From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour

If you want to see the real Sahara dunes but only have a few days, this is the classic route. Over three days you travel from Marrakech across the High Atlas, through the valleys of the south and on to Merzouga, where the orange sand of Erg Chebbi rises from a flat stone desert. The first day is about the mountains and the kasbahs. The road climbs to the Tizi n'Tichka pass, then drops towards Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified earthen village listed by UNESCO and used in many films. After Ouarzazate the route follows the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley, where you spend the night in a hotel. On day two you walk into the Todra Gorge, where the cliffs close in on both sides of a small river, then continue east past palm oases and the black hamada towards Merzouga. In the late afternoon your camels are waiting at the edge of the dunes. You ride out as the light changes, reach the camp for a tagine dinner and spend the evening with drums and a sky full of stars. Wake early on day three for sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast at the camp and start the long drive back to Marrakech, with rest and photo stops along the way. The tour runs with an experienced driver in an air-conditioned vehicle, with hotel or riad pickup in Marrakech. One night in a hotel and one night in the desert camp, both breakfasts and both dinners are included. Lunches, drinks and tips are paid on the way, so bring some cash. Pack a warm layer for the desert night, a scarf against wind and sand, sunglasses and sun cream. Expect long driving days, roughly 7 to 8 hours on the first and last day, broken up by regular stops. Sandboarding is available free of charge at the camp. Main luggage stays in the vehicle; bring a small bag for the camp night. Film studio entry is not included in any option and costs about 100 MAD per person, paid on site.