Unique 3 Day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
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Overview 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
Take our 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert to discover the southeast of Morocco. Set out from Marrakech through stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains towards UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Drive through valleys and oases, and explore canyons of the eastern part of the Atlas Mountains, Todra Gorge on your way to the Sahara desert.
Highlights of 3 day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert.
During your 3 day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga.You will have free time to visit many attractions on the way.
- Enjoy spectacular views of High Atlas Mountains.
- Visit UNESCO kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.
- Wander around stunning landscape of Todra Gorge.
- Take a camel trek atravers the sahara desert to reach your camp.
- Spend a memorable overnight in the heart of the desert under stars in bedouin luxury tent.
Brief itinerary of 3 day Marrakech desert tour
> IMPORTANT! : Bear in mind that this is just a 3 Day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga suggestion, if it does not match what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to view our suggested Itineraries or contact us. We will organize a different itinerary based on your preferences and your stay duration. We offer customized and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.
- Day 1: Travel from Marrakech to Dades Valley through High Atlas Mountains, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, Ouarzazate city and The Valley of Roses. 6 hours drive.
- Day 2: Continue your Marrakech desert tour adventure from Dades Valley to Merzouga Desert Erg Chebbi via Todra Gorge. 4 hours drive.
- Day 3: hit the road back to Marrakech from Merzouga Desert via N'kob, Agadez, Draa Valley, Low Atlas Mountains and High Atlas Mountains. 8 Hours drive.
Detailed Itinerary of 3 day sahara desert trip from Marrakech
First day of your 3 day sahara desert trip from Marrakech.
On the first day of your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. You will travel across high Atlas Mountains to reach Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, then travel to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate city and Valley of Roses.
After breakfast at your accommodation in Marrakech. You will take the road towards the Southeast of Morocco and drive on one of the most twisted paths in the country, the Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains. The pass stands at an elevation of 2,260m.a.s.l and has wonderful views and mountain streams. Furthermore, the Berber villages, Kasbahs and fields are terraced to slopes all along the way. In winter, the pass is likely to be covered with snow. afterwards, you will proceed down to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a distinctive location for moviemakers. Several foreign and local movies have been shot in the Kasbah, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy etc. Once you get to Ait Ben Haddou, you will tour the Kasbah and have lunch before you continue driving to Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, and then make your way through Valley of Roses to Boumalne Dades where the first day of the 3 day sahara desert trip from Marrakech terminates. The road to the town is called the route of a thousand Kasbahs due to the tremendous number of fortresses and citadels spread in the region. Indeed, Dades (the main gateway to the Dades valley) is a marvelous, cool town. Overnight stay in a Cozy Riad.
Second Day of 3 Days Marrakech sahara desert tour.
On The second day of your 3 Days Marrakech sahara desert tour. You will continue your adventure towards Merzouga Sahara Desert via Todra Gorges, once you get to Merzouga Village in the Desert, you will take camel trek travers the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to reach the camp. If you woud not like to ride camels, we will transfer you by a 4×4 Jeep to your camp.
You will leave immediately after breakfast towards Toudra Gorges, about 14 kilometers inside the mountains from the town of Tenghir, where you will have enough time to wander in its 300-metre canyon walls. Next, you will follow the path further through the great southern oases into the Sahara desert (a place of tranquility and serenity). Travel along the Tafilalte oasis to get to Erg Chebbi Desert. As you arrive to Merzouga, you will mount the camels across the great sand dunes into a desert camp. Indeed, this will be one of the most thrilling and memorable tour experiences during your trip in Morocco. On your way there, you will stop (occasionally halfway) for the mesmerizing view of sunset over the dunes of the sahara desert. By or before dusk, you are going to be at the tent camp. After dinner, you will enjoy a drum show performed by the staff at the camp. Furthermore, you will be conveniently placed to observe the stars, shooting stars and the milky-way.
Third day of 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
On the Third day of 3 day sahara desert trip from Marrakech. You will travel back to Marrakech from Merzouga through berber villages such as Tazarine, N’kob and Agadz as will as the stunning views of Draa Valley and Atlas Mountains.
