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Marrakech Desert tours 3 Days

Excellent

Duration

3 days 2 nights

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

Unlimited

Languages

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Overview

Marrakech Desert tours 3 Days are suitable for people who have limited time to travel in Morocco. These tours are among the popular Marrakech desert tours and the most wanted by European tourists due to the short distance between Morocco and Europe.

People come during the weekends when it’s cold and snows in Europe to enjoy the warmth of the Sahara desert in Morocco. The tours, however, don’t only explore Merzouga Sahara desert, but also show you the dazzling scenery and the rich culture of the south.

Marrakech desert tours 3 days start in Marrakech and end in Marrakesh. The main destination of the tour is Merzouga. However, it includes cultural stops along the way.

The first stop is Tizi N’tichka, then the fortified site of Ait Ben Haddou. Later you head to Ouarzazate where you see Atlas Studio before you end your first journey in Boumaln Dades.

The next day, ou will visite Todra Georges, Tinghir and Merzouga. You ride camels and you camp in the desert.

The tour is amazing and you will discover a lot of things.

Why Marrakech Desert tours 3 Days?

Still, wondering why book 3-day desert tours from Marrakech? the reason is simple. There is no one reason, but multiple.

First, a trek to the Desert of Morocco for 3 days allows you to change the air. It’s easy to move from anywhere in the world to Morocco. Just after 3 hours of flight from Europe, you will be in a completely different country enjoying the warmth and the leisure of Morocco.

Second, Marrakech desert tours 3 days are not expensive. You can spend an unforgettable 3 days with the person you love for a just completely cheap price. Morocco’s currency is low in comparison to France. Therefore, you can spend 3 amazing days without worrying about money.

Third, the desert provides an exceptional experience. You will enjoy the dunes as far as the eye can see. The desert is a magnificent landscape that almost made you dizzy! No landmark on which to look, only sand and a blue sky everywhere around you.

In this space, the anxiety fades away and replaced by a total presence of the self. The outside silence collides with the inside peace and creates a harmony with the world around you. Far from your filled and confined spaces, the vast extent reveals its presence and invites yours to expand.

The experience of Desert is not something to tell you about, but something to experience.

Best time to book Marrakech Desert tours

Marrakech desert tours are available all year round. However, we suggest avoiding a few months to get the most of your vacation.

January and February are not suitable for booking this tour because it runs during these two months. The journey, therefore, becomes difficult and more likely, you will spend your time at the hotel.

However, if you just need a break in Marrakech or Fez, it is possible to arrange a quick visit after you check the weather. No guarantees since the weather changes quickly and it get cold and runny in the High Atlas mountains.

In addition, June, July, and August are also the worst months to travel to the desert. You will not resist heat as it becomes extremely hot. It is, therefore, better to avoid organized trips during these periods.

Other than that, your timing is perfect. Autumn and spring are perfect seasons for traveling to Morocco and exploring the desert.

Fortunately, during these periods, ticket prices to Morocco become cheaper. So you can steal bets from Marrakesh in good conditions.

What to expect in the desert Tours?

Desert tours are amazing since they take you to unknown lands. If you have never been to the desert, it time to explore.

Live an adventure

The desert is never boring and full of adventures. You will enjoy yourself and experiencing new things. For example, when you are alone and maybe far from the camp, it is very easy to lose yourself because, even at a short distance, the camp can be hidden by hills of sand and low bushes.

Therefore, it is important to develop a sense of direction and if getting lost is a concern, comfort can be found knowing that the Bedouin will pick you up soon and find you easily.

In addition, if it’s hard to find your way back to camp in broad daylight, when you accompany your camel guide driving his camels in the dark, you appreciate how competent they are.

Berber lifestyle

Berbers are the indigenous people of north Africa and many westerners mix them with Arabs. They are the nicest people on earth and known, throughout history, by their hospitality and openness to other cultures.

Berbers prefer to be called by Amazigh, which means Free People. Their life revolves around 3 pillars: land-language-cutlure. These pillars made Amazigh outlived most cultures and languages of Antiquity like Ancient Greek, Latin, Phoenician, and Arabic.

The Amazigh new year is celebrated on January 12th each year. Their calendar goes back to the historical event that made the starting point of the Berber calendar.

The day that marked Amazigh’s history started in 950 BC when the Berber king “Chachneng” defeated the Egyptian pharaoh and succeeded unifying Egypt and found the 22nd Egyptian dynasty.

