3 Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
How to Book a Tour of the Sahara Desert from Marrakech
How to book a 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech was the question I asked myself before I visited beautiful Morocco. A guided Sahara Desert tour to see the dunes of Erg Chebbi had been on my radar for many years, and I was thrilled that I was finally about to experience this remote, breathtaking part of the world.
Booking a Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech turned out to be surprisingly easy. There were many tour companies offering 3-day Sahara tours, Erg Chebbi tours, and multi-day packages to Merzouga.
I booked a three-day Sahara tour that made several stops during the nine-hour journey from Marrakech to Merzouga, the gateway to both the Sahara Desert and Erg Chebbi. I was shocked that the tour was under $200 — including two nights of accommodation and most meals. Throughout the tour, I saw unforgettable sights and made great friendships. This Sahara Desert tour remains one of my all-time favorite travel experiences.
A Video of My Tour of the Sahara Desert
This video highlights my time in the Moroccan Sahara Desert near the dunes of Erg Chebbi. As part of a Sahara Desert tour and a 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech, I rode a camel from Merzouga to a traditional Berber Camp, watched the sunset and sunrise over the dunes, and experienced Berber music around the campfire.
How to Take a Tour of the Sahara Desert from Marrakech - Table of Contents
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Day One of My 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech
My Sahara Desert tour began with a 7:00 a.m. pickup near Café France in the Medina of Marrakech. After accidentally hitting my head on a wooden beam in one of the narrow streets, I found the van waiting outside.
The van had about 13 rows in a two-by-one configuration. I was the first to arrive and took the single seat near the door — which later helped when I began feeling car sick.
Within twenty minutes, the van was full of excited travelers. A group of Europeans who met at their hostel joined us along with our driver/guide, Isam.
Driving Over the Atlas Mountains
Our first destination was the ancient ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, requiring a four-hour drive over the Atlas Mountains. The road was scenic but full of switchbacks. After two hours, I felt ill and Isam thankfully pulled over just in time — after vomiting, I felt much better and made it the rest of the way.
Ait Ben Haddou – A UNESCO Site & Filming Location
Touring the Historic Ksar
After four hours of driving, we reached Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best examples of traditional Moroccan clay architecture. This fortified village once served as a major caravan stop between the Sahara and Marrakech.
Isam introduced us to our local guide, who led us into the ksar and explained its deep history.
Movies Filmed at Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou has been used as the filming location for many movies, including:
Gladiator
The Jewel of the Nile
The Mummy (scenes nearby)
Prince of Persia
Game of Thrones (as Yunkai)
Because of its UNESCO status, movie sets must be removed after filming to preserve the site. The only exception is the city gate built for The Jewel of the Nile in 1985, constructed before the UNESCO designation.
Views from the Top of the Ksar
We explored for about an hour, learning about the Asif Ounila River, which was almost dry during our visit. Our guide said that in the coming month, the wet season would likely fill the river again.
From the top of the ksar, we enjoyed panoramic views of the clay architecture, river valley, and surrounding mesas.
Afterward, we had lunch and then continued toward Ouarzazate.
A Quick Stop in Ouarzazate
Kasbah Taourirt vs. Cinema Museum
About 45 minutes later, we arrived in Ouarzazate, sometimes called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” We had two options:
Visit the Ouarzazate Cinema Museum, or
Explore the Taourirt Kasbah
Most of our group chose the kasbah. Built with traditional clay architecture, parts of it date to the 17th century. We wandered through its narrow alleys, nearly getting lost, but eventually found the parking lot again.
Night One Accommodations - Citadelle Gorges Hotel
After leaving Ouarzazate, we drove two more hours to our accommodation near the Dades Gorge. The Citadelle Gorges Hotel was comfortable, though unheated (temperatures dropped into the low 40s that night).
I was happy to have my own bathroom with hot water. Dinner was at 8:00 p.m., and I slept well before our 7:30 a.m. breakfast.
Day Two of My 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech
Visiting a Berber Village
After departing the hotel, we stopped at a Berber Village and met a unique guide with strong opinions about wealth and success. Photography was not allowed inside the village.
We later visited a weaving center where women make Berber carpets, often taking six months to complete. After a tea ceremony, carpets were offered for sale.
I negotiated a red Berber carpet down from $800 to $300, which was my maximum budget. Another woman in our group later said she bought a similar one for $200 — a reminder that in Morocco, prices vary widely.
