3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: What is it actually like?

Is visiting the Sahara Desert at the top of your Morocco bucket list, but you’re not sure how to make it happen? You’ve probably researched a few tour options for a 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, but with so many choices, you might still feel overwhelmed and unsure of which to choose. That’s how I felt when I was preparing for our trip to Morocco! Even after emailing providers and speaking with people who had already done the trip, I still wasn’t sure what to expect and had plenty of questions.

In this article, I’ll take you through the entire 3-day Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, breaking it down from start to finish. I’ll share tips that I personally found helpful when preparing for the tour, plus a few recommendations I wish I had known beforehand. Lastly, I’ll give you a transparent, honest review—what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what I’d do differently.

My goal is to help you feel more prepared for your desert adventure, so you’ll not only know what to expect on the tour but also how to get the most out of your experience. Whether you’re curious about the itinerary or looking for practical tips to make your trip smoother, I’ll give you an inside look at this incredible journey to the Sahara Desert.

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 

Tips on visiting the Sahara Desert in Morocco

💰Find a tour that fits your budget. When researching a 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, I quickly realized there are a lot of options! Tours can be as affordable as 90 euros or as expensive as 800 euros, depending on the itinerary, type of accommodations, group size, or activities included. Even though this can cause people to be stuck in decision overwhelm, it is nice to know there are options suited to all interests and budgets, making a trip to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech more attainable for everyone!

🩺 Don’t forget travel insurance! I always think having the right insurance is always a good idea, especially when doing adventurous activities like sandboarding or ATVing in the desert. We used SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for our Morocco trip because it was affordable and easy to use. For a full breakdown of their Nomad Insurance check out my honest review below!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance: my complete and honest review

☀️ The best time to visit the Sahara Desert. It goes without saying that the desert can get hot – however, visiting in the summer it can get unbearably hot. If you’re planning a Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech, avoid the scorching summer heat. The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons, from March to June or September to December, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable. This way, you can get the most out of your trip to the Sahara without overheating!

READ MORE: Visiting Morocco in November: Travel tips & what to expect

 

3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: Our Recommendation

Why we chose this tour

After months of research, we decided on the 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga offered by Marrakesh Travel Services. This tour was not only highly rated on GetYourGuide, but it had everything we were looking for in a Sahara Desert tour, all at a price that fit our budget.

We wanted a tour that lasted 3 days, was a round trip from Marrakech, included a visit to Ait Benhaddou, offered sandboarding, and featured a luxury desert camp experience. This tour ticked all the boxes for us!

It was an excellent all-around experience, from the friendly group we traveled with to the knowledgeable local guides and the stunning desert camp. I’ll go over the itinerary day by day below, but if you have the same desert adventure criteria as me, I definitely recommend this tour!

Book your 3-day Sahara Desert tour here!

 

What was included

✅ Hotel pick-up: Since we were staying in the Medina, the company arranged a nearby meeting point for us and other travelers in our group.

✅ Transportation: We traveled in a modern, comfortable van with luggage storage, as we brought our suitcases for the 3-day trip.

✅ Local guide: We had a local guide for the stops in Tinghir and Merzouga.

✅ Private room: We were a group of two and had a private room during our hotel stay.

✅ Camel trek: You ride camels out to your campsite in the desert – the coolest mode of transportation ever.

✅ Desert camping: We opted for the luxury camp, which had private bathrooms attached to the tents. The standard option has shared outdoor toilets. With the luxury camp, your luggage is brought to your tent, while the standard experience has luggage stored separately for the night.

✅ Dinner and breakfast: All dinner and breakfasts were provided as part of the hotel and desert camp stays.

✅ Sandboarding: Sandboarding was included, though we didn’t have time to do this while on the luxury experience since the campsite is deeper into the desert. However, the standard camp option offered more time for this, since they didn’t have to ride as long.

 

What Was Not Included

❌ Tips: In Morocco, tipping is a common practice, so be prepared to tip guides, drivers, and even when using public restrooms.

❌ Lunch and snacks: We made several stops along the way for breaks, lunch, and snacks, which were not included in the tour price.

❌ Souvenirs: You may want to purchase scarves, handmade goods, or other souvenirs, so bring extra cash for that as well.

