4 Days Desert Tour to Merzouga from Marrakech
Marrakech - Drâa-Tafilalet
Location
Merzouga
Date
May 4, 2027
Duration
4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty
Moderate
seats
16 seats
About this trip
The 4 Days Desert Tour to Merzouga is the classic Sahara journey from Marrakech to the towering golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and the film studios of Ouarzazate, sleep in the Dades and Todra gorges, then reach Merzouga where a camel caravan carries you into the dunes for a night in a Berber desert camp under the stars. The return journey brings you back to Marrakech via the Valley of Roses and the Tizi n'Tichka. With long driving days balanced by spectacular scenery, cultural stops, and the unforgettable desert night, this is the most popular Sahara itinerary from Marrakech.
Day-by-day itinerary
Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades
Early pick-up from your Marrakech accommodation and drive across the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), with panoramic mountain views. Visit the UNESCO-listed mud-brick ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village used as a film set for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Continue to Ouarzazate, the 'Hollywood of Africa', with an optional stop at the film studios. Drive on through the Valley of Roses to the Dades Gorge for dinner and overnight in a hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Dades Gorge
Meals: Dinner
Dades – Todra Gorges – Tinghir – Merzouga – Desert Camp
After breakfast, drive through the Dades valley of figs and the palm oases of Tinghir to the Todra Gorges, where a 300-metre canyon narrows to a rocky corridor — a short walk through the gorge. Continue east to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Swap the vehicle for a camel and trek into the dunes at sunset to a Berber desert camp. Dinner under the stars and traditional Berber drum music around the campfire. Overnight in a desert camp tent.
Accommodation: Berber desert camp (private tent)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Merzouga – Rissani – Valley of Roses – Ouarzazate
Wake early to watch the sunrise over the dunes — the most beautiful moment in the Sahara. After breakfast, ride the camels back to Merzouga and visit the Rissani souk and an old ksar. Drive west through the Tafilalet palm groves and the Valley of Roses, stopping in Kelaat M'Gouna where damask roses are harvested for perfume. Continue to Ouarzazate for dinner and overnight in a riad or hotel.
Accommodation: Riad/hotel in Ouarzazate
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Ouarzazate – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech
After breakfast, drive back over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech, with photo stops along the way. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and drop-off at your accommodation.
Accommodation: None (return to Marrakech)
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- Air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan transport for all 4 days
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Visit to Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO) and Ouarzazate film studios
- Walk through the Todra Gorges
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- One night in a Berber desert camp with dinner and Berber music
- 3 nights accommodation (hotels, riads, and desert camp)
- Breakfasts and dinners included
Group pricing
Group pricing — Price per person, depending on your group size.
Photo gallery
Tap any photo to view it full size.