3 Days Trip Marrakech to Merzouga

About this tour

3 Days trip to Merzouga takes you on a captivating journey from the bustling city of Marrakech to the beautiful Sahara Desert in Merzouga. Along the way, you will discover diverse landscapes, historical sites and cultural experiences. Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, the Todgha valley and the gorges are the highlight of this trip.

Highlights

• Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains
• UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou,
• Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara” and the Taourirt Kasbah
• Rose Valley, known for its blooming roses in the spring. Explore local co-operatives producing rose-related products.
• Dades Valley. Admire the unique rock formations and traditional Berber villages.
• Todgha Gorges, appreciating the natural beauty and the play of light on the canyon walls.
• Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi Dunes.
• Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Witness the sunset over the dunes and spend the night in the desert camp.
• Draa Valley, known for its palm groves, historic kasbahs, and the Draa River.

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

   Start your 3 days trip to Merzouga with an 8:00 AM pick-up from your Marrakech accommodation and a drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’Tichka Pass (2260m), with stops for panoramic views and Berber villages. We then head south to visit the UNESCO listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a backdrop for films like Gladiator, The Mummy, Sahara and more… Lunch will be there, then continue to Ouarzazate, “the gate of the desert,” where we’ll see the impressive Taourirt Kasbah. Next, pass through Skoura’s vast palm grove to the Rose Valley, known for its damascene roses, rosewater, and annual May festival. The day ends in the Dades Valley, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel.

2. Day 2: Dades – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)

   After breakfast, we’ll admire a panoramic view of the Dades Valley with its many kasbahs, then follow the road through Tinghir to the spectacular Todra Gorges. Here you’ll see adobe villages, meet locals, and enjoy a short walk in this area popular with rock climbers. After lunch in Tinejdad or Touroug, we continue to the golden dunes of Merzouga. From here, an experienced camel guide will lead you on a one-hour trek to your desert camp in Erg Chebbi, where you’ll watch the sunset and enjoy dinner under the stars.

3. Day 3: Erg Chebbi – Tazarine – Agdez – Marrakech

   Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast at the camp. Then ride camels (or take a 4×4 jeep) back to the hotel, where you’ll meet your driver to begin the final day. We cross the pre-desert landscapes with acacia trees, continue to the Draa Valley—the longest river in Morocco—with scenic stops, and then head through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate for lunch. In the afternoon, we drive back to Marrakech, arriving around 7 PM for drop-off at your hotel or riad, marking the end of your 3 days Merzouga tour.