- 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, IT, FR, ES
- Pickup includedFree pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Riad pickup at nearest accessible…
- Small groupGroup size
- Starts in MarrakechMarrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Tinghir → Todra Gorges → Merzouga
The marrakech to merzouga 3 days tour packs a camel trek in Erg Chebbi, a night in a Berber tent, and visits to Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorges into a compact loop from Marrakech. It suits travellers who want a desert experience without a week-long commitment but can handle long driving days — about 9–10 hours each way on mountain roads.
Highlights
- Sunset and sunrise camel trek across Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight in a private Berber tent at a desert camp near Merzouga
- Explore the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
- Walk the Todra Gorges and Tinghir Oasis with a local guide
- Traditional Berber dinner and music at the desert camp
- Return drive via the High Atlas Tizi n’Tichka pass
About this tour
You leave Marrakech in the morning, cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), and stop at the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou kasbah before continuing to Tinghir for the first night in a hotel. Day two adds a guided walk through Tinghir Oasis and the sheer walls of Todra Gorges, then the drive to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride into the dunes and a night at a desert camp with Berber music. Day three starts before dawn for a sunrise camel trek, breakfast, and the long return to Marrakech with a lunch stop en route.
The pace is driven by distance: the first and third days each involve 9–10 hours on the road, while day two is shorter (about 2–3 hours driving) but includes walking in the gorges. Groups are described as small (maximum 99, though typically fewer) and the minibus is air-conditioned. The tour runs in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Arabic, with hotel or riad pickup included.
Standout moments are the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sunrise, the traditional dinner and music at camp, and the scale of Todra Gorges. The main trade-off: the Ait Ben Haddou guide is not included, lunches are at your own expense every day, and the final drive back to Marrakech is a full day in the vehicle — worth knowing if you get car-sick or prefer slower travel.
Itinerary
Marrakech to Tinghir via Ait Ben Haddou
Kasbah visit and overnight in Tinghir
Depart Marrakech early, climb the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) and stop at Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar used in films like Gladiator — explore on your own or hire a local guide at the gate (not included). Continue down the Draa Valley to Tinghir, where you stay in a private room at Hotel Canyon or similar with dinner included.
Tinghir to Merzouga – Todra Gorges and desert camp
Oasis, gorges, camel trek and night in Berber tent
After breakfast, a local guide leads you through the palm groves of Tinghir Oasis and the 300 m cliffs of Todra Gorges. Drive on to Merzouga (about 2–3 hours), switch to camels for a 45-minute sunset ride into Erg Chebbi, then settle into a private Berber tent at La Source camp or similar for dinner, music and a night under the stars.
Merzouga to Marrakech – sunrise camel ride and return
Early camel trek, breakfast, then drive back
Wake before dawn for a short camel ride to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then breakfast at the camp. Depart for Marrakech with a stop for lunch (not included) — expect 9–10 hours on the road, crossing the Atlas again via Tizi n’Tichka, arriving back at your Marrakech hotel or riad in the evening.
For reference — the operator may change the order of stops.
Includes
- Breakfast at the hotel on the second day
- Local guide for Tinghir Oasis and Todra Gorges
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus (8 or 17 seats)
- Dinner at the hotel on the first night
- Private tent at the desert camp in Merzouga (La Source or similar) for each booking
- Pick up and drop-off from hotel or riad in Marrakech
- Private room at Hotel Tinghir (Hotel Canyon or similar) for each booking
- Fuel surcharge
- Breakfast at the desert camp on the third day
- Dinner at the desert camp on the second night
- Camel ride at sunset and sunrise in Merzouga
- Drinks during the trip
- Lunch (all days)
- Guide in Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
Meeting point
Pickup: Free pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. For riads, pickup is at the nearest accessible point.
Ends at: Marrakech (hotel/riad drop-off)
Important information
What to bring
- Warm clothes (especially in winter)
- Good walking shoes
- Phone number with country code (to provide at booking)
Know before you go
- Public transportation options available nearby
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats available on request
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option available – advise at time of booking
- Bring warm clothes in winter and good shoes
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Our take
Is the Marrakech to Merzouga 3 days tour worth it?
If you want to reach the <a href=
The trade-off is pace. You spend about nine hours driving on day one and a similar stretch on day three, crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m. The middle day balances travel with a guided walk through Todra Gorges and the camel trek at sunset and sunrise. Meals are simple but reliable — breakfast and dinner included, lunches at your own cost.
For travellers short on time, the <a href=
Who this tour suits and who should skip it
The tour runs as a <a href=
It suits couples, solo travellers and small friend groups who are comfortable sharing a minibus and don’t mind early starts (sunrise camel ride means waking before 6 am). The overnight hotel in Tinghir and desert camp in Merzouga both provide private rooms or tents, so you keep personal space. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at booking.
Best time of year and what to wear
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) give the most comfortable temperatures for the <a href=
Summer daytime highs in Merzouga regularly exceed 40 °C; the camel trek and gorges walk can feel punishing. Winter (December–February) brings crisp, clear days around 18–20 °C but nights at the desert camp drop near freezing. The High Atlas pass can be cold and occasionally snowy in January and February, so the minibus heating matters.
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What you pay extra: lunches, drinks, Ait Ben Haddou guide, tips
The tour covers transport, two nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, dinners, camel rides and the Todra Gorges guide. Everything else is on you — budget accordingly so there are no surprises on the day.
| Item | Estimated cost per person |
|---|---|
| Lunches (3 days) | €8–15 each |
| Drinks (water, tea, soft drinks, alcohol) | €2–5 per drink |
| Ait Ben Haddou local guide | €10–15 (optional, shared if group agrees) |
| Driver tip (expected) | €5–10 per day total |
| Camp staff tip (expected) | €5–10 for the stay |
| Todra Gorges guide tip | €3–5 |
Carry small denominations in dirhams for tips and small purchases; card acceptance is patchy outside Marrakech.
The Ait Ben Haddou guide is not included and not mandatory — the site is well signposted and many visitors explore independently. If your group wants one, the driver can arrange it on the spot and you split the fee.
Frequently asked questions
01How far is Merzouga from Marrakech and how long is the drive?
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech. The drive takes roughly 9–10 hours each way, broken over three days with stops at Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges and the High Atlas pass.
02Is the Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech safe?
Yes. The route uses paved highways and a well-maintained desert track to the camp. The operator provides an air-conditioned minivan and experienced drivers. Standard travel precautions apply.
03What is included in the 3 day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
Transport by air-conditioned minivan, hotel/riad pickup and drop-off, two nights’ accommodation (hotel in Tinghir, private Berber tent in Merzouga), breakfasts and dinners, camel rides at sunset and sunrise, local guide for Todra Gorges, and fuel.
04Are lunches included on the 3 day desert tour?
No. Lunches are not included on any of the three days. The driver stops at local restaurants where you can buy a meal (typically 80–150 MAD per person).
05Do I need a guide for Ait Ben Haddou kasbah?
The tour does not include a guide for Ait Ben Haddou. You can explore on your own or hire a licensed guide at the entrance (around 100–150 MAD for a group).
06What should I pack for the desert camp overnight?
Warm layers (nights drop below 10 °C in winter, 15–20 °C in summer), closed walking shoes, a head torch, sunscreen, a scarf for sand and sun, and a power bank — electricity at camp is limited.
07Can the tour end in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech?
This specific tour returns to Marrakech. If you need a Marrakech-to-Fes desert route, check the 3-day or 4-day Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga tours listed on the site.
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