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If you're looking to explore the southern region of Morocco and take in its stunning landscapes, consider the private 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. This highly recommended tour showcases the best of Morocco's desert scenery, including the majestic High Atlas Mountains, ancient Berber villages, lush oases, a night in the Dades Valley, and a night in the Merzouga desert, home to the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes.
On the first day, you'll traverse the High Atlas Mountains, visit the renowned Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and explore Ouarzazate. The journey then takes you through Skoura and the Valley of Roses (Mgouna) before arriving at Dades Valley for an overnight stay. The second day includes a visit to the dramatic Todra Gorges and various Berber villages, culminating in a camel ride and an overnight stay in a desert camp in the Sahara.
On the final day, you'll rise early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, enjoy breakfast, freshen up, and then begin the return trip to Marrakech, marking the end of the 3-day desert tour.
This private tour can be customized to suit your preferences, with options to upgrade your accommodation from standard to mid-range or luxury hotels, or choose to stay in desert camps. This flexibility allows you to tailor the journey to your comfort and luxury preferences.
Brief Itinerary of the Private 3-Day Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades
- Departure: Marrakech
- Arrival: Dades
- Distance: 270 km
Day 2: Dades to Merzouga Desert
-Departure: Dades
- Arrival: Merzouga Desert
- Distance: 300 km
Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech
- Departure: Merzouga
- Arrival: Marrakech
- Distance: 560 km
Extra Activities
Quad Bike Adventure
- Discover the enchanting Merzouga dunes on a quad bike, providing an exhilarating way to explore the golden sands.
Dune Buggy Excursion
- Experience the thrill of navigating the ever-changing landscape of the Merzouga dunes with a dune buggy adventure.
Highlights
- Driving through the Atlas Mountains
- Visiting the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Discovering Dades Valley
- Walking in Todra Gorges
- Riding camels in the Merzouga desert
- Enjoying the sunset over the dunes
- Spending the night in a desert camp
- Watching the sunrise
Embark on a three-day adventure from Marrakech to Dades Valley and Merzouga. Day 1: Depart Marrakech, traverse the High Atlas Mountains to Dades Valley, visiting Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Overnight in Dades. Day 2: Explore Todra Gorges, journey to Merzouga through scenic landscapes, and opt for a camel trek to a desert camp. Day 3: Witness the sunrise over the desert, return to Merzouga, and journey back to Marrakech via Ouarzazate, passing Berber villages. Arrive in Marrakech by evening. Experience the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and hospitality of Morocco in just three unforgettable days.
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 8:00 am
Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades
On the first day of your excursion, your journey begins with a prompt 8:00 am rendezvous with your designated driver at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. From there, we embark on a scenic drive southward, traversing the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the renowned Tizi-n-Tichka pass, standing tall at an elevation of 2260 meters. Along this route, be prepared to be captivated by breathtaking vistas of sprawling valleys, towering peaks, and quaint Berber villages nestled in the rugged terrain.
Our next destination is the historic town of Ouarzazate, where we'll pause to explore the UNESCO-protected marvel of Ait Benhaddou. This ancient Kasbah, boasting remarkable preservation, has served as the backdrop for numerous cinematic masterpieces including "Gladiator," "Kingdom of Heaven," and "Game of Thrones." Immerse yourself in the rich history and cinematic allure of this iconic fortress before we resume our journey.
Continuing onwards, we'll venture deeper into the enchanting landscapes, making our way to the picturesque Dades Valley. En route, we'll pass through the charming Berber villages of Mgouna and Skoura, each offering glimpses into the traditional way of life in Morocco's rural heartlands. As the day draws to a close, we'll settle in for a restful evening in Dades, where the tranquil beauty of the valley awaits, promising a night of serenity and rejuvenation amidst nature's embrace.
