4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert
4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert
Moroccan Desert Tours has designed this 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga specifically for our visitors to enjoy the Atlas mountains of Morocco, starting with the high atlas from Marrakech and passing through Tizi n’Tichka to Ouarzazate and the anti atlas mountains with their black rocky and golden sand dunes, as well as the middle atlas from Merzouga to Marrakech.
Table of contents:
Departure location:
Marrakech
Return location:
Marrakech
Departure time:
08:00 AM
Itinerary duration
4 days/ 3 nights
4 days tour from Marrakech to Marrakech overview:
These 4 days from Marrakech to Merzouga desert include the most popular destinations of the south, as well as the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. So, don’t miss out on one of the greatest adventures you might have throughout your Moroccan vacation. It is, without a doubt, the highlight of most people’s trip to Morocco. To begin with, the spectacular High Atlas Mountains provide breathtaking panoramic vistas from every angle. You may contribute to your album by taking images of yourself with Berber settlements perched on the mountains in the backdrop.
Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the former palatial residence of the Glaoui family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will undoubtedly be included in that same album as you record this unique architectural style. The wonderfully renovated, but tiny Kasbah Amredhil may also be photographed in the Skoura Oasis. The delightfully fragrance Damascene roses of the Valley of Roses are the essence of superb organic beauty items. In Kla’at Mgouna, you may buy some from the local cooperatives. Other activities in the region include staying in a traditional guesthouse in the Dades Valley, having a stroll along the river, or trekking in the Toudgha Gorges with a local guide.
Firstly, you’ll be greeted with a drink of mint tea at the desert camp, which is a traditional Moroccan greeting. Finally, you’ll be able to take that much-anticipated camel trip to the sand dunes. Selfies in blue turbans and the grandeur of the sunset may be added to the desert vacation picture album. Enjoy a supper beneath the stars, followed by Berber music performed by nomads around a campfire. This day of incredible events comes to a close with a relaxing night in a comfy tent in a deluxe desert camp among Erg Chebbi’s dunes.
Highlights of our 4 days desert tour from Marrakech:
- Visit the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Visit the Ouarzazate Film Studio and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate.
- Views of the Atlas Mountains' scenery are breathtaking.
- Aerial views of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes
- Take a walk through the breathtaking Dades and Todra Gorges.
- As the sun sets over the sand dunes, take in the view.
- Experience Merzouga Sahara camel ride
- A hearty supper and a campfire party (Berber Drums)
- At Merzouga Desert Camp, do a sand boarding activity and spend the night.
4 days desert tour from Marrakech Itinerary:
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Boumalne Dades
Firstly, our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga takes us via the High Atlas Mountains on the first day. As a result, we’ll stop via the Tizi-N-Tichka mountain pass on our way to Ait Ben Haddou. It is a fortified and historic kasbah that serves as a stopover on the way from Marrakech to the Sahara. It’s also a one-of-a-kind Kasbah that draws filmmakers. Secondly, wego to Ouarzazate after touring this UNESCO Kasbah. Atlas Studios, a movie theater in the capital, is also available. You will pay a visit to the site as well as Rose Valley. Finally, we’ll stay in Boumalne Dades for the night.
Day 2: Dades Valley- Todra Gorges- Merzouga:
The Merzouga desert will be the destination of our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Desert. We will, however, explore the major tourist attractions before heading to the desert. You will first tour the Rock Formation before moving on to the Todra Gorges. There is ample time here to admire the 300-meter-high boulders with a river between them. We next go to Erfoud, stopping at a Berber fabric cooperative in Touroug Village. It is Morocco’s capital date, and each year a Date Festival is held there. Arrive at Merzouga and spend the night in a Riad/Hotel.
Day 3: Desert Tour And Camel Trip
We start our desert journey at 9:00 a.m., after breakfast. As a result, we go to the hamlet of Khamlia. You’ll like Gnawa music, which originated in Mali and is performed by individuals of African descent. After that, you go to Mifis’ webpage to do some adventurous work for me. In addition, you will meet nomads who live in hand-crafted tents and have Berber pizza with them. You also stop beside a desert lake and a palm grove. Finally, you take a camel ride to a desert tent where you will spend the night. You’ll be treated to a sunset vista as you make your way to the fire, as well as music drummers.
Day 4: Merzouga- Marrakech
You return to the center by camel after a wash and breakfast. Then we continue on to Marrakech via a different route. That is to say, we are going to Rissani. You may visit a historic and traditional souk. We also visit Nkob village for lunch and learn about the Draa Valley. With a length of 1,100 kilometers, it is Morocco’s longest river. We travel to Marrakech as you appreciate the Anti-Atlas sights. On our journey to Marrakech, we may stop at any location again. Our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert comes to a close here.
Tour includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off at/from your accommodation
- Transport in a private, air-conditioned car.
