Marrakech to Merzouga 3-Day Tour: An Honest Review for 2025

You have very likely seen pictures, you know, the ones with the massive orange dunes and a line of camels walking into the sunset. Well, that’s basically the dream of the Marrakech to Merzouga desert trip. So, you’re probably wondering if the real thing lives up to those amazing photos. I mean, spending three days mostly in a van to get there seems like a bit of a commitment. To be honest, it really is a trip of big contrasts, with some incredibly beautiful moments and, frankly, some very long hours of driving. This review, so, is all about giving you the real picture of what this popular outing is actually like, at the end of the day. We’ll look at the good parts, the not-so-good parts, and, you know, help you figure out if this is the right Moroccan adventure for you.

Day 1: Kicking Off from Marrakech into the High Atlas Mountains

Your first day, honestly, starts super early, as a matter of fact. A van or small bus picks you up from your riad, or at least a spot close by, so just be ready for that. Then you are basically off, winding your way out of the city and climbing into the High Atlas Mountains pretty much right away. The views, I mean, they change so fast it’s almost unreal. You’ll actually see small Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides, which is a sight to see. The roads are very, very twisty, so if you get motion sickness, you may want to prepare for that. The main stop of the day is Aït Benhaddou, which is a really old fortified village, you know, a ksar. It’s so iconic that it has been in a ton of movies and TV shows, for instance, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Walking through its reddish mud-brick alleys is kind of like stepping back in time, seriously.

Frankly, Aït Benhaddou is quite touristy, with many shops and people trying to sell you things, so just be aware of that. You’ll probably have a guided walk, which is, more or less, helpful for getting some background on the place. After that, it’s typically lunchtime, often at a spot with a terrace that has a nice view of the ksar. In the afternoon, you just get back in the vehicle and keep going. You will pass through a town called Ouarzazate, which is known as the “Hollywood of Morocco” because it has some very big movie studios. The landscape then gets a bit more dry and rocky, sort of what you would call pre-Sahara scenery. The day is, at the end of the day, pretty long with a lot of sitting, but the views from the window are constantly changing, which is obviously a good thing.

A Night in the Dadès Gorges: What to Really Expect

As the afternoon light starts to fade, you will eventually turn off the main road and head into the Dadès Valley. So, the scenery changes again, this time to these incredible reddish rock formations that look almost painted. The road that winds through the Dadès Gorges is seriously something else, with a bunch of hairpin turns that offer some really amazing photo opportunities. You will definitely make a stop to look down at the snaking road from above, which is a very popular picture to take. Your hotel for the night is usually located right in the gorge itself, and it’s typically a family-run kind of place.

Now, it’s pretty much a given that these hotels are not luxury spots. They are generally basic, clean, and quite friendly, providing just what you need for a single night’s stay. Dinner is often a set menu of traditional Moroccan food, like tagine, and it’s served in a group setting with the others on your tour. This is a pretty good time to chat with your fellow travelers, you know, and share stories from the day. The whole vibe is pretty low-key and quiet, as you’re in a rather remote area. The air is clear, and the quiet is a really stark contrast to the noise of Marrakech. You basically just eat, relax a little, and then get a decent night’s sleep before the next day’s drive.

Day 2: Todra Gorges and the Golden Sands of Erg Chebbi

Alright, after breakfast on the second day, you will head out of the Dadès Gorges and make your way towards another natural wonder, the Todra Gorges. These are basically massive canyon walls that are extremely high and very narrow in some places. You actually get to stop and walk along the river that carved the canyon, which is a very cool experience. You can really feel the immense scale of the rock walls towering above you. It is often a little cooler down in the canyon, which is a nice break from the sun, so that’s a plus.

After Todra, you get back in the vehicle for what is, to be honest, the final big push to the desert. The landscape gets flatter and much drier, and you can sort of feel the anticipation building in the van. Eventually, you will arrive in the late afternoon at a small town called Merzouga, which is right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dune sea. This is pretty much where the road ends and the sand begins. You will likely be taken to an auberge or a small hotel where you can leave your main luggage. You just pack a small overnight bag for the desert camp, and then, you know, it’s time for the main event: the camel ride.

