3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dadès Valley.

On the 3-day trip from Marrakech to the desert, pick-up at 8:00 AM at the hotel or riad where you are staying in Marrakech or wherever you want.

We will depart for the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi N’Tichka Pass and making several stops to enjoy panoramic views and take photos. Visit to the Argan Oil Cooperative, where we will learn about the process of making this oil and discover its countless benefits for the human body.

We will continue south, where we will later turn off onto a 6 km track that will take us to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we can visit its Kasbah, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This spectacular setting has been used as a location for such renowned films as Gladiator and The Jewel of the Nile. Lunch in the village.

Next, we will continue on to Ouarzazate, considered “the great gateway to the desert” and the starting point for major expeditions, where the Kasbah of Taourirt stands out. We will continue towards the Valley of Roses, passing through the large palm groves of Skoura and Boumalne.

We will take a detour in Boumalne de Dadès to enjoy the “monkey fingers.”

Next, we will arrive at our destination. Dinner and accommodation in the Dadès Valley, overnight stay in a hotel with breakfast and dinner included.

Day 2: Dadès Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga.

After breakfast, we will visit the spectacular Dadès Gorges, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way. We will return to take a road dotted with Kasbahs, each one different from the last. After several stops, we will arrive at one of the highlights of the south, the Todra Gorges.

The Todra River has carved out a gorge with vertical walls of enormous proportions, up to 200 meters high, and of great beauty. It is a paradise for climbers and a unique place. Lunch on your own. We will continue towards the desert through the Tafilalet palm grove. Passing through Erfoud and Rissani, we will arrive at the impressive Merzouga Dunes, where we will enjoy a cup of tea while we rest for a while.

We will leave our bags and anything we won’t need in the desert at the hostel and set off on a camel caravan that will take us to the foot of the Great Dune in the Erg Chebbi desert. During the ride, which lasts approximately an hour and a half, we will be able to watch the beautiful sunset, admire the contrasting colors, and enjoy the calm of the dunes.

We will arrive at the camp in the desert. We will enjoy an authentic Berber dinner and listen to drum music. We will sleep in tents in the desert under the spectacular starry sky. Night in the desert, breakfast, and dinner.

Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech.

We will wake up early in the morning to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the dunes in the Sahara Desert. Then we will return to Merzouga with the dromedaries, observing the spectacular landscape.

After breakfast and a shower at the hotel, we will begin our return trip to Marrakech, passing through different towns such as Alnif, Tazarine, and Nkotb until we reach Ouarzazate.

We will return via the same route we took on the way there, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon/evening, ending our 3-day trip from Marrakech to the desert.