3 days - Desert route ending in Marrakech
A three-day route from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes and back: the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra valleys and a night in the Moroccan Sahara.
About this tour
This is one of the most common ways to see southern Morocco from Marrakech. In three days you cross the High Atlas, follow part of the so-called road of the kasbahs and reach the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for a night in the desert.
The route combines very different landscapes: the High Atlas passes, the earthen villages of the Dades valley, the rock walls of the Todra gorges and, finally, the sea of dunes of the Moroccan Sahara.
Highlights
Crossing the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Dades and Todra valleys and their gorges.
Sunset on the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night in the Merzouga desert.
Who is this route for?
For travellers starting in Marrakech who want to see the dune desert in no more than three days. The last day back is long, so expect quite a lot of driving.
Good to know
The drive back to Marrakech is long; it is best not to plan anything important for that evening.
It can be cold on the Tizi n'Tichka pass, and there may be snow in winter.
The itinerary is a guide: the order of stops and the pace may change with the season, road conditions and what is agreed when booking.
Included services, the type of accommodation and the conditions are set out in your personalised quote.
Keep planning your trip
Places on this route: Marrakech, Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Valley and Merzouga.
Worth reading before you travel: Desert from Fez or from Marrakech: how to choose your Sahara route and The kasbahs of southern Morocco.
For the price, or to adapt the route to your dates, message us on WhatsApp and we will prepare a quote.
Itinerary
Day 1
Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou – Dades valley
Departure from Marrakech towards the High Atlas. After the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the road descends to Aït Ben Haddou, a mud-brick ksar that can be explored on foot.
The route continues through the Ouarzazate area to the Dades valley, where you spend the night.
Day 2
Todra gorges – Merzouga
In the morning, a stop at the Todra gorges, a narrow canyon between rock walls. The route then heads east through oases and villages to Merzouga.
In the afternoon, you set out to the Erg Chebbi dunes for the sunset and a night in the desert.
Day 3
Merzouga – back to Marrakech
Sunrise on the dunes for early risers. Then the return to Marrakech begins, back across the south and the High Atlas, with rest stops.
Arrival in Marrakech in the evening and end of the route.
Places on this tour
Related experiences
Frequently asked questions
How does this route differ from the four-day one?
Both reach the Merzouga dunes, but in three days the drives are longer and there is less time at each stop. The four-day route spreads the driving better and leaves more time to enjoy the way.
Do I need to be particularly fit?
No special preparation is needed. The visits, such as walking around Aït Ben Haddou or the Todra gorges, are on foot and not technical, although walking on the dunes is more tiring than it looks.
Can the route be done in summer?
Yes, although summer temperatures in the desert are very high during the day. At that time of year it is best to use the early morning and late afternoon for outdoor activities.