Of our Marrakech desert tours, this is the 3-day trip to Merzouga. I never drive from Marrakech to the dunes in one day, so this is how I run it: a private 3-day desert tour in Morocco from Marrakech to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes, with one night in a hotel in the Dades Valley and one night in a desert camp. It is a private trip, so it is just you, your driver and your plans. I have worked in Moroccan tourism since 2012, and I have a straight answer about it: three days works, but it is a long, full trip, and for some travelers I advise four. I explain who below.
Prices start at $450 per person for the round trip from Marrakech, and $500 if you finish in Fes instead. Details are in the “What it costs” section.
The 3-day route from Marrakech to Merzouga
| Day | Route | Times in winter (December, January) | You sleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka pass → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Boumalne Dades | Pickup about 8:00 a.m., Dades Valley about 5:00 p.m. | Hotel, Boumalne Dades |
| 2 | Boumalne Dades → Todra Gorge → Merzouga, then a Jeep to the camp | Leave about 9:00 a.m., about 5 hours of driving, Merzouga about 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. | Desert camp, Erg Chebbi |
| 3 | Merzouga → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Tizi n'Tichka → Marrakech (or on to Fes) | Leave the camp about 8:00 a.m., about 10 hours with stops, Marrakech between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. | – |
Because every trip is private, these are the times I plan around, not a fixed schedule.
Day 1: Marrakech to the Dades Valley
If you stay in a hotel that cars can reach, we pick you up at about 8:00 a.m. If you stay in a riad, guesthouse or apartment inside the medina, a vehicle cannot get to the door, so we meet at a point near Jemaa el-Fna Square, next to Café de France, and I confirm the exact time with you.
The road climbs the High Atlas to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, where we stop for 5 to 10 minutes for photos. Then Aït Ben Haddou, the fortified earth village used as a location for many films, for about an hour. You can walk up on your own or with your driver, or hire a local guide for a deeper visit of about two hours. The guide is optional and costs about $20 to $30, paid separately. Lunch is about half an hour, usually near Aït Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate, at your own expense. We pass through Ouarzazate, and if you want to see the Atlas Film Studios we stop for about an hour. If you like, we also stop at the Rose Valley near Kelaat M’Gouna for about 10 minutes.
We reach the Dades Valley in the late afternoon, at about 5:00 p.m. in winter. The hotel has a private bathroom in every room. In winter the rooms are heated by air conditioning units that have a heat function. Dinner is included, and it can be adjusted for vegetarian diets, dairy restrictions and allergies.
Day 2: Todra Gorge and your night in the Sahara
We leave the Dades Valley at about 9:00 a.m. and drive towards Tinghir and the Todra Gorge. Your driver leads a walk of about 30 minutes to see the valley, the river and the scenery.
Lunch is at a local restaurant, at your own expense. If you are interested in fossils, we can stop in Erfoud for 10 to 20 minutes; it is flexible and depends on you. We reach Merzouga at about 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. in winter.
At Merzouga, you take a small bag for the night into a Jeep, and your big bag stays in the van with the driver. The Jeep drives about 20 to 25 minutes into the dunes to the camp. You arrive to mint tea. Then comes the camel ride, about an hour, out from the camp and back, timed for sunset. In winter I plan the day so you reach the desert before sunset. Dinner is at the camp: salads, soup, a tagine, couscous and fruit, with vegetarian, halal and allergy options if you tell me in advance. Afterwards there is usually drumming around the fire.
What the camp is like
Every tent in our standard camp is private, with a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, a hot shower and towels, even in winter. Sandboarding on the dunes is included. Quad biking is available at an extra cost. If you would rather not ride a camel, or you have a mobility problem, we can arrange a 4x4 transfer instead. There is Wi-Fi in the main area near the restaurant, and Orange and Maroc Telecom are the strongest phone networks. You can charge your phone in your tent. Breakfast is simple: bread, eggs, pancakes, jam and mint tea.
Winter nights, December to February
It gets cold in the desert at night. From December to February it can drop to −2 to −4 °C (about 28 to 25 °F). In our standard tents there is no heating: you sleep under heavy warm blankets, and we bring extra blankets if you ask. A luxury camp with heated tents is available as an upgrade; ask me for the price. Pack a scarf, a hat, long trousers and a warm layer. In spring and autumn, light clothes and a light jacket are enough.
