Merzouga Desert 2-Day Tour with Camp Night from Marrakech

The Road over the High Atlas to Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley

Day 1 starts early. After hotel pickup in Marrakech, usually between 05:00 and 06:00, the vehicle climbs the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, a road that rises to about 2,260 metres through villages, small waterfalls and constantly changing colours. The route then runs through Ouarzazate, the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley before turning toward the dunes.

The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga takes around 10 hours with breaks, so this 2-day Merzouga tour suits travellers who are comfortable with a long road day. Lunch is not included, and the driver suggests a restaurant stop that you can join at your own cost. You are welcome to bring snacks and water, as the day has few long stops so that you reach the camp before sunset.

Optional Stops at Ait Benhaddou and Todra Gorge

Depending on the season and the schedule, the tour offers optional stops at Ait Benhaddou on the first day and Todra Gorge on the second. Ait Benhaddou is a fortified village of earthen towers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Todra Gorge is a narrow canyon with high rock walls that is popular for photographs.

These stops are extras, charged per person, so they are not part of the base price. They add time to an already long day, so ask us if you want them. Monument entry fees are not included. If you are wondering whether Ait Benhaddou is worth the detour, it is, and we recommend it if the day allows.

Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Merzouga is a small desert village on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a sea of orange dunes that rise far above the plain. At the end of day 1 a guide and camels wait for you at the edge of the dunes. The camel ride into the sand takes about 50 minutes at a walking pace, with the sun setting behind the dunes. You can skip the ride and walk if you prefer.

If you search for the best time to visit Merzouga, spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. Summer days are very hot, while winter nights can be cold. Whatever the season, the dunes at sunrise and sunset are the highlight, so bring a camera and a warm layer for the evening.

The Desert Camp: Tents, Dinner and Sandboarding

The camp sits among the dunes, and its tents come in three styles depending on the option you choose: a shared standard tent for up to four guests, a private standard tent, or a private luxury tent with air conditioning. All tents have an ensuite bathroom. Mint tea is served on arrival, followed by dinner and an evening of drums and Berber music around a campfire.

Sandboarding is available at the camp; ask the staff when you arrive and before the camel ride. The next morning you can wake early, climb a dune and watch the sunrise, then have breakfast before the return drive. One breakfast and one dinner are included, but lunch, water and snacks are not.

The Return Day to Marrakech or Fes

On day 2 the vehicle heads back after breakfast, either to Marrakech or to Fes depending on the option you book. The Marrakech route follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and the High Atlas, with quick stops, and reaches the city in the evening, often around 7 to 8 pm, depending on traffic and stops.

The Fes route crosses the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas and ends in Fes. Both return days are long, with around 10 hours of driving, so plan your onward travel with a margin. Drop-off for the Fes options is in Fes, and the exact point is confirmed before departure.