Wake up early morning for a memorable sunrise over dunes of sahara, then have breakfast. On your return to Marrakech, you will go past Rissani (ancient name “Sijilmasa”), the largest oasis in the country, with its adobe Kasbahs and palm groves, it is worth a stop. Beyond Rissani, you will take a different road of mountains and “Acacia Trees” to the towns of Tazarine and N’KOB. then follow Daa Valley with its stunning views of palm groves to reach Agadz town, here you will stop for lunch befor you get to the Low Atlas Mountains. You will have free time to enjoy spectacular scenery of th Atlas Mountains. then hit the road to Marrakech on the same road through Ouarzazate and the Hight Atlas Mountains. Ordinarily, you will arrive to Marrakech by sunset or early evening. Your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga ends by getting you at your accommdation in Marrakech.
Accommodation we use for Marrakech Sahara desert tour.
For this 3 days Marrakech sahara desert tour, we offer two types of comfortable desert camps in Merzouga: Standard camp with shared bathroom and Superior Luxury camp with private bathroom inside the tent. The same thing in Dades Valley: we offer Standards hotel private room with private bathroom and superior hotel in private room and bathroom.
Standard:
Hotels in Dades valley: Kasbah Tifawen, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Le Vieux Chateau, Dar Essyaha, Kasbah Didis or similar.
Merzouga: standard desert camp in private tent with shared bathroom.
Superior:
in Hotels Dades Valley: Ksar Sultan Dades, Xaluca hotel, La Perle Du Dades, Dar Rihana, Auberge Chez Pierre or similar
Camps in Merzouga: Azawad Luxury Desert Camp, Palmyra Luxury Camp, Golden Camp, Camel House Luxury Camp or similar.
Inclusions & Exclusions of 3 days Marrakech Desert tour.
Price Includes
- Transportation in comfortable 4wd car, minivan for private tour and minibus for group tour.
- Fuel, tolls and car insurance.
- Driver according to your language, French, English, Spanish, portuguese or Italian.
- Night with half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) in Dades valley.
- Night with half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) in desert camp.
- Camel riding in Erg Chebbi dunes
- Pick-up from hotel, Riad or Airport in Marrakech.
- sandboarding on the sand dunes (optional)
- drop you off at your accommodation in Marrakech on the last day of your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
Price Excludes
- Ticket flight
- Lunches & Drinks
- Monuments Fees.
How much is the price for 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga?
The price for the 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga sahara desert Erg Chebbi can vary depending on different factors, including the accommodations you choose, the size of your travel group, and the specific season of your visit. The price for 3 days trip from Marrakech to Merzouga starts from 150 euro for shared group tour and 320 euro for private tour. We understand that each group has unique requirements, so we encourage you to contact us promptly to receive a customized and accurate price quote.
Our dedicated team is available to assist you in creating an itinerary that fits your budget and personal preferences. By reaching out to us, we can provide you with a tailored price quote that considers your group’s specific needs. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible, and we will be more than happy to help you plan an unforgettable journey through Morocco.
Map: 3 day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Desert
This is the Map of 3 day tour itinerary from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert and back to Marrakech.
Booking Process 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
In order to ask about pricing or booking this 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga , send us a booking demand across our Enquiry Form below or the booking & reservations page. We are available also on Whatsapp and WeChat we will reply as soon as possible.
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3 Days Marrakech Desert Tour Facts:
- Our proposal 3 days Marrakech desert tour begins in Marrakech & ends in Marrakech, if you are looking for the reverse, you can go over our 3 days tour from Fes to Marrakech or 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes.
- The camel trek is roughly 1H with a break over the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to admire the sunset.
- You can always consult your driver about skipping some spots to spend more time elsewhere you like.
- We are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide any assistance, emergency or otherwise.
- You can choose to go to the camp on a camel trek or by 4WD car.
- The price of our 3 days Marrakech sahara desert tour depends on the type of accommodation, travelers number, in your group, and the season, consult one of our travel agents.
- You may miss a part of the trip due to weather factors (Snow, rain, or a sandstorm).
- You can rent Quad Bikes in Erg Chebbi Dunes. If you’re interested just let us know during the booking or let your guide know during the trip.
- This 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is changeable according to your interest and preferences.
FAQs: for sahara desert trip from Marrakech
Below is a list of the most common Questions and Answers about 3 days sahara desert trip from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Are the tents private or shared?
Guests are assured of their privacy in their own tents. During the tour, you’ll stay in comfortable private tents and rooms with all the amenities you may need. but if you chose to have standard camp in the sahara desert, you will have private tent but shared bathroom.
Can we bring our luggage with us during the 3 day tour from Marrakech?
Of course, don-t worry, we have enough space in the car for the luggage during your Marrakech desert tour.
How do i take my luggage to the camp?
We’ll transport all your luggage to the camp, while you are on a camel ride experience, you will find it inside your tents once you get there.