Day 3: the long way back to Marrakech
I will tell you plainly: the third day is long. We leave the camp at about 8:00 a.m. in winter, and the drive to Marrakech takes about 10 hours with stops. We drive west through the Draa Valley and pass the Tizi n’Tichka summit in the afternoon. We stop for coffee, a stretch and a leisurely lunch, which you pay for. In winter you reach Marrakech between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
On the last morning I suggest waking up around 7:00 a.m. to watch the sunrise over the dunes. A sunrise camel ride is available in winter. Then breakfast, you pack, and the Jeep takes you back to the road. We usually leave the camp around 8:00 a.m., because the drive back is long.
Some guests tell me the trip was very long. Even so, they are glad to be back in Marrakech, happy they saw the Sahara, and they remember the desert well. If you have a flight, I recommend spending the last night in Marrakech rather than going from Merzouga straight to the airport. We can drop you at your hotel or at the airport, depending on your flight time.
3 days from Marrakech to Fes
You can also finish in Fes, from $500 per person. The first two days are the same. On day 3 we leave Merzouga at about 9:00 a.m., stop at the Ziz Valley, and have lunch near Midelt. If you like, we can add a visit to the cedar forest and Ifrane. You reach Fes at about 6:00 p.m. Your big bag stays in the vehicle the whole way, because you do not come back to Marrakech. If you want to start in Fes and finish in Marrakech, see our Fes desert tours.
Is 3 days right for you, or should you take 4?
I do not recommend the 3-day trip for older travelers, for anyone who gets carsick, or for families with young children, because 7 to 8 hours in the car can be exhausting. For them I suggest four days, so the Sahara feels relaxed and not rushed: the long drive back is split in two, you come back by a different road, and you see more on the way. See the 4-day Marrakech desert trip.
Children can come on a private trip, and there is no strict age limit. We adjust the pace, the driving time and the activities, so everyone feels comfortable. There is no minimum number of people, either: one traveler, a couple or a family can book.
Here is why I give this advice. We once had an American couple with only three days. The Sahara was their dream, so we made it happen. But the trip felt rushed, and on the long drive one of them felt sick after lunch. We stopped, looked after them, and made sure they reached Marrakech safely, but late. The short schedule was stressful, both physically and emotionally. We learned to advise four days, to keep the Sahara magical instead of rushing it.
If you get carsick, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you travel, and bring any medication they recommend. I also send guests advice on long drives before the trip.
If you have only two days, I suggest Zagora for travelers who are comfortable with longer drives: it has desert views, a camel ride and a night in the desert. If you want less driving, or you are traveling with children or older parents, Agafay is the better choice.
Who drives, and what you ride in
Your driver is Brahim or one of our other drivers, and he is also your guide. There is no separate tour guide for the three days. For two travelers we use a comfortable, air-conditioned car; for four, a larger vehicle such as a minivan. It is private: nobody else shares it.
What it costs
Private trips, per person, for two people traveling together in the quiet season, with our standard hotel and camp:
| Trip | From, per person |
|---|---|
| 3 days from Marrakech and back to Marrakech | $450 |
| 3 days from Marrakech to Fes | $500 |
Included: the private vehicle and driver, fuel, the hotel in the Dades Valley, the night at the desert camp, the camel ride at sunset, the sunrise camel ride, sandboarding, breakfasts, and dinner in the Dades Valley and at the camp.
Not included: lunches and drinks, entrance fees, the local guide at Aït Ben Haddou, quad biking, and tips.
The price changes with the number of people, the season, and the standard of hotel and camp you want. You can upgrade the hotel in the Dades Valley from standard to comfort, classic or luxury, depending on availability, and the camp has upgrade options too, including the heated luxury tents. Tell me your dates and what you want, and I will give you a real figure rather than a range.
Tips and cash. Tipping your driver is optional, with no fixed amount. For the camel handler, 100 to 200 MAD per person is usual. The last reliable ATM is in Erfoud, or sometimes in Rissani. The ATM in Merzouga can be unreliable, so take cash in Erfoud.
