with a lovely breakfast. Then, we will drive to Tineghir, stopping at a viewpoint offering a panorama of beautiful Berber villages and a rich palm-filled oasis. Nearby is a 300-meter-high gorge called Toudgha Gorge. We will take a short walk beneath this massive canyon before continuing our journey to the Merzouga desert.
As we reach Merzouga later in the day, you will start a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes. During this trek, you will stop atop a high dune to watch a spectacular sunset over the golden sands of Erg Chebbi. Following this, you will continue riding your camel to the camp, where you will receive a pleasant welcome with a cup of tea. You will have time to relax at leisure. After a wonderful Moroccan dinner, you can gather around a crackling campfire with Berber locals who will play traditional drums and share stories beneath the clear, starry night. You will spend the evening in a luxury desert camp that you have selected.
Driving distance: Approximately 310 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr
For today, we highly recommend getting up early to catch a breathtaking sunrise from the dune closest to the camp. After enjoying a flavorful breakfast, you can return to Merzouga village either on the camel or in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle. From there, we will begin the drive back to Marrakech, but this time, we will follow a different path alongside the Draa River, which is, in fact, Morocco’s longest river, extending for 1100 kilometers.
Please feel entirely free to request that your driver stop whenever you desire. We will stop for a mid-day meal in Ouarzazate and continue the drive to Marrakech through the High Atlas mountains. Finally, we will drop you off at your accommodation, which concludes this 3-day Marrakech desert tour.
Driving distance: Approximately 560 km
Driving time: Approximately 9 hr
Casablanca
Ourzazate
Merzouga
Marrakech
To maximize the quality of your desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, we strongly suggest allocating a full day to explore Merzouga, especially if you opt for the 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga or the 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
This 3-day Marrakech desert tour can conclude in Fes by selecting the Marrakech to Fes desert tour option. Alternatively, you can start the tour from Fes and finish it in Marrakech by choosing our Fes to Marrakech desert tour.
It is possible to undertake a desert tour in 2 days by choosing the Marrakech desert tours 2 days. However, this is not the recommended choice as it involves a significant amount of driving.
The most popular Saharan desert gateway for this route is Merzouga/Erg Chebbi. The driving distance from Marrakech to Merzouga is approximately 560 kilometers (350 miles). The trip typically takes 9 to 10 hours of driving time without stops. This is a very long journey, which is why the tour is heavily focused on driving time on Day 1.
The driving distance from Fes to Merzouga/Erg Chebbi is slightly shorter than from Marrakech, covering approximately 460 to 470 kilometers (286–292 miles). The journey takes about 7 to 7.5 hours of driving time without stops, which is why the second day of the tour also involves significant driving.
We prioritize your comfort and utilize modern, air-conditioned transportation, including 4×4 SUVs, vans, and minibuses (depending on the size of your group).
It is highly recommended to book the tour as soon as possible to ensure availability for your preferred dates.
To confirm your reservation, a small initial payment (deposit) must be submitted via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. The remaining balance is to be paid in cash to your driver/guide on the first day of your tour, accepted in euros, US dollars, or the equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.