You finally see the dunes of Erg Chebbi, and honestly, they are so much bigger and more orange than you can ever imagine. That’s the moment that, frankly, makes the whole long drive feel worth it.

A Night Under the Stars: The Merzouga Desert Camp

Getting on a camel is an interesting experience in itself; it’s a bit awkward but also really fun. Your caravan will then set off into the golden dunes, and the ride takes about an hour or so, you know, just enough time to feel like you’re really out there. The silence of the desert is something very profound, with only the soft sound of the camels’ feet in the sand. You’ll definitely stop at a high point to watch the sunset over the dunes, which is, obviously, an absolutely magical moment that you will want to capture with your camera.

The desert camp itself is a collection of sturdy tents set up in a hollow between the dunes. These camps can vary a bit, from more standard setups to slightly more “glamping” style ones, so your experience might differ slightly. You will be shown to your tent, which usually has beds and blankets inside. Dinner is served in a larger main tent, and it is another hearty Moroccan meal. Afterwards, your Berber hosts will light a campfire and play traditional drum music under the stars. Speaking of stars, the night sky out there is completely incredible. With almost zero light pollution, you can see the Milky Way so clearly; it’s honestly a very humbling sight.

Day 3: Sunrise and the Long Road Back

Your guides will wake you up very early on the third day, basically before the sun is up. The reason, of course, is to see the sunrise over the Algerian border in the distance. You can either climb a nearby dune or watch from the camp. Seeing the colors of the sky change from deep purple to bright orange as the sun appears is just as special as the sunset, in a way. After that spectacle, you’ll have a quick breakfast and then ride the camels back to the edge of the desert. Some tours actually offer the option of taking a 4×4 back instead, which is something you might consider if you’re a bit sore from the camel ride.

And then, to be honest, begins the longest part of the whole trip. The drive back to Marrakech is, well, very, very long. It’s essentially a full day of driving, retracing much of the route you took to get there. There are stops for lunch and breaks, of course, but you will spend nearly 9 to 10 hours in the vehicle. This is the part that, frankly, many people find the most tiring. You finally arrive back in Marrakech in the evening, usually around 7 or 8 PM, so you’ll probably be quite exhausted. It’s definitely something to be mentally prepared for, as a matter of fact.

Is This Desert Trip the Right Fit for You?

So, at the end of the day, is this trip for you? Well, it sort of depends on your travel style. If you are an adventurous person who doesn’t mind long travel days for a huge payoff, then absolutely, you will likely love this. The sights of the Atlas Mountains, the ancient kasbahs, and, obviously, the Sahara desert itself are genuinely unforgettable. The experience of riding a camel and sleeping under the stars is, you know, something you’ll talk about for a long time.

On the other hand, if you dislike long car rides or prefer a more relaxed pace, you might find this tour a bit too much. You actually spend a significant portion of the three days just getting to and from the desert. If you have more time in Morocco, you might want to look into a 4 or 5-day tour, which breaks up the driving a bit more. But if you only have a few days and your heart is set on seeing those famous dunes, then this 3-day tour is, pretty much, the most efficient way to make it happen.

A Few Extra Tips for Your Moroccan Desert Adventure

To make your desert outing more comfortable, it’s a good idea to bring a few specific things along. So, here’s a quick list to help you prepare.

Cash: You’ll need it for lunches, drinks, and any souvenirs you might want to buy. So, don’t rely on cards for everything.
A Scarf or Turban: A shesh, like a Tuareg-style scarf, is very useful for protecting you from the sun and sand. You can actually buy one along the way.
Sunscreen and Sunglasses: The sun is really strong, you know, even in the winter months.
Comfortable Clothes: Pack light layers. It can be hot during the day and surprisingly cold at night in the desert. So, a warm jacket is a good idea.
Water: Your driver will likely have water for purchase, but having your own is always smart.
Snacks: The drives are long, so having some of your favorite snacks can make it a lot better.
A Portable Charger: Keeping your phone and camera charged is obviously important for all those pictures.
Small Overnight Bag: You will leave your large luggage behind on the second night, so having a small backpack ready is pretty much required.

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