The Amazigh then governed for over 200 years with 22, 23, and 24th dynasties. The Amazigh year in 2020 is 2970.

Amazighs have a remarkable philosophy of life where everything is shared and each person has a role to play in supporting the common good.

Amazigh also are known by embracing and accepting others culture and languages. Therefore, it’s common to find in Morocco Amazighs speaking at least 3 languages and some of them speak up to 7 languages.

In your Marrakech Desert tours 3 days, you will have the chance to meet them and to know much better about their philosophy.

Beauty and tranquility

The beauty of the Sahara is unmatched, and the scale and view of a clear 360 ° horizon is impressive.

The landscape is constantly changing and is anything but bare and barren, with tall and low dunes, wells, and dry oases.

The desert offers you a free and calm space without disruption. No mobiles, no reception, only you, Berbers, and nature around you.

For the first time, you will see and enjoy yourself without being enslaved by technology or things around you. The desert will offer you 360° voide space to meditate and transcend. It’s a psychological experience to live only in the desert

Sky panorama at night

Sleeping under the stars, the desert sky at night is an evocative and impressive visual phenomenon.

You can lie on the sand looking at the sky and sometimes when your eyes returned to the earth it seemed like the whole horizon was shrouded in mist. Impossible to distinguish between the earth and the sky, it looked like the stars had descended on earth and hung in the bushes all around.

Sometimes, at night, the sky was obscured by a large black cloud, revealing only the stars around the horizon. They looked like big bold letters.

Other times, the cloud was gone and the half-moon becomes so bright and high, it seems like its light had scattered the stars to the edge of the universe. Each night is breathtakingly beautiful.

What places to see in the desert?

In Marrakech 3 days desert tours, you are going to see many places, but 5 are the most important.

Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou is located about thirty kilometers from Ouarzazate. This is called a ksar.

A ksar is a fortified village, of Berber architecture, which can be found in different regions in North Africa.

You can find ksars in Algeria or Tunisia. In Morocco, they are quite present in the south.

A ksar is often built on the foothills of a mountain and near an oasis. They, therefore, appear to be fortified villages that contain one or more granaries as well as dwellings.

Ait Ben Haddou has been fortified since the 11th century during the Almoravid period. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Morocco in 1987

A central location for Hollywood movies

Aït Ben Haddou is one of the best-known ksars in Morocco because it is impressive, rather well preserved and perfectly representative of what a ksar is. It is also famous for being the location of several Hollywood movies:

  • Sodom and Gomorrah (1963)
  • The Man Who Would be King (1975)
  • The Message ( 1976)
  • Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
  • Time Bandits (1981)
  • Marco Polo (1982)
  • The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
  • The Living Daylights (1987)
  • The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
  • The Sheltering Sky (1990)
  • Kundun (1997)
  • The Mummy (1999)
  • Gladiator (2000)
  • Alexander (2004)
  • Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
  • Babel (2006)
  • Prince of Persia (2010)
  • Game of Thrones- parts of the TV series

Game of Thrones and Ait Benhaddou History

Ksar of Ait Benhaddou was used as a backdrop in the game of Thrones. It was portrayed as Yunkai where Daenerys Targaryen lead a battle to liberate slaves.

Check Game of Thrones tour locations in Morocco

Ait Ben Haddou, the Yellow City, as it is called, is ruled by the Slave Masters. Its treasures aren’t the fierce Unsullieds, but the bed slaves, educated in the Seven Sighs art.

It’s the second city in Slaver’s Bay, Yunkai. Here Daenerys marches with her army until the walls of the city, where she will be received by people claiming “Mysha Mysha!”

Ironically, Ait Benhaddou once also had its dealings in the sale of humans. Perhaps producers weren’t so far off?

The history of slavery was part of Ait Benhaddou since it was once used as a strategic stop for caravans coming from Sudan. They bring gold, silver, and slaves.

In your Marrakech desert tours 3 days, you visit the same locations portrayed in the Game of Thrones.

Our next top attraction is oscar Studio of Ouarzazate.

Atlas Studio of Ouarzazate

Since the 1960s, the Ouarzazate region has been popular with filmmakers. The diversity of the landscapes, the ethnic diversity, the exceptional light, a local workforce available, all these elements make Ouarzazate one of the most desired places in Morocco by the filmmakers.

