3 Days Desert
Tour from Marrakech
A Signature Sahara Desert Experience
by Affordable Morocco Tours
Tour Overview
Enjoy a camel trek into the Sahara, sleep beneath starry skies at a desert camp.
Tour Length:
3 Days / 2 Nights
Start City:
Marrakech
Price Range:
€TBD
Destinations Included:
Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge, Todgha Gorge, Jorf Khettaras, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga
3 Days Desert
Tour from Marrakech
A Signature Sahara Desert Experience
by Tarhanine Morocco Tours
Tour Overview
Enjoy a camel trek into the Sahara, sleep beneath starry skies at a desert camp.
Tour Length:
3 Days / 2 Nights
Start City:
Marrakech
Price Range:
€TBD
Destinations Included:
Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge, Todgha Gorge, Jorf Khettaras, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga
3 days
All Destinations
Luxury or Standard
About this Tour
Experience the magic of Morocco’s desert landscapes on this 3 day adventure from Marrakech.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit the iconic kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, and journey through dramatic gorges and palm filled valleys before reaching the golden dunes of Merzouga. Enjoy a camel trek into the Sahara, sleep beneath starry skies at a desert camp, and discover the rich history of towns like Rissani and Ouarzazate along the way.
Highlights
Your 3 Day Sahara Journey:
Highlights at a Glance
Best for:
Short trips, first-time Sahara experience
Route:
Marrakech → Ait Benhaddou → Dades → Todra → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga → Marrakech
Signature moments:
Atlas pass + UNESCO kasbah + sunset camel trek + desert camp night
Nature &
scenery:
Mountains, gorges, dunes
Culture stops:
Ouarzazate, Rissani (market day when possible)
Overnight:
1 hotel + 1 desert camp (2 nights total)
Itinerary Route
Explore the Sahara:
Day by Day Itinerary
Ait Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorge → Todra Gorge →
Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge
This 3-day desert tour to Merzouga camel trek Sahara desert adventure starts early in the morning. You meet your guide at your hotel/riad and start driving, leaving the red city of Marrakech towards Ait Ben Haddou, passing by the High Atlas Mountains and the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass at an elevation of 2,260m. Tizi n’Tichka means “difficult mountain pasture” in Berber and you’ll see why.
We arrive at the UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou where you will visit the kasbah on a walking tour and have lunch before driving onward toward Dades Gorge.
Overnight: at your hotel.
Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga
After breakfast, we continue our Sahara desert adventure. Here, both the Todra and Dades rivers have carved dramatic, cliff-sided canyons through the mountains, leaving striking rock formations along the route. The Todra Gorge is especially impressive its final stretch includes towering canyon walls, creating one of the most iconic natural landscapes in Morocco.
We stop for a walk with your guide. Lunch is scheduled in Tinejdad, and then we drive to Erfoud.
Erfoud is the gate of the desert and used to be the base camp for all the expeditions through the Merzouga dunes. Erfoud is well known for fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years. The souk of Erfoud sells local dates and fresh products, and in October the town has an increasingly popular date festival, with dancing and music.
The last stop before the Merzouga dunes is Rissani, the origin of the Alaouite dynasty the current royal family. This makes it a cultural destination in Morocco bosting ths gateway to the desert, an ancienk souk, and other remarkable sites After Rissani, we arrive at Merzouga, where you meet your camel to go inside the desert dunes while enjoying the sunset.
Overnight: dinner and night in the desert camp.
Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
In the morning, it’s recommended to wake up early to climb the sand dunes and witness the breathtaking sunrise. After breakfast, meet your tour guide to begin your journey to Kelaat M’Gouna, have lunch, and then visit the film studio in Ouarzazate if you wish. Afterwards, drive to Marrakech.
Tour Gallery
MAP
Tailor Made Journeys, Just for You
At Affordable Morocco Tours, every trip begins with you. Whether you’re planning a quick escape or a grand family adventure or your friends, we design private tours that reflect your interests, pace, and travel style.
From romantic getaways to multigenerational trips, we welcome groups of all sizes. The sample itineraries on our site are based on real guest favorites but they’re only a starting point. Once we know your travel dates and preferences, we’ll fine tune the route to make sure it all flows smoothly from arrival to departure.
Our mission is to make your Morocco journey as seamless, authentic, and unforgettable as possible
3 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech – FAQs
Didn't see your questions?
Q1: How long is the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech?
The tour is 3 days / 2 nights and starts in Marrakech.
Q2: Which places are included on this itinerary?
The itinerary includes Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge, Todgha Gorge, Jorf Khettaras, Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga.
Q3: Do we do a camel trek in Merzouga?
Yes. In Merzouga, you will meet your camel and go into the dunes while enjoying the sunset.
Q4: Do we sleep in the Sahara desert?
Yes. Day 2 includes overnight and dinner in the desert camp.
Q5: Can we see sunrise in the dunes?
Yes. On Day 3, it is recommended to wake up early and climb the dunes to watch sunrise.
Q6:Is Rissani included, and when is it best to visit?
Yes, Rissani is included. If it is the weekly market day, it is better.
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Affordable Morocco Tours creates private journeys inspired by the Sahara and Morocco’s timeless heritage.
