3 days Marrakech Desert Tour
3-Day Marrakech Desert Tour
Tour Description
For travelers who have a craving for an incredible journey but only a few vacation days left to cash in, this desert trip will satiate you and provide you with weeks of incredible social media pics to share. You'll start your guided tour from Marrakech to the desert, traveling through the Atlas Mountains, Dades Valley, and Todra Gorges to the Sahara Desert. There, you will enjoy camel trekking, witness a breathtaking sunset and sunrise, and sleep under a bright starry night sky.
Places you'll visit
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
- Have an early breakfast to prepare for a long day of travel.
- Drive through the “Tizi-n-Tichka Pass,” which winds over the Atlas Mountains at 2,260 meters above sea level.
- Stop along the roadside to shop for unique minerals and fossils (bring some cash).
- Visit the “Ksar Ait Ben Haddou,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunning example of a traditional Berber fortified village.
- Take a guided tour of the ksar to learn about its 500-year history and its role in protecting Berber tribes from invasions.
- Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
- Continue your journey to “Ouarzazate,” often called “Morocco’s Hollywood.”
- Explore the town’s film sets, which have been used in iconic movies like “Gladiator,” “The Mummy,” and “Game of Thrones” (optional).
- Arrive in “Ouarzazate,” your final destination for the night.
- Relax and prepare for the next leg of your journey, which continues toward the desert.
Day 2
- Start your day with a traditional Moroccan breakfast.
- Hit the road toward the Sahara desert on a scenic drive through two ancient river gorges, while enjoying the dramatic landscapes change along the way.
- Stop for lunch at a scenic spot overlooking “Dades Gorge.”
- Take a nice hike through “Todra Gorge,” surrounded by tall cliffs and peaceful nature.
- Continue your journey as the landscape shifts from green palm groves to the orange hues of the pre-Saharan region.
- Arrive at the edge of the desert and join a caravan of dromedaries for a 1.5-hour trek across the sand dunes during sunset.
- Experience the desert as you ride through endless waves of orange dunes under a fiery sky.
- Arrive at your comfortable desert campsite, to be greeted with mint tea and enjoy a delicious local dinner, with fire and a music show.
- Spend the night in warm canvas tents or, if you prefer, sleep under the stars, wrapped in blankets with the sand as your pillow.
Day 3
- Wake up and watch the sunrise from a sand dune.
- Ride your dromedary back to the lodge.
- Enjoy a delicious Moroccan breakfast at the edge of the dunes.
- Take a moment to appreciate the peaceful desert stillness.
- Start the journey back to Marrakesh, with multiple stop for breaks along the way.
Tour Languages
What's Included
What's excluded
Note Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of transportation is provided for Marrakech Desert tour?
2. What kind of accommodation will be provided during the tour?
3. What should I pack for a 3 days Marrakech Desert tour?
4. Are there any additional fees or expenses not included in the tour price?
5. What is the cancellation policy for the tour?
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This Marrakech to desert tour is a simple way to explore Morocco’s landscapes, history, and culture. Over three days, travel through the Atlas Mountains, visit historical sites, and experience the Sahara Desert. This tour is ideal for those looking for a private desert tour from Marrakech to the desert or a Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour with comfortable transport and accommodation.
Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazate via Ait Ben Haddou
The journey begins with an early morning departure from Marrakech, heading towards the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters above sea level. The drive offers scenic views of Berber villages and winding roads.
Along the way, you can:
- Stop at panoramic viewpoints for pictures.
- Shop for minerals and fossils sold by local vendors.
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient ksar.
Ait Ben Haddou is one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages, where Berber tribes once built structures to protect themselves from invasions. This site has been featured in movies such as “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones.”
After exploring the ksar, lunch is served at a local restaurant. The tour continues to Ouarzazate, often called Morocco’s Hollywood, where you can visit:
- Taourirt Kasbah is a historical stronghold.
- The Atlas Film Studios, where many international films were shot.
You’ll spend the night in Ouarzazate, a key stop for many Marrakech to Merzouga tours.
Day 2: Ouarzazate to Merzouga – Camel Trekking & Desert Camp
After breakfast, the tour continues toward the Todra Gorge, a canyon with 400-meter-high cliffs popular for hiking and rock climbing. The scenery shifts from mountain landscapes to palm groves and desert villages.
You’ll travel through:
- Dades Valley is known for its rock formations.
- Tinghir is a small town with traditional Berber architecture.
- Todra Gorge, where you’ll have time for a short walk.
By the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, a highlight of any Sahara desert tour from Marrakech. Here, your camel trekking experience begins:
- Ride a camel across the dunes at sunset.
- Take pictures of the endless orange sand waves.
- Arrive at a desert camp, where a traditional Moroccan dinner is served.
At night, you can:
- Sleep in a canvas desert tent or under the open sky.
- Enjoy traditional Berber music around a campfire.
This is one of the most memorable moments in a Marrakech Sahara desert tour.
Day 3: Merzouga to Marrakech – The Return Journey
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the Sahara Desert, then ride your camel back to Merzouga. After freshening up, breakfast is served at a local lodge.
The return journey passes through:
- Rissani is a traditional town with a famous souq (market).
- The Draa Valley, with lush palm groves.
- The Atlas Mountains offer more scenic viewpoints.
Several stops are made along the way for meals, rest, and shopping before reaching Marrakech in the evening.
Why Choose This Marrakech Desert Tour?
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar.
- Ride a camel in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Sleep in a desert camp with a local dinner.
- Experience the Atlas Mountains, valleys, and gorges.
- Hassle-free transport and accommodation.
Whether you’re looking for a Marrakech to Fes desert tour 3 days, a luxury desert tour from Marrakech, or a Marrakech desert tour with kids, this tour covers the key highlights of Morocco’s Sahara region.