The filming of foreign productions generates annual sales of more than one hundred million dollars and creates thousands of jobs.

More than ninety thousand people (artisans, extras, technicians, hoteliers, traders) live from this windfall.

Three film studios are located around Ouarzazate:

Atlas Studios

The Atlas Corporation was established in 1983, located 3km at the entrance to the city. Surrounded by Pharaohs, it offers a grand and majestic spectacle. Atlas studios can be visited when there is no shooting by paying the sum of about $5. It really cheap compared to its value.

The visit takes us from the sets of Gladiator to Asterix & Obelix. Along with the visit, you will find symbolic objects from major films shot on-site at the entrance.

Kanzaman Studios

Kanzaman Studio has the shape of three Kasbahs on an area of ​​60Ha, surrounded by thousands of olive and palm trees.

Since 2004, the studio houses the Specialized Institute for the Cinema Professions with around sixty students.

CLA Studios

On an area of ​​160Ha, around forty permanent workers are already working there. It is a project which will contribute to the promotion of the image not only of Ouarzazate but also of Morocco and its civilization throughout the world.

The project developer is Dino De Lorentis who is an Italian filmmaker that produced more than 500 films, of which 38 were nominated for Academy Awards.

Quick fact about Atlas Studio

Kanzaman Studio has the shape of three Kasbahs on an area of ​​60Ha, surrounded by thousands of olive and palm trees.

Since 2004, the studio houses the Specialized Institute for the Cinema Professions with around sixty students.

Quick fact about Atlas Studio

  • Atlas Film Studios is a 322,000 square-foot studio
  • It is considered to be the largest film studio in the world.
  • More than 250 popular movies and television shows have been filmed here.
  • The studio is often used for its dramatic landscapes since it is located in a stunning red desert landscape.
  • It is close to the striking medieval ksar of Aït Benhaddou, also a popular filming location.
  • The studio is a strange place strewn with the elaborate replicas of biblical towns, Egyptian temples, Tibetan monasteries, and more.

So, think about any biblical or historical epic you’ve ever seen. There’s probably a barren landscape of soft golden-red rocks, mud-brick buildings, and thatched straw roofs.

Let’s say “The Passion of the Christ,” “Kingdom of Heaven,”  and “The English Passion,” to “Ben Hur,” “Gladiator,” and “Game of Thrones” the landscape is the same.

There’s a reason for that. All of them were shot in the Atlas Studio or its surroundings.

Our Marrakech desert tours 3 days includes the visit of the Studio and Ouarzazate.

Merzouga Desert

Southern Morocco is home to several deserts, the largest is the Merzouga Desert, also known as Erg Chebbi.

This desert located near the Algerian border and is the largest stretch of sand in Morocco. It’s also famous for the spectacular golden sand dunes which rise to more than 150 m in height.

To get there, it takes around 8 hours by road from Fez and 10 hours from Marrakech.

There is the village of Merzouga and the desert of Merzouga. To get from the village to the desert, tourists have three choices: on foot, on a camel, or in a 4 × 4. Most opt for riding a camel since they live a more pleasant experience.

Merzouga became a popular attraction since 2002. It offers multiple possibilities for stays and activities. It is possible to spend only a few hours as it is possible to stay for several days.

Also, regarding comfort, possibilities are endless; you can choose to sleep in traditional bivouacs in Berber tents, in comfortable camps set up in the heart of the desert, or even under the stars.

The main activities for Marrakech desert tours 3 days include riding camels, camping at night in the Berber tent, and eating Berber food.

For long stays, for example, 4 days or 5 days, there are other activities like quad, visiting the village of Gnawa, the lake of SRJI…

Todra Gorges

Morocco is where the Atlas mountain range reaches its highest peaks.  The Atlas is full of mountains, cliffs, valleys, waterfalls, streams … which make Morocco one of the most spectacular natural landscapes.

At the foot of the High Atlas mountains, set the Todra valley, from which Todra Gorges bear the name.

the Gorges offer tourists and travelers many opportunities for walking, hiking, and climbing.

Before arriving at the Gorges, at the exit of Tinghir, you will find a source of water which is called “the source of the Sacred Fish”.

You leave the car at this place and continue on foot, to climb step by step the gorges which reach in certain places 300 meters high. A few tens of minutes on foot, you reach the heart of the gorges, where water flows freely.

