3 Days Marrakech Merzouga

Our Morocco desert journey begins in Marrakech at the airport, at your hotel, or at any other location of your choosing. There, our driver/guide will pick you up to begin the road trip in a vehicle equipped with every comfort.

We will cross the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass  the highest in the range, at approximately 2,200 metres above sea level  leaving behind sweeping panoramic views and Berber villages where time seems to have stood still. A few kilometres before Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco for its famous film studios, we will visit the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou: a walk through its adobe complex will make clear why it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 (optional entry). We will also stop to take photos at the Taourirt Kasbah.

This will not be the only fortress to appear on the horizon, as from this point we travel along part of the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs', through the Valley of the Roses and the Dadès Valley. In the first, rose bushes stretch across hectares upon hectares of land. In the second, palm trees, birches, and almond trees grow along the banks of the river that gives the valley its name.

It is precisely in the Dadès Valley that we will pause for the night, staying at a charming riad to rest and recharge ahead of the exhilarating day that follows — one that will take us to the very heart of the Moroccan desert.

The second day of this Morocco desert journey begins with an energising breakfast at the riad and ends in Merzouga, home to the legendary Erg Chebbi dunes. But before that, the day holds another unmissable highlight: the Todra Gorge. This is the name given to the towering rock walls — up to 200 metres high — carved over centuries by the Todra River. The road here takes breathtaking turns and offers vantage points that seem almost otherworldly; we will step out of the vehicle to explore some of its most iconic stretches on foot.

Back in the vehicle, we continue to Merzouga — arguably the most admired destination in the Moroccan desert. Here, we will swap our mode of transport: we will leave the vehicle behind and mount our dromedaries (alternatively, a 4×4 designed for desert terrain is available) to head toward the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Nestled among them is our Berber tent camp, fully equipped for a comfortable stay. Yet the true wonder will surround you on all sides — where the sunset takes on a colour unlike any other, and the sky reaches a clarity that makes the stars shine as you have never seen before. In this extraordinary setting, you will enjoy dinner and a peaceful night's rest.

The magical sunset and majestic starlit sky of the previous evening find their perfect continuation in the sunrise of the third day, which you can take in from the camp. With the light of the new day, it will be time to enjoy the included breakfast before a refreshing shower — available either at the camp or at a hotel in Merzouga, depending on your chosen package. After that, we set off by road to Rissani, where we will discover its medina — one of the most beautiful in the south of the country.

We then continue through other towns in this part of the Moroccan desert, including Alnif and Tazarine. We will also cross the Draa Valley and its vast palm grove, considered the largest in North Africa — something you will be able to appreciate firsthand in one of the towns along the route, Agdz, a traditional caravan stop that today is home to points of interest such as the Kasbah des Arts.From here, the return journey to Marrakech will take us back through Ouarzazate and across the Atlas Mountains, this time via the AitSaoun pass at approximately 1,600 metres above sea level. Arriving in Marrakech as the day draws to a close will mark the end of an intense and unforgettable Moroccan desert journey. And our farewell — at the airport or wherever you choose — will be filled with gratitude, warm wishes for the future, and a heartfelt 'until next time.'