3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour: Camel Trek & Camp

Depart early in the morning with pickup from your Marrakech hotel or meeting point in Jemaa el-Fna Square. Travel east through traditional Moroccan villages as you approach the High Atlas Mountains. Cross the scenic Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest mountain pass in North Africa at 2,260 meters elevation. Enjoy multiple photo stops along the winding mountain road to capture panoramic views of Berber villages, terraced valleys, and snow-capped peaks. Take breaks to stretch your legs and enjoy refreshments while admiring the dramatic Atlas Mountain scenery.

Stop at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous fortified Berber kasbah. Explore this ancient village for approximately 2.5 hours and discover filming locations from Hollywood movies including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Kingdom of Heaven. Optional local guide available at additional cost. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before continuing through Ouarzazate, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara Desert," and traveling onwards to Tinghir through the Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.

Make a photo stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate, Morocco's cinema capital and filmmaking hub. Continue your journey through the scenic Valley of Roses (Kelaat M'Gouna), famous for its rose cultivation and annual Rose Festival. Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing traditional fortified villages and palm groves.

Stop for photos in the Valley of Roses, known for its traditional rose cultivation and cosmetics production. Rose picking season runs from April through May, with the annual Rose Festival celebrated during the first week of May. Visit local cooperatives to see rose oil products and cosmetics made from Damask roses. Enjoy traditional Moroccan tea infused with rose petals.

Arrive at your hotel in Dades Valley in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner at the hotel featuring traditional Moroccan cuisine. Overnight accommodation in a private room with en-suite facilities.

After breakfast, depart along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs towards Tinghir. Explore the Todra Gorge, one of Morocco's most spectacular natural canyons, with towering limestone cliffs reaching up to 300 meters high. Walk through the narrow gorge and admire the dramatic orange rock formations. Stroll through the palm-filled Todra Oasis and discover traditional irrigation systems used by local Berber communities.

Visit a traditional Berber family home where you can try on authentic Berber clothing for photos, get henna tattoos (optional), and purchase traditional scarves and turbans for your desert experience and camel trek photography.

Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and prepare a small overnight bag for your desert camp experience. Begin your camel trek across the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest dunes in Morocco reaching up to 150 meters. Ride camels through the golden Sahara Desert to reach your traditional Berber camp before sunset. Climb the towering dunes to watch the sunset over the desert landscape. Spend the night in a traditional nomad tent at the desert camp. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner followed by Berber drum music around the campfire under the stars. Experience stargazing in the clear desert sky with views of the Milky Way and constellations.

Wake early for an optional sunrise walk on the Erg Chebbi dunes before breakfast at the desert camp. Ride camels back to Merzouga village and meet your driver to begin the return journey to Marrakech. Pass through Rissani, a historic town known as the birthplace of Morocco's Alaouite dynasty and former capital of the Tafilalt region. Stop for lunch in the Valley of Roses (own expense). Travel back through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass with scenic mountain views. Arrive at your Marrakech hotel or riad in the early evening, concluding your 3-day Sahara Desert tour.

Wake early for an optional sunrise walk on the Erg Chebbi dunes before breakfast at the desert camp. Ride camels back to Merzouga village and meet your driver to begin the return journey to Marrakech. Pass through Rissani, a historic town known as the birthplace of Morocco's Alaouite dynasty and former capital of the Tafilalt region. Make rest stops along the route for refreshments and restroom breaks as needed. Stop for lunch in the Valley of Roses (own expense). Travel back through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass with scenic mountain views. Arrive at your Marrakech hotel or riad in the early evening, concluding your 3-day Sahara Desert tour.