Our 3 days desert tour from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and two gorges before it reaches the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. You sleep one night in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp. Then, on the last day, you return to Marrakech through the palm groves of the Draa Valley.
This 3 days tour from Marrakech to the desert runs as a private trip. You travel only with your own group, in an air-conditioned vehicle, with the same driver-guide for the three days. It is the shortest comfortable way to reach the real Sahara dunes and come back.
| Duration | 3 days / 2 nights |
|---|---|
| Start | Marrakech (pick-up at your hotel or riad, around 8:00 am) |
| End | Marrakech (drop-off at your hotel or riad, in the evening) |
| Desert | Erg Chebbi dunes, Merzouga |
| Tour style | Private tour, customizable |
| Accommodation | 1 night in the Dades Valley + 1 night in a desert camp (see options) |
| Meals | 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts |
| Total distance | About 1,230 km, as a loop |
| Price | On request (see what affects the price) |
Quick answers about the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
- Which desert do you visit? Erg Chebbi, next to Merzouga, where the dunes rise up to 150 m.
- How far is it? Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, so the full loop is about 1,230 km.
- How much driving? About 6 h 30 on day 1, about 5 h 30 on day 2 and about 9 h on day 3.
- Where do you sleep? One night in a hotel in the Dades Valley and one night in a camp in the dunes.
- Is it private? Yes. One vehicle and one driver-guide for your group only.
- What is not included? Lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips.
Highlights of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
- Crossing the High Atlas on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, one of the highest road passes in Morocco.
- Exploring the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
- Following the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Skoura and the Rose Valley.
- Sleeping in the Dades Valley, under red cliffs and above the famous hairpin road.
- Walking inside the narrow canyon of the Todgha (Todra) Gorge near Tinghir.
- Riding a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
- Dinner, drums and a sky full of stars at a desert camp.
- Returning through the Draa Valley, along the longest river in Morocco.
Why choose a private 3 days tour from Marrakech to the desert?
A private tour gives you control of your time. For example, you can walk longer inside the Todgha Gorge, stop for photos on the Dades road, or leave the camp earlier on the last morning. Your driver-guide adapts each day to your group, not to a fixed bus timetable.
In addition, you choose your level of comfort. You can stay in a simple guesthouse and a standard camp, or in a boutique kasbah hotel and a luxury tent with a private bathroom. If you are still comparing formats, read our guide to private vs group tours in Morocco.
Itinerary of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
The route below is our standard plan. However, we can adjust the stops, the hotel and the camp to your wishes. Driving distances and times are approximate and do not include stops.
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Valley
Your driver picks you up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech at around 8:00 am. First, the road climbs into the High Atlas through Berber villages, walnut trees and red terraces. Soon, you reach the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The sign at the top reads 2,260 m, although GPS measurements place it at about 2,205 m.
Next, you descend to the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. This fortified earthen village sits above the Ounila river and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. You can walk up through its lanes to the old granary, which looks over the whole valley. Moreover, you may recognise it from films and series such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
After lunch, you pass through Ouarzazate, often called the door of the desert and home of the Atlas film studios. Then you follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, past the palm grove of Skoura and the Rose Valley around Kelaat M’Gouna. Finally, you reach the Dades Valley for dinner and the night.
- Driving distance: about 350 km
- Driving time: about 6 hours 30 minutes
- Overnight: hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley
- Meals: dinner
Day 2: Dades Gorges – Tinghir – Todgha Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga (camel trek)
After breakfast, you drive up the Dades Gorges to see the rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers and the hairpin road that climbs the cliff. Then you continue east to Tinghir, where a viewpoint looks over a long green palm grove.
A few kilometres further, you enter the Todgha Gorge. In its narrowest section, the canyon is only about 10 m wide, and the smooth walls rise around 160 m on each side. Elsewhere, the cliffs reach 400 m. You have time to walk along the river before lunch.
In the afternoon, the road crosses desert plains through Tinejdad and Erfoud, a town known for fossils and dates. Finally, you arrive in Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. There, you meet your camels and ride into the sand for the sunset. In the evening, you enjoy a Berber dinner, drums around the fire and a sky full of stars.
- Driving distance: about 320 km
- Driving time: about 5 hours 30 minutes
- Camel ride: about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes to the camp
- Overnight: desert camp in Erg Chebbi (standard or luxury)
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif – N’Kob – Agdz – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Wake up early and climb a dune to watch the sunrise over the Sahara. After breakfast, you ride your camel back to Merzouga, or you return by 4×4 on request. Then the drive back to Marrakech begins, on a different road from the way out.
The route runs west through Rissani, Alnif and the foothills of Jbel Saghro, then through N’Kob and its kasbahs. At Tansikht, you join the Draa Valley and follow it to Agdz, between palm groves and earthen villages. The Draa is the longest river in Morocco, at about 1,100 km.
Afterwards, you climb over the Tizi n’Tinififft pass to Ouarzazate. Finally, you cross the High Atlas again on the Tizi n’Tichka and arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
- Driving distance: about 560 km
- Driving time: about 9 hours
- Overnight: not included (end of the tour in Marrakech)
- Meals: breakfast
If you prefer a shorter last day, we can return by the same road as day 1, through Tinghir and the Dades Valley. Just tell us when you book.
Gallery of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
What is included in the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel.
- English-speaking driver-guide (other languages on request).
- 1 night in a hotel or guesthouse in the Dades Valley.
- 1 night in a desert camp in Erg Chebbi (standard or luxury).
- Camel ride in Merzouga (one camel per person).
- 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts.
Not included
- Lunches and drinks.
- Entrance fees and local guides (for example in Ait Ben Haddou).
- Extra activities such as sandboarding, quad or 4×4 rides.
