4-Day Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga — All Inclusive
The same legendary route as our 3-day tour, with an extra day to slow down in the gorges and the dunes.
Introduction
The 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is for travellers who want the Sahara without the rush. It follows the same iconic route as our signature 3-day trip — over the High Atlas, through Ait Ben Haddou and the great gorges to the dunes of Erg Chebbi — but adds a full extra day in the desert, so instead of arriving and leaving you actually live the Sahara for a day: nomad families, Gnawa music, fossil fields, a second sunset and a second sunrise. Below is the complete day-by-day itinerary, real pricing, what's included, the best time to travel and everything else you need to plan with confidence.
Overview
If three days feels rushed, this is the tour for you. The 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour follows the same memorable road across the High Atlas to the Erg Chebbi dunes, but adds a full extra day so you can linger in the Dades and Todra gorges, spend more time in the desert, and travel without watching the clock. As always, everything is run by our own family and team.
It's the ideal choice for travellers who want the complete southern Morocco experience — kasbahs, gorges, oases and the deep Sahara — at a pace that lets it all sink in.
Why choose this tour
What sets this 4-day tour apart:
- A real rest day in the dunes. Day 3 has no long drive — it's the difference between seeing the desert and understanding it.
- Owned and run by us. Our Berber family owns the hotel, the camp and the camels at Erg Chebbi, so quality and price stay in our hands — no broker chain.
- Private and flexible. Your own vehicle and guide, your own pace, finish in Marrakech or Fes.
- Genuine comfort. A kasbah hotel and a private en-suite luxury tent — not a thin mattress under canvas.
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m)
- UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Dades Valley & the dramatic Dades Gorge switchbacks
- Todra Gorge — 300 m walls just metres apart
- Sunset camel trek & a night in the luxury desert camp
- A slower second day in the Sahara before the return
- Sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Morning. Pick-up from your Marrakech accommodation around 7:30 am and south into the High Atlas Mountains, climbing the switchbacks to the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) with a tea-and-photo stop at the top. Scenic route: red-earth Berber villages, walnut terraces and big mountain panoramas.
Late morning — Ait Ben Haddou. We reach the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, crossing the riverbed and climbing through its earthen lanes to the granary at the top. History & culture: an 11th-century caravan stronghold and the set of Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Photography: the kasbah from across the Ounila River in morning light.
Lunch & afternoon. Lunch on a terrace overlooking the ksar (own account), then on to Ouarzazate and east along the Valley of the Roses to the Dades Valley.
Evening & accommodation. Check in to a kasbah-style hotel in the Dades and enjoy a Moroccan dinner. Travel time: ~6–7 h with stops · distance: ~330 km. Insider tip: sit on the left in the morning for the best Atlas views. Dinner & breakfast included.
Day 2Day 2: Dades Gorge → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga → sunset camel trek → luxury camp
Morning. After breakfast, the dramatic Dades Gorge and its 'monkey-finger' rock formations, then the soaring Todra Gorge near Tinghir, where 300 m walls narrow over a clear river — time to walk the canyon floor.
Lunch & afternoon. Lunch in Tinghir or Erfoud (own account), famous for dates and fossils, then across emptying plains until the Erg Chebbi dunes rise on the horizon at Merzouga.
Evening — camel trek & camp. A sunset camel trek about an hour into the dunes to our private luxury camp, with dinner, Berber drumming and a sky full of stars. Accommodation: private en-suite tent with a real bed and hot shower. Travel time: ~5 h driving + ~1 h camel · distance: ~290 km. Insider tip: pack a small overnight bag and a warm layer. Dinner & breakfast included.
Day 3Day 3: A full day in the Sahara — nomads, Khamlia Gnawa music, fossils & the dunes
Morning. Wake for sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at camp, then a relaxed day with no long drive. Activities: a 4x4 to nomad families still living in the old way, the Gnawa music village of Khamlia, fossil fields and the seasonal Dayet Srij lake (flamingos in spring).