I knew that later that evening, we would be staying at a Berber Camp in the Sahara, so learning about these traditions felt especially meaningful.
Dades Gorge
We then continued to Dades Gorge, famous for its towering reddish-orange cliffs rising up to 1,600 feet. Several movies, including The Mummy, filmed scenes in this region.
We explored for about 30 minutes before heading to lunch — our last stop before Merzouga.
Merzouga – Gateway to Erg Chebbi
After lunch, we drove four hours to Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert and the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes. Waiting for us was a line of Sahara Desert camels (dromedaries).
The cameleer told us we could name our camels — I named mine David (Dah-Veed).
Camel Trek to the Erg Chebbi Dunes
Riding Into the Sahara Desert
Our driver Isam stayed behind as Berber guides led us into the desert. The camel ride took about an hour, with several stops for sunset photos.
The ride was beautiful but uncomfortable. Back home, I learned I had partially torn my labrum when my camel slipped and I grabbed the saddle tightly.
During our camel ride through the dunes Erg Chebbi, I enjoyed taking photos of the shadows of our camels as the sun set on the Sahara Desert’s dunes.
Below is one of my favorite photos of the camel ride. I took this photograph using the widest focal setting on my GoPro, which provided a great point-of-view perspective.
Sunset on the Dunes
We stopped near some of the tallest dunes to watch the sunset. The sand glowed deep red as the sun dipped behind the horizon. Some group members climbed the dunes while I photographed them from below.
Night Two: Berber Camp in the Sahara Desert
Inside the Desert Camp
We arrived at the desert Berber Camp, where I learned the accommodations would be shared tents — something not mentioned in the tour description. Each tent had four beds and a basic bathroom with intermittent running water.
Most camps use solar power, with limited electricity available only for a few hours in the evening. Despite the simplicity of the setup, the Berber Camp felt warm and welcoming.
Berber Music & Night Sky
After dinner, our Berber hosts performed traditional music around a bonfire. The night sky was stunning. I attempted a few night photos without a tripod — one turned out okay.
I slept surprisingly well and woke at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast.
Day Three of the 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech
Sunrise Camel Ride
We left before sunrise, riding camels deeper into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sun rise over the Sahara. It felt like the perfect finale to this Sahara Desert tour.
Most of the ride was dark, so I have few photos.
About 45 minutes in, we stopped at a tall dune near Merzouga.
I climbed to the top and photographed the dunes stretching toward the city.
After spending about 30 minutes climbing the dunes, it was time to get back on the camels and return to Merzouga.
Returning to Merzouga
After sunrise, we returned to Merzouga. I thanked my camel, James, who was much more comfortable than David. He even “smiled” in our final photo.
The Long Drive Back to Marrakech
Isam greeted us back at the van. The return to Marrakech took about ten hours, with stops for lunch, snacks, and restrooms.
I arrived around 8:30 p.m. and reached my hotel by 9:00 p.m. The Riad Dar Hamid Hotel and Spa had kindly stored my suitcase and placed it in my room before I returned. I highly recommend them.
Sahara Desert and Erg Chebbi Tours and Packages
The best way to visit the Sahara Desert and the dunes of Erg Chebbi is through a guided tour. Below are several tour options that suit different budgets and travel styles.
This page contains affiliate links to Viator. If you book a tour using my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my travel blog and allows me to continue sharing travel experiences and tips.
Frequently Asked Questions – 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech
Is a 3 day Sahara tour from Marrakech worth it?
Yes. A 3 Day Sahara Tour from Marrakech is the minimum amount of time needed to reach the real Sahara and the tall dunes of Erg Chebbi. Shorter 2-day tours only reach Zagora, which has smaller dunes.
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
The drive takes 9–10 hours each way, with several stops at Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge, and Berber villages.
Are the camels comfortable?
Most travelers find camel riding a bit uncomfortable. Plan on 1 hour at sunset and 1 hour at sunrise.
Can you shower at the Berber Camp?
Many camps offer basic showers with limited water pressure. Water may be intermittent due to desert conditions, but most travelers still enjoy the experience of staying at a Berber Camp deep in the desert.
Do the tents have electricity?
Most camps use solar power, available only before sunset.
What should I pack for the Sahara?
Warm clothes (nights are cold), a power bank, headlamp, cash for tips, sandals, sunglasses, and a scarf for sand.
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