Is it possible to have Vegetarian or Vegan Meals?
Yes, we have vegetarian and vegan Food, please let us know during the booking process or let your Driver/Guide know.
informations about places you will visit during your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert.
Tizi n’Tichka is a HIGH MOUNTAIN pass at an elevation of 2.262m (7,257ft) above the sea level, Tizi n’Tichka means “difficult mountain pasture” in Berber and you’ll see why.
Where is Tizi n'Tichka?
The pass is located on the boundary of Marrakesh-Safi and Drâa-Tafilalet regions of Morocco. Geographically, the pass lies between the great Marrakech Plains and the gateway of the Sahara Desert, on the High Atlas mountains.
How long is Tizi n’Tichka?
Tucked away in the central part of the country, the road to the summit, also known as Col du Tichka and Tizi n’Aguelmous, is totally paved. It’s called Route Nationale 9 (formerly Route P-31). The pass is 54km (33 miles) long, running north-south from Zerkten to Agouim. The road was built as a military highway in 1936 by the French. Today, Route Nationale 9 links the south-east of Marrakesh to the city of Ouarzazate.
Is Tizi n’Tichka open?
Set high in the High Atlas mountains, this road is usually open all year round, but from November to March, snow can often fall on the pass, and can be closed when the access is not cleared of snow. It can be warm all year round in the strong sun.
Is Tizi n’Tichka worth it?
This high mountain road offers stunning views of the Atlas Mountains around every switchback and hairpin turn. At the summit visitors will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. As the road begins to make its way down to Ouarzazate, travelers will be able to marvel at pre-Sahara regions that lie dry and motionless and the silent peaks of the great Atlas Mountains. The most famous road through the High Atlas leads from the vast plains surrounding the royal city of Marrakech to the pass, which is quite often blocked by snow in the winter and is then impassable down around the beautiful kasbahs (clay medieval fortress) to Ourzazate, the gateway to the valley of river Draa and Sahara Desert. The views, the villages and the time spent on the Tizi n’Tichka Pass are a truly unique experience. Travelers are encouraged to take this journey of history, wonder and natural amazement. Near the pass is Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, probably the most celebrated, filmed and photographed kasbah in Morocco. Featured in numerous films (including Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky and Gladiator), it is the best-preserved kasbah in Morocco and has 10 families still inhabiting it. At the summit there are shops selling minerals.
Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, You will visit it on the first days of your 3 day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Aït Benhaddou is a historical ksar (fortified village) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in Morocco. It is considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco.
Dades Valley where you will spend the first night of your sahara desert trip from Marrakech.
Dades Valley! The Dades oued, with its source in the High Atlas has dug some of Morocco’s most spectacular canyons. The heart of the valley is a haven of freshness and surprising landscapes inhabited by incredibly welcoming people. Discover the Dades Gorges in the spring when the valley is brimming with an exceptionally flourishing nature. Escape amidst gardens of almond, argan, palm, poplar and walnut trees. during your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga you’ll admire beautiful scenes of orchards, before reaching the mountainous Atlas foothills. Here you’ll discover unusual rocky outcrops the “monkey fingers”. This geologic curiosity is particularly enchanting at sunset.
Todra Gorge. You'll visit it on the second day of Marrakech sahara desert tour.
Todra Gorge. Deep in the rocky Atlas mountains on one of the roads to the Sahara from Marrakech lies the dramatic scenery of the Todra Gorge (called locally Toudgha Gorge), a natural oasis created by the River Todra carving its way through limestone for many centuries. The gorge looks almost prehistoric with canyon walls that reach over 400 metres in height (higher than the Empire State Building in New York).
One of Morocco’s top attractions for visitors, it’s a paradise for photography enthusiasts, climbers, bikers and hikers. The gorge has also been featured in the American TV show ‘Expedition Impossible’* and a 2012 Cadillac CTS advert.
It is an ideal spot to break the journey between Marrakech and the desert for an overnight or a couple of days but it equally lends itself to longer exploration.
When to visit Todra Gorge?
The most popular time to visit is spring and autumn when the weather’s cooler but not too cold. Be aware, though, that these are also the busiest times as the gorge is a popular spot, however there are plenty of less well known areas around to explore if you want to get away from the crowds. If you choose to come in summer, you will have the place to yourself but temperatures can soar into the 40s, and it is worth noting that many businesses shut down (especially for the Eid holy holidays if they hit in your travel window). If you come in winter, it might be best to avoid the snowy months of December to February as it can be very cold indeed.
