2 Day Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech: Merzouga Excursion

Wake early if you would like to experience sunrise over Erg Chebbi before breakfast at the camp. After leaving Merzouga, travel west through Rissani, an important historic trading town of the Tafilalet region. If your journey falls on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday, you may make a brief stop during one of Rissani’s traditional market days, when traders and families from surrounding communities gather in town. Continue afterward toward Tinghir and Todra Gorge, where there is time for a short walk beneath the impressive limestone walls before resuming the journey.

The route then carries you west through the varied landscapes of southern Morocco toward Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou. Because this is already a particularly long return journey to Marrakech, the visit here is intentionally limited to a panoramic viewpoint rather than a full walking tour of the ksar. From across the valley, you can photograph the UNESCO-listed fortified village and appreciate the earthen architecture that has appeared in productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

From Ait Ben Haddou, continue into the High Atlas Mountains and cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass once more, with brief scenic stops when time and daylight allow. The mountain road gradually descends toward the Marrakech plains, bringing you back to the city in the evening. Your driver will drop you at your hotel, riad, or the closest vehicle-accessible point if your accommodation is located inside the pedestrian section of the medina.

The 2 day tour includes private transportation, an English-speaking driver-guide, Marrakech pickup and drop-off, one night in a private en-suite tent at the desert camp, dinner and breakfast, a sunset camel trek, luggage transfer, sandboards and a 4×4 camp transfer when requested instead of the camel trek.

The Marrakech to Merzouga route requires approximately 9–10 hours of actual driving on Day 1 and around 10–11 hours on the return journey via Todra Gorge on Day 2. Once meals, sightseeing and comfort stops are included, both days are very long.

This 2-day tour from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas Mountains on Day 1, passing Ouarzazate, Agdez, and Nkob before reaching Merzouga. On the return journey, the route passes through Rissani before the scheduled sightseeing at Todra Gorge and a short panoramic viewpoint for Ait Ben Haddou.

Families can book the trip privately, but parents should consider the long driving hours before choosing this 2 day desert trip for young children. Longer desert tours are generally more comfortable for families.

Spring and autumn generally offer moderate conditions. Winter nights in Merzouga can be cold, while summer temperatures in the Sahara Desert can be very high. The tour can operate throughout the year, subject to weather and road conditions.

Bring comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sun protection, personal medication and layers for the desert evening and early morning. A small overnight bag is convenient for your stay at the desert camp.

Private 4×4 vehicles, minivans or minibuses can be used depending on group size and availability. The vehicle and driver-guide are reserved for your booking.

Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp are included. Lunches, additional beverages and personal expenses are not included.

Accommodation is in a private en-suite tent at a desert camp near the Erg Chebbi dunes. Standard Comfort, Mid-Range and Premium camp categories can be requested, subject to availability.

Current private rates range from €150 to €748 per person depending on group size. The current rate for two travelers is €377 per person. Travel dates and desert camp category can also affect the final rate.

There is no fixed group size because this is a private tour. Your vehicle is reserved for the travelers included in your booking.

A private tour provides a vehicle and driver-guide exclusively for your booking. Shared tours from Marrakech combine unrelated travelers and generally follow a more fixed schedule.

The main advantage of the 2 day option is that it lets you reach the Merzouga Sahara when you only have two days. The disadvantage is the amount of driving and limited sightseeing. A 3-day tour divides the journey more comfortably and provides additional time at places along the route.

Cancellation and refund conditions depend on the booking terms. Review Complete Morocco’s current cancellation policy before paying the required deposit.

Yes. Solo travelers can book this desert tour from Marrakech privately. The per-person rate is higher because the vehicle and driver-guide are reserved for one traveler rather than shared among several paying passengers.

Drop-off is normally at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. For accommodation inside pedestrian-only sections of the medina, your driver takes you to the nearest vehicle-accessible point.

Your driver-guide manages the road journey and can adjust the schedule when road or weather conditions require it. Travelers should use seat belts where fitted, stay hydrated, use sun protection and follow instructions during the camel trek and desert camp transfer.

Once the itinerary, availability and final price are confirmed, the required deposit can be paid using the available booking methods, including PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise.

The tour includes the journey across the High Atlas Mountains, the overnight desert camp experience, sandboards at camp, Todra Gorge and the panoramic Ait Ben Haddou stop. A 4×4 ride to the desert camp is available as an alternative to the camel trek.

Tipping is optional. If you are satisfied with your driver-guide or camp staff, you can tip them directly according to your preference.

Vegetarian and many common dietary requirements can generally be accommodated at the desert camp. Tell us in advance so the camp can prepare accordingly.

Only limited customization is practical because this 2 day desert tour already covers more than 1,000 km. If you want longer sightseeing visits or more time in the desert, we recommend choosing one of our 3-day or longer desert tours.

Send your travel dates, number of travelers and preferred desert camp category through the booking form. We will confirm private transportation, Merzouga camp availability and the final price. Once you approve the details, the required deposit secures the booking.