What should I pack for a Marrakech desert tour?

Pack light clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Evenings can get cold, so bring a warm layer.

Are Marrakech desert tours suitable for families?

Yes, we offer family-friendly desert tours with options for all ages, including child-safe camel rides and accommodations.

How long are the Marrakech desert tours?

Our most popular tours range from 2 to 4 days. Custom durations are also available based on your needs.

Marrakech to Merzouga

2 Days, 1 Night

Discover the big dunes of the Sahara on a two day adventure to Erg Chebbi!

Overview

This two day excursion begins in the city of Marrakech and brings you to the Merzouga desert. Along the way you will pass through the High Atlas Mountains visit the Skoura Palm Grove, the Dadés Valley, and spend a night in an authentic Berber camp in the desert.

The Shops at Tizi N'Tichka

Highlights & Options

Travel through the High Atlas Mountains
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou
Ride a Camel in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Spend the night in a Desert Camp
Venture to the kasbahs of the Draa Valley

Please notify us of any options or add-ons you would like to be included in your experience on the booking form.

*Included in Royal Booking Option

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Itinerary

Start: Marrakech

Pick up at or near your Riad/hotel.

End: Marrakech

Drop off at or near your Riad/hotel.

Discover the Dunes of Erg Chebbi

Set off into the desert of Morocco on an exciting, fun-filled 2 day excursion from Marrakech to Merzouga. Make your way through the High Atlas Mountains and down into the magic of the Draa Valley with its stunning gorges and magical history.

Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Tinghir - Merzouga

Driving Time: 8 hours 45 minutes

Our adventure begins in the city of Marrakech where we will pick you up from your hotel or Riad and we will cross beautiful landscapes, oases, valleys, gorges and the High Atlas Mountains. From the Tizi N'Tichka pass at 2260 meters we will descend toward the city of Ouarzazate. We will have the opportunity here to stop in Ait Ben Haddou and tour the UNESCO World Heritage site. This ksar is full of history as a stop along the ancient trade routes between the rest of Africa and Marrakech. It has also been used in a variety of Hollywood films over the years.
Then it's on to the Roses Valley where every April and May the valley is filled with local women picking roses to be turned into everything from shampoo to hand cream. Next on our excursion we make our way through the stunning Dadés Valley and it's impressive gorges.
Our path takes us through Boumalne Dades on our way to Tinghir, a charming village know for its impressive palm grove and the remarkable Todra Gorge. Beyond the cities of Alnif and Rissani we find ourselves in Merzouga.
After arriving in Merzouga we will ride camels as the sunset and make our way to our accommodations for the night: an authentic Berber camp. Day one of this adventure ends with dinner, music and taking in the starry skies about a sea of sand.

Map

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Image Gallery

Luxury Desert Camp at Night

Valley in Dades

Cafe in the Atlas Mountains

Shops at Tizi N’Tichka

Window in Telouet

Road Winding through Dades Gorge

Window View in Kasbah Telouet

Todra Gorge

Tinghir Palmeraie

Hotel Yasmina

Traveling through Tinghir

Restaurant in Tinghir

Monkey Fingers

Looking out over the Atlas Mountains

Rooftop of Taourirt Kasbah

Mineral Shop at Tizi N’Tichka

Todra Gorge

Sunset in Dades

Road into the Atlas Mountains

Winding Road in the Atlas Mountains

Staircase in Kasbah Telouet

Entryway of Kasbah Telouet

Entrance to Atlas Studios

Shops at Tizi N’Tichka

Tinghir Palmeraie

Berber Village in the Atlas Mountains

Watching Sunset in Dades Gorge

Luxury Desert Camp at Night

Erg Chebbi Dunes at Sunrise

View from Inside Telouet

Todra Gorge

Meeting the Locals in Tinghir

Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate

Pool at Berbere Palace

Kasbah Taourirt

Donkeys in Merzouga Desert

Atlas Mountains with Snow

Entry Square in Kasbah Telouet

Todra Gorge

4×4 in Erg Chebbi

Cinema Museum in Ouarzazate

Tinghir Palmeraie

Village in Dades Gorge

Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi

Inclusions

Not Included

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Luxury from

€143

/person

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Our Accommodations

Normal: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi

These are a few of the accommodations we partner with to provide you with the best experience possible on you 2 Days, 1 Night excursion from Marrakech to Merzouga. The final accommodations booked for your excursion with depend on a number of factors including: which package you choose (Standard, Luxury, Royal or Eco), the time of your travel, availability at the locations at the time of your booking, the number of people in your party. If the locations in this list are not available, you will receive accommodations of equal or greater experience.