- Tips and personal expenses.
- Travel insurance.
Map of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
The loop is: Marrakech → Tizi n’Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dades Valley → Tinghir → Todgha Gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → N’Kob → Agdz → Ouarzazate → Marrakech.
Accommodation options
All options of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech include the same route, vehicle and driver-guide. Only the level of comfort changes. We confirm the exact hotel and camp names when you book, depending on availability.
| Option | Night 1: Dades Valley | Night 2: Erg Chebbi desert camp |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Guesthouse or kasbah hotel, private room with bathroom | Berber tent, shared or private bathroom depending on the camp |
| Superior | Kasbah hotel with views of the gorges | Comfort tent with private bathroom |
| Luxury | Boutique hotel or high-end kasbah | Luxury tent with private bathroom, proper beds and a quieter setting |
3 days desert tour from Marrakech price
The price of this 3 days desert tour from Marrakech is on request, because every private tour is quoted for your group. Four things change the price:
- Group size: the price per person goes down when more people share the vehicle.
- Accommodation level: standard, superior or luxury.
- Season: Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest periods.
- Extras: local guides, sandboarding, quad or 4×4 rides.
Send us your dates and the number of travellers through our contact page, and we will reply with a clear quote.
How to book this 3 days tour from Marrakech to the desert
- Send your travel dates, number of people and preferred accommodation level through the contact form, by email at favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com or on WhatsApp (+212 786 278 943).
- We reply with a personalised itinerary and price.
- You confirm the tour. Payment by PayPal is accepted.
- Your driver-guide picks you up at your riad or hotel in Marrakech on the first day.
Favorites Morocco Tours vs other Marrakech desert tour companies
Many agencies sell a “3-day Sahara tour” without naming the desert. Some stop at Zagora, where the dunes are small, and a few only reach the Agafay stone desert near Marrakech. With us, this tour goes to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, and we say so clearly.
Furthermore, we are a local team based in Marrakech. We give you the real driving times before you book, we keep the same driver-guide for the whole trip, and we tell you when a longer tour fits you better. For a slower pace, the 4 days tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert adds a full morning in the dunes.
Know before you go
- Day 3 of the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech is the longest, with about 9 hours of driving. Plan a calm evening in Marrakech.
- Only two days? Choose the 2 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga or the shorter 2 days tour from Marrakech to Zagora.
- Ending in Fes instead of Marrakech? Book the 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes, which follows the same road as far as Merzouga.
- More time in the south? See the 5 days tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert.
- From December to February, snow or ice is possible on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, and desert nights are cold. Pack a warm layer; our guide on what to wear in Morocco helps you prepare.
- In July and August the south is very hot, often above 40 °C. Spring and autumn are the best seasons: see the best time to visit Morocco.
- Tell us about any food allergy or diet before the tour. Camps and hotels can prepare vegetarian meals.
- Bring some cash in dirhams. You will find ATMs in Ouarzazate, Boumalne Dades, Tinghir and Erfoud, but not at the camp. See our guide to the Moroccan dirham.
- Pack a small overnight bag for the camp. Your main luggage can stay in the vehicle.
Extra activities
These activities are optional on the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech. We book them on request, at an extra cost.
| Before or after the tour (Marrakech) | During the tour |
|---|---|
| Agafay desert quad bike and camel ride | Sandboarding in the Erg Chebbi dunes |
| Ourika Valley day trip | Quad bike or 4×4 ride around the dunes |
| Essaouira full-day trip | Gnaoua music in the village of Khamlia |
| Ouzoud waterfalls day trip | Local guide in Ait Ben Haddou |
| Imlil Valley day trip | Upgrade to a luxury tent |
Reviews
Travellers who booked our 3 days desert tour from Marrakech share their experience after each trip. Read our reviews on TripAdvisor.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?
Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, or 9 to 10 hours of driving. This is why the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech breaks the journey with a night in the Dades Valley.
Is 3 days enough for the Sahara from Marrakech?
Yes. Three days is the shortest comfortable plan: one night on the way, one night in the dunes and a long drive back. With four or five days, you spend more time in the desert and less time in the car.
Which desert does this tour visit?
It visits Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, where the dunes rise up to 150 m and stretch about 28 km from north to south. Read more in our guide to the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
How long is the camel ride?
The ride from Merzouga to the camp takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. If you prefer not to ride, you can reach the camp by 4×4.
Do the desert camps have bathrooms?
Yes. Standard camps have shared or private bathrooms, depending on the camp. Superior and luxury tents have a private bathroom with a shower.
Is the tour suitable for families with children?
Yes. Because the tour is private, we plan more breaks for children. Tell us their ages when you book, so we can prepare the right vehicle and tent.
What type of vehicle do you use?
We use a private, air-conditioned vehicle adapted to the size of your group. We confirm the vehicle when you book.
What should I pack for the desert?
- A warm jacket for the night, especially in winter.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat or scarf.
- Comfortable shoes or sandals for the sand.
- A small bag for the night at the camp.
- A power bank and some cash in dirhams.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead. For Christmas, New Year and Easter, book as early as possible because the best camps fill up quickly.
How do I pay for the tour?
We accept payment by PayPal. We explain the payment details when you confirm your booking.
Have another question about the 3 days desert tour from Marrakech?
Write to us through our contact page or on WhatsApp.
Who we are
Favorites Morocco Tours is a local travel agency based in Marrakech. We design private tours across Morocco, from the Sahara to the imperial cities. Our drivers and guides grew up on these roads, so they share the culture, the history and the small places that visitors often miss. Learn more about us.
Popular desert tours
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Contact us
- Phone / WhatsApp: +212 786 278 943
- Email: favoritesmoroccotours@gmail.com
- Office: Marrakech, Morocco
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