Booking works the same way as all our trips: a 30% deposit holds the hotels, the camp and the vehicle, and the balance is paid in cash when you arrive. If you cancel at least 31 days before arrival, the deposit is refunded in full.
When to go
The best time is from late September through June, especially autumn and spring: the weather is clear for sunsets and stars, and the nights are comfortable. Avoid July and August, because of the extreme heat. Winter works too: every tent has good blankets, and the luxury camp has heated tents.
In winter, snow can close the Tizi n’Tichka pass, mostly around late December, early January and late February. It happens two or three times a year, and the authorities usually clear the road quickly. We check the road and the weather one or two days before you leave. If snow, heavy rain or flooding makes the road unsafe, we change the route or move the date.
Before you leave Marrakech
Enjoy Marrakech, but stay a little aware of your surroundings. Change money in the city center; I can help you find a reliable place. Avoid taking random taxis, because it is hard to agree on the price; arrange a trusted driver or ask us to. Be careful with unofficial street guides who offer directions without being asked: they may expect payment afterwards. Be polite, say no if you are not interested, and carry on.
Booking a shared tour instead? Whichever company you choose, including mine, ask these questions first: how many people share the vehicle, who chooses the stops, and what time you reach the camp. Our Sahara desert tours from Marrakech page has the full list.
Questions about the 3-day trip
Is there a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech?
Yes. The classic 3-day tour goes from Marrakech to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes and back, with a night in a hotel in the Dades Valley and a night in a desert camp. You can also finish in Fes. Private trips start at $450 per person from Marrakech.
Is a 3-day desert tour from Marrakech enough time?
It works, but it is a full trip: on day 1 we leave about 8:00 a.m. and reach the Dades Valley about 5:00 p.m., day 2 has about 5 hours of driving, and day 3 takes about 10 hours with stops. I do not recommend it for older travelers, people who get carsick, or families with young children, because 7 to 8 hours in the car can be exhausting; for them I suggest four days.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Without stops it is 9 to 10 hours, so I never do it in one day. We split it with a night in the Dades Valley.
What time do we get back to Marrakech on the last day?
In winter we leave the camp at about 8:00 a.m. and reach Marrakech between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. If you have a flight, I recommend spending the last night in Marrakech rather than going straight to the airport.
How cold is it at night in the desert?
From December to February it can drop to −2 to −4 °C (about 28 to 25 °F) at night. Standard tents have heavy blankets and no heating. Luxury tents are heated and are available as an upgrade.
Is the tent private? Is there a shower?
Yes. Each tent in our standard camp is private, with a bed, a private bathroom, a hot shower and towels, even in winter.
Can we skip the camel ride?
Yes. We can arrange a 4x4 transfer instead, which helps if you feel uncomfortable on camels or have a mobility problem.
Is there a minimum number of people? Can children come?
There is no minimum: one traveler, a couple or a family can book a private trip. Children can come, and there is no strict age limit. We adjust the pace and the driving time.
Can we finish in Fes instead of Marrakech?
Yes, from $500 per person. On day 3 we leave Merzouga at about 9:00 a.m. and reach Fes at about 6:00 p.m., with stops in the Ziz Valley and near Midelt.
Can we upgrade the hotel or the camp?
Yes. The hotel in the Dades Valley can be upgraded from standard to comfort, classic or luxury, depending on availability. The camp has upgrade options too, including heated luxury tents. Ask for the price.
What should we pack for the camp night?
A small bag with what you need for one night. In winter, add a scarf, a hat, long trousers and a warm layer. In spring and autumn, light clothes and a light jacket. The camp provides blankets and towels. Your big bag stays in the van.
Is there Wi-Fi and phone signal at the camp?
There is Wi-Fi in the main area near the restaurant. Orange and Maroc Telecom are usually the strongest networks. You can charge your phone in your tent.
What is the best desert tour from Marrakech?
For the real dunes, the 3-day or 4-day trip to Merzouga. With two days, Zagora is a good option if you are comfortable with longer drives. With less time or less driving, Agafay is the better choice, especially for families and older travelers.
Plan your 3-day desert trip
Tell me when you are coming, how many people you are, whether you want to finish in Marrakech or Fes, and whether you prefer three days or four. I will send you the route and a price from. For longer trips, see our 4-day and longer Sahara trips.
