4 Days Trip from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert

Day 1: Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

High Atlas Mountains & Tizi n’Tichka Pass

Your adventure begins with an early departure from Marrakech, heading southeast across the High Atlas Mountains through the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass. This winding mountain road, perched at 2,260 meters, provides panoramic views of Berber villages, olive groves, and dramatic mountain peaks.

Visit the Legendary Aït Benhaddou Kasbah

Our first major stop is at Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Morocco’s most iconic ksar. This fortified village of clay-brick buildings has been featured in movies like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. You’ll explore its maze-like streets, visit ancient dwellings, and climb to the top for a stunning view of the surrounding desert plain.

Stop in Ouarzazate – The Hollywood of Morocco

After lunch, we pass through Ouarzazate, a city famous for its film studios and the historic Taourirt Kasbah. Optional visits to the Atlas Studios are available for those interested in Morocco’s film-making legacy.

Evening in the Dades Valley

Continuing through the Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, we reach the Dades Valley, where red canyons and old fortresses dot the landscape. Here, you’ll dine and overnight in a charming guesthouse or riad with views of the gorge.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga – Camel Trek – Desert Camp

Todra Gorges – A Natural Wonder

After breakfast, we head to the spectacular Todra Gorges, a dramatic series of limestone canyons that rise up to 300 meters high. A walk along the riverbed offers a close look at the natural beauty and towering cliffs that have made this spot famous among rock climbers and nature lovers.

Drive to Merzouga – Gateway to the Sahara

We continue south toward the Sahara Desert, passing through Erfoud, a town renowned for its fossils, and Rissani, known for its lively souks and ancient caravan routes. As we near Merzouga, the scenery transforms into golden sand dunes stretching to the horizon.

Camel Ride at Sunset & Overnight in Desert Camp

Upon arrival in Merzouga, you will mount a camel and trek into the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. This ride, guided by experienced camel handlers, leads you to a luxury Berber camp in the middle of the Sahara. As the sun sets, the dunes glow in orange and red hues—a truly magical moment.

Your evening includes a traditional Moroccan dinner, Berber music under the stars, and comfortable overnight accommodations in a well-equipped desert tent.

Day 3: Full Day in Merzouga – Explore Desert & Nomadic Life

Sunrise Over the Dunes

Wake early to catch a spectacular sunrise over the Sahara, with the first light of day casting a golden glow over the sand. After breakfast, enjoy a full day dedicated to exploring the desert and its surroundings.

Visit Nomadic Families & Gnaoua Village

Take a 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi, visiting nomadic Berber families who live in traditional tents. Learn about their lifestyle, hospitality, and survival in one of the harshest environments on earth. Continue to the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnaoua music—a spiritual, rhythmic style introduced by descendants of sub-Saharan slaves.

Lunch with Locals and Sandboarding Adventure

Enjoy a homemade lunch with a local family or at a traditional restaurant, followed by some fun on the dunes—sandboarding is available for the adventurous. You can also explore the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji (in winter/spring), home to migratory birds like flamingos.

Second Night in Merzouga Desert

Return to your desert camp or opt for a hotel stay in the village of Merzouga. Relax, unwind, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of desert life under a starlit sky. This second night allows for a deeper connection with the Sahara, free from the rush of travel.

Day 4: Merzouga – Alnif – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Camel Ride or 4×4 Transfer from Camp

After another magical sunrise and breakfast, we depart from Merzouga, either by camel trek or 4×4 transfer back to your starting point. Then, we begin the journey back to Marrakech, taking a different scenic route through Alnif and the Draa Valley.

Draa Valley & Anti-Atlas Mountains

Traveling through the vast Draa Valley, we pass thousands of date palms, ancient kasbahs, and remote villages. The road winds through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, a wild, rocky range with dramatic desert views. We stop along the way for lunch and photo breaks.

Return to Marrakech

In the late afternoon or evening, we arrive back in Marrakech, where your 4-day desert experience ends. You’ll return with unforgettable memories of camel rides, Berber encounters, starlit skies, and the timeless silence of the Sahara.

What’s Included in the Tour

• Private or shared transportation in an air-conditioned 4×4 or minibus

• Professional English-speaking driver/guide

• Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech

• 2 nights in Merzouga: 1 in luxury desert camp + 1 in desert camp or hotel

• 1 night in Dades Valley hotel/riad

• Camel ride into the dunes (sunset & sunrise)

• All breakfasts and dinners

• 4×4 desert tour on Day 3

• Visits to Aït Benhaddou, Todra Gorges, Khamlia, and nomad families