3-Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga
Minimum Participants
1
Duration
3 Days
Tour from
Ouarzazate
Overview
For travelers who love adventure, nature, and off-the-beaten-path experiences, this 3-day tour is ideal. Perfect for photographers and explorers alike, it unveils some of Morocco’s most remote and striking landscapes, from winding valleys and rugged mountains to desert expanses and traditional Berber villages.
This journey takes you through the scenic regions of Draa and Tafilalt, offering a glimpse of Morocco’s rich culture, dramatic terrain, and timeless desert beauty. Along the way, you will traverse rose-filled valleys, majestic gorges, ancient kasbahs, and endless sand dunes, while enjoying authentic local cuisine, traditional music, and the warm hospitality of Berber communities.
Highlights
- Discover the fragrant Valley of Roses and the dramatic Dades Valley
- Explore the Todra Gorges and experience their towering cliffs
- Journey through Erfoud to the edge of the Sahara
- Enjoy a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
- Spend a magical night under the stars in a desert camp
- Drive through the lush Draa Valley on the return to Ouarzazate
Itinerary
3-Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga
Day 1: Ouarzazate – Valley of Roses – Dades Valley – Todra Gorges
The adventure begins with a morning pickup from your accommodation, heading east from Ouarzazate. Your route first passes through Skoura, a lush palm oasis dotted with centuries-old kasbahs. Continuing onward, you reach the Valley of Roses, where you can see the region’s famous rose products crafted locally, from oils to perfumes. After a scenic off-road drive through striking landscapes, you arrive at the Dades Valley for lunch and time to wander through its unique gorges, gardens, and rock formations. The day concludes with a drive to the Todra Gorges, where the sheer cliffs offer breathtaking views. Overnight is spent nearby.
Day 2: Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert
After breakfast, you explore the Todra Gorges further, taking a walk along its narrow canyon paths framed by towering cliffs. The journey then continues toward the Sahara, passing through Tinghir, Tinjdad, and the fertile Tafilalet oasis near Erfoud. Along the way, you may visit fascinating underground water channels that showcase ingenious traditional irrigation methods. Erfoud is known for its fossil-rich terrain, and a stop here allows you to witness these ancient treasures. Lunch is served in a local Berber village before reaching Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, you embark on a camel ride to catch a mesmerizing desert sunset, followed by a traditional dinner and an overnight stay in a nomadic-style desert camp beneath the stars.
Day 3: Merzouga – N’Kob – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate
Wake up early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, a spectacle of shifting colors and shadows. The return journey to Ouarzazate takes you through the scenic Draa Valley. Stop in Tazzarine, a village featured in film productions, before reaching N’Kob for lunch. In the afternoon, travel along ancient caravan paths through the heart of the Draa Valley, passing towering palm groves and historic Berber settlements. The tour concludes with your arrival back in Ouarzazate, marking the end of a memorable desert adventure.
Included
Private or small-group transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Professional, licensed driver and/or local guide (according to the tour)
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, riad, or agreed meeting point
Accommodation (hotels, riads, desert camps) as specified in the itinerary
Breakfasts & Dinners (depends on the type of accommodation you choose)
Activities and experiences stated in the itinerary (quad biking, camel trekking, excursions, etc.)
All fuel, road tolls, and parking fees
Local assistance and 24/7 customer support during your tour
Excluded
International or domestic flights
Travel insurance and personal expenses
Drinks and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Entrance fees to monuments and attractions (unless stated otherwise)
Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and staff (optional but appreciated)
Optional activities not listed in the tour program
