The 3-day desert tour from Marrakech is the most popular trip in Morocco — and for good reason. In three unhurried days with your own private driver you cross the High Atlas, follow the kasbah road through southern Morocco, ride a camel into the great dunes of Erg Chebbi and sleep under a sky full of stars, before returning through some of the country's most spectacular gorges.
It is the perfect first taste of the Sahara: enough time to reach the real dunes at Merzouga (not the closer, smaller ones), and to actually enjoy the road rather than endure it. Below is the route we recommend — and, as always, we'll happily adjust it to your pace.
Day 1 — over the Atlas
Tizi n'Tichka pass, Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate to the Dades Valley.
Day 2 — into the dunes
Todra Gorge, then a camel trek into Erg Chebbi and a night in a desert camp.
Day 3 — the return
Sunrise over the dunes, then back to Marrakech through the valleys.
Day 1 — Marrakech to the Dades Valley
You leave Marrakech in the morning and climb the Tizi n'Tichka, the great High Atlas pass, stopping for photos and mint tea along the way. On the far side you reach Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO-listed earthen kasbah, where there is time to walk up through the village for the view. After lunch you pass through Ouarzazate and its film studios, then follow the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to your overnight stop in the beautiful Dades Valley.
Day 2 — Todra Gorge and the Sahara
After breakfast you drive to the Todra Gorge, where 300-metre cliffs rise on either side of a narrow river path. Continuing east through Tinghir and Erfoud, the landscape opens into pre-desert, and by late afternoon you arrive at Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. You swap the car for a camel and ride into the dunes as the sun sets, reaching your desert camp for dinner, music around the fire and a night under the stars.
Day 3 — sunrise and the road home
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes — the light on the sand is unforgettable — then ride back to meet your driver for breakfast. From here you return to Marrakech through the valleys, or, if you prefer, we continue north to Fes for a one-way desert crossing. Either way, you arrive with a camera full of the real Morocco.
What's included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for 3 days
- All fuel, tolls and driving
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- One night in a desert camp (dinner & breakfast)
- All the stops above at your own pace
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
Typical daily rates
Prices depend on your vehicle, the distance and the length of your itinerary. Here is a realistic guide.
| Vehicle | Typical daily rate |
|---|---|
| SUV / 4x4 with driver | €130 – €150 |
| Private minivan | €145 – €160 |
| Luxury minivan (Vito) | €175 – €190 |
| Minibus (17 seats) | €200 – €250 |
Usually included: your driver, fuel for the route you agree, and highway tolls.
Frequently asked questions
Is three days enough for the Sahara?
Three days is the minimum to reach the true dunes at Merzouga and enjoy them. Two-day tours only reach the smaller dunes near Zagora. If you have more time, four or five days let you slow down further.
Where do we sleep?
Night one is a hotel or kasbah in the Dades Valley; night two is a desert camp at Merzouga. We can arrange standard or more luxurious camps depending on your budget.
Can this tour end in Fes?
Yes — ending in Fes instead of returning to Marrakech is a great option and avoids driving the same road twice.
What should we bring to the desert?
A warm layer for the evening (the desert cools at night), a scarf for the sand, sunscreen, and a small bag for your overnight things — the rest can stay in the car.
Get a fixed price for this trip
Send your dates and group size — we reply within 24 hours, with no obligation.