ACCOMMODATION:
Standard Option: Hotel Kasbah Didis or similar
Superior Option: Hotel Ksar Sultan or similar
Day 2
Dades - Todra Gorges - Jorf - Erfoud - Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Dunes)
On the tour's second day, we'll depart from Dades after breakfast and a quick freshen up. Our next stop is Todra Gorges, hailed as one of Morocco's most breathtaking natural wonders. Its narrow, canyon-like formations resemble a human throat, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
You'll have ample time to explore the gorge, taking in the sights and sounds of the flowing river within. Continuing our journey towards Merzouga, we'll traverse stunning landscapes adorned with palm-fringed oases and traditional Berber villages. Passing through Erfoud, we mark the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet before reaching Merzouga.
Upon arrival, you can opt to relax before embarking on a camel trek to our desert camp, or we can commence the trek immediately, depending on the time. Typically, the camel journey begins around late afternoon, lasting approximately one hour.
As we arrive at the camp, you'll be greeted by the majestic dunes of the Sahara and the setting sun. A traditional Moroccan tea will be served, followed by a delightful dinner in the main tent, accompanied by the soulful tunes of Berber music played by local artists around a cozy campfire. Don't miss the chance to gaze at the mesmerizing starlit sky, offering an unforgettable end to an adventurous day in the desert.
ACCOMMODATION:
Standard Option: Standard Desert Camp (Berber Lifestyle Camp or similar)
Superior Option: Luxury Desert Camp (Mouhou Luxury Desert Camp or similar)
Day 3
Merzouga -Alnif - Nkob - High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech
On the third day of the tour, we'll wake you bright and early for an optional treat - witnessing the breathtaking sunrise over the desert. After breakfast and a quick freshen up, our day begins. You'll have the choice to either ride camels back to Merzouga in the morning or be chauffeured directly from the camp by car.
Once you're reunited with your driver, our journey back to Marrakech commences, weaving through diverse landscapes and past several Berber villages such as Alnif, Tazarine, and N'kob. As we make our way back via Ouarzazate, retracing our steps along the same scenic route, we'll arrive in Marrakech in the evening, around 18:00 - 19:00, depending on our morning departure time and any stops we make along the way.
- Private transportation with A/C
- Experienced driver (Multilingual)
- Car fuel
- One night in a hotel in Dades Valley (Dinner & Breakfast)
- Camel trekking in the dunes
- Sandboarding (Optional)
- One night in a desert camp (Dinner & Breakfast)
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Accommodation in Marrakech
- Entrance fees
There are two accommodation choices: standard and superior. The standard package offers accommodations in standard hotels and a standard desert camp. Alternatively, the superior package provides stays in luxury hotels and a deluxe Sahara desert camp.
In the winter months (mid-November to early March), Merzouga experiences cold nights and mild daytime temperatures, averaging around 26°C during the day and dropping to around 0°C at night. Conversely, in summer (mid-June to mid-September), temperatures soar, with daytime highs reaching around 45°C and nighttime lows around 30°C. The remaining months exhibit consistent temperatures, averaging between 24-30°C throughout the day and night.
Closed shoes
Water
Flashlight
Backpack
Sunscreen
Hat or scarf
sunglasses
Jacket and gloves (during winter)
The journey from Marrakech to Merzouga, located in the southeast, spans approximately 564 km. Typically, it takes around 10 hours to reach Merzouga, factoring in travel time. However, the duration may vary based on any planned stops along the route. In this tour, we break up the journey by spending the first night in Dades, which is halfway to the Merzouga desert, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
The 3-day desert tour starts around 08:00 am, and the pick-up will be from our office in Marrakech. The address is Jamaa Elfna front of cafe france, Marrakech 40000 Morocco.
Related Trips
Essaouira Day Trip – private –
Our day trip to Essaouira begins at 08:00 am with a visit to an argan cooperative. In Essaouira, you can explore landmarks such as the Portuguese fortifications, Bab Laalouj, the Mellah, the harbor, and Kasbah La Scala. Enjoy a seafood lunch before we return to Marrakech by 6:00 pm.
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