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This three-day tour is an incredible escape from the vibrant city of Marrakech into the Sahara, weaving through some of southern Morocco’s most striking settings: the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses at Kalaat M’Gouna, the Dades Valley, the Tinghir oasis and Todra Gorge, the golden Erg Chebbi dunes around Merzouga, and the Draa River.
You ride camels through the stunning Erg Chebbi sand dunes, sleep under the starry desert sky in a luxury desert camp, and enjoy the enchanting desert sunset and sunrise — travelling along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” and back through Morocco’s longest river, the Draa.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
DAY 1: MARRAKECH -> HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS -> AIT BEN HADDOU -> DADES VALLEY
Begin your tour with an 8:00 am pick-up from your riad or wherever you are in Marrakech. We leave the city behind and journey through the High Atlas Mountains, reaching a high point called the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, which is 2,260 meters (7,415 feet) above sea level. We make stops to see some lovely Berber villages on our way.
We then visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, an old fortified village known for its unique Moroccan architecture. Many famous movies were filmed here, like “Kingdom of Heaven” in 2005, “Babel” in 2006, “Prince of Persia” in 2010, “Game of Thrones” in 2012, and the recent documentary “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet” in 2020. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historic Kasbah.
After a tasty lunch, we head south along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to the Dades Valley, passing through places like Ouarzazate, Skoura, and the Valley of Roses in Kalaat M’Gouna. When we reach the Dades Valley in the afternoon, we take you to some impressive rock formations known as the “monkey fingers” if there is enough time. If not, we visit this unique place the next day. You’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel of your choice.
Approximate driving distance/time: 353 km / 6 hours 30 minutes
DAY 2: DADES VALLEY -> TINGHIR OASIS -> TODRA GORGE -> MERZOUGA DESERT
We kick off the second day with a tasty breakfast. Then we head to Tinghir, stopping at a scenic spot with views of lovely Berber villages and a palm tree-filled oasis. Nearby, there’s a 300-meter-high canyon known as Todra Gorge. We walk beneath this deep canyon before continuing to the Merzouga desert.
As we reach Merzouga in the afternoon, you’ll begin a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes. During this trek, you’ll stop on a high dune to watch a breathtaking sunset over the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Afterward, you’ll continue riding camels to the camp, receiving a warm welcome with a cup of tea. You’ll have some free time to relax. Following a delightful Moroccan dinner, you can sit around a campfire with Berber friends who will play drums and share stories under the starry night sky. You’ll spend the night in a luxury desert camp of your choice.
Approximate driving distance/time: 310 km / 5 hours
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT -> DRAA RIVER -> OUARZAZATE -> MARRAKECH
Today, we highly recommend waking up early to watch a breathtaking sunrise from the nearest high dune to the camp. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you can return to Merzouga town either by camel or in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle. From there, we head back to Marrakech, but this time we take a different route along the Draa River, which happens to be Morocco’s longest river, stretching 1100 kilometers.
Feel free to ask your driver to make stops whenever you desire. We stop for lunch in Ouarzazate and drive to Marrakech via the High Atlas Mountains. Finally, we drop you off at your accommodation, marking the end of this tour.
Approximate driving distance/time: 560 km / 9 hours
IMPORTANT NOTES
THE PRICE
The price varies depending on the number of travelers. The more people join the tour, the lower the price per person can be. Transportation costs are fixed and shared between the travelers. The final price also depends on the accommodation category you choose, such as standard, superior, or luxury. Contact us for an exact quotation based on your group size, travel dates, and preferences.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the tour private or shared?
This tour is available as a completely private experience, and also as a shared small-group departure limited to 10 participants. On the private option you travel exclusively with the members of your own group, with greater flexibility over the schedule, stops, pace, and overall experience.
How long is the camel ride? What is the alternative to camels?
The camel ride usually takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours to reach the desert camp, depending on the camp location and conditions. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 vehicle at no additional cost. Quad biking and buggy excursions are also available at an extra cost.
Is the desert tent private? Does it have a private bathroom and shower?
Yes. Our luxury desert camp offers private tents equipped with private en-suite bathrooms, including a shower and hot running water.
What happens to our luggage during the camel ride?
During the camel ride, you only need to carry a small backpack with the essentials you need for the night. Your main luggage will be transported by the camp’s 4×4 vehicle and will be waiting for you at your tent when you arrive.
What is the best time to visit Morocco?
The best times to visit Morocco are generally spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, when temperatures are usually pleasant across much of the country. Winter can also be an excellent time to travel, especially for exploring the southern desert regions.
What type of vehicles are used?
We use modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles:
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. We can accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other specific requests. Please let us know when booking so we can arrange the included meals and stops along the route accordingly.
Is the tour suitable for all ages?
The tour is suitable for travelers of different ages. Please note that some days involve several hours of driving to cover the distances between different regions of Morocco. Our vehicles are comfortable, and regular stops can be made during the journey.
Where does the tour start and finish?
Pick-up is available directly from Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation in Marrakech on the first day. The tour begins and ends in Marrakech, with the final drop-off at the airport or your accommodation on the last day. If preferred, the tour can also finish in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech upon request.
Expenses and additional costs
Currency exchange: Euros and US Dollars can be exchanged for Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) at banks, airports, and exchange offices. ATMs are also widely available throughout Morocco.
Cost of meals: Lunches are not included in the tour price and generally cost around 5–20 EUR per person, depending on the restaurant and location.
Bargaining: Negotiating prices in souks and traditional markets is a normal part of shopping culture in Morocco.
BOOKING PROCESS
1. Contact us
Contact us through our contact form, email, or WhatsApp and provide the number of travelers, your approximate travel date, and your preferred accommodation category.
2. Confirm your booking
A small deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Payment can be made through PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer.
The remaining balance can be paid in cash in EUR, USD, or MAD directly to the driver upon arrival.
WHY CHOOSE A PRIVATE MOROCCO TOUR?
A private tour allows you to travel at your own pace, with greater flexibility over departure times, sightseeing stops, breaks, activities, and accommodation choices.
You will have an experienced private driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group, giving you more freedom and comfort throughout the journey. Whether you are traveling as a couple, family, group of friends, or a small private group, the itinerary can be adapted around your interests and travel preferences.
Three well-organized days between mountains and desert. The monkey-finger rock formations in the Dades Valley and the sunrise are worth the trip alone.
An incredible 3-day escape from Marrakech into the Sahara. The night in the luxury desert camp on the Erg Chebbi dunes, with Berber drums under the stars, was pure magic.
I traveled solo and felt looked after the whole time. The 3-day Marrakech desert itinerary is varied and full of authentic experiences. Highly recommended.
From the High Atlas to the golden Merzouga dunes, three intense and wonderful days. The dinner and drums at the camp were unforgettable.
Abbiamo vissuto tre giorni meravigliosi da Marrakech. La Kasbah di Ait Ben Haddou e le dune dell’Erg Chebbi sono state amate da tutta la famiglia.
