Marrakech to Merzouga: How Many Days Do You Need?
It is the most popular question we get from travellers: how many days do you need to go from Marrakech to Merzouga and the Sahara desert? The short answer is 3 days for a complete desert tour, and 4 to 5 days if you want to travel slowly and see more of southern Morocco. Here is why, with the route, the distance and the highlights along the way.
Marrakech to Merzouga distance and driving time
The road from Marrakech to Merzouga is about 560 km, which means 9 to 10 hours of driving without stops. The route crosses the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), then continues through Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and Tinghir before reaching the dunes of Erg Chebbi. There is no train or direct flight to Merzouga, so a private desert tour with a driver is the easiest and most comfortable way to go.
The highlights on the road
- Tizi n’Tichka pass: spectacular views over the High Atlas and Berber villages, sometimes with snow in winter.
- Ait Ben Haddou: the famous UNESCO-listed kasbah, a film location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- Ouarzazate: the “door of the desert”, with its film studios and the Taourirt kasbah.
- Dades Valley: red rock formations, winding roads and the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs”.
- Todra Gorge: canyon walls up to 300 m high, perfect for a short walk.
- Merzouga and Erg Chebbi: golden dunes up to 150 m high, sunset camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
2 days: possible, but rushed
A 2-day return trip from Marrakech to Merzouga means around 20 hours in the car in 48 hours. It is possible, but you spend most of your time on the road and you arrive tired. If you only have 2 days, we recommend the 2-day Zagora desert tour from Marrakech instead: the Zagora desert is much closer, and you still enjoy a camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
3 days: the perfect Marrakech desert tour
Three days is the ideal length for a first Sahara experience. A typical itinerary looks like this:
- Day 1: Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and night in the Dades Valley.
- Day 2: Dades, Todra Gorge, Tinghir and Merzouga. Sunset camel ride and night in a desert camp.
- Day 3: Sunrise over the dunes, then back to Marrakech, or continue to Fes.
You can choose the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga and back tour, or the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes, which ends in Fes and saves you the long drive back.
4 to 5 days: the relaxed way
With 4 or 5 days you can spend two nights in the desert, visit the Gnawa musicians in Khamlia village, see the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji, explore the Draa Valley and stay in charming kasbah hotels. Our 5-day Marrakech desert tour is the best choice for families and photographers who prefer shorter driving days.
7 days or more: the grand tour
If you want to see the whole country (imperial cities, the Sahara, the blue city of Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast), take a look at our 14-day Morocco grand tour.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?
About 560 km, or 9 to 10 hours of driving via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley.
Is 3 days enough for the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
Yes. Three days is the most popular choice: one night in the Dades Valley, one night in a Merzouga desert camp, and plenty of stops on the way.
Can I end my desert tour in Fes instead of Marrakech?
Yes. Merzouga is about 7 to 8 hours from Fes, so a Marrakech to Fes desert tour is a great way to cross Morocco without coming back the same way.
Plan your Marrakech to Merzouga trip
All our Marrakech desert tours are run by our local team, with a driver who knows every road of the south and a night in a Merzouga desert camp. Not sure which one to choose? Send us a message and we’ll help you plan the right number of days.