 

Other tour options

As you start comparing different Marrakech to Merzouga tours, you’ll notice that many tours can look very similar. When picking your tour, decide on the experience you’d like – what activities do you want to do (like sandboarding or quad biking) and what type of accommodations are you looking for (luxury or standard)? I’d also think about the size of the group you’re comfortable traveling with and if you wanted something small and private or large and sociable.

Read the descriptions carefully for what is included and what is not included to make sure you’re choosing the tour that best matches the experiences you want. Here are some alternative tour options to consider:

🗺️ If you want to leave from Marrakech and end in Fez: check out this tour here!

🏎️ If you want to try Quad Biking: this tour has quad biking in their premium option.

📆 If you prefer a 4-day trip: this tour includes an extra day for a slower experience.

📍 If you want to start in Fez and end in Marrakech: learn more about this tour here!

🚗 If you want a private tour for your group: check out these options here!

 

Packing for your 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

When heading off on a 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, being prepared will make sure you make the most of your adventure. Here’s a breakdown of must-have items to bring along based on our experience:

🔋 Portable charger: Essential for keeping your devices charged during the car ride and overnight at the desert camp.

🎒 Travel backpack: You’ll need this to carry your personal items during your camel trek. It’s best to have something small and easy to carry.

🚰 Reusable water bottle: Hydration is key, and if you have a bottle with a filter, it’s even better for refills on the go.

💸 Cash: For tipping and paying for snacks or souvenirs along the way.

☀️ Sun protection: Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for the desert sun.

💊 Medication: On top of your regular medications and travel first aid kit, motion sickness pills can be useful for the winding roads, especially if you’re sensitive to long drives.

🧕🏼 Scarf or shawl: Most people ended up purchasing one from a local vendor, but if you already have one, bring it. It’s great for covering your face from blowing sand and sun.

🧻 Wet wipes and toilet paper: On top of your basic toiletries, you’ll want these in case there’s no water for handwashing or if some rest stops don’t have toilet paper (which we experienced a few times).

👚 Light layers: Regardless of the time of year you visit, bring breathable clothes you can layer as the temperatures changes throughout the day.

🥶 Warm layers: Visiting during shoulder season means that the evenings and mornings will be cold – like proper cold. I packed a beanie, a jacket, a sweater, and some warm socks that definitely came in handy.

COMING SOON: Complete Morocco packing list for first timers

 

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1:  Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Tinghir

The first day of the 3-day desert tour kicks off early, departing from Marrakech at around 7 am. After picking up the rest of the group—fewer than 20 people—we began our drive towards the High Atlas Mountains.

We stopped around 10 am for a photo break and snacks, reaching Ait Benhaddou by 12:30 pm. Here, our guide met us and took us through the village to explore the ancient Kasbah. We learned about the Amazigh People (also known as the Berbers), their culture, language, and traditions. We also leanred about the popularity of Ait Benhaddou in the film industry – the local’s largest source of income!

The hour long tour included a visit to a local artist’s shop, which included an demonstration on how they use natural dyes and a unique burning technique to create artwork. We also had a stop at a shop specializing in headscarves, where we learned how the traditional scarves protect against the heat and sand of the desert.

After lunch, we drove to Ouarzazate for a brief stop at the Museum of Cinema. Although most of the group skipped the museum due to lack of time and interest, it was a nice opportunity to stretch our legs and visit the town a bit. We arrived at the hotel in Tinghir around 7 pm, checked in, and enjoyed dinner with the tour group.

 

Day 2 Tinghir – Todra Gorge – Erg Chebbi Dunes

After a buffet breakfast, we were on the road by 8:30 am, driving through the scenic route of 1001 Kasbahs. By 9:30 am, we reached Todra Gorge, where we explored the canyon and surrounding town. I won’t lie, most of us were freezing during this time – it was quite cold in the canyon, especially early in the morning.

We also passed through local farmlands before visiting a local carpet maker, who hosted us for Moroccan tea while giving us a demonstration of the materials, patterns, and symbolism used in their rugs.

After lunch, we arrived in Merzouga just before 4 pm. This is where the group split into different accommodations—some heading to standard tents and others, like us, to luxury camps. Those who chose the standard tents had to organize their things and bring a day bag since their luggage was stored at the hotel and not coming with them into the desert.  The hotels in Merzouga are often sister hotels with the campgrounds in the desert. Since we were staying at a luxury camp, we were driven to a different hotel to wait for our trek to the campsite.

