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Ait Ben Haddou ksar near Ouarzazate, Morocco, on the 3-day tour to Merzouga

Round trip from Ouarzazate · 3 days · 2 nights

3-Day Ouarzazate to Merzouga Desert Tour

A private 3-day tour from Ouarzazate to the Erg Chebbi dunes: Skoura, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorges, a camel ride at sunset and two nights in a Sahara desert camp, with a driver and a local guide.

  • Ouarzazate to Merzouga
  • Ouarzazate desert tour
  • 3 day Sahara tour
  • Private Morocco tour package

Duration

3 days, 2 nights

Route

Ouarzazate - Skoura - Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga - back to Ouarzazate

Guides speak

English and Spanish

Price

On request, free quote with no obligation

Tour overview

The dunes from Ouarzazate

The 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour is a private tour by Highlights Morocco Tours. It drives east from Ouarzazate through the Skoura palm grove, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for a camel ride at sunset and two nights in a Sahara desert camp, with a full day in the desert, and returns to Ouarzazate on day 3. It includes a private driver and a local guide who speaks English or Spanish. The price is on request, with a free quote and no obligation.

Ouarzazate is the gateway to the Sahara, and starting here saves you the long drive over the High Atlas. The first day follows the old road east, through the Skoura palm grove, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges, to the Erg Chebbi dunes in time for a camel ride at sunset.

The second day is free for the desert, with the sunrise over the dunes, the Gnawa village of Khamlia and the activities you choose. On the last day you return to Ouarzazate by the same valleys. If you want to see Ait Ben Haddou, about 30 km from Ouarzazate, we can add it at the start or the end of the trip.

Photos

From Ouarzazate to the dunes

Travellers on the bridge in front of the Ait Ben Haddou ksar in Morocco
Travellers at Ait Ben Haddou, near Ouarzazate
Travellers and a local guide in a 4x4 on a desert excursion near Merzouga
Travellers and a local guide on a desert excursion near Merzouga
Camel caravan crossing the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, Sahara desert, Morocco
Camel caravan in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Desert camp at night with tents and a campfire in Merzouga
Desert camp at night in Merzouga

Highlights

What you will see on the tour

  • Skoura and the Dades Valley
  • The Todra Gorges
  • A camel ride at sunset
  • Two nights in the desert

Itinerary

Day by day itinerary

Day1

Ouarzazate to Merzouga

About 380 km

  • Meet your driver and local guide in Ouarzazate and leave in the morning.
  • Drive east through the Skoura palm grove and the Dades Valley, with photo stops.
  • Visit the Todra Gorges, a canyon with tall rock walls near Tinghir.
  • Dinner, music and a first night in a desert camp.
Day2

A full day in the Sahara

Merzouga

  • Watch the sunrise over the dunes and have breakfast at camp.
  • Spend the day in the desert at your own pace: walk the dunes, visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia or rest.
  • Add an activity if you wish: a camel trek, a quad or buggy ride or a 4x4 trip with the nomads.
  • Dinner and a second night in the camp.
Day3

Merzouga to Ouarzazate

About 380 km

  • Enjoy a last sunrise over the dunes and have breakfast at camp.
  • Drive back through the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley.
  • Arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening, and the tour ends.

Route map

Ouarzazate to Merzouga route map

The route follows the old road east from Ouarzazate to the Erg Chebbi dunes. The return takes the same road.

Route map of the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tourMap showing the route from Ouarzazate through Skoura, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, and the return to Ouarzazate.HIGH ATLASERG CHEBBI · SAHARA1Ouarzazate2Skoura3Dades Valley4Todra Gorges5Merzouga
  1. 1

    Ouarzazate

    Start and end of the tour, with your private driver and local guide.

  2. 2

    Skoura

    A palm grove with kasbahs, east of Ouarzazate.

  3. 3

    Dades Valley

    Rock formations, kasbahs and the hairpin road.

  4. 4

    Todra Gorges

    Tall canyon walls near Tinghir.

  5. 5

    Merzouga

    Camel ride at sunset, a full day in the desert and two nights in a camp.

Open route in Google Maps

Why this route

A shorter way to the dunes

Starting in Ouarzazate saves you the climb over the High Atlas from Marrakech, so you reach the Sahara after one long day of valleys and canyons.

It is a good fit if you are already in the south, or if you are travelling between Marrakech and the desert and want to start from Ouarzazate.

Morocco tour package

An attractive Morocco tour package

  • Private driver and local guide for your group only
  • Two nights in a desert camp at the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Round trip through the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges
  • Free quote, tailored to your dates and pace

Tour options

Choose your Sahara tour

All options are private, with a driver and a local guide.

TourStarts inBest for
2-day Marrakech to Merzouga tourMarrakechA quick Sahara escape with long driving days
3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tourMarrakechThe classic Sahara trip with Ait Ben Haddou
3-day Fes to Merzouga tourFesReach the dunes from the imperial city of Fes
3-day Marrakech to Zagora tourMarrakechPalm groves and a shorter drive

Your quote

What is included

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at the agreed point
  • Private transport with a driver
  • Local guide who speaks English or Spanish
  • A camel ride at sunset in the Merzouga dunes
  • Two nights in a desert camp beside the dunes
  • Free quote and support before and during your trip
  • Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
  • Photo stops and time at each viewpoint

Not included

  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Entrance fees, when needed
  • Tips (optional)

Meals, extra stops and the type of camp are confirmed in your free quote. Tell us what you prefer.

