Merzouga Escape
Three days to reach the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleep at the bivouac and come back through the kasbahs.
The most requested escape from Marrakech: crossing the High Atlas, the southern valleys, then the dunes of Merzouga at sunset.
A night under canvas at the bivouac, the camel ride out to the dunes, and the return through the gorges and the kasbahs. Three days, two nights.
Photo library
The route, day by day
Three days and two nights from Marrakech, along the road of the kasbahs.
Marrakech › Dades valley
Crossing the High Atlas over the Tichka pass, then Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed earthen ksar. Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses before the night in the Dades valley.
About 330 kmDades › Merzouga
The Todra gorges and their 300-metre cliffs, the Ziz valley and its palm groves, then arrival at Merzouga. Riding out to the dunes by camel at sunset, a night at the bivouac.
About 260 kmMerzouga › Marrakech
Sunrise over Erg Chebbi, then the drive back to Marrakech via the Draa valley and the Tichka.
About 560 kmWhat is included — and what is not
Included in the package
- The Erg Chebbi desert at Merzouga
- A night at a bivouac in the dunes
- Riding out to the dunes by camel
- Transport and guidance from Marrakech
Not included
- International flights and air taxes
- Travel insurance and repatriation cover
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Site and museum entrance fees, unless stated otherwise
- Tips and personal spending
The exact content of the package — accommodation, vehicle category, excursions, level of comfort — is settled with you before any booking, and set out plainly on the quote.
What you cross
The route links some of the finest landscapes in southern Morocco.
Frequently asked questions
Are three days enough for the desert?
It is the classic short format: two long driving days on either side of the night at the bivouac. With four or five days the pace becomes far more comfortable — we adapt.
What is sleeping at the bivouac like?
Under canvas, out in the dunes. Several levels of comfort exist, from the traditional camp to the luxury camp: we suggest the option that matches your budget.
When is the best time for Merzouga?
October to April. In high summer the temperatures in the South are extreme; we advise against July and August for this trip.