They plan your departure accordingly so you can enjoy the sunset, so on this particular day, we left around 4:30 pm. We set off on camels, riding for about an hour and a half into the desert, stopping an hour into the journey to admire the sunset and take photos.  There were other tours around us but, of course, the desert is vast so there’s no issue finding a private spot!

We arrived at the campsite by 6:30 pm, with time to relax before dinner in the main tent at 7:30 pm. The evening ended with traditional Berber drumming music and dancing around the fire. It was definitely cold the minute the sun set but our bed was equipped with multiple blankets to keep us warm.

 

Day 3 – Erg Chebbi Dunes – Marrakech

On the last day, we began with a 7:30 am breakfast at the camp and enjoyed the sunrise over the sand dunes. Instead of taking camels back, we returned to the hotel in a jeep with our luggage.

By 9 am, we were on the road for the long journey back to Marrakech. The return trip was mostly a straight drive with stops only for lunch and restroom breaks. Drop-offs were arranged at meeting points close to our accommodations in the Medina, and we were finally dropped off at Jamaa El Fnaa Square, where we walked to our riad.

 

3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: Honest Review

What we liked

🚗 The well-planned route. The drives are long, but the tour company planned the route exceptionally well. While it’s roughly a 10-hour drive to get to Merzouga from Marrakech, I don’t regret the journey. There was never a moment where we really had to go to the washroom, were starving or super sore because they had planned enough stops to keep us comfortable. The organization was top-notch!

🤗 The perfect group size. We might have lucked out, but a group of 20 people or less was a great size for this experience. It didn’t feel too crowded and we just so happened to really enjoy the people in our group.

📍The extra stops were worth it. Although the primary goal of the tour is to experience the desert, the additional stops along the way really surprised me. We appreciated the chance to see the stunning High Atlas Mountains and other attractions in Morocco that we might not have visited independently.

🏜️ The unforgettable desert experience! The Sahara Desert is undeniably worth the journey. Its one of the most breathtaking, unique landscapes I’ve ever seen. To top it off, spending a night surrounded by stars and dunes was truly a bucket-list experience. The luxury accommodations exceeded our expectations, and the nighttime Berber drumming and dancing demonstration was an unexpected surprise!

📋 The organization and the staff. A small detail that goes a long way is a tour that is run smoothly and with friendly staff. Not just the organizers or the drivers but the guides and everyone else we met along the way were also very friendly.

 

What we didn’t like

🗺️ You spend more time in the car than in the desert. Understandably, you spend a considerable amount of time driving. We only spent about 16 hours in the desert, most of which was overnight. It was a thrilling 16 hours and something I would be happy to do again, however, I would have wanted more time in the desert. In my research, almost every tour offered one night in the desert, so if you want more time, you could look into a private or customizable tour. Alternatively, you could spend the night in Merzouga and take a tour from there or book a camp stay independently.

🌅 There wasn’t much daylight. This may seem obvious, but since the trek into the desert is timed around sunset, you only get a few daylight hours, mostly while on the camel.  The sun sets quickly, so we were torn on how we wanted to make the most of our time in the desert. We wanted to take photos, explore, and admire the sunset, but because we had limited time to work with, it did feel a bit rushed – keep this in mind when you’re visiting.

🐪 Riding camels is not comfortable. Riding camels is an experience, but it’s not particularly comfortable. After over an hour on a camel, we were relieved to ride back to the hotel in a jeep. Although I cherish the memory of the camel ride, it’s essential to be prepared for the bumpy ride. I also researched the company’s treatment of the animals extensively, but information was hard to find since they work with local guides. While we felt the animals were treated well during our tour, I would have appreciated clearer information on their welfare.

🏄🏼 Missed sandboarding opportunity. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try sandboarding. This was specific to our case since the others on our tour were able to try it. However, it was frustrating that we didn’t get the chance to try it due to lack of time.

 

Enjoy your Desert Adventure!

I hope you feel more prepared for your 3-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Whether you were uncertain about which tour to choose, what to pack, or what to expect along the way, I hope you found your answers here.

In this article, I aimed to provide an honest overview of both the highlights and challenges of the experience. The key takeaway I want you to remember is that visiting the Sahara Desert in Morocco is absolutely worth it. While we were lucky with our group, guides, and weather, the stunning desert landscape deserves to be prioritized on your Morocco bucket list. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Looking for more details? Check out my 2-week Morocco itinerary to see exactly how we spent our time and planned the perfect trip!