At a glance
- Duration
- 3 days, 2 nights
- Start
- Pickup 7:00 am, day 1
- Group
- Shared (max 16) or private
- Where
- Merzouga, 560 km east
If you want the Sahara of photographs, tall orange dunes and a sky full of stars, you need to go to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. It is a long way from Marrakech, so the trip takes three days, and the road is part of the experience.
Day one crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visits the fortified village of Aït Benhaddou and ends in the Dades valley. Day two follows the Todra gorge to Merzouga, where you ride a camel into the dunes at sunset and spend the night in a desert camp. Day three starts with sunrise over the dunes and a long drive back to Marrakech.
Shared tours use comfortable minibuses with a driver who speaks English. Private tours run in a 4×4 or private van at your own pace.
Tour highlights
- Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m
- Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO kasbah seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones
- Night in the Dades valley and walk in the Todra gorge
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Dinner, drums and a night in a desert camp, sunrise over the dunes
How the day works
- Day 1Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Benhaddou → Ouarzazate → Dades valley. Dinner and night in a hotel.
- Day 2Dades → Todra gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga. Camel trek at sunset, dinner and night in the desert camp.
- Day 3Sunrise on the dunes, camel back, breakfast. Long drive to Marrakech, arriving around 8:00 pm.
Times change slightly with the season and sunrise or sunset. We confirm your exact pickup time on WhatsApp the day before.
Prices
| Option | GBP | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Shared tour, standard desert camp | £129 | $165 |
| Shared tour, luxury camp upgrade | £189 | $239 |
| Private tour, per person (2 guests) | £399 | $499 |
Per person. Children under 12 pay less; ask on WhatsApp. Pay in cash on the day (dirham, euro, pound or dollar) or by card link.
Included
- Transport and driver for 3 days
- 1 night in a hotel and 1 night in a desert camp
- 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
Not included
- Lunches
- Local guides at Aït Benhaddou and Todra (optional)
- Drinks and tips
What to bring
- Warm clothes for the desert night (it can drop below 5 °C in winter)
- A small overnight bag: big luggage stays in the vehicle
- Head torch, sun cream, scarf
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough to see the Sahara from Marrakech?
Yes. Three days is the shortest comfortable way to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes. A 2-day tour only reaches Zagora, which has smaller dunes.
Merzouga or Zagora?
Merzouga has the big Erg Chebbi dunes and is worth the extra day. Zagora is closer but the desert there is mostly stony.
Is there a toilet in the desert camp?
Standard camps have shared toilets and showers. Luxury camps have private bathrooms in each tent.
Can the tour end in Fes instead of Marrakech?
Yes. Many travellers continue to Fes on day 3. Ask for the Marrakech to Fes option.
Do I pay a deposit?
Yes, 30% to confirm your camp and hotel. The balance is paid to the driver on day 1.