There are a few hotels and restaurants there that have taken the lead on nature. If you continue walking, you will reach the starting point for hikes and climbs.

Tizi N’Tichka

Between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, the road of Tizi N’Tichka is undoubtedly among the most beautiful in Morocco.

Tizi N’Tichka offers a magnificent landscape of the cliffs especially when you reach the peak and you look down to the landscape of the road.

About 200 kilometers long, this road crosses the High Atlas. With a peak at 2260 meters above sea level, the road of Tizi N’Tichka offers a breathtaking view of almost desert landscapes: the Tensift Wadi Valley to the north, the Ounila Valley to the south.

Very winding, this road is to be traveled with caution. Between the months of December and April, the Col du Tizi-N-Tichka dubbed the “Pass of the pastures” can be blocked by snow.

The sneaky road is composed of a succession of curves that culminate on the col offering travelers a majestic view. It’s definitely worth a visit for its wonderful landscapes.

In Marrakech desert tours, we cross Tizi N’Ticka befor we Arrive to Ait Benhaddou.

Where to Stay for Marrakech Desert tours

Morocco Travel offers two types of packages: standard or lux. Our prices reflect the quality of our services; therefore, we deal with adequate hotels and camps.

For lux Marrakech desert tours 3 days, we book in Hotel Xaluca Dades. or a similar category.

However; for standard accommodation, we book in Hotel Babylon Dades or similar category.

All the hotels e deal with rise to the international standards. They are clean, comfortable, and provide a very good service to our clients.

Concerning the camps, we deal with both Standart and lux camps. 

Marrakech Desert tours 3-Day alternatives.

Marrakech Desert tours 3 days are not always the most perfect option for all travelers. We know that each traveler is unique and has their own choices. For this reason, we are open to offering tailor-made trips.

Also, we offer alternatives for those who wish to diversify their choices. For this reason, we offer 3 other options for this tour.

Marrakech to Fes Desert Tours 3 Days

Marrakech Desert tours 3 days start and ends in Marrakech. So, what about travelers who want to start in Marrakech and end their tour in Fez.

For this reason, Morocco Travel offers you  Marrakech to Fes desert tours for 3 days.

These tours include the same activities like Marrakech desert tours except for the last day. Instead of returning back to Marrakech, we take the road to Fez.

The tour to Fes includes other funny activities the last day since you visit the cedar forest of Azrou. There, you can feed and take pictures with wild monkeys.

Marrakech Desert tours 4 Days

For some travelers, driving 10 hours in the last day of 3 days desert tour can be challenging. Therefore, we offer 4 days tour.

In 3 days tour, you drive directly from Marrakech to Merzouga. This takes up to 10 hours in the car. Therefore, 4 days offers you the possibility to cut the itinerary into 2 parts: you drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate, and from Ouarzazate to Marrakech the next day.

In 4 days Marrakech Desert tours, we include other activities in both the desert and Ouarzazate. For more details, please visit Marrakech desert tours 4 days.

Include the visit of Marrakech in the tour

Marrakech desert tours 3 days do not include the visit of Marrakech. So, if you add an extra day, we will book you a guided tour of the city of Marrakech.

Our driver will meet you at the airport for a transfer to the hotel. The next day, you will enjoy a guided tour with a local guide. Then, the day after you start your desert tour.

Also, we offer alternatives for those who wish to diversify their choices. For this reason, we offer 3 other options for this tour.

Conclusion:

Marrakech desert tours 3 days take you on an adventure to the desert of Merzouga. However, the drive is not direct but includes cultural stops along the way. 

We stop at Tizi N’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Cinema Studio, Dades Valley, and Todra Gorges before we arrive to Merzouga. 

The journey is enchanting and you meet great people along the way. Also, you get to know the Berber culture and lifestyle.

As far as hotels are concerned, we deal only with the hotels that meet the international standards. Both lux and standard hotels are comfortable and clean.

The camps are not less comfortable than the hotels. Therefore, expect to enjoy your journey.

Marrakech desert tours 3 days involves driving the last day about 10 hours; consequently, if you can afford a 4 days desert tour, that will be great to divide the itinerary into 2 on the last day. So, instead of driving directly from Merzouga to Marrakech, we drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate, and then the next day from Ouarzazate to Marrakech.

Finally, if you have any questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help you.

