Unforgettable 3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

Our standard tour packages from Marrakech include:

• Private, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle or comfortable minivan for the duration of the tour
• Professional, English-speaking driver throughout
• Certified local guide for Marrakech, Fes, and other key destinations as specified in your itinerary
• All accommodation as listed in your confirmed itinerary (double occupancy unless otherwise requested)
• Daily breakfast at each accommodation
• Select lunches and dinners as outlined in your specific package
• Camel trek in the Sahara Desert (where applicable)
• Overnight desert camp stay with dinner and breakfast (where applicable)
• All fuel, tolls, and parking fees
• Bottled water in the vehicle
• Travel coordination and 24/7 emergency support during your trip

Not typically included: international flights, travel insurance, lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary, entrance fees to monuments and museums (typically 10-70 MAD per site), personal expenses, gratuities for guides and drivers, and optional activities.

Absolutely. Our pre-designed itineraries serve as reliable frameworks, but we encourage customisation based on your interests, pace preferences, and travel style. Common modifications include:

• Adding extra nights in specific locations
• Swapping accommodation types (budget to mid-range to luxury)
• Including specific activities such as cooking classes, hammam experiences, or guided hikes
• Adjusting departure times for photographers seeking golden-hour light
• Adding or removing destinations along the route
• Incorporating rest days or slower-paced schedules

Contact us with your ideal vision and we will adjust the itinerary and provide updated pricing within 24-48 hours.

All of our tour packages from Marrakech are private tours, meaning you travel exclusively with your own group (partner, family, friends) in a dedicated vehicle with your own guide and driver. We do not operate large coach tours or mix travellers from different bookings.

This private structure ensures maximum flexibility, personalised attention, and the ability to adjust plans on the fly based on your group's energy, interests, and pace.

Our cancellation policy is structured as follows:

• More than 30 days before departure: Full refund minus a 10% administrative fee
• 15-30 days before departure: 50% refund
• Less than 15 days before departure: No refund

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellations, interruptions, and unforeseen events. We can provide documentation to support insurance claims if needed.

In cases of force majeure (natural disasters, political unrest, health emergencies), we work with clients individually to find fair solutions, including rescheduling or partial refunds where possible.

Most tour packages use a Toyota Land Cruiser or similar 4x4 vehicle, which comfortably seats up to four passengers plus luggage. For larger groups (five to eight passengers), we use a Mercedes Sprinter or similar air-conditioned minivan.

All vehicles are:

• Less than five years old and regularly maintained
• Equipped with air conditioning and heating
• Comfortable for long-distance travel with reclining seats
• Driven by experienced, licensed professional drivers

Vehicles are cleaned daily, and bottled water is provided throughout the journey.

Drive times vary by itinerary, but here are typical ranges:

• Marrakech to Ouarzazate: 3.5-4 hours (via Tizi n'Tichka pass)
• Ouarzazate to Dades Gorge: 2-3 hours
• Dades Gorge to Merzouga (Sahara): 4-5 hours
• Merzouga to Fes: 6-7 hours (longest single drive on most itineraries)
• Fes to Marrakech: 7-8 hours (typically broken with stops in Ifrane and Beni Mellal)

We schedule regular rest stops for refreshments, restrooms, and photo opportunities. Drivers are instructed never to rush, and your comfort and safety are always prioritised over rigid schedules.

This depends on the package tier you select. We offer three accommodation categories across all tour packages:

Standard / Budget: Clean, comfortable guesthouses and small hotels with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms. These properties are locally run, offer authentic Moroccan hospitality, and provide everything needed for a restful stay. Breakfast is included. Facilities are simple but well-maintained.

Mid-Range / Comfort: Boutique riads, charming kasbahs, and three- to four-star hotels with more refined interiors, better amenities (pools, terraces, upgraded dining), and often more atmospheric settings. Desert camps at this level include private tents with proper beds and upgraded dining experiences.

Luxury / Premium: High-end riads in Marrakech and Fes, luxury kasbah hotels in the Atlas foothills, and deluxe desert camps with ensuite bathrooms, gourmet meals, and exceptional service. Properties at this level often feature pools, spas, fine dining, and sophisticated design.

All accommodations are pre-inspected by our team and selected for cleanliness, safety, location, and character. We avoid generic chain hotels in favour of properties with local flavour.

Yes, particularly if you are booking a custom tour package. If you have researched specific riads, kasbahs, or desert camps and would like to stay there, let us know during the planning stage. We will confirm availability, incorporate them into your itinerary, and adjust pricing accordingly.

For standard packages, we work with a trusted network of properties that consistently meet our quality standards. If you would like to upgrade to specific hotels within that network, we can provide options and pricing.

Desert camps near Merzouga vary significantly in quality and style. Here is what to expect at each level:

Standard camps: Traditional Berber-style tents sleeping two to four people, shared bathroom facilities (basic but clean), communal dining area, campfire, and traditional Berber music in the evening. Bedding includes mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Simple but authentic.

Mid-range camps: Private tents with proper beds (not just mattresses on the floor), thicker tent walls for better temperature regulation, upgraded linens, shared or semi-private bathroom facilities, and better-quality meals. Some camps at this level have solar-powered lighting and charging stations.

