3-days shared Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas mountains – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou – El Kelaa M'gouna – Dades Valley (06H00 DRIVE)

1. Marrakech
   15m
   Your shared 3 days desert trip from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning with a drive east of Marrakech past small suburban towns to the High Atlas Mountains.
2. High Atlas Mountains
   30m
   A few stops will be made to take photos, enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs and drink a cup of coffee.
3. Ait Ben Haddou
   2h
   Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the first major stop today for sightseeing. The Berber fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO listed landmark, also known as a set for major Hollywood epics. Many movies used the village for shooting just like the Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. You will cross the river separating the Kasbah from the main road and explore the village at leisure. Should you wish to hire a local guide, they are available onsite.
4. El Kelaa M'gouna
   15m
   After lunch at leisure at one of the local cafes, continue to Dades valley driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Klaa Mgouna, the capital of the valley of the roses, and famous for its rosewater artisanal distillation factories.
5. Boumalne Dades
   9h
   Upon arrival at Boumalne Dades, Follow Dades River on a tiny road passing by different fortified Kasbahs located on the side of the road to Dades Canyons. You will arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon.
   Dinner and overnight at your Dades hotel.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Tinghir – Rissani – Merzouga Sahara Desert ( 4H00 DRIVE )

1. Boumalne Dades
   30m
   After breakfast at your hotel in Dades Valley, our journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to the oasis of Tinghir.
2. Todra Gorge
   1h
   You will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to Todgha where you will stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees and continue to Todgha Gorges. After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café ( At leisure )
3. Rissani
   30m
   We will continue early in the afternoon to Rissani, famous for its dates market, and being a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tombouctou.
4. Merzouga Desert
   9h
   After a quick stop, we will continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape.
   Meet our camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing sand dunes with the sunset in the horizon as a backdrop. We reach our Sahara desert camp before darkness.

Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech (9H00 DRIVE)

1. Merzouga Desert
   1h
   After an early sunrise camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes arrive at the camp operator's lodge for breakfast, shower and maybe a quick swim at the lodge pool if time permits.
2. Ouarzazate
   1h
   We will continue to Ouarzazate and visit Kasbah Taourirte. Meet your driver and vehicle and drive back to Ouarzazate. After some time at leisure for lunch. You can visit the cinema Museum.
3. High Atlas Mountains
   Pass by
   After some time at leisure for lunch, we carry on in the afternoon to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.
4. Marrakech
   Pass by
   Your 3 days desert tour will end in Marrakech at about 19h00.

Pickup details

Write us the address of your hotel or riad in Marrakech, and we will pick you up from there.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Please be sure to bring warm clothing in the winter (no sleeping bags are required), light clothing in the summer, sunscreen, a hat, good walking shoes, a flashlight, and trousers (for the camel trek). Shorts and skirts are not recommended for the trek as the saddles can cause skin irritation.