Home > Tours > From Marrakech> 3-Days trip from Marrakech to Merzouga Erg chebbi desert
3-Days trip from Marrakech to Merzouga Erg chebbi desert
| Tour Ref : | 3DMMD |
| Duration : | 3 DAYS – 2 NIGHTS |
| Tour type : | Private Tour, Family, Desert, Sahara |
| Tour start : | Marrakech |
| Tour end : | Marrakech |
| Highlights : | High Atlas Mountains, Southern Valleys, Kasbahs, gorges and Oasis |
| Price : | Prices according to number of people travelling in vehicle and season. |
Overview
This 3-day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga takes you to Erg Chebbi, the iconic orange dune sea of southern Morocco, and back across the High Atlas in three days. It is the classic short Sahara route: the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 m, the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the Skoura palm oasis and the kasbah of Amridil, then the valley of the roses at Kela’a M’gouna and the road of a thousand kasbahs down to the Dades gorges.
On the second day you walk in the Todra gorges before following the Ziz and Tafilalet valleys to Merzouga, where a one-hour camel trek brings you to a desert camp at the foot of dunes that rise to about 250 m. Unlike the more remote Erg Chegaga route, Merzouga is reached on paved roads, which makes this tour a good choice for families, first-time visitors and travellers who prefer a smoother drive without long off-road sections.
Day to Day tour itinerary
Discovering the Beauty of Southern Morocco: Marrakech to Merzouga Tour.
If you are looking for an adventure in Morocco that will take you through some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes the country has to offer, the Marrakech to Merzouga tour is a perfect choice. With this tour, you will be able to experience everything from the High-Atlas mountains to the rocky plateaus, the valley of the roses, and the dramatic Erg Chebbi dunes.
Day 1: Exploring Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate on the Way to Dades Valley
The first day of the tour begins with a morning departure from Marrakech towards Dades gorges, driving across the High-Atlas mountains. Along the way, you will have opportunities to stop and take photos at panoramic viewpoints. After passing through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, which is at an elevation of 2260m, you will leave the main road and take a side road to the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch, you can visit this well-known landmark, which has been featured in many Hollywood blockbusters. The journey continues past Ouarzazate and to the oasis of Skoura, where you can stop to visit the kasbah of Amridil. From here, the route goes through Kela’a M’gouna, the valley of the roses, and the road of one thousand Kasbahs. You will spend the night in a hotel in the Dades gorges.
Day 2: Exploring Todra Gorges and the Desert Dunes of Merzouga
On the second day, after breakfast, there is time to walk through the Boumalne Dades valley before continuing to the dunes of Merzouga via the Todra gorges. Here, you can take a walk before having lunch. In the afternoon, our trip continues along the Ziz valley and the Tafilalte valley to the dunes of Merzouga for an hour-long camel ride to reach the dunes of Erg Chebbi (250m). From the top of the dunes, the sunset is spectacular. Here, at Erg Chebbi dunes, we will have dinner and spend the night in a desert camp.
Day 3: Crossing the High Atlas Mountains on the Way Back to Marrakech
If you wake up early enough on the third day, you can watch the spectacle of the sunrise. After breakfast, you will return on camel back and the drive back east to Marrakech takes us along the length of the Saghro mountains via the villages of Rissani, Alnif, Tazarine (featured in the film ‘Babel’), and N’Qob for a break. The route continues to Marrakech via the valley of Draa, the ancient road of caravans, and Ouarzazate, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we cross the High Atlas again to reach Marrakech at the end of the afternoon.
Conclusion
The Marrakech to Merzouga tour is an unforgettable adventure that will take you through some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes in Morocco. From the High-Atlas mountains to the dramatic Erg Chebbi dunes, this tour offers a perfect opportunity to explore and discover the beauty of Southern Morocco. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Trip Highlights
- Camel trek into Erg Chebbi, the famous orange dunes near Merzouga that rise to around 250 m, with sunset from the crest and sunrise the next morning.
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 1987 and the backdrop of many international films.
- Walk the Todra gorges, where limestone cliffs rise up to 300 m above a narrow oasis river.
- Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) with panoramic stops over Berber villages in the High Atlas.
- See the Skoura oasis and kasbah of Amridil, then the valley of the roses at Kela’a M’gouna on the road of a thousand kasbahs.
- Sleep in a desert camp with a nomad tent, dinner and breakfast under the stars of the Sahara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough to visit Merzouga from Marrakech?
Yes. Three days is the shortest comfortable way to reach Erg Chebbi and return to Marrakech. Day one crosses the Atlas to the Dades gorges, day two reaches the dunes for the camel trek and camp, and day three returns via Rissani, Agdez and Ouarzazate. If you would rather end in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech, see our 3-day Marrakech to Fes desert trip.
Should I choose Merzouga or Erg Chegaga?
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) is reached on paved roads and is easier for families and first-time visitors. Erg Chegaga is larger, more remote and requires off-road driving in a 4×4. Both include a camel trek and a night in a desert camp.
When is the best time for this tour?
The best time to visit the Sahara desert is from September to May, when daytime temperatures suit dune walking and camel trekking. Winter nights in the camp are cold, so bring warm layers between December and February. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco for a full seasonal breakdown.
What is included in the desert camp?
The overnight stay includes a nomad tent, dinner and breakfast, a sunset climb of the dunes and a one-hour camel trek to reach the camp.
How long is the drive each day?
Day one covers roughly 320 km to the Dades gorges, day two around 255 km to Merzouga, and day three is the longest at about 560 km back to Marrakech. The route is broken up with stops at kasbahs, gorges and viewpoints.
BOOK TOUR
Departure & Return Location :
- Pick-up; drop off at/from your Hotel
- Or at your accommodation : Raid, Airport
What's Not Included:
- Private Transport with A/C
- (4x4 or Minibus for Groups) with professional drive
- Driver/Guide-speaking tour assistant
- Car Fuel
What's Not Included:
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Flight Tickets
Have Any Question?
- Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
- +212671735677
- contact@gatetravelmorocco.com