How many days do you need in Merzouga?
The desert tour of Marrakech lasts a minimum of 3 days - that is of course the standard Merzouga experience. When you stay in Marrakech you have many options to see the desert. This is possible with an organized tour that takes you through the Sahara or simply on your own with a rental car. The last day of the 3-day trip is quite a long journey and normally takes 8:30 hours according to Google maps.
On the other hand, staying 2 days in Merzouga is a good choice if you have enough time, as the town offers many fun activities.
Wondering which of the many desert tours in Marrakech is right for you or looking for an ideal route that most tour operators follow?
The most tour operators follow the itinerary as the following:
Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Gorge
Day 2: Dades Gorge to the Sahara desert
Day 3: The Sahara desert to Marrakech
Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga desert can be the best option if you want to see sand dunes and see magical sunsets. It is the most convenient location and easily accessible desert from Marrakech. The route to Erg Chebbi passes through the Dades Valley and is the ideal route for a 3 or 4-day trip from Marrakech. The trip can be done with a basic car, while the Erg Chegaga, another option available, requires a 4wd vehicle.
Merzouga is a Moroccan village on the edge of the Sahara. Every tour to the sand dunes from Marrakech goes through Ouarzazate. The city itself is known as the Hollywood of Africa as much of it was filmed in this region. It is also the most convenient starting point for many adventure activities, such as 4x4 excursions.
When you arrive in the Sahara, you can usually take a camel ride a few hours before sunset to reach your desert camp in the middle of the orange sand dunes. The desert camps have comfortable tents with showers and beds. Before bed time, by the campfire, and under a radiant sky with millions of shining stars, guests are served a Moroccan dinner with Berber music played by the camp team. There you can climb the highest sand dunes to enjoy views of the surrounding area and perhaps try sandboarding before returning to Marrakech via the Draa Valley. The Draa Valley is Morocco's largest valley and offers an array of beautiful views over the oasis and the color-changing mountains.