Ultimate Guide: Desert Merzouga Excursion from Marrakech.

On this 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, you’ll start your journey early in the morning by driving east of Marrakech through small towns and into the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, you’ll make several stops to take photos and enjoy the scenery.

As you continue uphill on winding roads, you’ll reach the Tizi Ntichka pass before arriving at your first major stop: the UNESCO-listed Berber fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, known for being the setting for numerous Hollywood movies such as Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. You’ll have the chance to explore the village on your own or hire a local guide for a more in-depth experience.

After lunch in one of the local cafes, you’ll continue on to the Dades Valley, passing through the towns of Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, and Klaa Mgouna, known for its artisanal rose water distillation factories. Upon arriving in Boumalne Dades, you’ll follow the Dades river and pass through several fortified kasbahs along the way to the Dades canyons. You’ll arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, where you’ll spend the night.

After breakfast at your hotel in the Dades Valley, you’ll begin the day by driving along the 1001 Kasbahs road to Tighir Oasis. From there, you’ll turn onto a secondary road that follows the river to Todgha, where you’ll stop to take a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees. From Todgha, you’ll continue on to the Todgha Gorges, where you’ll have some free time to admire the towering cliffs. After lunch at a local cafe, you’ll head to Arfoud, known for its date market and its history as a starting point for ancient trade caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Timbuktu.

In the early afternoon, you’ll continue on to the dunes of Merzouga, passing through a rocky desert landscape. Upon arriving at the Camel Place, to getting ready for your sunset camel trek through the sand dunes. After admiring the changing colors of the dunes at sunset, you’ll arrive at your camp in the Sahara desert. There, you’ll enjoy a Moroccan dinner served under the stars and be entertained by the local nomadic hosts with their drums. You’ll spend the night at the camp.

in early morning camel ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes, you’ll return to the camp operator’s lodge for breakfast, a shower, and the opportunity to swim in the lodge pool (weather permitting). You’ll then meet your driver and vehicle to head back to Ouarzazate. After some free time for lunch, you’ll continue on to Marrakech in the afternoon through the High Atlas Mountains, ending your 3-day tour from Marrakech to Marrakech.