Sahara nights: Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes
Cross the High Atlas, sleep in the Dades Gorge and ride a camel into the dunes for a night in a desert camp.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group size
- Up to 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Guided in
- English
- Starts in
- Marrakech
Overview
Three days, 1,300 kilometres and a complete change of scenery: from the red city of Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, past mud-brick kasbahs and palm oases, to the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi on the edge of the Sahara.
You travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus with a Berber driver-guide, stopping for photos, mint tea and the best tagine on the route. The last stretch is on camelback, arriving at camp in time for sunset from the top of a dune.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas on the Tizi n’Tichka pass, 2,260 m up
- Explore Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village from Gladiator
- Watch the sunset from the Erg Chebbi dunes
- A night of Berber drumming and stars in a desert camp
The route
7 stops, 1076 km, about 19 hr 30 min on the move. Times are a guide and shift with the weather and the group.
Day 1
10am for 20 min
Tizi n’Tichka pass
The highest road pass in North Africa, with views back over the snow-capped Atlas.
Minibus, 1 hr 30 min, 85 km
12pm for 2 hr
Ait Ben Haddou
A walled village of earth kasbahs climbing a hill above the Ounila river, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meals: lunch
Minibus, 3 hr 30 min, 190 kmThrough the Valley of Roses
6pm
Dades Gorge
Red rock walls and the famous switchback road. Dinner and the night at a kasbah hotel.
- Meals: dinner
- Sleep: Kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorge
Minibus, 1 hr, 55 km
Day 2
9:30am for 1 hr
Todra Gorge
Walk between canyon walls 300 m high, with climbers on the rock above.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
Minibus, 3 hr, 180 km
4:30pm for 30 min
Merzouga
Meet your camels at the edge of the dunes.
Walk, 1 hr 30 min, 6 kmOn camelback, or walking alongside
6:30pm
Erg Chebbi desert camp
Sunset from the dunes, dinner under the stars and Berber music around the fire. Wake early for sunrise.
- Meals: dinner
- Sleep: Desert camp, private tent with bed
Minibus, 9 hr, 560 kmLong drive back with stops
Day 3
7pm
Back in Marrakech
Drop-off at Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
- Meals: breakfast
Dates and prices
- Adult £179, Student £159, Child £99
- 10% off when you book 45 days ahead
Starts 7am
Back Sat, 26 Sept 2026
Guaranteed to run
Booking closed
£99
Starts 7am
Back Mon, 28 Sept 2026
Guaranteed to run
10 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Wed, 30 Sept 2026
Guaranteed to run
15 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Sat, 3 Oct 2026
Guaranteed to run
11 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Mon, 5 Oct 2026
10 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Wed, 7 Oct 2026
16 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Sat, 10 Oct 2026
16 seats left
£99
Starts 7am
Back Mon, 12 Oct 2026
16 seats left
£99
What’s included
What’s included
- Air-conditioned minibus and driver-guide
- Hotel in the Dades Gorge and desert camp
- Two breakfasts and two dinners
- Camel ride to and from camp
Not included
- Lunches (around £6 each)
- Local guides at Ait Ben Haddou (optional)
- Tips
What to bring
- A warm layer: desert nights are cold
- Scarf or shemagh for sand
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Headtorch
Good to know
Where to meet
Koutoubia Mosque car park
Avenue Mohammed V, Marrakech
Pick-up is at 07:00. Look for the minibus with the Lost Backpackers sign.
Finishes: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech, around 19:00 on day 3
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Gentle walking, fine for most fitness levels.
Mostly driving, with short walks. The camel ride is about 90 minutes each way; you can walk alongside instead.
Where you’ll sleep
A kasbah hotel in the Dades Gorge and a desert camp with private tents
Accessibility
The minibus has a step. The camp has shared toilets a short walk across sand. Tell us if you need a room on the ground floor.
Cancelling
Cancel up to 7 days before your departure for a full refund. Within 7 days, we can’t refund, but you can move to another date once for free.
Questions
Do I have to ride a camel?
No. Walking alongside takes about the same time, and your bags go on the camels either way.
Are the tents shared?
Each booking gets its own tent with proper beds. Solo travellers can share to save money; ask us.