Marrakech Trip Overview
Merzouga is a small town out on the edge of the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi. Merzouga is only 20 km away from Algerian border where the paved road ends and the real Sahara Desert sand dunes begin. Merzouga desert is the most common destination in Morocco for Camel treks and desert camps. To experience the Sahara desert dunes it is a must to take a camel trip and stay overnight in a berber tent or in a luxury camp. The camel trip takes approximately 1 hour through amazing red-orange sand dunes at sunset to reach the sahara desert camp where you will be served wonderful and rich dinner, enjoy a musical play with the staff around blazing fire. But note it is at least a ten hours drive from the erg chebbi dunes to Marrakech. The trip is possible in 3 days however we recommend a slow pace over 4 or 5 days.
Additional Info
* Duration: 3 days
* Starts: Marrakech, Morocco
* Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Marrakech, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
Merzouga is a small town out on the edge of the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi. Merzouga is only 20 km away from Algerian border where the paved road ends and the real Sahara Desert sand dunes begin. Merzouga desert is the most common destination in Morocco for Camel treks and desert camps. To experience the Sahara desert dunes it is a must to take a camel trip and stay overnight in a berber tent or in a luxury camp. The camel trip takes approximately 1 hour through amazing red-orange sand dunes at sunset to reach the sahara desert camp where you will be served wonderful and rich dinner, enjoy a musical play with the staff around blazing fire. But note it is at least a ten hours drive from the erg chebbi dunes to Marrakech. The trip is possible in 3 days however we recommend a slow pace over 4 or 5 days.
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades 330km
Stop At: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Douar Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou 45000 Morocco
Pick up at 08am from your Riad or any point of your choice, starting our 3 days and 2 nights Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech, and crossing the Tizi N Tichka pass of the High Atlas Mountains(2260m) enjoying the mountainous road and the spectacular Berber villages, to reach the Unseco world heritage site “Ait benhaddou village”, the fortified ksar with its beautiful Kasbahs. Ait Benhaddou has served as a natural scenery for many movie producers. You will go on a walk with a local guide crossing the river to the other side to discover The Ksar and climb to the top of the hill through the alleys of Ait-ben-Haddou, which is like rambling through the middle ages for an amazing view on the fertile Ounila river valley, surrounded by desertic landscape, and with the snow capped Atlas mounrtains as a background, the view from the top seems to encompasse the whole world. After Lunch we will continue to Dades Gorge via Ouarzazate and Skoura and the long valley of roses (the seasons of roses is in in late May). Upon arrival to Boumalne Dades, we will deviate into a secondary road heading up through Dades gorges. From here, we will enjoy beautiful Rock formations (Called the monkey feet) and fortified Kasbahs scenery along the Dades river, with the sunset as a backdrop. After a stop at the canyons for a drink or to admire the majestic scenery, we continue to our hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: hotel la valle
Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Erfoud -Risani -Merzouga 270km
Stop At: Valley of the Roses, Dades Valley near Bouteghrar, El Kelaa M’gouna 43000 Morocco
Our 3 days 2 nights Morocco Desert Tour to Merzouga continues after a traditional Breakfast , taking the road of 1000 kasbahs drive around the colourful Berber villages of the Dades valley, to get to Tineghir A beautiful valley of 15 km of date palms ending with spectacular Gorges, often used for rock climbing. The road to the Gorge of todghapasses green palmeraies and Berber villages, where we go on a trek along the canyons of about 300m high. Afterwards we will head to Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga Sahara Desert and you will have time for lunch in Tinjdad or Touroug, depending on your hunger-meter. Once you arrive to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a small offroad takes you to the edge of the golden dunes where camels are waiting for you, the luggage will be loaded in an 4×4 car and transported to the camp, and you can enjoy a beautiful camel ride over the sand dunes and watch a majestic sahara sunset on your way to the camp. After reaching your destination, you will be greated with tea and smiles. You will be shown to your beautiful comfortable private tents equipped with ensuite bathrooms and showers to relax and settle before dinner time. After a delicious meal, fire will be lit and a festive ambiance takes over with musical plays by the staff and cameleers under the starry night of the desert !
Duration: 10 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight in camp
Day 3: Merzouga – Alnif – Tazarine – Agdez – Marrakech 567km
Stop At: Taourirt Kasbah, Avenue Mohammed V, Ouarzazate 45000 Morocco
An early wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the highest dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga one of the best moments of the desert, afterwards you will have breakfast in the camp, pack and go back either on camels or by 4×4 leaving the dunes behind. Back on the asphalt roads, you will drive to Marrakech through Alnif, Tazarine, Draa valley,Agdez and Ouarazazate. In Ourazazate we will have free time for lunch and a photo stop in front of the famous Taourirt Kasbah. Afterwards we will continue to Marrakech, where your Merzouga desert experience ends. Crossing again the Atlas Mountains and the Berber villages between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Drop off at your accommodation.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
