Private tour · Marrakech round trip
3-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Tour via Aït Ben Haddou and the Dadès Gorges
The Marrakech to Erg Chebbi desert tour is a private three-day round trip: night one in the Dadès Gorges, night two in a nomad-tent camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, and a long drive back to Marrakech on day three.
Private Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Tour in 3 Days
This private Marrakech to Erg Chebbi tour is the shortest way to sleep in the Merzouga dunes from Marrakech: three days, two nights, with the desert time concentrated around sunset on day two and sunrise on day three.
Merzouga is the village at the edge of the desert; Erg Chebbi is the field of high dunes beside it, where the camp is. Getting there means crossing the High Atlas and following the valleys east, so all three days are long road days. If you'd like more time at the dunes, a four- or five-day tour is a better fit.
Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Itinerary: Jump to a Day
Day one runs Marrakech to the Dadès Gorges, day two the Dadès to the Erg Chebbi dunes, and day three the dunes back to Marrakech.
Book a Marrakech to Erg Chebbi 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
By sending the form you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.
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, and returns to Marrakech via Rissani, Agdz and Ouarzazate on day three.
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 Marrakech via Rissani, Agdz and Ouarzazate
Day 3 starts with sunrise over the dunes and a camel ride back to the village, followed by the long drive to Marrakech via Rissani, Agdz and Ouarzazate.
You can climb a high dune for the sunrise before breakfast. The return follows the southern road through Rissani and the Drâa region at Agdz to Ouarzazate, then crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech, where the tour ends at your accommodation.
Dadès Riad and Erg Chebbi Desert Camp
You spend night one in a local riad or hotel in the Dadès Gorges and night two in nomad tents at a desert bivouac in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast both nights.
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.
Erg Chebbi Desert Tour from Marrakech: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, Marrakech pickup and drop-off, a riad or hotel night, a 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 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 Marrakech Kasbah and Desert Tour
This Marrakech kasbah and desert tour fits a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, Aït Ben Haddou and two gorges into three days, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
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 different road back
Rissani and the southern route via Agdz on the way home.
A private journey from Marrakech to the dunes
Only your group; customize your Erg Chebbi tour.
3-Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech: Driving and Pace
This is a fast tour with long drives on all three days; day three, from the dunes back to Marrakech, is the longest.
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 if I want more time in the desert?
If you want more time in the desert, choose the 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour or a longer itinerary.
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
Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Tour FAQs
This tour is private, lasts three days, starts and ends in Marrakech, and includes one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts three days and two nights.
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 and in nomad tents in the Erg Chebbi dunes on night two.
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 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 and any changes to the itinerary, and we'll send a quote for your private Erg Chebbi tour.