Discovering the 3 days trip to desert

Discovering the 3 days trip to desert

This budget Shared 3 days Marrakech desert tour to Merzouga is our most popular Morocco desert tour departing every day from Marrakech and it is perfect for those who want to discover the deep Morocco Sahara desert and don’t mind long hours driving (especially on day 3). The tour is rich in scenery; you will never be bored as you will be busy admiring one scene after another. The dramatic landscape change is amazing: From the fertile Haouz planes around Marrakech, to the High Atlas Mountains, then to various valley and oases, and at the end, rocky plateaus followed by the breath taking Erg Chebbi sand dunes.

Itinerary

Day 1: MARRAKECH -KASBAH AIT BEN HADOU -BOUMALNE DADES

Stop At: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Douar Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou 45000 Morocco
Your budget shared 3 days desert trip from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning with a drive east of Marrakech past small suburban towns to the High Atlas Mountains. A few stops will be made to take photos, enjoy the scenery, stretch your legs and drink a cup of coffee.
Drive uphill on curvy roads to the famous Tizi Ntichka pass before you reach Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the first major stop today for sighseeing. The Berber fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO listed landmark and is also known a set for major Hollywood epics, just to name a few movies that used the village for shooting: Kingdom of Heaven, Lawrence of Arabia, and Gladiator. Cross the river separating the Kasbah from the main road and explore the village at leisure. Should you wish to hire a local guide, they are available onsite.
After lunch at leisure at one of the local cafes, continue to to Dades valley driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Klaa Mgouna, the capital of the valley of the roses, and famous for its rose water artisanal distillation factories.
Upon arrival at Boumalne Dades, Follow Dades River on a tiny road passing by different fortified Kasbahs located on the side of the road to Dades Canyons. You will arrive to your hotel late in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at your Dades hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: simple hotel

Day 2: BOUMALNE DADES -TINGHIR - MERZOUGA

Stop At: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga Morocco
After breakfast at your hotel in Dades Valley, our journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to the oasis of Tighir, where we will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to Todgha where you will stop for a walk in the oasis under the shade of palm trees and continue to Todgha Gorges.
After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café ( At leisure ), we continue early in the afternoon to to Rissani, famous for its dates market, and being a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tomboctou. After a quick stop, we will continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape.
Upon arrival at Palais Des dunes lodge, feel free to take a swim at their freshening pool before getting ready for your sunset desert trek to the camp.
Meet our camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing sand dunes with the sunset in the horizon as a backdrop. We reach our Sahara desert camp before darkness.
After some time to admire the sand dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to the campfire. Late at night, you local nomad hosts will be entertaining you with their drums.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: have a night in camp

Day 3: MERZOUGA -OUARZAZATE-MARRAKECH

Stop At: Marrakech Magic Theater, 419 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102-2009
After an early sunrise camel trek through Erg Chebbi dunes, arrive at the camp operator's lodge for breakfast, shower and maybe a quick swim at the lodge pool if time permits.
Meet your driver and vehicle and drive back to Ouarzazate. After some time at leisure for lunch, we carry on in the afternoon to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.
Your budget shared 3 days desert tour will end in Marrakech at about 19h00.
Duration: 11 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.