Private tour · Ouarzazate round trip · 3 days
3-Day Private Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Dunes
This 3-day private desert tour runs three days and two nights from Ouarzazate and back: Skoura, the Valley of Roses, the Todra Gorge and Erfoud on the way out, two nights in the Merzouga area with a day for Rissani, and the Drâa Valley on the way home. Days 1 and 3 involve substantial travel.
What Does This 3-Day Ouarzazate Desert Tour Cover?
This private desert tour from Ouarzazate covers the kasbah and gorge route east to Merzouga, two nights near the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a southern return through the Drâa Valley, for your own group only.
Both nights are in the Merzouga area. Day 1 and day 3 are long travel days; day 2 is spent around Merzouga and Rissani, which gives you more time near the dunes than a two-day trip.
Who Is This 3-Day Morocco Desert Itinerary For?
This tour suits couples, families and friends based in Ouarzazate who want two nights near Merzouga and are comfortable with two long travel days.
Good fit
Travellers who want more than a single night near the dunes, and who are starting and finishing in Ouarzazate.
Consider another route if
You only have two days, or you want to finish in Fes. Our Ouarzazate desert tours page compares other routes.
3-Day Ouarzazate to Merzouga Itinerary: Jump to a Day
Day 1 runs Ouarzazate to Merzouga, day 2 is Rissani and Merzouga, and day 3 returns to Ouarzazate via the Drâa Valley.
Ouarzazate departure and return
Request My Private 3-Day Desert Tour Quote
Share your travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preferences so we can prepare your Ouarzazate-to-Merzouga itinerary and quote; submitting an enquiry does not confirm a reservation.
What to include
- Your travel dates, and your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate
- Number of travellers, and children's ages
- Your preferred accommodation style
- Your arrival and departure flight or ferry times
- Whether you'd like a camel trek or a desert camp night
Good to know
- 1Ouarzazate round tripPickup and drop-off in Ouarzazate.
- 2Two nights near MerzougaWith a day for Rissani in between.
- 3Nothing is booked yetYou review the proposal before confirming.
Prefer to talk it through?
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What Is the Day-by-Day Itinerary?
The itinerary heads east through Skoura and the gorges to Merzouga on day 1, visits Rissani on day 2, and returns via Alnif, Nkob and the Drâa Valley on day 3.
Ouarzazate to Merzouga via Skoura, the Valley of Roses, the Todra Gorge and Erfoud
Day 1 is a long drive east from Ouarzazate through Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Todra Gorge, then via Erfoud to Merzouga for your first night.
The tourist office describes this road's
"palm groves and rose gardens with expansive views."— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), The road to the kasbahs
It is quoted here because Skoura and the Valley of Roses are the first stops. Stops are short photo and walking breaks; entering a Skoura kasbah is optional and paid separately. Evening arrangements in Merzouga, such as a camel trek to a camp, are confirmed in your proposal.
Merzouga and Rissani
Day 2 is a shorter day: a visit to Rissani and a return to Merzouga for your second night.
The Moroccan National Tourist Office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
In Rissani you can walk the old ksour and souk; market activity varies by day. Extra activities, such as a 4×4 excursion, Khamlia, sandboarding or a camel trek, can be added as options.
Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Alnif, Nkob and the Drâa Valley
Day 3 is a long drive back to Ouarzazate by the southern route, via Rissani, Alnif, Nkob and the Drâa Valley, ending with drop-off in Ouarzazate.
Around Agdz, where the route meets the Drâa Valley, the tourist office suggests travellers
"walk in the mineral desert of Agdz or the Dades Gorges"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature
Stops along the Drâa's palm groves are short, since the day's main task is getting you back to Ouarzazate.
Where Do You Stay for the Two Nights?
You stay both nights in the Merzouga area, near the Erg Chebbi dunes; whether each night is in a desert camp or a hotel is confirmed in your proposal.
Tell us whether you'd like a camp night in the dunes, a hotel near Merzouga, or one of each, and we'll build the quote around it. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Which Services Are Included in the Price?
The tour includes a private vehicle and driver, pickup and drop-off in Ouarzazate, and two nights' accommodation in the Merzouga area; entrance fees, drinks and optional activities are not included, and meals and a camel trek are confirmed in your proposal.
Included
- Private vehicle for your group
- Private driver throughout
- Pickup and drop-off in Ouarzazate
- 2 nights' accommodation in the Merzouga area
- Visit to Rissani on day 2
- Meals and camel trek as confirmed in your proposal
Not included
- Travel to Ouarzazate
- Drinks, and any meals not listed in your proposal
- Entrance fees, such as a Skoura kasbah
- Optional activities: 4×4 excursions, quad biking, sandboarding, extra camel rides
Can This Private Desert Trip Be Customized?
Yes, because the tour is private, the route can be adjusted when you request your quote, subject to our confirmation.
Camp, hotel or both
Choose how you spend the two Merzouga nights.
Desert activities
Ask about a 4×4 excursion, Khamlia or a camel trek on day 2.
Accommodation options
Tell us the standard you prefer for the hotel and camp.
A gentler pace
Ask to add a Dadès night to split the long drives.
How Much Driving Should You Expect?
Expect long drives on day 1 and day 3, with stops along the way; day 2 involves only short drives around Merzouga and Rissani.
Does the tour start and finish in Ouarzazate?
Yes, the tour starts and finishes in Ouarzazate, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
Where are you picked up in Ouarzazate?
You are picked up at your hotel or riad in Ouarzazate, or another agreed point, and dropped off there on day 3.
What happens during the Rissani visit?
The Rissani visit is a short drive from Merzouga to the town's historic ksour and souk, with its market busiest on its traditional market days.
Is a camel trek included?
A camel trek is not included by default in this outline; tell us if you'd like one and we'll add it to your quote.
Sources and further reading
Destination facts on this page are supported by the Moroccan National Tourist Office, which does not endorse any tour operator.
- The road to the kasbahs — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature — Moroccan National Tourist Office
3-Day Ouarzazate Desert Tour FAQs
This is a private three-day round trip for your own group that starts and ends in Ouarzazate, with two nights in the Merzouga area.
Is this a private or group tour?
It is a private tour for your own group, not a shared departure.
Which way does the return route go?
The return goes via Rissani, Alnif and Nkob to the Drâa Valley and Ouarzazate, a southern route that avoids repeating day 1.
Can we add desert activities?
Yes, activities such as a 4×4 excursion, sandboarding or a camel trek can be quoted as options; they are not standard inclusions.
Is the driver a licensed guide?
No, your driver handles transport and local advice; a licensed local guide can be arranged on request.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are not included, for example at a Skoura kasbah.
What language does the driver-guide speak?
This tour does not list a driver language, so tell us your preferred language when you enquire.
How do you request a price for your travel dates?
You request a price by sending the form with your dates, group size, accommodation style and departure airport; the tour is booked only after you approve our proposal.
More Private Desert Tours from Ouarzazate
If you have less time or want to finish elsewhere, compare our other Ouarzazate tours.
Plan Your Private Desert Trip from Ouarzazate
Share your travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preferences so we can prepare your Ouarzazate-to-Merzouga itinerary and quote.