Visiting the Sahara Desert sounds exotic, yes, and it’s truly an incredible experience.
The reality is that this isn’t as difficult to do as you might think, provided you can travel to Marrakech. There are plenty of options for every budget and preference, so it’s important to know which one to choose.
Among all the tours available, some will take you to the desert near Marrakech, but the best experience is the Erg Chebbi Dunes in Merzouga, about 600 km from Marrakech.
There are basically two practical and common ways to get to Merzouga
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- A tour from Marrakech or Ouarzazate.
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- Travel on your own by renting a car.
Both options have their pros and cons, so we recommend choosing the one that makes you feel most comfortable and secure.
VISITING THE MERZOUGA DESERT FROM MARRAKECH
This is the most popular option among visitors; most tours include visits to other must-see sites in this part of Morocco, such as the Dades and Todra Gorges, the Route of the 1,000 Kasbahs, and the fortified city of Ait Ben Haddou.
The 600-km journey is made very enjoyable by these stops, and it’s even recommended to spend one or two nights along the route to better appreciate the sites.
Tours—which can be group tours in large buses, smaller group tours in minibuses, or private tours in 4x4s—generally include:
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- Transportation to Merzouga.
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- Accommodation in camps in the desert dunes; we’ve seen many camp options, ranging from very basic and crowded ones to others offering total luxury with all the amenities of a hotel.
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We suggest you do your research and choose the one that best suits your travel style and budget.
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- Some include a camel ride to the haimas or jaimas. You can skip this if you’re not interested, as the trip can be made in 4x4s or, at some closer camps, even on foot.
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- Lunches are not usually included along the way, but you’ll be taken to local restaurants with excellent food.
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- Dinner and breakfast are included.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We like to travel on our own; that’s the way we enjoy it most. We don’t like—nor are we used to—following other people’s rules, much less wasting time going to specific “pre-arranged” places that these types of tours include.
In this case, we decided that since it was our first time in Morocco, we would book a tour, but you can easily rent a car, put together a good map with the routes we’ve listed below, and then book accommodation in the desert.
Summary of the Route between Marrakech and Merzouga in 3 days, 2 nights.
HIGH ATLAS OF MOROCCO
From Marrakech, we crossed the High Atlas and stopped at the Tizi N'Tichka viewpoint, the highest point on the route, offering fantastic views of the valley.
THE ROUTE OF THE THOUSAND KASBAHS
As we descend the mountain range, we enter the route that locals call the Route of the 1,000 Kasbahs.
AIT BENHADDOU
Continuing along this road, following the course of the river, we arrive at the fortification of Ait Benhaddou.
It is the most cinematic of all, having served as the setting for several films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones.
It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987
OUARZAZATE - TAOURIRT
Continuing on toward Ouarzazate, halfway along the route, we pass through the town of Taourirt, home to film studios and the Kasbah of Taourirt.
The Atlas Studios are among the largest in the world and are open to visitors.
VALLEY OF THE ROSES
The road continues through the Valley of the Roses, at the foot of the High Atlas and at the confluence of the Dades Valley, a valley stretching over 30 km entirely covered in roses of the “Damask Rose” species.
DADES GORGE
This desert region is known for its spectacular landscapes and the hospitality of its Berber inhabitants.
Within this valley are impressive rock formations, works of nature, such as “the monkey’s fingers” or “the brain of the Atlas.” There are also kasbahs here, and the most striking is Tissardmine, a very deep ravine where the road winds through endless curves that can be seen and photographed from the highest point.
TODRA GORGE
In the morning, before reaching Merzouga, we pass through the stunning Todra River Gorge. This river is seasonal, flowing only for a few months a year, but over time it has carved out an impressive gorge with 300-meter-high walls and a narrow passage just 30 meters wide. Walking through this corridor and seeing the sheer scale of the walls is an unmissable experience.
These rocks are a paradise for rock climbers, and there are also many hiking trails.