Additional Resources

Navigating Morocco: A Traveler’s Guide During Ramadan

The Costs of Traveling through Morocco’s Wonders with Discover Sahara Tours

Helpful Weather Information for Popular Destinations in Morocco: A Seasonal Guide for Every Traveler

First Time Visitors Guide to Morocco

Why Travel with Discover Sahara Tours?

Our People

Looking for a truly unique and immersive tour experience? Meet our exceptional full-time local drivers and guides, who don't just show you around - they become your well-connected friend. Accompanying you on each day of the tour, they share their lifelong connections to the region, offering fascinating anecdotes about its history and culture. With their insider knowledge and friendly personalities, you'll feel like a local in no time.

Custom Experience

Experience adventure like never before with our private tours! We are passionate about creating a customized travel experience that is tailored to your preferences. Imagine immersing yourself in the daily life of a nomadic family in the desert or cruising through the Sahara on a quad bike. We'll work with you to build an itinerary that meets your every desire, making sure that your journey is nothing short of amazing.

Local Cuisine

Experience the flavors, stories, and warmth of a place through its cuisine - that's our promise to you. Whether it's a cozy family-owned restaurant or indulging in a gourmet meal in our Sahara desert camps, these expertly curated meals will tantalize your taste buds and give you a glimpse into the heart and soul of the locals. Come travel with us and discover the magic of local Moroccan food traditions.

Sustainable Travel

Indulge in sustainable travel that nurtures the communities you visit. Invest in the local livelihoods by putting your money where your heart is. Discover the magic of authentic and immersive travel experiences that take you beyond the surface level. Our unique personal touch preserves and supports the cultures and traditions of the places you explore. It's a travel experience that will satisfy your curiosity and leave a positive impact on the world.

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Customer Reviews

Excellent experience throughout the whole trip. Very good service from our guide Ismael, super kind and fun. Worth the money!

Marialuciana12
February 10, 2023

Great experience - Ismael is a great driver and tour guide! Very friendly and helpful. It was a great experience!!! Allways on time, with pacience and good humour!

isabeldV7499HB
January 2, 2023

Me and my friend we book a trip to Essoura and we been pick up from Ismail. This guys was so nice in the way how treated us and how... read more

KiarettaMars
January 28, 2023
Ismail was a wonderful host - the visit to Ait Ben Haddou, the camel trek and the overnight stay in the desert was incredible.
Ismail is very knowledgeable, he... read more

336fionav
February 15, 2023

Good trip - Overall a good trip, special shout out to Houssine, the tour guide. It was very cool seeing the sand dunes. Sahara desert is a bucket list destination for sure!

Safari431552
December 23, 2024

Great trip through Morocco - We did the 3 day Tour from Marrakesh to Fes. It was a truly amazing trip with the desert being the absolute highlight. Ismail was a great guide and excellent... read more

Naomi R
January 13, 2023
Awesome - Best experience ever! From start to finish. Excellent service I would recommend this tour with Ismael.

R7322KFchristianf
February 16, 2023

Making forever friends in the desert - Simply put, an amazing experience. The stops on our way to Erg Chebbi were beautiful and awe-inspiring. The accommodations were great and all the staff we met along the way... read more

jedifunk
March 3, 2024

3 day tour from Marrakech to Fes - This was a 3 days trip from Marrakech to Fes and it was a truly fantastic experience. The beautiful night sky was like nothing I have ever experienced and the... read more

Gcaughey
January 11, 2023