Tour Details
Day 1: Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - The Dadès Valley
At the scheduled time, we'll leave Marrakech behind to hit the road towards Ouarzazate. On the way, we'll cross the striking Atlas Mountains, crossing through the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, 7414 feet (2,260 meters) high.
At the midpoint of the journey, we'll arrive at the Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, a fortified city that has served as a filming location for movies such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. You'll have approximately 2.5 hours here to explore this spectacular desert city and to have lunch.
The route then continues to Ouarzazate, where you'll have approximately half an hour to admire and take photos of the impressive Taourirt Kasbah.
Taking “The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" towards Skoura, we'll then cross the Valley of the Roses to finally arrive at the Dadès Valley, where we'll spend the night.
Day 2: Dadès Valley - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga
After breakfast, we'll set off towards the incredible Todgha Gorges, where we'll stay for a bit to enjoy the impressive landscape. Next, we move on in the direction of Merzouga, passing through the Jorf palm grove (which produces the best dates) and we'll stop for lunch before arriving at Erfoud, a village famous for its fossil fragments.
Having arrived in Merzouga, we'll swap our motor vehicles for camels to immerse ourselves in the desert and search for the Bedouin camp where we'll spend the night.
Here, soundtracked by desert silence, we'll enjoy one of the most authentic dinners in all of Morocco.
Day 3: Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif -Tizi n'Tichka - Ouarzazate - Marrakesh
If there's one unmissable sight in the desert, it's sunrise. Having enjoyed this tranquil moment, then we'll have breakfast at the camp and gather our strength for our last day.
Passing through the Tafilalet palm grove and Rissani village (from where Morocco’s ruling Alaouite dynasty comes) the tour continues through the acacia-covered plateaus and arrives at Alnif, where we take the road crossing the Anti-Atlas mountain range. Through the remarkable mountainous passages of Tizi n'Tichka, we'll arrive at Tinghir, (an important Amazigh village), and finally the Dades Valley.
Reaching Kalaat M'Gouna around midday, we'll stop for lunch and a well-earned rest, before we complete our return journey to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate, leaving you at your hotel or at the Marrakesh airport at around 8:30 pm.
Accommodation Options
When booking, you'll be asked to choose your preferred type of accommodation:
- Standard Shared Accommodation: if you choose this option, you'll share the hotel room in Dades and the haima in the desert with up to 4 tour participants who also choose this option. If you're travelling alone, you'll avoid paying the single supplement for private accommodation, which is the cheapest option! Please note that, even though the accommodation is always shared, we try to separate men and women whenever possible, and that children under the age of 18 are not allowed in this option.
- Standard Private Accommodation: in this option, the hotel room on the first night in Dades and the haimas in the desert will be private. You'll stay in a camping site with shared bathrooms and showers.The haimas in this category can accommodate a maximum of 4 people.
- Superior Private Accommodation: just like the previous option, the hotel room on the first night in Dades and the haimas in the desert will be private. You'll stay in a camping site where each haima has a private bathroom and shower. This option also offers upgraded interior decor and a higher-quality dining experience compared to the standard camp. The haimas in this category can accommodate a maximum of 5 people.
On the first night, all guests will stay in Dades, with accommodation at Dar Essyaha, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Le Vieux Chateau, Kasbah Tifawen, or similar. Please keep in mind that in all types of accommodation, the rooms will be shared.
The second night will be spent in a haima camp in Merzouga, where the standard and superior camps are completely separate. In addition to the difference in bathroom facilities, the superior camp also offers enhanced meals and interior decor.
On the third day, both categories will have breakfast and access to showers at the camp before departure.
Additionally, the haimas can accommodate up to 5 people.
Hotel Pickup
If you're staying in the Medina, you must go to the meeting point. If you're staying outside the Medina, we'll pick you up free of charge at your hotel or riad. If the hotel is outside of Marrakech, the pickup will have a supplement of € 10 (US$ 11.38) to € 40 (US$ 45.53), depending on the distance.
Private Tours
If you wish to do a 4-day private day trip with your partner, family or friends, check out our 4-Day Merzouga Desert Private Tour.
