Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour – 3 days

Your Marrakech desert adventure begins with an 8:30 AM departure, heading towards the High Atlas Mountains and crossing the scenic Tichka Pass. A detour takes you to the historic Telouet Kasbah, once the stronghold of the powerful Glaoui family, also known as the Lords of the Atlas. Unfortunately, the Kasbah has suffered significant damage from the earthquake in September 2023 and is now closed, but you can still admire its exterior and learn about its fascinating past from a local guide.

As you travel along the breathtaking Ounila Valley, you’ll be captivated by its winding paths, striking rock formations, and the vibrant hues of the soil, along with the many traditional Berber villages dotting the landscape.

Your journey continues to Aït Ben Haddou, the most renowned Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you'll stop for lunch. From there, the road leads through Ouarzazate to the lush Skoura Oasis, where olive and almond trees flourish alongside fields of barley and a variety of fruit trees, including apples, apricots, figs, and pomegranates. A visit to the beautifully restored Kasbah Amredhil, once featured on the old 50-dirham banknote, is a highlight of this stop.

The route then takes you through Kela’a M’gouna in the Valley of Roses, where you may have the chance to sample locally produced rose-based cosmetic products. The day's journey concludes in the stunning Dades Valley, where you’ll spend the night in a charming guesthouse.

After breakfast, your journey continues through the Dades Valley, navigating its famous winding roads, including the dramatic hairpin bends famously tested in the Cadillac brakes experiment. Upon reaching the stunning Dades Gorges, you'll have time to stretch your legs and admire the breathtaking views before continuing to the equally impressive Toudgha Gorges.

From there, you'll travel through the scenic Ziz Valley and the town of Erfoud, renowned for its abundance of fossils, which are skillfully transformed into intricate decorative pieces.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the edge of the dunes, where you'll embark on a camel trek to your luxury desert camp. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed with traditional tea and biscuits. As the sun begins to set, you can climb the nearby dunes to witness the mesmerizing colors of the desert at dusk.

The evening is spent in your luxurious desert camp, where you'll enjoy a delicious dinner and unwind in a beautifully furnished tent, complete with a private bathroom, king-sized beds, and elegant Moroccan décor that enhances the tranquility and magic of the desert night.

Witnessing the sunrise over the desert is a breathtaking experience, with shifting colors and shadows making the early wake-up truly worthwhile. After taking in this magical moment, we begin our journey back, heading west through the Dra’a Valley, with the rugged Saghro Mountains to our right. This region is among the driest in Morocco, receiving only around 100 mm of rainfall on the lower slopes and up to 300 mm in the higher elevations.

We pass through the villages of Tazzarine and N’Qob, where we pause for lunch while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

In the afternoon, our route continues westward to Tansikht, following the banks of the Dra’a River. The valley is lush with towering palm trees and dotted with ancient kasbahs, characteristic of southern Morocco’s landscape. We trace the path of an ancient caravan route that once linked the Sahara to Agdez, transporting valuable goods from Mali and Niger. Near the top of the valley, we stop at Kasbah Tamnougalte, the oldest in the region, where remnants of watchtowers—once used to safeguard caravans—still stand atop the mountains.

Returning to the main road, we cross the Tizi-n’Tinfifte pass at 1,660 meters before reaching Ouarzazate. From there, we drive back across the majestic High Atlas Mountains, retracing our path toward Marrakech. By late afternoon, we arrive in the city, where your driver will escort you to your riad, marking the end of this unforgettable three-day desert adventure from Marrakech to Merzouga.