Good to know

Tips for your trip

  • The first and last days are long drives of about 380 km, so we plan stops to rest.
  • Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Summer is very hot and winter desert nights are cold.
  • Bring light layers, a warm jacket for the desert nights, a scarf, sunglasses, sun cream and closed shoes.
  • Want to see Ait Ben Haddou? Ask us to add it at the start or the end of the trip.

Tour guide

Complete guide to the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour

This guide explains how the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour works: the route east through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges, the two nights in a Sahara camp, who it suits, when to go, what to bring and how to ask for a free quote from Highlights Morocco Tours.

What is the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour?

The 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour is a private round trip run by Highlights Morocco Tours. You start and finish in Ouarzazate, with your own driver and a local guide who speaks English or Spanish. The route follows the south-east road through Skoura, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, where you ride a camel at sunset and sleep two nights in a desert camp. It covers about 380 km each way.

Day-by-day itinerary of the Ouarzazate desert tour

Day 1: Your driver and guide meet you in Ouarzazate in the morning and you drive east through the Skoura palm grove and the Dades Valley, with photo stops, then visit the Todra Gorges near Tinghir before reaching the dunes for dinner, music and a first night in the camp. Day 2: You watch sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast at camp and spend a full day in the Sahara at your own pace, walking the dunes, visiting the Gnawa village of Khamlia or resting, with optional camel trek, quad, buggy or 4x4 trips with the nomads before a second night. Day 3: After a last sunrise and breakfast, you drive back through the Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley and arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening, where the tour ends.

Who is this Ouarzazate to Merzouga tour for?

This short Sahara tour from Ouarzazate suits travellers who already have a base in the south, or who are filming and exploring around Ouarzazate and want the dunes without a long holiday. It works well for couples, friends and small families with children who are comfortable in a car. Be honest with yourself about the driving: day 1 and day 3 each involve roughly 380 km, so you spend long hours on the road. The full rest day in the desert is what balances the trip.

Best time for a 3-day Sahara tour from Ouarzazate

Spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable seasons for the Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour, with pleasant days and cooler evenings in the dunes. Summer can be very hot inland and in the desert, so the middle of the day is best spent resting at camp. In winter the days are often mild but desert nights are cold, and snow is possible on the higher ground of the High Atlas. Ask us about your dates and we will tell you what to expect.

What to pack for the Merzouga desert camp

For this Ouarzazate to Merzouga tour, bring layers, because desert evenings cool down quickly, plus a warm jacket in the cooler months. A scarf or shesh protects you from sun and sand, and sunglasses, a hat and sun cream are essential. Wear closed shoes for walking on the dunes and pack a small bag for the camp night. Lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips are not included, so carry some cash in dirhams, and bring a power bank because charging at camp can be limited.

Price and how to book the 3-day Ouarzazate desert tour

The price of the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour is on request, because it depends on your dates, the size of your group and the options you choose. The quote is free and carries no obligation. You can ask for it through the contact form on this page, by WhatsApp or by email to Highlights Morocco Tours, and we will reply with a clear proposal that includes the private driver, local guide, camel ride and two nights in the desert camp.

Why book with us

Travel with a local Marrakech agency

Local agency

Highlights Morocco Tours is a private tour operator based in Marrakech.

100% private

Only your group, with your own driver.

English and Spanish

Local guides who speak English or Spanish.

Tailor-made

Ask us to add a night, change a stop or adjust the pace.

WhatsApp support

Support before and during your trip.

Free quote

Send your dates and group size. No obligation.

FAQ

Questions about the 3-day tour

About the trip, how to book it and who we are.

The tour

Is the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour worth it?

Yes, if you are in the south and want the dunes without the long drive over the High Atlas. You see Skoura, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges on the way, and have a full day at the dunes.

How far is Ouarzazate from Merzouga?

Ouarzazate is about 380 km from Merzouga. Allow roughly 6 to 7 hours of driving, plus stops in the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges.

Does the tour include two nights in a desert camp?

Yes. It includes two nights in a desert camp beside the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and music, and a camel ride at sunset. The camel ride depends on the season and your arrival time.

Can I visit Ait Ben Haddou on this tour?

Yes. Ait Ben Haddou is about 30 km from Ouarzazate, and we can add it at the start or the end of the trip. Tell us your plans and we confirm it in your quote.

What can I do on the second day?

You can watch the sunrise over the dunes, visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia and add a quad or buggy ride, a camel trek or a 4x4 trip with the nomads. Prices for activities are confirmed on request.

Can I continue to Marrakech instead of returning to Ouarzazate?

Yes. We can end the trip in Marrakech over the High Atlas, or extend it with more days. Tell us your dates and we send a free quote.

Booking

How do I book the 3-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert tour tour?

Send us your dates and number of travellers with the contact form, by WhatsApp or by email. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote and, once you are happy with it, we confirm the booking and the details of your trip.

How much does the 3-day tour cost?

The price depends on your dates, the number of travellers and the type of camp, so we quote on request. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends in Ouarzazate. We agree the pick-up point and time with you when we confirm your booking.

Plan this tour with us

Tell us your dates and group size and we send a free quote with no obligation.

Contact Us

Plan your private Morocco trip

Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. We will reply with a free, no-obligation quote.

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