- Free cancellationFor a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Duration 3 daysCheck availability to see starting times
- Live tour guideAR, EN, FR, ES
- Pickup includedHotel pickup included — Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation or…
- Small groupGroup size
- Starts in MarrakechMarrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou → Kelaat Mgouna…
The 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Agadir is a small-group journey crossing the High Atlas to the Erg Chebbi dunes, visiting Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorges, with camel treks, sandboarding, and a night in a Berber camp, ending in Agadir. It suits travellers who want a compact Sahara experience without backtracking to Marrakech, but expect long drives on day one and three.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via the 2,260 m Tizi n’Tichka pass on day one
- Explore UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou with a guide
- Walk the Todra Gorges’ 300 m cliffs before reaching the desert
- Camel trek into Erg Chebbi at sunset and again at sunrise
- Overnight in a traditional Berber camp with tagine dinner and live music
- Return via the Draa Valley’s kasbahs and saffron villages to Agadir
About this tour
The tour departs Marrakech early, climbing the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) before a guided visit of the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. You continue through the Roses Valley at Kelaat Mgouna and reach Tinghir for the first night in a hotel with dinner and breakfast included. Day two starts with a walk in the Todra Gorges, then a drive to Merzouga for a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, followed by dinner, Berber music, and an overnight in a desert camp. On day three you catch sunrise over the dunes, return to Merzouga, and drive the length of the Draa Valley via Alnif, Nkob, Agdz, Taznakht and Taliouine, arriving in Agadir after sunset with hotel drop-off.
The pace is brisk: day one and three each involve 8–10 hours on the road, while day two balances a short gorge walk with the camel experience. Standout moments are the Ait Ben Haddou kasbah, the sheer walls of Todra Gorges, and the silence of the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sunrise. The honest trade-off is the long driving days — you cover roughly 1,000 km in three days — so you see a lot but spend limited time at each stop. Lunches are not included, and the desert camp facilities are basic (shared bathrooms, no electricity in most tents).
Itinerary
Marrakech to Tinghir via High Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou
Approx. 9–10 hours driving, overnight in Tinghir with dinner and breakfast
Depart Marrakech early, climb the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m with panoramic views over the High Atlas. Stop at the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village used in many films, then continue through the Roses Valley at Kelaat Mgouna. Arrive in Tinghir in the late afternoon for an overnight hotel stay with dinner and breakfast included.
Todra Gorges to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
Morning gorge walk, camel trek at sunset, overnight in Berber desert camp
After breakfast, walk the Todra Gorges where limestone cliffs rise 300 m above the riverbed. Drive to Merzouga on the edge of Erg Chebbi. In the late afternoon, take a camel trek (one camel per person) into the dunes for sunset, try sandboarding, then reach the Berber camp for a traditional tagine dinner, live music, and an overnight in a nomad-style tent with breakfast included.
Merzouga to Agadir via Draa Valley
Sunrise camel trek, full-day drive with lunch stop, drop-off in Agadir after sunset
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then return to Merzouga by camel or 4×4 for breakfast. Begin the long drive west through Alnif, with a lunch stop in Nkob. Continue through the Draa Valley past Agdz, the saffron-growing village of Taznakht, and Taliouine. Arrive in Agadir after sunset with hotel drop-off at your accommodation or the nearest accessible point.
For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.
Includes
- Fuel for entire journey
- Pickup and drop-off from Marrakech accommodation (or nearest accessible point)
- One night hotel accommodation in Tinghir with dinner and breakfast
- One night camping in Erg Chebbi Merzouga with dinner and breakfast
- Camel trek (one camel per person) at sunset and sunrise
- Air-conditioned vehicle with driver/guide
- Experienced guide/driver fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic
- Sandboarding in the dunes
- Breakfasts (2)
- Dinners (2)
- Gratuities for guide/driver
- Lunches (3)
Meeting point
Pickup: Hotel pickup included — Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation or the nearest accessible point to your accommodation, especially if it is not reachable by car, typically in the old Medina of Marrakech.
Ends at: Agadir
Important information
Know before you go
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pickup from Marrakech accommodation or nearest accessible point (often in the old Medina if riad not car-accessible)
- Drop-off at Agadir hotel or nearest accessible location
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Our take
Is the 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Agadir worth it?
At around 1,000 km of driving in three days, this tour packs serious mileage. You cross the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), spend a night in a Berber camp in Erg Chebbi, and hit two UNESCO sites — Ait Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorges — before finishing in Agadir. For travellers who want the Sahara experience without backtracking to Marrakech, the one-way routing saves a full day of driving.