- Driver/Guide who is fluent in English
- Fuel for cars
- 1-night stay at a hotel/riad in a private room (At your preferred room type).
- Trekking with camels (Camel per person).
- Camel riding at sunset.
- (Breakfast & Dinner) x 2 in the Desert Camp (At your choice tent type)
- Transfer from and to the camp in a 4x4 vehicle (Alternative to Camels).
Tour excludes:
- Monuments fees
- Lunches
- Tips
- Soft drinks
Testimonials:
The best 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
My partner and I went on a 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, and it was an unforgettable experience. Everything went well; the driver pulled over whenever we wanted to snap a photo of a vista, and the Riads we stayed in were fantastic. The night we spent in the desert was remarkable because we were treated to a breathtaking vista of the night sky. Thank you to Youssef, who meticulously prepared everything and was accessible even before we went.
Marcos H
In 4 days and 3 nights, you may go to Merzouga.
We had a wonderful experience! First and foremost, before leaving, you may exchange WhatsApp messages and address any possible worries. We drove a nice new automobile that was quite comfy. For four days, we had a terrific driver (Yassin) at our disposal. Excellent place to stay (auberge Panorama in Dades, Riad Bouchedor in Ouarzazate, and a beautiful luxury tent at Luxury Desert Camp Nomade Life). My children and I were handled with respect and competency by everyone.
Furthermore, the costs are fairly inexpensive. It comes highly recommended.
Adam S
4 Day Desert Tour with Aziz was one of the best experiences of our lives!
Following a 4 day stay in Marrakech, we were joined by Aziz of the Moroccan Desert tours agency, with whom we embarked on a fantastic four-days trip of the Merzouga desert, the Dra and Dades valleys, and the Todra Gorge.
Everything went well due to Aziz, who made us feel protected and accompanied us on our tour of this fascinating nation.
Audrey C
What a fantastic 4-day desert adventure with our guide Hassan!
Excellent trip: all I can say is that it was great! We came home with hundreds of images, many of which were shot on Abdul's advice, who was exceedingly kind and stopped at every request.
Only nice things to say about the rest: fantastic driving, which is sporty but sensible, excellent discussion, which is warm and amusing but discreet, and the company, which is never obtrusive and always accurate.
Everything else went well, including the hotels and restaurants, which were always excellent. To say the least, several factors have made us know that there is a worry for consumers. Before we left, Abdul examined the status of the restrooms in the town.
To summary, I can only suggest the people at Nomade Life; believe me when I say that you will not be disappointed!!!
Cesar C
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Highlights overview:
The 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is full of stunning sights to visit. As a result, we’d like to provide you with an outline of what you’ll see and experience during your trip with us.
Todgha Gorges:
Todgha Gorges: Located in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, the Todra Gorge is recognized as one of the world’s most magnificent canyons.
The rivers Todra and Dades cut 40 kilometers of gorges in the highlands, resulting in magnificent reliefs. The canyon’s last 600 meters are known as Todgha. In some areas, the canyon is just 10 meters wide, yet in others, the cliffs climb to almost 150 meters. Only your imagination can conjure up the strong natural forces that previously produced this canyon now that the river has dried up.
Despite its distant location in Morocco, the gorge has remained a popular tourist attraction throughout the years. Hiking routes and a groomed dirt road are available in the canyons, although visitors must share the road with mules and other pack animals.
Tinghir Township was founded to facilitate visitors and residents traveling through the region on camelback with their possessions. At the time of the 2004 census, Tinghir had a population of about 90,000 people, with 36,000 permanent inhabitants. The Amazigh (as many Berbers refer to themselves) are indigenous North African people who dwell in places west of the Nile Valley. The city, which is part of the Ouarzazate region, is predominantly inhabited by Amazigh (as many Berbers refer to themselves). These individuals’ names mean “free people” or “free and noble people” in English.
Ait Benhaddou:
Our four days excursion from Marrakech to the Merzouga Sahara desert includes a climb to Ait Benhaddou. Once a caravanserai on the trans-Saharan caravan route, it is today Morocco’s most colorful and genuine sight, comparable to Ouarzazate, which has been featured in Hollywood films several times.
Ait Benhaddou, with its 11th-century red-walled Kasbah fortress nestled against a hill and the emerald date oasis at its foot, makes you feel as if you’re on another planet, in whatever role this humble settlement on the Atlas Mountains has managed to visit – Jerusalem from “Jesus of Nazareth,” a deserted fortress from “Lawrence of Arabia,” and an abandoned jungle-dwelling from “The Jewel of the Nile
There is a lot to see.
