3 Days / 2 Nights
Marrakech
Merzouga, Erg Chebbi
Private, Door to Door
This 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is built for travelers who want the Sahara without compromise: a private vehicle, a driver-guide who knows every bend of the Tizi n’Tichka pass, and two very different nights, the first in a boutique kasbah town and the second under canvas in the dunes. It is one of the best private Sahara tours from Marrakech for couples, families, and small groups who want the essential stops of the south, from Aït Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge and Erg Chebbi itself, all at a pace set by your group.
Day by Day
3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Itinerary
Two driving days, one overnight in the Dades Valley, and one night deep in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi.
Marrakech to Dades Valley
Around 6 hours on the road
08:00, pickup from your riad or hotel in Marrakech. The road climbs into the High Atlas Mountains and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, at 2,260 metres the highest year-round road pass in Morocco.
The first major stop is Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed fortified village used as a filming location for decades. The route then continues through Ouarzazate, gateway to the south, and into the Rose Valley, arriving in the Dades Valley as the light turns gold over the rock formations.
Overnight at a boutique hotel, with dinner and breakfast included.
Dades Valley to Merzouga, Erg Chebbi
Around 4 hours on the road
After breakfast at the hotel, the drive continues through Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge, where cliff walls rise straight up on either side of the road. The route then passes through Erfoud and Rissani, with an optional stop at a fossil workshop or the local market, before reaching Merzouga in the afternoon.
As the sun drops, you set off by camel for the sunset trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes. The night is spent at a private desert camp: dinner under canvas, live Berber music by the fire, and a sky full of stars.
Merzouga Back to Marrakech
Around 9 hours on the road
An optional sunrise over the dunes is worth the early start. After breakfast at the camp, the return journey runs via Ouarzazate, with an optional stop at the Atlas Film Studios, before crossing back over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
Drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech between 18:00 and 19:00.
Photos
Photo Gallery
A look at the road, the kasbahs, and the Erg Chebbi dunes waiting on this Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour.
What’s Covered
Inclusions & Exclusions
Everything in your price, and the few things it doesn’t cover.
What’s Included
✓ Private, air-conditioned modern vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, yours alone for all three days
✓ Door-to-door pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad
✓ One night at a boutique hotel in the Dades Valley, half board with dinner and breakfast
✓ One night at a private Erg Chebbi desert camp: ensuite tent, hot shower, real beds, half board
✓ Sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes on Day 2
✓ Sandboards to use at the camp whenever you like
✓ An itinerary that flexes around your pace, not a fixed schedule
Not Included
✕ Lunches and extra drinks (budget around 8 to 12 euros per lunch)
✕ Monument entry fees (Aït Ben Haddou is tip-based, Atlas Film Studios around 8 euros)
✕ A licensed local guide at the monuments, available on request
✕ Optional extras such as quad biking, a buggy ride, or drinks with dinner
✕ Tips for your driver-guide, entirely at your discretion
Rates
Pricing
Priced per person, the rate drops as your group grows while the tour stays fully private.
| Participants | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 to 9 | 10 to 13 | 14 to 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price / person | 790€ | 435€ | 365€ | 325€ | 295€ | 265€ | 245€ | 215€ | 195€ |
Prices are per person and include everything listed above. Because the vehicle and camp are private regardless of group size, larger groups simply share the same private tour and see the price per person fall.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this private Sahara tour, answered before you book.
Is a 3-day Marrakech desert tour worth it?
For most travelers with limited time, yes. In three days you cross the High Atlas, visit Aït Ben Haddou, drive through the Dades and Todra valleys, and spend a night in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi. Travelers with more time often add a fourth day for a slower pace, but three days covers every major stop without an extra night on the road.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Driving straight through takes about 9 to 10 hours, which is why this tour splits the route over two days with an overnight stop in the Dades Valley. That breaks the trip into two comfortable driving days of around 6 and 4 hours, with stops for photos, lunch, and sightseeing along the way.
What should I pack for the Sahara Desert?
Light, breathable layers for the day and a warmer layer for the evening, since desert nights get cool even in summer. Comfortable closed shoes for the dunes, a scarf or hat for sun and wind, sunscreen, and a swimsuit if your hotel has a pool. A power bank is handy since charging at the desert camp is limited.
Is camel trekking included?
Yes. A sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes is included on the evening of Day 2, on the way to the desert camp.
Is the desert camp private?
Yes. This is a private tour and the camp accommodation is a private ensuite tent, not a shared dormitory tent. You share the wider camp grounds with other travelers, but your tent, guide, and vehicle are exclusively yours.
Can children join the tour?
Yes. Because the vehicle, schedule, and stops are private, families can adjust the pace, add rest stops, and skip anything that doesn’t suit younger travelers. Let your driver-guide know ahead of time if children are joining so the day can be planned accordingly.
Is the tour suitable for couples?
Very much so. The combination of a private vehicle, a boutique hotel stopover, and a night in a private desert tent under the stars makes this a popular choice for honeymoons and anniversaries.
What meals are included?
Dinner and breakfast are included on both nights, at the boutique hotel in the Dades Valley and at the desert camp in Merzouga. Lunches are not included, which leaves you free to choose where to stop and eat along the route.
Are there bathrooms in the camp?
Yes. The desert camp tent used on this tour is ensuite, with a private bathroom and hot shower rather than shared facilities.
Can I book a luxury desert camp?
The standard tour already includes a private ensuite tent with real beds and hot water. If you would like a higher category luxury camp with extra comforts, let us know when booking and we can arrange an upgrade.
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