3 days Marrakech desert tour

Your adventure begins with an early morning departure from Marrakech, heading into the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. Along the winding roads, you’ll witness changing landscapes, from lush valleys to rugged peaks dotted with traditional Berber villages. The first major stop is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village famous for its earthen clay architecture and appearance in numerous films and TV series. After exploring the kasbah with a local guide, continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where you can admire the historic Taourirt Kasbah or visit the Atlas Film Studios. The journey then takes you through the fragrant Valley of Roses and past countless kasbahs before arriving in the Dades Valley. Here, you’ll settle into a charming hotel or riad for dinner and your first overnight stay surrounded by the region’s dramatic red-rock scenery.

After breakfast, you’ll travel deeper into the stunning landscapes of the Dades Valley, where strange rock formations and winding canyon roads create picture-perfect scenes. The route leads to the Todra Gorge, a breathtaking natural wonder with towering cliffs that rise up to 300 meters, making it a paradise for hikers and photographers alike. Continuing east through Erfoud and Rissani, you’ll pass landscapes that shift from rocky plateaus to golden sand as you approach the edge of the Sahara. In Merzouga, a camel caravan awaits to take you on an unforgettable trek across the rolling dunes of Erg Chebbi. As the sun begins to set, the sand glows in shades of gold and orange, creating one of the most magical views in Morocco. Arriving at your desert camp, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner under the stars, followed by live Berber music around a campfire before sleeping in your private tent amidst the silence of the Sahara.

The day begins early, as you awaken to watch the first light of dawn illuminate the vast dunes—a moment that will remain etched in your memory. After a hearty breakfast at the camp, you’ll return to Merzouga by camel or 4x4 and begin the long but scenic drive back to Marrakech. The route retraces your path through the High Atlas Mountains, offering different perspectives and plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs or short breaks along the way. You’ll pass through Ouarzazate once more, perhaps taking a final look at its film studios or kasbahs, before continuing toward the city. By evening, you’ll arrive back in Marrakech, marking the end of an extraordinary 3-day journey that has taken you from the bustling medina to the timeless stillness of the Sahara Desert, across landscapes that tell the story of Morocco’s beauty, culture, and history.