Ait Ben Haddou ksar on its hillside near Ouarzazate, Morocco
Ait Ben Haddou reflected in the Ounila river near Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate Desert Tour 3 Days

By booking the Ouarzazate desert tour to Erg Chebbi Dunes, you guarantee an authentic desert adventure in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the south. Set off on this journey and spend time in the fascinating world of Berber life. Explore Skoura’s oasis and visit the Kasbah of Amredhil. Enjoy the aromatic Damascene rose cosmetic products in the Valley of the Roses. Venture off the beaten path to a remote area that serves as a living space for local Berber nomads, where you can pause and share a cup of tea with a nomadic family.

In the Dades Valley, marvel at the geologically intriguing rocks and hillsides. Spend the night in a charming guest-house, set within this valley. The following day, discover and wander through the other gorges in Toudgha.

In the heart of the desert, savor the long-awaited camel ride that will carry you to the summit of the dunes. From there, witness the sunset, a true highlight of the day. Return to the desert camp and enjoy a delightful feast. Gather around the campfire, where the day concludes with traditional nomad and Berber music, inviting you to join in. The serene ambiance of the desert and your private tent will lull you to sleep, as you reflect on the day’s exhilarating experiences.

Wake up the next morning and relish the spectacle of the sunrise from the highest dunes nearby. In the Dra’a Valley, adorned with countless palm trees, ancient dwellings, and desert oases, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Berbers’ centuries-old way of life. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the oldest Kasbah in the Dra’a Valley, a true gem.

Throughout the entire journey, feel free to request stops at panoramic viewpoints to capture memorable photographs and stretch your legs.

3 Day Ouarzazate Desert Tour Image Gallery:

 

3 Day Ouarzazate Desert Tour

  1. 1 --Day 1: Ouarzazate - Dades GorgesCommence your journey at 8:30 in the morning from Ouarzazate towards the scenic Dades Gorge. Along the way, witness the Skoura Oasis, where ancient kasbahs gracefully stand amidst a backdrop of palm trees, although some are sadly in ruins.Continue your route through Kela'a M'gouna, known as the Valley of Roses, where you'll have the opportunity to observe and admire the locally made cosmetic articles derived from the valley's abundant blossoms. These products are highly renowned throughout Morocco.Set off on an off-road adventure, allowing you to truly spend time in the landscape and visit Berber nomads, who will warmly welcome you with a glass of tea. Enjoy a delectable lunch in the Dades Gorge, followed by leisurely walks through the gorges, fields, and gardens. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel or Kasbah, or if you prefer, venture into the hills and experience an overnight stay with a Berber family.
  2. 2 --Day 2: Dades Gorges - MerzougaAfter breakfast, continue your journey towards Tinghir and the remarkable Toudgha Gorges, offering wide views of the gorge's steep sides and the narrow expanse of sky above. From there, proceed to the Chebbi dunes, passing through Tinjdad and the Oasis of Tafilalet near Erfoud, renowned for its Date Festival. Rissani, the seat of the Alaouite family, the current ruling family of Morocco, is also on the route.Make a stop between Tinjdad and Erfoud to explore the fascinating underground water channels, providing cool temperatures and preserving this vital source of irrigation. In Erfoud, take a moment to witness the intricate craftsmanship of thousands of fossils transformed into various artifacts.Enjoy a delightful lunch in a Berber village along the way. Upon reaching the campsite, be greeted with a refreshing glass of tea before setting off on a memorable camel ride to the top of the dunes, where you can witness the sunset. Dinner awaits you at a luxurious camp equipped with private bathrooms, king-sized beds, and tastefully arranged Moroccan furnishings and lamps, enhancing your experience of the serene beauty of the dunes.
  3. 3 --Day 3: Merzouga - OuarzazateFor the early risers, behold the spectacle of the sunrise, where the lively colors of the dunes and dancing shadows create a sight. The journey continues towards the Dra'a Valley, passing through the village of Tazzarine, featured in the film 'Babel,' and onward to N'Qob for a satisfying lunch.In the afternoon, explore Tanasikht and traverse the ancient caravan route, revealing the authentic beauty of the Dra'a Valley with its majestic palm trees and ancient villages. Outside Agdez, the valley's gateway, pay a visit to Kasbah Tamnougalte, the oldest Kasbah in the entire valley, still inhabited by several families.Return to Ouarzazate via the Anti Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass, arriving back in the late afternoon. Your three-day desert adventure from Ouarzazate to Merzouga concludes as your driver safely escorts you back to your riad. Expect to arrive in Ouarzazate around 18:00, marking the end of your memorable Ouarzazate to Erg Chebbi dunes tour spanning three incredible days.