Value hinges on what is included: fuel, an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide, a hotel night in Tinghir with dinner and breakfast, a desert camp night with camel trek at sunset and sunrise, plus sandboarding. Lunches (three) and tips are extra, so budget another €30–40 per person. The 4.8 rating from 70 reviews suggests most people feel the experience delivers, but the long days on the road (8–10 hours on Day 3) are the trade-off.
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Who this tour suits and who should skip it
The tour runs as a small group (maximum 18) in an air-conditioned minibus, so it suits solo travellers, couples, and families with older children who are comfortable with early starts and several hours of driving each day. The one-way routing from Marrakech to Agadir works well if your flight home leaves from Agadir or you plan to continue along the Atlantic coast.
It is less suitable for travellers with limited mobility — the camel trek into Erg Chebbi and the walk in Todra Gorges require a basic level of fitness. Families with very young children may find the 10-hour Day 3 drive difficult. If you prefer a slower pace with more time in the desert, the <a href=
Best time of year and what to wear in the Sahara
The best time to go is March–May or September–October. Daytime temperatures in the Sahara desert sit in the mid-20s °C, while nights drop to 10–15 °C — comfortable for the camel trek and camp overnight. Summer (June–August) regularly exceeds 40 °C in Merzouga, making the midday drive through the Draa Valley taxing. Winter (December–February) brings clear, sunny days around 18–20 °C but nights can fall near freezing at the camp.
| Season | Day temp (Merzouga) | Night temp (camp) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 22–28 °C | 10–15 °C | Wildflowers in valleys; busy at Ait Ben Haddou |
| Autumn (Sep–Oct) | 24–30 °C | 12–17 °C | Warm days, pleasant evenings; fewer crowds |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 16–20 °C | 0–5 °C | Cold nights — bring a warm layer for camp |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 38–45 °C | 22–28 °C | Intense heat; early starts essential |
Pack layers: a light fleece or down jacket for evenings, a long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, a wide-brim hat, and closed shoes for the gorges walk. A scarf or buff keeps sand off your face during the camel trek. For the latest seasonal advice, see our <a href=
What you pay extra: lunches, tips, and upgrades
Three lunches are not included; you’ll stop at roadside restaurants or cafés along the route where a tagine or sandwich costs roughly 80–150 MAD. Vegetarian and other dietary options are usually available, but confirm with your driver when you order.
Gratuities for the guide/driver are also extra. A common benchmark is 100–200 MAD per person per day, or about 10–15% of the tour price if you prefer a percentage.
- Private en‑suite tent at the desert camp (often 200–400 MAD extra per night)
- 4×4 transfer to/from camp instead of the camel ride
- Sandboard rental if not already covered
- Extra drinks or snacks beyond the included breakfast and dinner
Frequently asked questions
01How far is the desert from Marrakech and how long is the drive each day?
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech by road — roughly 9–10 hours of driving spread over two days. Day one covers 350 km to Tinghir (6–7 hours with stops). Day three from Merzouga to Agadir is about 370 km (6–7 hours).
02Is the 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Agadir safe for solo travellers?
Yes. The tour runs in small groups (max 18) with an experienced driver-guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Solo travellers often join; you share the camel and camp tent with another guest of the same gender unless you book a private version.
03What is the accommodation like in Tinghir and at the desert camp?
Tinghir: a standard hotel with private bathroom, dinner and breakfast included. Desert camp: traditional Berber-style tents with shared bathroom facilities (usually separate toilet/shower blocks), comfortable mattresses, blankets, and a communal dining tent.
04Can I join this tour if my riad in the Marrakech medina is not car-accessible?
Yes. Pickup is from your accommodation or the nearest accessible point — often a main square like Jemaa el-Fnaa or a nearby road if your riad is down narrow alleys. The driver will confirm the exact spot the day before.
05Does the tour end in Agadir or return to Marrakech?
It ends in Agadir with hotel drop-off. This is a one-way route, not a round trip. If you need to return to Marrakech, you must book separate transport (bus, grand taxi, or flight).
06Are vegetarian or special diets catered for at the included dinners?
Vegetarian options are usually available (tagine with vegetables, couscous, salads). Notify the operator at booking. Vegan, gluten-free or allergy-specific needs may be harder to guarantee in rural hotels and the desert camp — bring snacks.
07What is the cancellation policy for this tour?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time for a full refund. After that, the tour is non-refundable. Check the booking page for the exact cut-off in your time zone.
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