3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga is one of the best itineraries in Morocco, and as you can see, all travel agents offer it as their number one tour, to cut to the chase, the itinerary is the same everywhere, it is the quality of the service, the qualification of the drivers, the choice of accommodations and the long partnership with all contributing parties in this tour (guides, restaurants, hotels...) that makes a difference. We have been running this tour among others for a long time that our clients are always treated well and welcomed. The tour covers a huge part of Morocco and offers a variety of landscapes, attractions and lifestyles. The last however is a long drive from Merzouga back to Marrakech and therefore, we recommend to take the 4 days extended tour whenever it is possible (Especially if you are travelling with young kids ).
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Dinner
✔ In-vehicle air conditioning
✔ Breakfast
✔ pick up and drop off from your hotel in Marrakech
✖ Lunch not incluede
✖ Drinks
✖ Local Guide in Ait Ben Haddou
Pickup Locations
1. Club Les Almoravides Hotel
2. Riad Noor Charana
3. Riad Zouhour
4. RIad Al Loune
5. Ksar Saad & spa
6. Hotel Sindi Sud
7. La Mamounia Marrakech
8. Riad Ifoulki
9. Riad Ajarif by Riad Tawargit
10. Riad Emma
11. Riad 11 Zitoune
12. Riad Allal
13. MonRiad
14. Riad Al Mansoura
15. Riad Dar Azal
16. Gem Riad
17. Riad Assakina
18. Les Jardins de la Koutoubia
19. Heritage Lalla Aicha
20. Riad Chennaoui
Additional Info: Your driver will pick you up at 08:00 am, and you will start 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
Itinerary
Marrakech - High Atlas - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley
1
Marrakech
Pick up from your accommodation in Marrakech at 8 o'clock in the morning,
Duration: 20 minutes
2
Tizi n Tichka
depart to the High Atlas, Sof Moroccan Atlas mountains, going through Tizi N'Tichka port with stops for panoramic views and taking pictures of the Berber small villages that camouflage in the landscape.
Duration: 2 hours
3
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Then we continue south to the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). Famous films have been shot in this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara with Penélope Cruz...etc. Free time for lunch in town.
Duration: 3 hours
4
Ouarzazate
Then we continue to Ouarzazate also known as “The gate of the desert” that in Berber language means “noiseless or without confusion”. Here we'll see the Taourirt kasbah, one of the most spectacular ksars in Morocco. The next site to visit is the Rose Valley going through the big Skoura palm grove; a beautiful place to contemplate more than 700.000 palms and numerous kasbahs that are built in the surrounding area. In this Valley damascenes roses are raised for cosmetic use such as the valued rosewater
Duration: 2 hours
5
Dades Gorges
The Rose Festival is held here annually in May, it is an important museum for Moroccan culture. Finally we reach the Dades valley where we'll spend the night.
Duration: 2 hours
Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga - Camel Trek and overnight in Berber Camp
1
Tinghir
After breakfast we'll enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Dades Valley from one strategic lookout in the mountains, from there we can appreciate the great number of kasbahs and the scenic characteristics of each one. A very good asphalt road leads up the valley from the city of Tinerhir to the gorge and then to the desert. After some stops on the way we'll reach the Todra Gorges.
Duration: 3 hours
2
Merzouga Desert
The scenery is spectacular. Local people live in the area and can be seen in their adobe villages. Thanks to its rock sides with many uneven surfaces, these gorges are popular among rock climbers. After a short walk in the Todra gorges you'l have free time for lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug and then we continue our way to the desert to reach the spectacular dunes of Merzouga. We'll take there a camel ride of one hour to our nomad camp located in the middle of a sea of dunes (Erg Chebbi). Before dinner we'll see the sunset at the top of a dune for then sleep in a tent under a beautiful starry sky.
Duration: 6 hours
Merzouga Dunes - Draa Valley - Anti Atlas Mountains - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
1
Merzouga
Very early in the morning we have a “Date with the sunrise”. In the middle of the desert, waking up early is a “must do” to contemplate the most spectacular sunrise you've ever seen at the top of a dune close to the camp. Then we return to Merzouga on the camels where a delicious breakfast is waiting for us.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Ouarzazate
Having regained strength we start our last trip day going through the arid pre-desertic area where we'll meet the “acacia”, typical tree of this landscapes. On the way to the Draa valley we'll make some stops to enjoy the beautiful views of the river that gives name to the valley. Its the longest river in Morocco, going through the hole country reaching Mauritania. Our trip continues towards Ouarzazate going through the Anti Atlas.
Duration: 4 hours
3
Marrakech
We'll have some free time for lunch in town and in the afternoon we start off our road again to Marrakech reaching about 8pm. Transfer to the hotel and end of our services.
Duration: 4 hours
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