Afternoon & evening. Return to the hotel to relax by the pool with dune views, or sandboard the slopes, before a second night in the dunes — many guests say this slower day is their favourite. Cultural experience: share mint tea with a nomad family and hear how desert life follows the seasons. Insider tip: the light at golden hour is unbeatable for photography. Breakfast & dinner included.
Day 4Day 4: Sahara sunrise → Merzouga → Ouarzazate → return to Marrakech (or Fes)
Morning. A final Sahara sunrise if you wish, breakfast and a shower, then the return drive west. Scenic route: back through the kasbah valleys with photo and tea stops and lunch along the way (own account), recrossing the Tizi n'Tichka.
Arrival. We aim to reach your Marrakech accommodation by early evening, or we can finish in Fes at no extra distance cost. Travel time: ~8 h with stops · distance: ~560 km. Insider tip: keep onward flights to mid-evening or later on Day 4. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
You stay three nights: two nights in comfortable kasbah-style hotels (one in the Dades Valley, plus the desert hotel at Merzouga) and one night in our private luxury desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes — a private en-suite tent with a real bed, hot shower and plenty of blankets. Family tents and a decorated honeymoon tent are available. See the luxury desert camp page for full details.
Transport
Travel is by private air-conditioned 4x4 or modern minivan with fuel and an experienced English/French/Spanish-speaking driver-guide throughout. All main roads are paved; the only off-road section is the gentle approach to the camp by camel (or 4x4 if you prefer). The 4-day pacing means shorter daily drives than the 3-day tour and a genuine day off the road in the desert.
Pick-up & meeting point
We collect you directly from your riad or hotel in Marrakech at around 7:30 am on Day 1; the exact time is confirmed by WhatsApp the night before. Arriving from the airport the evening before? We can arrange a private transfer.
Included & not included
- ✓Private 4x4 with fuel & driver-guide
- ✓Marrakech hotel pick-up & drop-off
- ✓2 nights in kasbah hotels + 1 night luxury desert camp
- ✓Sunset & sunrise camel trek
- ✓Half board (dinner & breakfast daily)
- ✓English/French/Spanish driver
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches & drinks
- ✗Monument entrance fees
- ✗Tips
- ✗Travel insurance
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; prices fall as your group grows.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €820 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €660 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €550 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
Like all our desert tours, the 4-day runs year-round, with spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) the most comfortable. The extra desert day makes this itinerary especially rewarding in the cooler months, when you can spend the middle of the day exploring rather than sheltering from the heat. See our best time to visit the Sahara guide for a month-by-month breakdown.
What to pack
Pack light layers for warm days and a warm jacket for cool desert nights, a scarf for sun and sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a head-torch, a power bank and a swimsuit for the pool. For the camp night, a small overnight bag is easier than a full suitcase. Full list: Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
Insider tips: use the rest day (Day 3) for the 4x4 to Khamlia and the nomads — it's the highlight many guests miss on shorter tours; carry small dirham notes for lunches, tips and entry fees, as ATMs are scarce past Ouarzazate; and book any onward travel from Marrakech for the evening of Day 4 or later. Want it even slower, with the oases and Skoura? See the 5-day tour.
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 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
★★★★★
Hassan and the hosts made me feel at home. The food was like a culinary journey and the location against the Sahara dunes was stunning. Watching the sunset over the dunes was a magical moment.
Joel Harris · Google · 2025
★★★★★
A great experience at Auberge Les Roches and their camp. The camel desert ride and camping experience was amazing. Special mention for their food and the friendliness of the guys at the camp.
Carlos Sousa · Google · 2024
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 4-day better than the 3-day tour?
If you have the time, yes — the extra day removes the rush and adds a relaxed day in the Sahara. The 3-day tour is best if you're short on days.
Can the tour end in Fes?
Yes, at no extra distance cost — just tell us when booking.
Is the desert camp night included?
Yes — one night in our private luxury Erg Chebbi camp, with the camel trek, dinner and breakfast.
Are departures daily?
Private departures run any day. Tell us your dates and we'll confirm.
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.