Standing on top of a towering sand dune, with nothing but silence around you and golden hills of sand stretching in every direction—that’s the kind of moment you don’t forget. It’s the kind of experience that ends up on bucket lists for a reason and Morocco is the exact place to make that dream come true.
The challenge? Merzouga, one of the most accessible gateways to the Sahara, is a long way from anywhere. It’s not a simple day trip from Marrakech, and getting there takes planning—especially if you’re not traveling by car. The first time we tried to reach Merzouga, we relied on public transport. Let’s just say: we wouldn’t recommend that.
Looking back, we can honestly say: if you’re short on time, or just don’t feel like planning every detail, a 3-day tour from Marrakech is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to experience Morocco’s desert. You cover a lot of ground in a short time, get to see some truly iconic places along the way, and avoid the hassle of organizing logistics in a country that doesn’t always run on a tight schedule.
In this blog, we’ll give you the perfect itinerary for a trip from Marrakech to Merzouga. We followed this exact route during one of our Morocco trips, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our journey. This short (preferably organized) trip offers a surprising amount of variety—and an easy way to experience the magic of both some of Morocco’s best places to visit and the iconic Sahara.
Merzouga from Marrakech: Tour or DIY?
After traveling through Morocco twice—once by camper and once relying on public transport—we’ve come to appreciate how much effort it can take to organize everything yourself. The country offers incredible variety, but getting from point A to B isn’t always straightforward. That’s especially true if you’re planning to visit the Merzouga Desert in the far southeast of the country.
While we usually prefer planning our own itineraries, we can honestly say that a desert tour like this one is a very practical and worthwhile option—especially if you’re not doing a full road trip through Morocco.
Distances Are Long—and Public Transport Doesn’t Get You Far
Merzouga is far from Marrakech—about 560 kilometers—and we learned the hard way there are no direct or easy public transport options that fit well with the classic desert experience (arriving in time for a sunset camel ride, overnighting in the dunes, etc.). On our first trip we tried to get there by bus, and although it was possible, the connections were slow, infrequent, and required awkward timing.
We arrived in Merzouga early in the morning and had a long wait before we could head into the desert to our camp. And on the way back, we were too late for the morning bus to get out of Merzouga again, so we opted for an expensive taxi. Unless you have unlimited time and patience, public transport isn’t the easiest way to go here.
Driving Yourself Is Possible—but Not Easy
We also explored Morocco by rental car and our own camper, which gives a lot more flexibility. However, the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga includes long stretches through mountainous terrain and remote desert roads. It’s not something everyone wants to take on, especially in just a few days. If you’re short on time or want to avoid long driving days, a tour is simply more convenient.
A Tour Lets You See More in Less Time
In just three days, a well-organized desert tour lets you experience a wide range of highlights: the High Atlas Mountains, famous filming locations like Aït Ben Haddou, dramatic gorges, vast oases, and of course the Sahara dunes themselves. These are all among our favorite places to see of Morocco and a guide can take you to all these bucketlist place in a short amount of time. That would take much longer to do on your own—and that’s without counting the time it takes to figure out logistics.
Especially if your Morocco trip is focused around Marrakech or you’re not planning a longer circuit through the country, a 3-day tour is the easiest way to add an amazing Morocco plus real desert experience to your trip.
Highlights of the 3-Day Desert Trip
If you only have a few days to spare and still want a taste of Morocco and its desert, this 3-day route from Marrakech to Merzouga is a solid choice and would be our preferred itinerary with any tour. This itinerary covers a lot of ground, but the pace is doable and the landscapes are constantly changing. You’ll travel through mountains, valleys, oases and finally into the sand dunes of the Sahara. These are the highlights along the way.
Tip: For a sample itinerary with similar stops, check out this 3-day desert tour by Marrakech Morocco Travel.
Day 1 – Crossing the High Atlas and Exploring the South
The trip starts early in Marrakech with a drive through the High Atlas Mountains. The road climbs up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, offering scenic views and photo stops. It’s one of the most impressive mountain roads in the country.
One of the first major stops is Aït Ben Haddou, a fortified village that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s famous not only for its traditional earthen architecture but also as a filming location for productions like Game of Thrones and Gladiator. It’s worth spending some time wandering the narrow alleys and climbing to the top for the view.
After Aït Ben Haddou, the route continues to Ouarzazate, sometimes called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” Here you can visit the Taourirt Kasbah and film studios if you have time. The landscape gradually changes as you pass through the Rose Valley and enter the Dades Valley.
Day 2 – Gorges, Oases and the Sahara
On day two, the route leads through Tinghir to the Todra Gorges, a narrow canyon with steep cliffs that’s popular with hikers and climbers. It’s a good place to stretch your legs and take in the dramatic rock formations.
From there, the road winds through palm-filled oases and desert towns like Erfoud, heading toward Merzouga and the edge of the Sahara. This is where the real desert starts.
In the late afternoon, you switch vehicles—or rather, animals—and head into the dunes on a camel ride. The ride takes you to a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, where you’ll sleep in a tent under the stars. Expect a traditional dinner and music by the campfire—a truelly special experience.
Day 3 – Sunrise and Return to Marrakech
The final day starts early with a desert sunrise, followed by breakfast at the camp. You can return to Merzouga by camel or 4WD. The drive back to Marrakech takes most of the day, with stops for coffee, lunch, and photos. It’s a long trip, but by this point you’ve seen a huge variety of Moroccan landscapes in just three days—without having to plan every detail yourself.
