The early start and the long drive
Expect an early pickup, often between seven and eight in the morning, because the first day is mostly driving. From Marrakech you climb the Tizi n Tichka pass, the highest road in Morocco, then descend toward Ouarzazate with a stop at the Ait Ben Haddou kasbah. The driving is genuinely long, around nine hours to reach Merzouga, but it is broken into stages with photo stops, lunch and sightseeing. It is scenic rather than dull, but it is still a lot of time in a vehicle, so set your expectations there. A 3 day Merzouga tour from $107 is the standard version.
We are an independent guide, not the operator. The whole purpose of this article is to tell you the parts the listings leave out so you book with eyes open.
The camel ride and the dunes
The moment everyone waits for comes late on the second day, when you reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes and swap the vehicle for a camel. The ride into the dunes is usually thirty to sixty minutes, slow and gentle, timed so you arrive at camp around sunset. It is the iconic image of the trip, but be clear that it is a short part of the whole. The next morning you usually ride back out, or walk a dune for sunrise. If you would rather not ride, most tours let you walk or take a 4x4 instead.
The camp: honest expectations
Standard camps
A standard desert camp is comfortable but simple. You sleep in a canvas tent with a real bed and a stack of warm blankets, share a communal dinner of tagine and bread, and use shared toilet facilities that are usually basic bathroom blocks rather than en suite. There is often music around a fire under an extraordinary sky. It is an adventure, not a hotel, and that is the appeal for most people.
Luxury camps
If basic is not for you, a luxury 3 day tour from $145 changes the camp experience with private bathrooms, better bedding, nicer food and more space. Our luxury camps guide covers the upgrade in detail.
Food, facilities and connectivity
Food on tour is simple Moroccan fare, tagines, couscous, bread, fruit and mint tea, usually plentiful and tasty rather than fancy. Tell the operator in advance about dietary needs and they will generally accommodate. Mobile signal fades as you near the dunes and there is little to no wifi at camp, which most people end up enjoying. Bring a power bank, since charging at camp is limited. For the full kit list see our what to pack guide.
Group size and pace
Shared tours run in minibuses of a dozen or so people, which keeps the price low but ties you to a fixed schedule. A private tour costs more but lets you set the pace, stop when you like and skip the group dynamics. If pace and flexibility matter to you, weigh up a private option. Our how to choose guide walks through the trade offs, and the 3 day itinerary shows the full shape of the trip.
Know what you are booking
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Frequently asked questions
Expect long but scenic driving days, a sunset camel ride into the dunes and a night in a desert camp with simple food and shared facilities. A 3 day Merzouga tour involves roughly nine hours of driving each way, broken by stops at kasbahs and gorges, with the camel ride and camp in the middle. Camps are comfortable rather than luxurious unless you book a luxury option.
Standard camps are basic but comfortable. You sleep in a canvas tent with a proper bed and plenty of blankets, eat a simple Moroccan dinner together and use shared toilet facilities, which are usually simple bathroom blocks. Luxury camps add private bathrooms, better bedding and nicer food, so if comfort matters, book a luxury or private tour.
The camel ride into the dunes is usually short, around thirty to sixty minutes to reach the camp at sunset, with another ride back at sunrise. It is the iconic part of the trip but it is not the bulk of it. Most of a desert tour is the driving and the time spent at the camp and the stops along the way.
