morocco camel caravan desert

Marrakech Desert Tours 2 Days – Merzouga & Erg Chebbi

Head out from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes on a 2-day Merzouga desert tour with a camel ride, Sahara sunset, desert camp and a scenic return through Ait Ben Haddou.

Departure city
Marrakech
Duration
2 Days / 1 Night

2 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

This 2 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is designed for travelers who have very little time but still want to reach the Sahara and experience the dunes of Erg Chebbi. It is a fast-paced journey with long driving hours, but in two days you travel from the High Atlas Mountains to one of Morocco’s best-known desert landscapes.

Your journey starts early in Marrakech and heads across the High Atlas Mountains. Mountain roads, changing valleys and small villages gradually give way to the drier landscapes of southeastern Morocco as you continue toward Merzouga.

By late afternoon, you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, the road journey ends and the desert experience begins. Meet the camel team and cross the dunes during a traditional Morocco camel ride, with time to enjoy the changing colors of the Sahara around sunset.

The night is spent at a Merzouga desert camp, where dinner is served before an evening in the desert. Depending on the camp and conditions, traditional drums and Amazigh music may be played around the fire before you settle into your private tent.

The following morning begins with the option to wake early for sunrise over Erg Chebbi. After breakfast, you leave Merzouga and start the long journey back toward Marrakech, with a short stop or panoramic view around Ait Ben Haddou when timing allows.

Among Marrakech desert tours, this two-day route is best suited to travelers whose priority is reaching Merzouga in the shortest practical itinerary. Because the distance is considerable, travelers who prefer more time for Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades or Todra should consider a 3-day desert tour instead.

Journey experience

Tour highlights

  • High Atlas Mountains
  • Marrakech to Merzouga road trip
  • Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Sahara sunset
  • Morocco camel ride
  • Camel caravan
  • Merzouga desert camp
  • Private desert tent
  • Traditional Amazigh music
  • Sahara sunrise
  • Ait Ben Haddou
  • Mountain viewpoints
  • Return to Marrakech

Day by day

Your itinerary

  1. Your 2 day desert tour from Marrakech begins early in the morning with pickup from your hotel, riad or an agreed accessible location in Marrakech. Today is a long travel day, so an early departure gives you the best chance of reaching Merzouga with enough time to enjoy the desert before nightfall.

    Morning — Crossing the High Atlas Mountains

    Leaving Marrakech behind, the road begins climbing into the High Atlas Mountains. The scenery changes quickly as the city gives way to mountain slopes, deep valleys and small villages built along the road.

    There will be practical stops along the journey for panoramic views, refreshments and lunch. Because this is an express two-day itinerary, stops are shorter than on a 3-day or 4-day desert tour.

    Afternoon — Road to Merzouga

    Continue southeast toward Merzouga as the mountain scenery gradually changes into wider and drier landscapes. The final section of the journey brings you toward the Tafilalet region and eventually the edge of the Sahara.

    After approximately 560 km of driving, the golden Erg Chebbi dunes begin to appear near Merzouga.

    Sunset — Camel Ride Across Erg Chebbi

    On arrival, meet the camel team and prepare a small overnight bag before starting your Morocco camel ride into the dunes.

    The camel caravan moves away from the road and deeper into Erg Chebbi. When weather and arrival time allow, you can stop on the dunes and watch the afternoon light change across the Sahara before continuing toward the camp.

    Evening — Dinner and Night in the Sahara

    Arrive at your desert camp and settle into your private tent. Dinner is served at camp, followed by time to relax beneath the desert sky.

    Depending on the camp program, the evening may include traditional drums and Amazigh music from Morocco around the fire. After a long day on the road, the quiet of the Sahara offers a completely different atmosphere from Marrakech.

    Driving distance: approximately 560 km
    Driving time: approximately 9–10 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and stops.

The moments that define this journey

The biggest advantage of this 2 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is simple: it allows travelers with only one night available to reach the Erg Chebbi dunes rather than staying closer to Marrakech.

