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- Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi Dunes, 3 Days
Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi Dunes, 3 Days
A private three-day trip from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou, the Dades and Todra gorges and a night at a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.
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- ROUTE
- TOUR TYPE
- PICKUP
- PRICE
About the Tour
Three days is the least time you need to reach the Sahara dunes from Marrakech without rushing every stop. You travel in your own vehicle with a driver who knows the road, cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass and spend the first night in the Dades Valley.
On the second day you walk into the Todra Gorge, reach Merzouga in the afternoon and ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi for the sunset, and you spend the night at a desert camp. The last day is a long drive back to Marrakech, or the tour can end in Fes if that suits your plans better.
Highlights
- The Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas, at 2,260 metres
- The earthen ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The Dades Valley and the high walls of the Todra Gorge
- A camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- A night at a desert camp and sunrise over the dunes
Day by Day
How the three days go, from your pickup in Marrakech to the drop-off.
Day 1 · Marrakech to the Dades Valley
Pickup at your riad or hotel in the morning. The road climbs through the High Atlas to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then drops towards Aït Benhaddou, where you walk up through the old ksar. After a stop in Ouarzazate you follow the valley of the kasbahs past Kelaat M’Gouna to the Dades Valley for the night.
- Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley
Day 2 · Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge and Merzouga
A short drive up the Dades Gorge in the morning, then on to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, where the canyon walls rise close on both sides. After lunch the road crosses the plains by Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga. Late in the afternoon you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and reach the camp for sunset, dinner and the night.
- Overnight: Desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Day 3 · Merzouga back to Marrakech
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, ride back to Merzouga and have breakfast. The drive back to Marrakech is long, around nine to ten hours with stops, and you are dropped at your riad or hotel in the evening. If you would rather finish in Fes, tell us when you enquire.
What's Included
Included
- Private vehicle and driver for the three days
- Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Marrakech
- One night in a hotel in the Dades Valley with dinner and breakfast
- One night at a desert camp in Erg Chebbi with dinner and breakfast
- Camel ride to and from the desert camp
- Fuel and road costs
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees and local guides at the sites
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Questions About This Tour
How long is the drive each day?
The first two days have about six to seven hours on the road, with stops along the way. The last day back to Marrakech is the longest, around nine to ten hours.
Can the tour end in Fes instead of Marrakech?
Yes. Tell us when you enquire and we plan the last day from Merzouga to Fes through the Middle Atlas.
What is the desert camp like?
You sleep in a tent at a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast. Tell us the level of comfort you want and we suggest camps that fit.
What should I pack?
Comfortable shoes, a warm layer for the desert night, sun protection and a small bag for the camp. Your main luggage stays in the vehicle.
How do I book?
Send an enquiry with your dates and group size and we reply with availability and a quote. When online booking is open for this tour, you can also reserve with a deposit by card or PayPal and pay the rest on the first day.
Book this tour
The price per person is lower for bigger groups.
- Private tour, only your group
- Free enquiry, no obligation
- Reserve with 20% now, pay the rest on day one
- Private tour, only your group
- Free enquiry, no obligation
- Route and stays adjusted to you
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