3-day, 2-night excursion to the Merzouga Desert (Erg Chebbi) from Marrakech via the Ouzoud Waterfalls
Live an unforgettable experience with our 3-day, 2-night excursion to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech, combining the spectacular beauty of the Ouzoud Waterfalls with the unique landscapes of southern Morocco. During this route you will discover the High Atlas Mountains, the emblematic village and kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the city of Ouarzazate, the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs in Skoura, he Valley of the Roses, the imposing Dades and Todra Gorges, the city of Erfoudand finally the majestic Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi). On the return journey you will cross Rissani, he Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountainscompleting a journey that combines culture, nature and adventure.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to:
Furthermore, if you plan to explore Marrakech, our team will offer you recommendations and activities to make the most of your stay before or after the excursion.
Join us on this unique adventure and discover the magic of Morocco, from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara dunes.
Departure from the pick-up point in Marrakech at 7:00 a.m. heading towards Ouzoud Waterfalls, with an approximate route of 3 hours. Along the way, you will pass through several Berber and Arab villages, enjoying a landscape that combines rural areas, mountains and desert panoramas typical of the interior of Morocco. The Ouzoud Waterfalls They are the highest in Morocco, with a waterfall of more than 100 meters In a spectacular setting inhabited by wild monkeys. There you will have free time to explore the area. You can hire a local guide for €10–15 for the whole group, or you can visit independently, as the route is easy to follow. You can descend approximately 700 stairs that lead to the base of the waterfall and, if you wish, take a boat trip on the river (€2 per person, not included). For lunch, there are several restaurants with views of the waterfall, with prices ranging between 7 and 10 €According to the establishment, it is also possible to eat on the way to the mountains. High Atlas, making a stop in a local town. After lunch, we will continue our route towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in North Africa with 2260 meters altitude. The name means "difficult mountain pass" in Tamazight. Stops will be made along the way to enjoy the scenery. breathtaking panoramic views, ideal for photographing the valleys and mountains of the High Atlas. Along the way, we will visit a Women's argan oil cooperativewhere you will learn about the artisanal production process and discover the many health and beauty benefits of argan. We will continue descending through the Ounila Valley until reaching the historical village of Ait Ben Haddouwhere we will spend the night. You will have time to enjoy the sunset and visit their famous KasbahDeclared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, this place has been the setting for numerous international films, including: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Game of Thrones (2011) and The Queen of the Desert (2015). Accommodation: Hotel in Ait Ben Haddou with dinner and breakfast included.
After breakfast, around 7:30 a.m., we will head towards Ouarzazate, known as the City of Cinema and considered the great gateway to the desert. The following stand out here: film studios and the imposing Kasbah of Taourirt. We will make a scenic stop for taking photographs; although you can visit the interior of the studios, it is not essential, as the exterior views are spectacular. We will continue the route along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs until reaching SkouraA valley filled with ancient kasbahs that transport us to bygone eras. Next, we will explore the Valley of the RosesFamous for its festivals in May, and for its rosewater cooperatives during the rest of the year, where you can learn about the extraction process or make purchases if you are interested. We will continue towards the Todra Valley (Tinghir)where we'll make a scenic stop to admire the views. Then we'll visit the Todra Gorges, an impressive canyon with vertical walls over 300 metersIdeal for exploring the interior and taking unique photos. The vehicle will drop you off at the entrance and pick you up at the exit, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience. Later, we will pass through several Berber villages such as Tinjdaduntil reaching Malaabwhere we will visit a shop run by Berber women. Here you will be able to: Wear traditional Berber costumes for photos next to the Berber flag. Buy souvenirs, gifts and turbans for the desert. Perform a henna tattoo (recommended tip: minimum €2). We will have lunch at Tourougenjoying the local cuisine, and we will continue towards Erfoud, famous for its artisanal production of marbles and fossils, where you can visit workshops if you wish. Finally, we will arrive at the Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi)where we will exchange the vehicle for camels (8x8) for a sunset stroll on the golden sands, enjoying the silence and magic of the desert. Upon arrival at the camp, you will settle into traditional tentsAnd after dinner you will enjoy a live Berber music performance around the bonfireUnder a breathtaking starry sky, creating a unique and unforgettable night. Dinner and accommodation: Berber tents in the Erg Chebbi desert, with an authentic experience under the stars.
Today we will wake up very early to contemplate the sunrise over the Great Dune Just behind the campsite, a magical experience awaits, one that will stay with you forever. You'll have the option to enjoy some time... sandboarding on the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning to the camp for breakfast. After breakfast, we will return to the meeting point with our vehicle, either in camel or 4x4. For those who want more adventure, there is also the possibility of doing a quad bike or buggy excursion through the dunes (This service is not included in the price; rates: 1 hour single quad €40, double quad €60, double buggy €120, with guide and fuel included). Once in Merzouga, we will begin the return trip to Marrakech. Our first stop will be in Rissani, the commercial capital of the Alaouite dynasty, where we will make a brief stop on the way out of the city to take photographs of the famous Desert Gate. We will continue through Berber peoples like Tazzarine, Alnif and Nkob, while we admire the arid and mysterious pre-desert landscapes. Later we will get to the Draa ValleyThis is one of the most beautiful valleys in Morocco, running alongside the river of the same name, the longest in the country, which flows into Mauritania. Here we will make several scenic stops to enjoy the landscape and take photographs. After crossing the Anti-Atlaswe will arrive at Ouarzazatewhere we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue through the High Atlas until we reach Marrakech. We will take you as far as possible by car and coordinate with your accommodation staff to pick you up. You will have free afternoon to enjoy the atmosphere of the medina and the square Jemaa el-Fna, stroll around, buy souvenirs or have dinner in one of the typical restaurants. With this we give Our 3-day, 2-night excursion services to the Merzouga desert and the Ouzoud waterfalls from Marrakech have now concluded.. We hope you enjoyed this unique experience with us. Thank you for your trust and have a safe trip home! Until next time, inshallah.