You travel through several very different landscapes in a short period of time. Marrakech and the High Atlas are left behind as the road moves toward the dry plains of southeastern Morocco and finally the Sahara around Merzouga.

The desert experience is the focus of the tour. After reaching Erg Chebbi, you leave the vehicle behind for a camel ride in Morocco, watch the light change over the dunes and spend the night at a desert camp.

The following morning gives you another perspective of the Sahara, with the possibility of watching sunrise before beginning the return journey. A stop around Ait Ben Haddou also adds one of southern Morocco’s most recognizable historic landscapes to the route.

It is important to know that this is an express itinerary. Marrakech and Merzouga are far apart, so both days involve many hours of driving. If your priority is spending more time visiting kasbahs, valleys and gorges along the way, a 3-day itinerary will be more comfortable. If your priority is reaching Erg Chebbi in two days, this tour is designed for exactly that.

Tour details

What's included in your experience

What's included

Included in your journey

  • Pickup from your accommodation or agreed meeting point in Marrakech
  • Private air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle or comfortable minivan
  • Professional driver during the complete 2-day tour
  • Transportation from Marrakech to Merzouga and return
  • One night in a private tent at a Merzouga desert camp
  • Dinner at the desert camp
  • Breakfast on the second morning
  • Camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes
  • Sunset experience in the Sahara when timing and weather allow
  • 4x4 transfer to or from the camp when required
  • Scenic and rest stops described in the itinerary
  • Drop-off in Marrakech
Not included

What to plan separately

  • Lunches
  • Drinks
  • Entrance fees where applicable
  • Local guide at Ait Ben Haddou
  • Optional quad bike or buggy activities in Merzouga
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities

Tour gallery

Picture yourself on this journey

Tour photos

Marrakech Desert Tours 2 Days – Merzouga & Erg Chebbi

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Your route on the map

Before you book

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your main goal is to reach Merzouga and experience Erg Chebbi in a short amount of time. However, this is a fast-paced itinerary with around 9–10 hours of driving on each day. Travelers who want longer visits at Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades or Todra should consider a 3-day tour.

The road journey is approximately 560 km each way depending on the route used. Driving normally takes around 9–10 hours with practical stops, although traffic and road conditions can change the total journey time.

Yes. A camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes is included. It normally takes place around sunset on the first day, although the exact timing depends on your arrival time, season and weather conditions.

You spend the night in a desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes. The exact tent category depends on the option booked, and upgraded or luxury camp arrangements can be requested when available.

The return route can include a stop around Ait Ben Haddou when timing and road conditions allow. Because the itinerary covers a long distance in only two days, this is normally a shorter stop or panoramic visit rather than a long guided tour of the ksar.

Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sun protection, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle and a light jacket for the evening. Desert temperatures can change considerably between daytime and nighttime, especially outside the summer months. A small overnight bag is easier to take to the camp than a large suitcase.

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Guest Reviews

What Our Travelers Say

“This was my first time in Morocco and Zaid and Hassan made it amazing. They chose great places to stay, restaurants with very tasty food, and cared for us very well. When I come back to Morocco, I will definitely use their services again!”

Krasito

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“I had an amazing experience with this travel agency on my trip to Morocco! Everything was perfectly organized, from the accommodations to the guided tours. The team was friendly, professional, and always available to help, which made the whole journey stress-free. Morocco itself was beautiful, and thanks to their planning, I got to experience so much of the culture and scenery. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organized trip!”

Boiana S

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“We had an incredible experience on our tour, thanks entirely to our guide Hassan. He was a fantastic driver, extremely knowledgeable about the area, and super friendly throughout the trip. His excellent English made communication effortless, and he shared fascinating insights that truly enriched our experience. The trip would not have been the same without him — we couldn’t recommend him more highly!”

Getaway

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Moroccan desert host wearing a traditional blue turban inside a Sahara camp
Travelers enjoying a guided Morocco experience near a palm valley and traditional village
Guests sharing traditional Moroccan tea with local hosts during a desert experience
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