Sahara Morocco: Visit the Merzouga Desert (3-Day Tour)

Marrakech Sahara Tour

Our tour started in Fes because we came from Chefchaouen, the blue city. The tour is also available from Marrakech as a return. Be prepared for a lot of driving but the sceneries and sights you will visit are so worth it!

Or directly read more about how to pick a Sahara Desert Tour.

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 1

From Fes, we left around 8 AM and the driver took us to Merzouga that day. Merzouga is a city that is located at the beginning of the Sahara. On our way, we stopped several times to look at the stunning views of the Moroccan landscapes.

Once you have arrived in Merzouga you will change the car to a four-wheel-drive vehicle that takes you to your camp just in time to see the sunset. Seeing the epic, red sand dunes of the Sahara for the first time is unforgettable! We decided to go glamping, which is sleeping in a tent but far more luxurious. KamKamDunes was the camp we booked in advance and it was excellent. These tents are super comfortable and come with proper beds and even a private bathroom!

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That night we had a great dinner, played music together, and looked at the millions of stars from the dunes. Stargazing in the desert has to be one of the most extraordinary experiences while in Morocco – true magic!

See all Sahara tent camps you can book ⛺

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 2

The next morning you will be woken up very early to get up, walk to the top of a dune. Once on the top of the dune, the sun will rise from the horizon and all the dunes will get a beautifully soft, orange color. Temperatures rise quickly as soon as the sun is up, so get ready to experience the famous heat of the desert!

Also, see the 10-day Morocco Route

Please note: Since this trip in 2016 we have learned a lot about animals used in tourism. We wouldn’t anymore recommend riding a camel. Here are the things to do about wildlife tourism and the better alternatives.

After breakfast, you will leave in the direction of Marrakech. You will pass and stop at several sites like Tenhir, Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud. These are all incredible Saharan towns and cities, with wonderful earthen houses. Once the sun begins to set you will stop in Boumalne Dades (or a nearby village) where you will spend the night in a traditional Kasbah. A kasbah is a house/palace under the control of a family, where multiple families are living.

Check out the Kasbah hotel we booked

Sahara Desert Tour – Day 3

From Dades to Marrakech was the most beautiful part of the route. You will drive through the Atlas mountains, along steep cliffs that can be snowy, depending on the time of year.

Additionally, visit Aït-Ben-Haddou, a famous place where a lot of movies are made. It’s easy to see why, when you see this fantastic scenery! Drink a delicious mint tea here or buy a traditional Moroccan rug. Just before sunset, you will arrive in Marrakech.

Pick your Sahara Desert Tour wisely

It’s quite a distance to the Sahara from Marrakech or Fes. But once you’ve seen the sunset or the millions of stars at night, the journey is easily forgotten. The journey is also a beautiful part of the trip, and a great way to see more of Morocco’s scenery!

Try to pick a tour that fits your itinerary, for example:

How many days? It varies from 2 to 6 days
Are you leaving from Marrakech or Fes?

What’s a good price for a Sahara Desert Tour?

The price really depends on the tour you pick. We had a 3-day private Sahara Desert tour from Fes to Marrakech, which cost around $700. This included two nights, one at the tent and one in a kasbah, food, and gas, etc. Of course, you can also share a minivan with other travelers, which makes the tour a lot cheaper.

Alternatively rent a car in Morocco through Sunny Cars. They work with local car rental companies and the insurances are included in the price. Book your rental car here.

Most of the tours of four or more days will take you far into the Sahara Desert. A two or three-day tour will take you to the Erg-Chebbi area. This is at the foot of the Sahara and is also very beautiful. However, if you have the time we really recommend going into the Sahara. It is an experience unlike any other, to feel the remoteness of the desert and see how locals live their lives here.

Sahara Desert Tour Discount!

We’ve arranged a 5% to 10% discount for you with the guys from Desert Days Tours. The discount depends on the length of your trip. We had an unforgettable time with them during our Sahara desert tour. For security reasons, we will email it to you. Fill in your email address right here.