Best Meknes 3 days desert tour to Marrakech

Overview:

A 3-day desert tour from Meknes to Marrakech via the Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) dunes covers about 1,000 kilometers. It features a fast-paced journey through the Middle Atlas cedar forests, the Ziz Valley, an overnight luxury desert camp stay, and the dramatic High Atlas mountains before ending in Marrakech.

Highlights:

A 3-day desert tour from Meknes to Marrakech via the Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) dunes covers about 1,000 kilometers. It features a fast-paced journey through the Middle Atlas cedar forests, the Ziz Valley, an overnight luxury desert camp stay, and the dramatic High Atlas mountains before ending in Marrakech.

The desert departs early from Meknes. Drive through the Middle Atlas mountains via Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forests to see wild monkeys. Descend through the panoramic Ziz Valley with its vast palm groves. Arrive at the Erg Chebbi dunes for a sunset camel trek and an overnight stay in a desert camp with traditional Berber music.

Merzouga to Dades Gorges or Ouarzazate

Wake up early for the desert sunrise.

Head out via Erfoud, known for fossils, to walk through the towering Todra Gorges canyon.

Continue through the Dades Valley or Rose Valley for an evening hotel or riad stay.

Dades/Ouarzazate to Marrakech

Drive past Ouarzazate to tour the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou Kasbah. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n'Tichka pass, 2,260 meters high. Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon or evening for drop-off at your hotel or riad.

Day 1: Meknes – Merzouga.

After breakfast, we will leave Meknes and go to Merzouga, passing through the cedar forests of Azrou, where the wild monkeys are located. It will be a good opportunity to take photos of the wilderness in Morocco. Lunch in the small Berber village of Zaida .

We continue the way through the Atlas Mountains, enjoying the landscapes of Midelt, to arrive at the small town of Rich, Erfoud , in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet.

And then continue to Merzouga. The camels will be ready with a camel guide to take you inside the desert of Erg Chebbi for an interesting ride for one hour.

You will arrive at the camp, and the team will show you your own luxury tent with a private bathroom.

Then it will be time for a cup of tea, and then you will have time for sunset and sandboarding in the dunes near the camp. Later will be the dinner and Berber music.

Day 2: Merzouga Desert, Rissani Market, Todra Gorges, Dades Valley.

I woke up for sunrise in the dunes near the camp. You come back to the camp for breakfast.

Then you ride the camels back to Merzouga village, or you will be back by 4WD from the camp.

Then we go to Rissani, where we’ll visit the marketplace (market days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

We continue then to Erfoud, where we can visit the manufacturers of fossilized marble before starting our way to Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves.

One hour later, we’ll reach one of the best places in the High Atlas, the Todra Gorges.

The course of the river has carved out a cliff-sided canyon, and it’s because of its beauty and the high rock sides that it’s very popular among climbers. Free time to have lunch in this wonderful place.

A short walk through the gorges is very advisable to better appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Boumalne Dades. Dinner Hotel Ksar Sultan Dades or a similar hotel in the same category.

Day 3: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou, High Atlas, Marrakech.

After breakfast, we can enjoy one of the better views of the Dades Valley from one strategic lookout in the mountains.

From there, we can appreciate the great number of kasbahs and the scenic characteristics of each one.

After some stops to enjoy the “One Thousand Kasbahs Road,” the Roses Valley, and the big Skoura palm grove, we’ll get to Ouarzazate to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, the old residence of the Glaoui or Marrakech pasha.

Then, at the cinema studio in Ouarzazate, we will stop at the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). Famous films have been shot on this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, The Mummy, and The Jewel of the Nile.

Free time for lunch in town. In the afternoon, we’ll start our way to Marrakech, going through the mountain port of Tizi N’tichka. We’ll get to Marrakech at about 6 p.m., transfer to your hotel in Marrakech, and end.