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Crossing the sneaky road of Tizi N'Tichka (High Atlas Mountains)
  • Wandering in Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
  • Visiting the Oscar Studio & Taourirt Kasbah
  • Free time to walk in Todra gorges
  • Ride camels and camp in the desert
  • Discover Berber culture and Lifestyle

Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Kasbah Ait Benhaddou – Dades Valley

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Kasbah Ait Benhaddou – Dades Valley

All Marrakech desert tours 3 days start in Marrakech. In the first day, the Morocco Travel driver will pick you up from your accommodation and you drive to Dades Valley. You travel through Tizi n’Tichka pass in the center of High Atlas Mountains. In your way, you will be amazed by the scenic view of the sneaky road of Tizi n’Tichka pass.

After that, you drive to visit Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. You will have lunch there before you hover towards Ouarzazate. You will visit The Atlas Studio which is considered to be the Hollywood of Africa. In addition, You will visit the Kasbah of Taourirt. Finally, in the afternoon, you drive to Dades Valley throughout the Rose Valley. Overnight in your Hotel in Dades Valley.

The first day of your trip will be amazing. Along the way, you will see a variety of sceneries and landscapes. the fertile Haouz planes around Marrakech, High Atlas Mountains, and various valleys and oases, and at the end, rocky plateaus followed by the breathtaking Erg Chebbi sand dunes.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga desert

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga desert

In the second day of your Marrakech desert tour, you will drive to Merzouga desert. You start your travel after having breakfast at your hotel. Then, you drive through Dades Valley passing throughout beautiful traditional Kasbahs and Berber villages. You head over to Tingher enjoying the valleys full of date palms. Then you continue your travel along the high canyons watching the high walls of grey and pink rock around the way. You stop at Tinjdad to have lunch.

After reaching the mesmerizing dunes of Erg Chebbi, you will enjoy camel ride with The Morocco Travel camel guide. Finally, camels will take you to your Merzouga desert camp. In your way, you will see the most beautiful sunset in your life. When the rays of the sun meet the golden color of Erg Chebbi sands, they give a magic view that you will never forget in your life.

Overnight at your camp in the middle of the Sahara desert. The lunch will be served and you will enjoy Berber singing and dancing.

Day 3: Merzouga – Tazarine – Draa Valley – Marrakech

Day 3: Merzouga – Tazarine – Draa Valley – Marrakech

In the last day of our Marrakech desert tour, the Morocco Travel driver will wake you up early to watch sunrising. In the Sahara desert, sunrise is not like any sunrise; it is a whole new experience. After sunrise, you will have breakfast at your desert camp. Then, you will take a camel ride back to Merzouga where you meet our driver. (the driver can take you to/from the camps if you don’t need to ride camels).

Coming back to Marrakech, you will take a different road to Ouarzazate via Rissani, Alnif, Tazarine, N’kob, and Agdz (Daraa Valley). The Morocco Travel driver will drop you off in the evening at your hotel in Marrakech.

Generally, Marrakech Desert tours 3 Days follow this plan. It is the best as you can explore the desert in a short time. However, if you have more time, we advise you to book for 4 days as we can cut the long distances. For example, on the third day, you spend up to 10 hours on the car.

Finally, this tour remains among the popular tours that many visitors book with us.

Included/Excluded

  • Hotels & accommodation
  • Air-conditioned 4×4/minibus vehicle with a multilingual driver
  • Camel ride and desert camps
  • Fuel & parking
  • Local guides
  • Pick up and drop off from Airport/Hotel/Riad
  • 2 dinners in the desert
  • Breakfasts
  • Flight tickets & visa
  • Entrance tickets to monuments and museums
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips to guide and driver (optional)
  • Lunches

Tour's Location

FAQs

How To Book the Tour?

To book the tour, you need to contact us for the price. The price varies according to the number of travelers, the type of accommodation, and also the season.

Therefore, we prefer to get these information from the client before giving a quote.

Do we Provide Discount for Children

Definitely Yes!
We love children and we encourage families to travel with their children.
"Let children enjoy too!" said one of our guides, he is a father, just like the majority of our stuff.
Therefore, for children under 5 years old, they travel with us for free. For others who are aged more than 5 years, we include only the accommodation fees, our services are for free.

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Best Morocco travel and Tours

jean lambert

20/06/2021

amazing trip

i was very surprised by the level of professionalism of the agency. would definitely recommend
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