2-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
Reach the tall Erg Chebbi dunes from Marrakech in two days — a long but rewarding drive for those short on time.
Introduction
The 2-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour is the express option for the Sahara's tallest dunes. It is a real road trip — about nine hours each way — so it suits travellers who are tight on time but still want to stand on the big Erg Chebbi dunes, ride a camel at sunset and sleep in our desert camp. If your schedule allows a third day, the 3-day tour is gentler; if not, this gets you there. Below is the full itinerary, pricing, the best time to travel and our practical tips.
Overview
If you want the famous Erg Chebbi dunes but only have two days, this tour gets you there and back at a brisk pace. Day one is a long drive over the Atlas and through the gorges to Merzouga in time for a sunset camel trek to our luxury camp; day two is sunrise over the dunes and the return. It is more driving than the 3-day tour, but it reaches the tall dunes that Zagora can't match.
Why choose this tour
Why take the 2-day Merzouga route:
- The big dunes, fast — Erg Chebbi, not the smaller Zagora dunes.
- Our own camp and camels at Merzouga, with honest private pricing.
- Private and flexible — finish in Marrakech or Fes.
Highlights
- High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Dades and Todra gorges (photo stops)
- The tall Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
- Sunset camel trek to a luxury camp
- Sahara sunrise
- Run in-house by our Berber team
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Todra Gorge → Merzouga → camel trek → camp
An early start (around 7:00 am) over the Tizi n'Tichka, a quick stop at Ait Ben Haddou, then east via Ouarzazate and the Todra Gorge to Merzouga. A sunset camel trek to our luxury camp, dinner and music. Driving: ~9 hours · distance: ~560 km. Dinner and breakfast included.
Day 2Day 2: sunrise → Merzouga → return to Marrakech
Sunrise over Erg Chebbi, breakfast at the camp, then the drive back to Marrakech via the gorges with photo stops. We can also drop you in Fes. Driving: ~9 hours · distance: ~560 km. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You sleep one night in a private desert camp with an en-suite tent, a real bed, a hot shower and plenty of blankets. Family tents and a decorated honeymoon tent are available. See the luxury camp page for the full setup.
Transport
Transport is by private air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with fuel and an English-speaking driver-guide throughout, at a relaxed pace with stops for photos, tea and breaks. The driver is local and knows the back roads and the quiet viewpoints.
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you from your riad or hotel, with the exact pickup time confirmed by WhatsApp the night before. Need an airport transfer first? We arrange those too.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 with fuel and driver-guide
- ✓Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel
- ✓1 night in our luxury Erg Chebbi desert camp
- ✓Sunset and sunrise camel trek
- ✓Dinner and breakfast (half board)
- ✓English-speaking driver
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches and drinks
- ✗Monument entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; the 3-day version is more relaxed for a small extra cost.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
This trip runs all year. The most comfortable months are March to May and September to November, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights in the desert get cold, so bring a warm layer; July and August are hot at midday, so we keep the camel trek to sunrise and sunset. See our best time to visit guide.
What to pack
Bring light layers for the day and a warm jacket for cold desert nights, a scarf for sun and sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sun cream, a refillable water bottle, a head-torch and a power bank. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
What to expect: real driving distances on good but winding roads — bring something for motion sickness if you're prone to it. Tips: carry small dirham notes for lunches, entry fees and tips, and keep onward flights to the evening of the final day or later.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
The best food we had all trip — highly recommend eating dinner here, it is truly delicious. The rooms are comfortable and the pool is a treat. We also did the one-night desert camp stay.
Katharina Fromherz · Google · 2025
★★★★★
The staff were very friendly and always ready to help. The hotel organized a fantastic camel tour and an overnight stay in the desert — a unique experience. The dunes start right behind the house.
Franziska Schmölzl · Google · 2024
★★★★★
The best part were the activities: a quad tour was arranged for us in minutes, and we took a jeep tour the next day with guide Asis, who was awesome and led us to a nomad camp. Highly recommend!
Henrik H. · Google · 2025
Related
LuxuryFrequently asked questions
Is two days enough to reach Merzouga?
It works, but day one is a long ~9-hour drive. If you can spare a third day, the 3-day tour is far more relaxed.
Why go to Merzouga instead of Zagora in 2 days?
Merzouga has the tall Erg Chebbi dunes; Zagora's are smaller. Zagora is the easier 2-day trip, Merzouga the more spectacular.
Is the luxury camp included?
Yes — one night in our private camp with camel trek and half board.
Can it finish in Fes?
Yes, at no extra distance cost — just ask when booking.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.