3-day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga desert to enjoy the splendid landscapes of the atlas mountains and explore the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. Experience camel riding over the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
High Atlas mountains & fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou - The 3-day tour begins in Marrakech, heading towards Ouarzazate. You’ll travel through the Atlas Mountains via the “Tizi-n-Tishka” pass, known for its winding roads. This pass, at an elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level, offers stunning views, mountain streams, and oak and walnut trees. Along the way, you’ll see terraced Berber villages and fields. In winter, the pass is often snow-covered. The journey continues to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular filming location for movies like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and The Mummy. At Ait Ben Haddou, you can explore the Kasbah’s walls and enjoy lunch before heading to Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Africa, and then to Boumalne Dades, where the first day ends. The road to Boumalne Dades is called the route of the thousand Kasbahs due to the many fortresses and citadels in the area. Dades, the main gateway to the Dades valley, is a charming and cool town.
Todra Gorges & Erg Chebbi Dunes
Gargantas del Todra - After breakfast, you’ll head towards Toudra Gorges, located about 14 kilometers into the mountains from the town of Tenghir. You can walk through its 300-meter-high canyon walls. Then, you’ll continue to the great southern oases and into the Sahara desert, a place of peace and tranquility. Upon arriving in Merzouga, you’ll ride camels across the vast sand dunes to a desert camp. This will be one of the most exciting and inspiring experiences of your time in Morocco. On the way, you’ll stop to watch the mesmerizing sunset. By dusk, you’ll reach the camp, where you’ll be welcomed with tea, shown your tents, and given some free time. After dinner, there will be a musical evening by the fire, and you can climb the dunes to see the stunning starry sky and shooting stars.
Road back to Marrakech
Rissani - The next morning, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable sunrise, have breakfast, and then ride the camels back. You’ll return to your car and head to Rissani (formerly known as Sijilmasa), the largest oasis in the country, with its adobe Kasbahs and palm groves. It’s worth a stop. From Rissani, you’ll detour about 150 kilometers to the town of Tinghir, passing through a vast area of mountains and acacia trees. You’ll stop for lunch in one of the villages on the way to Ouarzazate. In the afternoon, the trip continues through the Atlas Mountains again before arriving in Marrakech in the early evening.
- Ride through the desert on a camel
- Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Enjoy a night with dinner and breakfast at a Dades Valley hotel
- Experience a desert camp stay in Merzouga with dinner and breakfast
- Savor included meals: two dinners and two breakfasts
- All transportation costs covered, including fuel and tolls
- Lunches, drinks and entrances fees
- Local guide in Ait Ben Haddou
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
