Our most popular short escape: three days from Marrakesh to the golden Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga and back, in your own private vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, explore the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, sleep in the Dades Valley, walk into the Todgha Gorges and ride a camel into the Sahara at sunset for a night in a desert camp.
It is the ideal choice if you have limited time but want the real Sahara, not just a glimpse of it.
Tour highlights
Along the way
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou
Spend a night among the rock formations of the Dades Valley
Walk between the towering walls of the Todgha Gorges
Ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
Sleep in a Sahara desert camp under the stars
Watch the sunrise over the dunes
Itinerary · day by day
Your journey, day by day
The map follows the day you're reading. Choose a numbered stop on the map, or a place under any day, to move between them.
Day01
Marrakesh – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
Not shown on the map: Valley of Roses
Your driver collects you from your riad or hotel in Marrakesh in the morning. Climb into the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with views over Berber villages and terraced valleys, then visit the fortified ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through Ouarzazate and along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dades Valley for dinner and the night.
Overnight
Dades Valley
Meals
Dinner
Dades Valley
Day02
Dades Valley – Todgha Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga
After breakfast, drive to the Todgha Gorges and walk between their sheer rock walls. Continue past palm groves and the fossil town of Erfoud to Merzouga, where camels wait at the edge of the dunes. Ride into Erg Chebbi as the sun sets, then enjoy dinner and Berber music at your desert camp.
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, ride back by camel and have breakfast. Today is a long but scenic driving day back to Marrakesh, through the oasis towns of Rissani and Alnif, the kasbah village of N’Kob and Ouarzazate, before crossing the High Atlas again. Arrival in Marrakesh in the evening.
One of our local travel specialists will create the perfect experience for you.
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