3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech

Immerse yourself in the most surprising part of the Moroccan desert, and contemplate the contrasts offered by its different landscapes as you discover valleys, mountains and historic towns.3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech

3 Day Sahara Desert Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech – Aït Benhaddou –  Ouarzazate – The Dadès Valley

At 8 am on the first day we leave Marrakech behind to hit the road towards Ouarzazate. On the way we cross the striking Atlas Mountains, crossing through the stunning Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, 2,260 metres high.

At the mid point of the journey we will arrive at the Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, a fortified city that has served a filming location for movies such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. You’ll have approximately two and a half hours here to explore this spectacular desert city and to have lunch.3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech

The route then continues to Ouarzazate where you will have approximately half an hour to admire and take photos of the impressive Taourirt Kasbah.

Taking “The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” towards Skoura we will then cross the Valley of the Roses to finally arrive at the Dadès Valley, where we will spend the night.

Day 2: Dadès Valley – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga

Having eaten breakfast we set off towards the Dadès Valley, crossing on the way the incredible Todgha Gorges where we will stay for a bit to enjoy the impressive landscape. Next, we move on in the direction of Merzouga, passing through the Jorf palm grove (which produces the best dates) and we will stop for lunch before arriving at Erfoud, a village famous for its fossil fragments. 3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech.

Having arrived in Merzouga, we will swap our motor vehicles for camels to immerse ourselves in the desert, and search for the Bedouin camp where we will spend the night.

Here, soundtracked by desert silence, we will enjoy one of the most authentic dinners in all Morocco.

Day 3  Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif –Tizi n’Tichka – Ouarzazate – Marrakesh

If there is one unmissable sight in the desert it is sunrise. Having enjoyed this tranquil moment, the tour returns to its camels, to make for a hotel where we can shower and have breakfast (depending on the type of camp, the breakfast and shower can be before the camel ride). 

Passing through the Tafilalet palm grove and Rissani village (from where Morocco’s ruling Alaouite dynasty comes) the tour continues through the acacia-covered plateaus and arrives at Alnif, where we take the road crossing the Anti Atlas mountain range. Through the remarkable mountainous passages of Tizi n’Tichka we will arrive at Tinghir, (an important Berber village), and finally the Dades Valley.

Reaching Kalaat M’Gouna around midday, we’ll stop for lunch and a well-earned rest, before we complete our return journey to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate – leaving you at your hotel at around 8:30 pm. 

Accommodation 3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech

On the first night, we’ll stay in Dades, and the accommodation will be the same for both standard and superior options. Among the options are  Dar Essyaha, Hotel Babylon, Hotel Le Vieux Chateau and Kasbah Tifawen.

On the second night, the tour will stay in the Merzouga camp. The difference between the standard and superior categories (Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or similar), is that in the standard camp the bathrooms and showers are in the communal tents, and in the superior camp each tent has a private bathroom with shower.3 days sahara desert tour from marrakech.