3 Days Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert: Camel Trek & Desert Camp
Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Gorges, the Merzouga dunes and a night under the stars
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
3 days and 2 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Marrakech, with pick-up early in the morning
Overnight
A hotel in the Dades Gorges and a starry desert camp
Highlights
Ait Ben Haddou, Dades and Todra Gorges, Sahara dunes and a camel trek
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
The Classic Sahara Tour from Marrakech
This 3 days tour from Marrakech to the Sahara takes you over the High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and back. On the way you visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the film studios of Ouarzazate, the palm groves of Skoura, the Roses Valley and the Dades and Todra Gorges. On the second day you reach the golden dunes near Merzouga, ride a camel into the desert and spend the night in a starry desert camp.
On the third day you return through the Draa Valley and across the Anti-Atlas to Marrakech. Compared with our 2-day trip, this itinerary gives you more time at the main sights while keeping the trip short. For a slower pace, see our 4-day tour.
Tour Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains
- Visit the Famous Castle of Ait Ben Haddou
- Discover the gate of the desert Ouarzazate
- The Hollywood of Africa
- Cinema Studios
- Explore the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate
- Pass through the Palm Grove of Skoura
- Drive through the Roses Valley
- Overnight in the Canyon of Dades Valley
- The highest Sahara Sand Dunes
- Camel Trek in the Desert
- An unforgettable overnight on the desert starry Camp
- Drive through the Draa Valley
- Cross The the Saghrou Mountains
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Dades Gorges
Your driver picks you up early in the morning in Marrakech, and you head south over the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres, with views of Berber villages, kasbahs and oases along the way.
You stop at Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village (ksar) that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and a location for many films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. After exploring the kasbah, you continue through Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, and follow the Roses Valley to the Dades Gorges, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 1
- Marrakech
- Atlas Mountains
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Ouarzazate
- Roses Valley
- Dades Gorges
Day 2
Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges, Erfoud and Merzouga
After breakfast you drive through the Dades Gorges for panoramic views and continue to the Todra Gorges, a canyon in the eastern High Atlas whose rock walls rise up to about 160 metres. You then pass Berber villages and the palm groves of the Tafilalet oasis and Erfoud, a town known for its fossils and marble, and arrive at the Sahara dunes in the late afternoon.
Stops on Day 2
- Dades Gorges
- Todra Gorges
- Erfoud
- Merzouga
Day 3
Merzouga, Draa Valley, Ouarzazate and Marrakech
After a night in the dunes you return to the hotel for breakfast and set off toward Ouarzazate. On the way you pass Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family and a meeting place of the trading caravans, with its souk under red arches and many ksour.
The road continues through Alnif, Nkob and other Berber villages to the Draa Valley, one of the longest river valleys in Morocco, lined with palm groves. You cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains, return through Ouarzazate and cross the High Atlas again to reach Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Stops on Day 3
- Merzouga
- Draa Valley
- Ouarzazate
- Marrakech
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary, with breakfast and dinner
- Camel ride into the dunes
- A night in a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This trip suits travellers who want to see the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou and the Sahara in three days. Expect long days on the road, including winding mountain roads.
If you would like more time in the dunes and along the way, choose our 4-day tour or the Morocco desert tour from Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our shorter and longer Sahara tours from Marrakech.
Cross the High Atlas, see Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, and the Roses Valley on a quick desert escape.
Drive south over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) to Ouarzazate and on to the Sahara.
After a short stay in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas and pass heritage sites and the “Hollywood of Morocco” on the way to the desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough to visit the Sahara from Marrakech?
Yes. Three days lets you cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Ben Haddou, spend a night in the dunes and return to Marrakech. The Sahara is a long way from Marrakech, so there is a lot of driving. If you prefer a slower pace, choose our 4-day tour.
Do I ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On the second day you ride a camel into the dunes, spend the night in a starry desert camp and return to the hotel the next morning.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech. We pick you up by four-wheel drive early in the morning and bring you back to Marrakech in the late afternoon of the third day.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready for Your Sahara Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.