3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech (Merzouga)
This is Morocco's most popular desert tour: 3 days / 2 nights from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes, through the south's finest scenery. A legendary route combining kasbahs, gorges, palm groves and an unforgettable night in the Sahara.
The 3-day / 2-night Marrakech → Merzouga desert tour follows a classic route in an air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus with a driver: Day 1, the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate then the Dadès gorges, night in a hotel/kasbah; Day 2, the Todra gorges and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Merzouga, a camel ride at sunset and a night at camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes; Day 3, sunrise then a long drive back to Marrakech (8-9 h). Plan around €86-160/person in a shared group, with breakfasts and dinners included (half board); add +€50-150 for a luxury camp, or book a private tour on request. The four most-booked tours (€86 to €118) alone total more than 56,000 reviews. Lunches, drinks, some site entries and tips are usually extra, so always check what's included before booking.
Comparison of the 4 best tours to Merzouga
With more than 56,000 combined reviews, these four tours are, quite literally, Morocco's most-booked desert excursions — that's not a marketing exaggeration, it's the real GetYourGuide catalogue numbers.
| Tour | Duration | Price | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour | 3 days | €118 | 4.9/5 | 22,297 |
| From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food | 3 days | €104 | 4.7/5 | 14,481 |
| Merzouga Desert: 3-Day Safari from Marrakech with Meals | 3 days / 2 nights | €108 | 4.7/5 | 13,555 |
| Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga Desert Experience Camel & Meals | 3 days | €86 | 4.6/5 | 6,436 |
Prices per person, starting from. The top-rated option (4.9/5, over 22,000 reviews) also has a private version; the most affordable (€86) still includes a real night at camp with meals. Check the cancellation terms on each activity's page before booking.
Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Programme | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka pass → Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO) → Ouarzazate → Dadès valley and gorges | Hotel/kasbah in the Dadès gorges |
| Day 2 | Todra gorges → Tinghir → Road of a Thousand Kasbahs → Merzouga → camel ride at sunset | Camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes |
| Day 3 | Sunrise over the dunes → breakfast → long drive back to Marrakech (via Ouarzazate) | — |
It's a packed itinerary: the first two days are rich in scenery, the third is mainly the return (8-9 h drive). See the full Merzouga desert guide.
What's usually included
- Transport in an air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus, driver.
- 1 night in a hotel/kasbah + 1 night at camp.
- Breakfasts and dinners (half board).
- Camel ride at sunset.
Often not included: lunches, drinks, some site entries, tips, and the luxury camp upgrade.
How much does it cost?
| Option | Indicative price/person |
|---|---|
| Shared group (3 days) | €86-160 |
| Luxury camp (supplement) | +€50-150 |
| Private tour (by group) | on request, higher |
Prices vary by season, comfort level and group size. Always check what's included before booking.
Book the 3-day Merzouga tour· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
See desert tours on Viator· ViatorFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Also read: sleeping in the desert, which desert to choose and the best time.
Bookable on the ground: our catalogue of desert and Sahara excursions.
FAQ — 3-day desert tour from Marrakech
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In short
The 3-day Marrakech → Merzouga tour is the best way to experience the Sahara without arranging the logistics yourself. Two days of spectacular scenery, a magical night in the dunes: a Morocco must-do, best booked from October to April.
