3-Day Sahara Escape: From Marrakech to the Dunes of Merzouga

Day 1 • Marrakech to Todra Gorge

Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals: Lunch
Included:

• Ait Benhaddou kasbah visit

Adventure begins
Salaam Alaikum and welcome to Morocco. Your desert journey kicks off at 8:00 AM in the heart of Marrakech. After a quick welcome briefing with your group, driver, and local guide, settle into your air-conditioned vehicle and set out toward the dramatic landscapes of Todra Valley, nestled in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

En route, you’ll explore the ancient kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site where salt caravans once passed through on their way from the Sahara. Stroll its winding alleys and mudbrick buildings before stopping riverside at the Tawesna Teahouse. This inspiring women-led initiative serves up aromatic tea and handmade pastries using local, organic ingredients — a real taste of Moroccan warmth and resilience.

As the journey continues, the road winds through palm-filled valleys and rugged terrain, eventually bringing you to Todra, where a peaceful hotel awaits. Take some time to relax — maybe even dip your toes in the pool — and soak in the quiet charm of this mountain-framed village.

Drive time: Approximately 8 hours
Note: Be sure to check your joining point in the Essential Trip Information, and bring your travel insurance and emergency contacts to the morning meetup.

Day 2 • Todra to the Sahara Desert (Merzouga)

Accommodation: Desert camp (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included:

• Todra Gorge walk

• Amazigh brunch picnic

• Camel ride at sunset

• Traditional dinner at camp

Wake to the sound of mountain air and join your guide for a morning walk through the Todra Valley, where terraced farmland and date palms lead to towering ochre canyons. These cliffs, reaching up to 400 meters, create a stunning natural corridor perfect for light hiking and photography.

Your morning ends with a special brunch picnic in the valley — freshly baked bread, mint tea, olives, and more, all prepared by a local Amazigh women’s cooperative that proudly preserves regional culinary traditions.

Then it's time to make your way toward the Sahara Desert. Watch as the terrain transforms from rugged mountains to sweeping sandscapes on the way to Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Upon arrival, drop your bags at the desert camp and hop on a camel for a peaceful ride through golden dunes bathed in sunset light. Tonight, gather around the fire under a starry sky as your hosts prepare a hearty Moroccan dinner. Drift to sleep in a cozy tent surrounded by silence and sand.

Drive time: Approximately 5 hours

Day 3 • Merzouga to Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast
Included:

• Sunrise dune walk

• Breakfast at camp

Start your day early with a short walk to the top of a nearby dune. As the sun rises over the horizon, the desert lights up in gold, offering a moment of quiet awe you’ll never forget.

After a traditional breakfast at camp, you’ll begin the scenic return journey to Marrakech, arriving in the evening with a heart full of memories and a camera full of photos.

Drive time: Approximately 8 hours