Private tour · Marrakech round trip
4-Day Marrakech Sahara Tour to Merzouga with a Night in the Erg Chebbi Dunes
The 4-day Marrakech Sahara tour is a private round trip to Merzouga: night one in the Dadès Gorges, night two in a nomad-tent camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, night three in Ouarzazate, and back to Marrakech on day four.
Private Marrakech Desert Tour in 4 Days
This private Marrakech desert tour visits the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga over four days and three nights: one night in a desert camp and two in a riad or hotel, returning to Marrakech.
Merzouga is the village at the edge of the desert; Erg Chebbi is the dune field beside it, where the camp is. What the fourth day adds, compared with the three-day version, is a night in Ouarzazate on the way back, which splits the long return drive in two. Your time at the dunes is the same: sunset on day two and sunrise on day three.
Four-Day Morocco Desert Itinerary: Jump to a Day
Day one runs Marrakech to the Dadès Gorges, day two the Dadès to the Erg Chebbi dunes, day three the dunes to Ouarzazate, and day four Ouarzazate back to Marrakech.
Book a 4-Day Marrakech Desert Tour
To book, send us your travel dates and group size through the form, and we'll reply with a private tour proposal and quote.
To check availability for your dates, please include:
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your hotel or riad in Marrakech for pickup and drop-off
- Your preferred accommodation, and any questions about the desert camp
- Any changes you'd like to the itinerary
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
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Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the High Atlas to Aït Ben Haddou and the Dadès Gorges on day one, reaches the Erg Chebbi dunes via the Todra Gorge on day two, drives to Ouarzazate via Rissani and Agdz on day three, and crosses back to Marrakech on day four.
Marrakech to the Dadès Gorges via the Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate
Day 1 is the drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then east through Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dadès Gorges.
After pickup in Marrakech, the road climbs to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and passes Berber villages. You visit the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, which UNESCO describes as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
In Ouarzazate you visit the Taourirt Kasbah and stop for lunch, then continue past the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses, a road the Moroccan National Tourist Office describes with
"palm groves and rose gardens with expansive views."— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), The road to the kasbahs
Dadès Gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes via the Todra Gorge, Erfoud and Rissani
Day 2 is the drive from the Dadès through Tinghir and the Todra Gorge to Merzouga, followed by a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night at a desert camp.
You walk in the Todra Gorge, popular with climbers, then pass the palm groves to Erfoud, where you may stop at a fossil workshop (optional). The Moroccan National Tourist Office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
From the village, camels take you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, followed by dinner around the campfire.
Erg Chebbi to Ouarzazate via Rissani and Agdz
Day 3 starts with sunrise over the dunes and a camel ride back to the village, then the drive to Ouarzazate via Rissani and Agdz.
You can climb a high dune for the sunrise before breakfast. The Moroccan National Tourist Office presents Ouarzazate as the Hollywood of Africa, for its film studios. You stay the night there.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka
Day 4 is the drive from Ouarzazate back over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech, where the tour ends at your accommodation.
One Camp Night and Two Riad or Hotel Nights
You spend one night in a camp (nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes) and two nights in a riad or hotel: the Dadès Gorges on night one and Ouarzazate on night three, with dinner and breakfast each night.
At the camp, dinner is served around the campfire. Exact properties are confirmed with your quote; ask about desert-camp accommodation when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Marrakech Sahara Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, Marrakech pickup and drop-off, two riad or hotel nights, one desert-camp night, the camel ride, and dinners and breakfasts; flights, lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Private driver-guide throughout
- Pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
- 1 night in a riad or hotel in the Dadès Gorges
- 1 night in a hotel in Ouarzazate
- 1 night in nomad tents at a desert camp
- Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions
Why Choose This Four-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech
This four-day desert tour from Marrakech covers the same highlights as the three-day version but breaks the return into two shorter days with a night in Ouarzazate.
From Atlas landscapes to Erg Chebbi
The Tizi n'Tichka pass, the valleys and the dunes in two days.
A night among the dunes
Sunset by camel, dinner around the fire and sunrise from the dunes.
Kasbahs on the way
Aït Ben Haddou and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate.
Two gorges
The Dadès Gorges overnight and a walk in the Todra Gorge.
A split return journey
A night in Ouarzazate instead of one very long drive home.
A private journey from Marrakech to the desert
Only your group; customize your four-day desert tour.
Marrakech Desert Tour 4 Days: Driving and Pace
Days one, two and three are long road days; day four, from Ouarzazate to Marrakech, is shorter.
How much time do you get at Erg Chebbi?
You get the late afternoon and evening of day two and the early morning of day three at Erg Chebbi, around sunset and sunrise.
What is the difference between Merzouga and Erg Chebbi?
Merzouga is the village at the edge of the desert, and Erg Chebbi is the dune field next to it where the camp is.
What should you pack?
Pack a small overnight bag for the camp, a warm layer for the desert night, and sun protection.
What does the fourth day add?
The fourth day adds a night in Ouarzazate on the way back, not extra desert time; for a full desert day, see the 5-day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi tour.
Sources and further reading
Heritage and destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- The road to the kasbahs — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
4-Day Marrakech Sahara Tour FAQs
This tour is private, lasts four days, starts and ends in Marrakech, and includes one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Which desert does this tour visit?
The tour visits the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, not Zagora.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
Where do you sleep?
You sleep in a riad or hotel in the Dadès Gorges on night one, in nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes on night two, and in a hotel in Ouarzazate on night three.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes, the camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes is included. Tell us when you enquire if you'd prefer not to ride.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
Is the Erfoud fossil visit included?
The Erfoud fossil workshop is an optional stop, not a guaranteed visit.
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 I book this tour?
You book by sending the form with your dates and group size. You can also email or WhatsApp us; we'll reply with a quote.
More Private Desert Tours from Marrakech
If you'd like less or more time, a different desert or to finish in Fes, choose one of these tours.
Plan Your Marrakech Desert Journey
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred accommodation, where you'd like to finish and any changes to the itinerary, and we'll send a quote for your private four-day tour.