The tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is the great journey of southern Morocco: in three days you cross the High Atlas, follow the kasbahs of the Draa and Dades valleys, pass through the Todra Gorges and end up deep in the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night under the stars. It is also a demanding trip with long days on the road. Here is the itinerary our drivers follow, stage by stage, with realistic driving times and tips to make the most of it.
The itinerary at a glance
| Day | Main stops | Driving (approx.) | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley | 330 km, 7 to 8 h with visits | Hotel in the Dades Valley |
| Day 2 | Dades Gorges, Tinghir, Todra Gorges, Rissani, Merzouga | 300 km, 6 to 7 h with visits | Camp in the dunes |
| Day 3 | Sunrise, return via the Draa Valley and Tichka | 560 km, 9 to 10 h | — |
Day 1: from Marrakech to the Dades Valley
An early start, around 7:30 am, to enjoy the cool morning. The road climbs quickly into the High Atlas up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres: earthen villages clinging to the slopes, terraced fields and roadside geode sellers. Allow time for a coffee and photo stop at the top.
Next comes Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and the setting of many films. A one-hour walk takes you up to the fortified granary, with a magnificent view over the valley. Lunch on site, then on through Ouarzazate and its film studios, before reaching the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses around Kelaat M’Gouna. You arrive in the late afternoon in the Dades Valley, where you spend the night in a hotel facing the cliffs.
Day 2: the Todra Gorges and arrival in the dunes
In the morning, your driver heads a few kilometres up the Dades Gorges, famous for their hairpin road and rock formations. Then east to Tinghir and its vast palm grove, and the Todra Gorges, a narrow canyon whose walls rise to around 300 metres. A short walk between the cliffs is one of the highlights of the trip.
In the afternoon, the road crosses ever more desert-like landscapes to Rissani, a former caravan town, and then Merzouga. At the end of the day you leave the vehicle and ride a camel for about 1 hour 30 minutes across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your camp. Sunset from a sand crest, dinner, Berber music around the fire and a night under exceptionally clear skies.
Day 3: sunrise and return to Marrakech
Wake up before dawn to watch the sun rise over the dunes, then return to the village by camel or 4x4 for breakfast. The return day is the longest: your driver usually takes the southern road via Alnif, N’Kob and the Draa Valley, dotted with palm groves and kasbahs, before rejoining Ouarzazate and the Tichka pass. Arrival in Marrakech in the evening. If your trip continues north, the tour can also end in Fes, about 7 to 8 hours from Merzouga.
Which camp should you choose?
There are two main types of camp in Erg Chebbi:
- Standard camps: comfortable Berber tents with beds, blankets and shared bathrooms. Authentic and welcoming.
- Luxury camps: spacious tents with a private bathroom, electricity and hotel-quality bedding. Ideal for a honeymoon or demanding travellers.
In both cases dinner and breakfast are included, and the camp is set among the dunes, far from the village lights.
When to go
From October to April, days are mild and nights cool, even cold in December and January. Spring also brings the rose harvest in the Valley of Roses, around May. In summer, temperatures in the desert often exceed 45 °C: the tour is still possible but schedules must be adapted, or you may prefer an evening in Agafay. Our comparison Agafay or Merzouga explains this choice.
What to pack
- A fleece and a hat in winter: nights can approach 0 °C.
- A scarf or a cheche to protect you from sand and sun.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a water bottle.
- A small bag for the night at the camp: big suitcases stay in the vehicle.
- Cash for drinks, tips and purchases along the way.
Comfort on the road
The mountain roads of the Tichka and Dades have many bends. If you suffer from motion sickness, tell us: your driver will adapt the driving and the breaks, and you can sit in the front. All our vehicles are air-conditioned, and the road to Merzouga is paved: a 4x4 is not essential unless you want off-road tracks or more comfort on rougher sections.
Book your tour
Our 3-day Merzouga desert tour is entirely private: a vehicle and driver for you alone, selected accommodation and a pace adapted to your wishes. Prefer to book your nights yourself? A private Marrakech to Merzouga transfer takes you straight to the village. To compare with other trips, also see our guide to the best day trips from Marrakech.