The medieval fortress-Xar (“castle”) is Ait Benhaddou’s major and sole attraction. Within the Xar, the hamlet stands on a hillside and is enclosed by massive red castle walls. The UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou kasbah has been beautifully conserved owing to filmmakers’ attention: the walls are periodically renovated, providing the sense of journeying back in time — it looks to be the 11th century, and another caravan is preparing to depart the castle gates towards Timbuktu. The fortification may be entered by one of two gates: the new bridge or the dried-up riverbed.
Ait Benhaddou’s walls are built of adobe bricks, which are manufactured from ordinary clay soil.
At the summit of the hill, there is an old granary that is nearly totally wrecked, but it is worth trekking up for the dizzying view over the village and the Atlas mountains to the horizon. A medieval mausoleum shrine dedicated to the hermit Benhaddou, after whom the city is called, may be found on the opposite side of the hill.
Merzouga is a desert in Morocco:
The highlight of our four-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert journey is Merzouga, a little settlement in the Moroccan Sahara. The enormous desert of this nation is largely made up of dry, broken dirt. The regular dunes here, on the other hand, are one, two, and counting. There is just one such site, to be precise. It is located close to Merzouga. Its homes and tents are situated at the foot of Erg-Chebbi, a large (50 by 5 km) dune massif that reaches a height of 350 meters.
Civilization comprises a few stores, cafés, and restaurants; there is no built infrastructure. Rather than relaxing on the plush cushions of hotel rooms, most tourists to Merzouga come to experience the true Berber way of life.
There is a lot to see:
All extreme travelers traveling deep into the Sahara begin their journey at Merzouga. The surrounding region is considered one of the most convenient sites for experiencing the natural grandeur of the vast African desert. Merzouga’s primary attraction is a 350-meter-high crest of dunes. The sandhills are particularly appealing before daybreak, when the shadows cast by their slopes seem to blend in the sun’s first rays, weaving into a single beautiful design.
Merzouga and its surroundings can only be explored on foot due to the tiny community. Because the desert is brutally hot during the day, it is best to stroll in the night or early mornings.
The little lake Dayet Srij, situated west of Merzouga, is another object of attraction. It only fills up with water during heavy rains or throughout the winter, drawing tens of thousands of birds. This location is home to pink flamingos, storks, ducks, and other wildlife.
There’s a lot to do:
The bulk of tourists to Merzouga come to go on a camel safari across the Erg Chebbi dunes, as previously indicated. Before heading to the desert, get a scarf to shield your neck and head from the sun. For one night in the desert, the trips cost 55 EUR. Tents, breakfast, lunch, and supper are all included, as well as water. The majority of parties stay in enormous Berber tent towns on the first night. Dinner is also served here, with live traditional music on occasion. Breakfast is provided quite early in the morning before the temperature rises too much.
Some tour organizations operate their tent towns, complete with all of the required facilities. The expense of such safaris is more, but the comfort is worth it.
Merzouga’s weather:
Winter is fairly chilly (+10 °C), with bright days and icy nights. Spring, which starts in April, is a beautiful season, with highs of +30 °C throughout the day and chilly evenings. Summers are known for being quite hot.
In the winter and spring, it rains sporadically (a few times a month), but downpours are infrequent. The months of February to April are said to be the finest for visiting Merzouga. In the spring, we strongly suggest the 4 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Erg Chebbi desert:
Erg Chebbi is located 35 kilometers from Rissani, 50 kilometers from Erfoud, and 130 kilometers from Errachidia, Erg Chebbi is a spectacular group of dunes.
It is a sand “erg” and stone “hamada” climate and desert scenery. On the dry rivers, there are oases where diverse population centers, initially nomads, have been established. Only a few of them are still around today. From north to south, this dune complex (ERG) is 22 kilometers long, 5 kilometers broad, and features dunes that reach a maximum height of 150 meters.
Three towns, surrounded by palm palms, are situated near the dunes. To the east lies Hassi Labied, which is known for its palm grove. Merzouga, located 5 kilometers to the south, has risen in recent years as a consequence of the expansion of tourism and agriculture in this area. The ancient black African population of Khemliya, 6 kilometers south of the previous one, is significant. The Stony Hamada travels east of Erg Chebbi and into Algeria. Flooding along the dunes in 2006 ruined several structures and killed three people, even though rain is short and sporadic.
Ifrane:
Our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and the Merzouga desert ended at Ifrane. The buildings here have sloping roofs, much as in Switzerland, and the palm trees have given place to plane trees, whose leaves fall on the pavements. The town of Ifrane as we know it was created during French colonialism, even though the location had been inhabited for generations. It was a tiny ski resort that also served as a hiking destination.
“Morocco’s Little Switzerland,” as the place was nicknamed. The building is different not only because of the environment (we are at 1600m altitude) but also because the objective at the time was for no Frenchman to feel lost, which is why we can see characteristic roofs from several French provinces. For example, a half-timbered home with a stork on the top is more Alsatian than Moroccan.