What to do in Todra Gorge?
There are many options to enjoy the gorge whether you are an active outdoors type, or prefer just to simply enjoy the scenery, soak up the culture, do a little bit of shopping for local handicrafts and maybe …. take a few photographs.
Picnic and hike:
The scenery is absolutely stunning and one of the best ways to see it is on foot. There are hikes we can arrange for all levels around the gorge. We can provide a guide and a picnic to enjoy on the route. This could be a half-day or day option depending on how long you want to spend there. If you want to do longer hikes which will take you deeper into the countryside, we can also arrange you one to suit your timetable and level of ability.
Mountain bike tour:
Epic organize many mountain bike tours in Morocco for Saddle Skeddadle, so we are well equipped with the knowledge and experience to plan a tour in the area for you. Or you can rent a mountain bike for a day to enjoy a different way of seeing the local area and getting fit. There is biking for every level but you will need a basic level of fitness if you want to tackle some of the fabulous technical routes around the gorge. If you just want to relax, then a ride through the palmeraie is ideal.
Rock climbing:
The gorge is the best spot in Morocco for rock climbing. There are more than 100 official routes that allow climbers to experience the gorge safely. There are routes for every level, many of which include multi-pitch routes. Beginners are welcomed here too as the gorge is a great place to learn. The Todra Gorge uses the French grading system – Sport Grades – so make sure that you have a grade conversion chart with you if you are used to working off a different system. Our two favourites are the classic ‘Eccentric Doctor’ which starts on a flake and ends over a bulge and ‘Big Ben’ which is full of crimpy holds.
Explore the Todra Palmeraie during your Marrakech desert tour:
A palmeraie is the French word for a grove or plantation of date palm trees and the Todra palmeraie is a great example of a working date plantation. The graceful palms always give shade and, depending on what time of year you come, will be hanging with clusters of dates in different stages of development. The palmeraie also houses small villages and vegetable gardens and orchards of pomegranate trees are peppered throughout. It is the ideal place to explore at a relaxed pace on foot or by bike and to learn how dates are grown and harvested and get an insight into the lives of the farmers. It’s also a natural paradise and ideal for a picnic. Make sure to ask your guide for a taste of the date syrup which the people use here on their bread as an alternative to jam or honey.
Erg Chebbi Dunes here you'll spend last night of your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Erg Chebbi, the dunes in the Sahara Desert that most people choose to visit, is located a two-day drive from Marrakech.
Don’t worry about being bored along the way, though — there are plenty of attractions and sites to keep you entertained, with stops in Berber villages, oases and famous movie sites. Once you arrive in the Sahara Desert, there’s even more fun to be had. Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s several ergs – large seas of dunes formed by wind-blown sand. There are several other ergs in Morocco, such as Erg Chigaga near M’hamid.
The dunes of Erg Chebbi rise to 150 meters from the surrounding hamada (rocky desert) and altogether span an area of approximately 28 kilometers from north to south and 5–7 kilometers from east to west lining the Algerian border.
You won’t truly feel like you’ve experienced the Desert and Erg Chebbi until you ride a camel over the sand dunes.
An integral part of any trip to the Sahara Desert, riding a camel will definitely be an interesting experience if you haven’t done so before. Make sure to grip tightly onto the saddle’s handlebars in front as you’ll soon find yourself jostled from side to side and bounced up and down as the camel gallops over the sand dunes in a not particularly graceful fashion.
During your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, It’s all worth it, though. You’ll get to take photos from a different vantage point, experience the choice of transport for the local Berber people and receive a workout for your leg muscles as you battle to stay upright!
You’ve seen the sun set the previous night, so why not complete the set and wake up early to watch it rise the following morning.
Once more, look around your camp to scout out the highest sand dune and scramble up to receive yet another incredible view over the sand dunes.
Sandboarding at Erg Chebbi is optional in your 3 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Merzouga offers a lot of sand-centered activities considering how Erg Chebbi dunes are one of the main attractions. Sandboarding is a must-do for anyone visiting Erg Chebbi, primarily due to how fun it can be.
Regardless of whether you’re already acquainted with the basics of skiing and snowboarding or you’re a first-timer, you can’t skip out on the amount of fun that only sandboarding can provide.
Although you do have to walk up the dunes each time, which, granted, is a very Sisyphus-esque endeavor. However, the thrill and adrenaline you get from whizzing down the sand dunes more than makes up for it.
In fact, you might even find yourself climbing up a couple more times just to experience the exhilaration once again.
