A Real Look at the 3-Day Merzouga Desert Trip for 2025

So, you are probably thinking about that classic Morocco trip, you know, the one that goes all the way out to the Sahara. Honestly, I get it. I saw the pictures of the orange sand and people on camels and, frankly, just had to see it for myself. This trip, the 3-day and 2-night version to Merzouga, is seriously one of the most popular things to do. And stuff like that can sometimes be a letdown, right? Well, I’m here to give you the straight story on what it’s actually like. At the end of the day, it is a very long drive, yet it offers some moments that are pretty much unforgettable. We went through a landscape that shifted completely, like turning a page in a book with a whole new world on it.

Day 1: From the City to the Canyons

Okay, the first day started super early, as a matter of fact, before the sun was even up. We left the busy streets of Marrakech behind, and, you know, it was a little strange seeing the city so quiet. The van started to climb almost immediately, just winding up into the High Atlas Mountains. The road, called the Tizi n’Tichka pass, is like a ribbon thrown across these massive, rocky hills. Seriously, the views from up there are wild. We stopped at a few places to take pictures, where the air was noticeably thin and cool, so you could really feel how high you were. It’s pretty much a different country up there compared to the city we had just left a few hours before.

Ait Benhaddou: Like Walking Through History

First, we made our main stop at Ait Benhaddou. At the end of the day, you have almost certainly seen this place before, you just didn’t know it. It’s a Ksar, basically a fortified village made from earth and clay, and a lot of movies and shows use it as a location. Anyway, walking across the bridge to get there feels kind of special. We went up through the tiny, winding alleys, sort of feeling the texture of the old walls. It’s almost totally empty now, except for a few families who live there and sell crafts. I mean, climbing to the top gives you a view of the whole area that is just spectacular. You can almost feel the history there, you know? It’s pretty quiet and gives you a moment to think.

Driving to the Dades Valley

After that, it was still a lot more driving, to be honest. We passed through Ouarzazate, which they call the “Hollywood of Morocco,” because of its film studios. In the same way as before, the land changed again as we moved toward the Dades Valley. It got, like, a little bit more stark and beautiful. Then you suddenly see this ribbon of green, just a line of palm trees and fields, following a river through these red and orange cliffs. It’s a huge surprise, really. We stayed the night in a small hotel built right into the side of the gorge. Frankly, sleeping with the window open and hearing the river below was a pretty cool way to end a very long day of travel.

Day 2: The Main Event – Reaching the Sahara

Obviously, the second day is what everyone is really waiting for. After breakfast, we hit the road again, and you can just feel the excitement in the van starting to build. We drove through the Todra Gorge, which has these huge, vertical cliff walls that are really impressive. Then, as we kept going, the landscape, well, it started to flatten out. The buildings became sparser, and the ground became more sandy and stony. So, then it happened. On the horizon, we saw this line of, like, deep orange. It wasn’t a mountain range. It was the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Seeing them for the first time is seriously a moment that sticks with you.

Riding a Camel into the Sunset

We finally got to the edge of the desert near Merzouga in the late afternoon. This is where we left our van and big bags behind and, you know, met our camels. Alright, getting on a camel is a little awkward and funny, as a matter of fact. They lurch forward and backward as they stand up. But once you’re on, it’s a pretty amazing feeling. Our little group moved in a line, following our guide into the huge sea of sand. There was basically no sound except for the soft plodding of the camels’ feet and the wind. We were really out there. Watching the sun go down from the top of a dune, with the light making the sand look like it was on fire, was just beautiful.

A Night in a Berber Camp

As it got dark, we could see the lights of our desert camp. These are sort of permanent tent setups in a hollow between the dunes. Honestly, it was more comfortable than I thought it would be. We had a great chicken tagine for dinner, cooked right there. Then, the Berber guides got out their drums and played music around a big campfire. I mean, it was just a wonderful experience. But the best part, for me, was walking away from the fire a little bit, lying down on the cool sand, and just looking up. You have never, ever seen stars like that. Without any city lights, the sky is just completely full of them. You can even see the Milky Way so clearly. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.

Day 3: Sunrise and the Long Ride Home

Waking up on day three is, you know, really early. Someone comes around to your tent to make sure you’re up before dawn, and you’re a little tired and cold, to be honest. But then you climb up a dune, still in the dark, and wait. At the end of the day, seeing the sun come up over the edge of the dunes is 100% worth it. The colors just shift from deep purple to pink and then to bright orange. The long shadows the dunes cast across the sand are just incredible. It’s a very quiet and peaceful moment. You really feel like you’re at the edge of the world, sort of.

Heading Back to Civilization

So, after the sunrise, we rode the camels back to the staging area. We had a simple breakfast there and a chance to take a quick shower, which felt amazing. And then, well, we got back in the van for the long drive all the way back to Marrakech. Seriously, it’s a very long time in a car, pretty much a full day. You see all the same landscapes again, but in reverse, obviously. It’s almost a good time to just look out the window and process everything you just saw and did. By the time we got back to Marrakech in the evening, we were definitely tired, but also just full of these amazing new memories. It was an experience that felt a little out of this world.

My Real Advice: What You Should Know Before You Go

Okay, so let’s get down to it. Is this trip for you? I mean, you have to be okay with a lot of time on the road. The distance from Marrakech to Merzouga is huge, so a good portion of your three days is spent just driving. If you get carsick, you might want to prepare for that. This isn’t a luxury vacation; it’s an adventure, you know? It’s for people who want to see the real, changing face of Morocco and who are up for a bit of a trek to have that truly special Sahara experience. For instance, the payoff of seeing those dunes and sleeping under the stars is, in my opinion, totally worth the long hours in the van. You just have to know what you’re signing up for.

What I Wish I’d Packed

You may want to think a little about what you bring. At the end of the day, you only take a small bag with you on the camel to the desert camp. Here’s a quick list of things I was happy I had, or wish I did.

• So, you really need a scarf or a shesh (turban). You can buy one on the way. It’s good for the sun and the sand if the wind picks up.
• Anyway, sunglasses are a must-have, clearly. The sun reflecting off the sand is no joke.
• Also, you should bring layers of clothes. It can be hot during the day, even in cooler months, but it gets pretty cold in the desert at night, for example. A warm fleece or jacket is a good idea.
• Frankly, a power bank for your phone is super helpful, since electricity can be limited at the camp.
• Finally, just bring some wet wipes and hand sanitizer. They are really useful to have.

Read our full review: [Merzouga Desert Tour Full Review and Details]

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