Luxury camps: Private ensuite tents with full bathrooms (flush toilets, showers, sinks), king or queen beds, quality linens, electricity, heating in winter, stylish furnishings, and gourmet multi-course meals. These camps often include lounges, terraces, and a more refined atmosphere while still maintaining the Sahara experience.

All camps include a camel trek to and from the dunes (or 4x4 transfer if you prefer), sunset or sunrise dune access, dinner, breakfast, and entertainment.

Yes. Single occupancy is available for an additional supplement, as most accommodations price rooms on a double-occupancy basis. The supplement varies by property and season but typically ranges from 30-50% of the per-person rate.

If you are a solo traveller booking a private tour, the single supplement is automatically included in your quote. If you are travelling with a group but prefer your own room, let us know during booking and we will calculate the supplement.

This depends on your package. Here is how guiding typically works:

Driver-guide model: For most three- to five-day desert-focused tours, your driver also serves as your guide. These drivers are experienced professionals with deep knowledge of the routes, history, and culture. They speak English (and often French, Spanish, or other languages) and provide commentary, answer questions, and assist with logistics throughout.

Dedicated guide model: For seven-day tours that include Marrakech and Fes, you will have a certified local guide in each major city (separate from your driver). These guides are specialists in the medinas, historical sites, and cultural context of their specific cities. They walk with you, provide in-depth explanations, and help navigate the souks.

Full-time guide model: For custom luxury packages or tours with specific educational or cultural focus, we can arrange for a dedicated guide to accompany you for the entire journey in addition to your driver. This provides the deepest level of insight and support.

All of our guides and drivers speak English fluently. Many also speak French, Spanish, German, Italian, or Portuguese. If you require a guide who speaks a specific language, let us know during booking and we will do our best to accommodate. For less common languages, advance notice is essential.

Arabic and Berber are, of course, native languages for our Moroccan team, and guides are happy to teach you a few useful phrases or help with translations during your trip.

Yes. We have experienced female guides available for tours in Marrakech, Fes, and along the southern routes. Female guides are particularly valued by solo female travellers, women-only groups, and families who prefer a female presence.

Because the number of certified female guides in Morocco is smaller than the number of male guides, we recommend requesting this preference at the time of booking (not last-minute) to ensure availability.

Moroccan cuisine is one of the highlights of any visit. During your tour, you will experience:

• Tagines: Slow-cooked stews with meat (chicken, lamb, beef) or vegetables, flavoured with spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon
• Couscous: Steamed semolina served with vegetables, meat, and a rich broth (traditionally eaten on Fridays)
• Berber pizza (medfouna): A stuffed flatbread filled with spiced meat and vegetables
• Fresh salads: Moroccan salads with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and preserved lemons
• Mint tea: Sweet green tea with fresh mint, served throughout the day
• Pastilla: A sweet and savoury pie (often chicken or pigeon) layered with almonds and cinnamon
• Fresh bread: Baked daily and served with nearly every meal

Breakfasts typically include fresh bread, jam, honey, cheese, olives, eggs, orange juice, and coffee or tea. Meals are served at local restaurants, your accommodations, or at desert camps.

Is the camel trek mandatory?

No. The camel trek is included in all Sahara itineraries, but it is never mandatory. If you prefer not to ride a camel due to physical limitations, discomfort, or personal preference, a 4x4 vehicle can transport you to and from the desert camp instead.

Some travellers choose to ride the camel one way (usually to the camp at sunset) and take the 4x4 back the next morning, or vice versa. Your driver will accommodate your preference.

How long is the camel trek?

The standard camel trek is approximately one to one and a half hours each way — long enough to reach the deeper dunes and experience the rhythm of desert travel, but not so long that it becomes uncomfortable for first-timers.

You will ride in a slow, single-file caravan led by an experienced camel handler. The pace is gentle, and there are opportunities to stop for photos or to simply take in the landscape.

Is camel riding safe and comfortable?

Camel riding is generally safe, though it does require a bit of balance and can feel unusual at first, particularly during the initial moments when the camel stands up and sits down (these movements are abrupt but brief).

The camels used for tourist treks are well-trained, accustomed to carrying riders, and handled by experienced guides. Saddles include a handle to hold onto for stability.

Comfort varies by individual. Some people find it quite enjoyable and meditative; others find it awkward or mildly uncomfortable, especially on the inner thighs and lower back. Wearing long, loose trousers and sitting upright with your weight centred helps significantly.

If you have back, hip, or knee issues, consult with your doctor before committing to the camel trek, or plan to use the 4x4 transfer option instead.

What should I bring to the desert camp?

Pack light for your overnight desert stay. Your main luggage remains in the vehicle; you will carry a small daypack or overnight bag to the camp. Essentials include:

• Warm layers (fleece or jacket) — desert nights are cold, even in mild seasons
• Comfortable clothes for the evening and the next morning
• Toiletries and any medications
• Headlamp or small flashlight (camps have limited lighting)
• Camera, phone, and charger (some camps have solar charging; ask in advance)
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
• A scarf or bandana to protect against wind and sand

Leave valuable jewellery, excessive cash, and unnecessary electronics in your main luggage.