LanguagesGerman, English, Spanish, French, Italian
Private Desert Tour
3-Day Private Desert Tour From Marrakech to Merzouga
From the Atlas Mountains to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, a journey through Morocco's most iconic landscapes.
The 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga takes you across a sweeping arc of southern Morocco, passing through ancient kasbahs, dramatic gorges, and palm-lined valleys before arriving at the towering sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. This private itinerary is designed for travellers who want the full Sahara experience without compromise.
The route follows one of Morocco's most celebrated roads, crossing the High Atlas via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass and descending into the pre-Saharan south. Along the way, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, pass through the Valley of Roses and the Skoura Palm Grove, and explore the soaring limestone walls of Todra Gorges.
Nights are spent in a three-star hotel in the Dades Valley and in a traditional Berber camp among the Sahara dunes, where camel rides at sunset and drumming around the fire provide an authentic encounter with nomadic culture. The final day returns through the Draa Valley and over the Atlas, completing a circular journey that covers an exceptional range of Moroccan landscapes in three days.
Tour Highlights
Walk through Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Ksar with a history spanning many centuries.
Explore the Todra Gorges, dramatic canyons rising 300 metres high and a landmark for trekkers and climbers.
Sleep under a vast Saharan sky in a traditional Berber camp at Erg Chebbi, surrounded by towering dunes.
Watch the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of the most celebrated natural spectacles in Morocco.
Cross the Tizi-N-Tichka mountain pass through the High Atlas, with Berber villages and colourful valleys along the route.
Drive through the Skoura Palm Grove and the Dades Valley, landscapes shaped by centuries of oasis life.
Itinerary
1
Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ait Ben Haddou
Departure from your hotel in Marrakech, heading south through the Tizi-N-Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains, with stops for photographs at scenic viewpoints and Berber villages. A local guide leads a visit to the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou before the route continues through the Rose Valley and Skoura Palm Grove to the Dades Gorges.
Dinner and overnight stay in a three-star hotel in the Dades Valley are included.
2
Dades Valley to Merzouga via Todra Gorges
After breakfast, the route follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Valley, passing Tineghir and its palm groves before reaching Todra Gorges for a free walk along the canyon floor. Lunch is taken in the area before the drive continues to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga.
A camel ride of approximately ninety minutes at sunset leads to the desert camp, where dinner, traditional drumming, and an overnight stay in nomadic tents are provided.
3
Merzouga to Marrakech via Draa Valley and Telouet
An early wake-up allows time to watch the sunrise over the dunes, followed by breakfast in the camp. After a return camel ride to meet your driver, the route heads back toward Marrakech through Rissani, Nkoub, the Draa Valley, and Ouarzazate, with a stop at the Kasbah of Telouet.
The journey over Tizi-N-Tichka completes the circuit, with arrival in Marrakech and drop-off at your hotel or riad.
What Is Included
Included
Private transport throughout in an air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver
Local guide at Ait Ben Haddou
One night in a three-star hotel in Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast
One night in a traditional Berber camp at Merzouga with dinner and breakfast
Camel ride at sunset and return ride in the morning
Not Included
Lunches and personal drinks
Entry fees to monuments and sites
Travel insurance
Tips for driver, guide, and camp staff
Any personal expenses
Important Information
This is a private tour. All pickups are from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Please confirm your accommodation address at the time of booking.
Duration
3 days and 2 nights. The itinerary covers a large area of southern Morocco and involves full days of driving on each day.
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes, warm layers for cool desert nights, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for daytime heat. A small daypack is recommended for the camel ride.
Cancellation
Please refer to the booking conditions for the applicable cancellation policy. It is recommended to review these before confirming your reservation.
Accessibility
The tour is rated easy in terms of physical demand. However, the camel ride and walking at Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorges involve uneven surfaces. Guests with mobility concerns should contact the operator in advance.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. Families travelling with young children are advised to consider the 4-day extended version of this tour, as the return journey on day three involves a long drive.
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Secure your private three-day desert journey from Marrakech to the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Places are limited and departure dates fill quickly, particularly during spring and autumn.
Is this tour suitable for families with young children?▼
The tour is suitable for children, but the third day involves a long drive back to Marrakech. Families travelling with young children are strongly advised to book the 4-day extended version of this tour instead.
What type of accommodation is provided in the Sahara?▼
Guests stay in a traditional Berber camp at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The camp provides nomadic-style tents with the option to sleep outside under the stars. Dinner and breakfast are included.
How long is the camel ride to the desert camp?▼
The camel ride from the edge of the dunes to the camp takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes, timed to coincide with sunset. A return ride is included the following morning.
Is the tour fully private?▼
Yes. The vehicle and driver are exclusively for your group throughout all three days. You will not share transport or scheduled departures with other travellers.
What is the best time of year to take this tour?▼
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for both driving and desert camping. Summer months bring extreme heat in the Sahara, while winter nights in the desert can be very cold.
Are lunches included in the tour price?▼
Lunches are not included in the tour price. Free time is allocated each day for guests to choose their own lunch at local restaurants. Dinners and breakfasts at the hotel and desert camp are included.
Sahara Desert TourMerzouga DunesErg ChebbiAit Ben HaddouAtlas MountainsCamel Ride MoroccoDades GorgesTodra GorgesBerber CampPrivate Morocco TourDraa ValleyMarrakech Desert Tour
This tour originates in Marrakech, the cultural capital of Morocco, and travels southeast through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-N-Tichka pass (2,260 m) into the pre-Saharan south. Key destinations include the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou near Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and Gorges in the Draa-Tafilalet region, the Todra Gorges near Tineghir, and the Erg Chebbi sand dunes at Merzouga in southeastern Morocco close to the Algerian border. The return route passes through the Draa Valley, Nkoub, the Kasbah of Telouet, and back over the Atlas to Marrakech. The tour covers the Marrakech-Safi, Draa-Tafilalet, and Souss-Massa administrative regions of Morocco.
Type: Multi-Day Private Tour | Region: Southern Morocco | Departure City: Marrakech | End City: Marrakech | Key Stops: Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges, Merzouga | Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 3 Days 2 Nights | Accommodation: Hotel + Desert Camp | Activity: Camel Ride, Cultural Visit, Scenic Drive | Season: Year-Round (Best: Spring and Autumn)
Gift more than a trip
Extraordinary experiences, beautifully gifted
Give the joy of travel with a ToursXplorer Gift Card. Perfect for every occasion.
