3 DAY DESERT TOUR FROM RABAT TO MARRAKECH VIA MERZOUGA SAHARA

• Scenic drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains and cedar forests 
• Stop in Ifrane, known as the “Little Switzerland of Morocco” 
• Visit to Azrou cedar forest and wild Barbary macaques 
• Crossing the breathtaking Ziz Valley with palm groves and oasis landscapes 
• Arrival in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi dunes 
• Camel trekking experience at sunset across the Sahara 
• Overnight stay in a desert camp with Berber hospitality 
• Traditional Moroccan dinner with live music around the campfire 
• Sunrise experience over the Sahara dunes 
• Exploration of Todra Gorge and dramatic canyon landscapes 
• Scenic drive through Dades Valley and Atlas foothills 
• Visit to Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO World Heritage Site 
• Crossing the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka pass 
• Arrival and drop-off in Marrakech 

Day 1: Rabat – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert

Your journey begins in Rabat, where your driver will pick you up early in the morning. Leaving the city behind, you travel south through changing landscapes that gradually shift from coastal plains to mountain terrain.

The first major stop is Ifrane, a unique alpine-style town known for its clean architecture and cool atmosphere. The journey then continues into the cedar forests of Azrou, where you may encounter Barbary macaques living freely among ancient trees.

After lunch in Midelt or nearby, the route crosses the Middle Atlas Mountains, offering panoramic views of rugged peaks and valleys. As you descend toward the south, the scenery transforms dramatically into desert landscapes.

You then travel through the spectacular Ziz Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves stretching between rocky cliffs and fortified villages. Several stops are made for photography and panoramic views.

By late afternoon, you arrive in Merzouga, where the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi rise on the horizon. You settle into your accommodation near the desert and enjoy a peaceful evening.

Overnight in Merzouga.

Day 2: Merzouga Desert Experience – Camel Trek – Sahara Camp

After breakfast, the day is dedicated to exploring the Merzouga desert region.

You begin with a visit to Khamlia village, home to the Gnawa community, where you will experience a live traditional music performance characterized by spiritual rhythms and African influences. The journey continues to nearby desert areas and nomadic families living in traditional tents. Here, you are welcomed with mint tea and introduced to their desert lifestyle and cultural traditions.

Later in the afternoon, you prepare for the highlight of the journey: a camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes. Riding through the golden sands at a slow pace, you experience the silence and vastness of the Sahara.

As the sun sets, the dunes are painted in deep orange and red tones. You arrive at your desert camp, where you are welcomed with Moroccan hospitality, mint tea, and traditional dinner.

The evening continues with Berber drumming, music, and storytelling around the campfire. The night is spent in a private tent under an extraordinary star-filled sky.

Overnight in a luxury desert camp.

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley – Marrakech

Wake up early to witness sunrise over the Sahara dunes, a peaceful moment where light slowly transforms the desert landscape.

After breakfast, you depart Merzouga and travel toward Rissani, an ancient desert town that once served as a major trading hub for caravans crossing the Sahara. If your visit coincides with a market day, you will experience a lively traditional souk.

The journey continues to Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s most impressive natural wonders. Massive canyon walls rise vertically on both sides of a narrow river, creating a dramatic and refreshing contrast to the desert.

After a stop for lunch, you continue through the Dades Valley, known for its winding roads, rock formations, and traditional Berber villages.

The route then leads toward the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass, where panoramic mountain views stretch across deep valleys and remote villages.

By late afternoon or evening, you arrive in Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.

End of the tour.