Questions travelers ask before booking this tour

It is a private tour. Only your own party travels in the vehicle with your driver-guide, there are no fixed departure dates, and no other travelers join along the way. Every tour on this site runs this way.
It takes 3 days. Pickup on day 1 is at your hotel, riad or the airport in Ouarzazate. On the last day you are dropped back at your hotel or the airport in Ouarzazate. Our driver meets you at the pickup point between the departure time and 30 minutes after it.
The price shown on this page, EUR 585, is the starting price. The final quote depends on your travel dates, how many people are traveling and the accommodation level you choose. Send us your dates and we reply with a fixed quote within 24 hours.
Cancel more than 50 days before the departure date and you get a full refund. Cancellations less than 50 days before departure, and no-shows, are not refunded. Tickets for events or attractions and airport transfers are non-refundable. The full booking terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.
Most days are spent in a private vehicle, with stops for short walks in kasbahs, gorges and villages. The camel ride to the desert camp takes about one to two hours; if you would rather not ride, tell us when booking. Tell us about any mobility, dietary or medical needs in writing before you confirm and we plan the days around them.
Yes. The day-by-day plan on this page is a starting point. You can add a night, swap a stop, change the pace or combine it with another route; we confirm the changes and the price in writing before you book.

What travellers say

5.0★★★★★122 reviews on Tripadvisor, Google and TourRadar
MartinTourRadar★★★★★
Tour: Ouarzazate Desert Tour 3 Days

When we were first picked up from our Riad, Abdine was so friendly, accommodating and helpful. Ismail was a very safe driver and very knowledgable about where we were travelling through and to.

When we reached the desert, the accommodation was fantastic and clean and the food was amazing! We have forgotten the gentleman’s name (Sorry!) who was at the camp and looked after us the entire time but he was absolutely amazing. He lit a fire for us and played traditional Berber music and served us our dinner and breakfast. He was very friendly and so helpful.

To sum up, we highly recommend this company as it’s easy and very organised and they take you to some amazing places that would definitely be one to tick off the bucket list.

Madleina RTripadvisor★★★★★

An Unforgettable Desert Adventure with Ismael and Abidine

I traveled through Morocco for four weeks as a young woman traveling alone, and my desert journey with Private Desert Tours and the two brothers, Ismael and Abidine, became one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my entire trip.

Ismael and Abidine lovingly crafted my three-day stay around my wishes, creating a journey that felt both adventurous and deeply personal. From endless, breathtaking drives through the desert to the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes, across the Atlas Mountains, and finally to the ocean — where I closed this magical adventure with a sunset horseback ride on the beach — every moment felt special.

Throughout the entire experience, I felt completely safe, cared for, and at ease. More than guides, Ismael and Abidine became like true friends, sharing their world with kindness, humor, and genuine warmth.

From the bottom of my heart, I can wholeheartedly recommend their tours. If you are searching for something truly special to complete your journey — something authentic, soulful, and unforgettable — don’t hesitate to reach out to Ismael or Abidine.

You will be in the very best hands.

Ash PatelTripadvisor★★★★★

Magical Family Vacation!!

We just got back from a trip of a lifetime to Morocco! We traveled in a large group of friends with kids under 10 years old and Private Desert Tours made the experience so seamless and magical! We spent 3 days immersed in the beauty of the Merzouga desert doing some fun off-roading activities, visiting some authentic places, and soaking in the sheer beauty of the desert sunsets and sunrises. The desert in camp was luxurious and the staff were very hospitable and adept to their environment. Our guides/drivers were thorough professionals, I now consider them my dear friends and getting to know them better and having them explain to us (and our kids) in great detail about every different landscape, culture, nomadic lifestyle, etc was one of the best parts of our trip. The cars we had for the trip were in great condition and very comfortable for our family of 4 as well - which was very important to me given the amount of time we spent on the road! I would recommend Private Desert Tours to anyone that wants to visit Morocco and experience the Sahara!! Thank you, and we will certainly be back!

Sabrine STripadvisor★★★★★

Private desert tour

I must say we really enjoyed the 3-day tour especially the hours in the Sahara, Dades, Todra and Ait Ben haddou as well as the 2 hotels & restaurants that you recommended. These days serve a big break for us after lots of hassle in Marrakech as we were couple so outstanding there. Abdou, our driver, was very nice, friendly & helpful and he is the type person that does not keep you on talking which perfectly fits our style. Last not not least, thank you Abdoul of taking care of us during the 3 day and we'll not hesitate to recommend Private desert tours

ScottFairfaxTripadvisor★★★★★

Highlight of our trip

From day one, Abidine was extremely responsive and helpful with our questions and helping us with our decision on picking the right tour for our time frame in Morocco. Always very pleasant and professional, we had no problem booking our tour for two

abroad. Thank you Abidine for all of your help and organization!

When our 3-day tour actually started, we had no idea we were in for the trip of our lives. Our driver and guide, Ismaï, was prompt and on schedule, yet patient and accommodating for us whenever we wanted to stop for pictures. Also, he was great company with lots of insight without being an overbearing tour guide. He knows his way around..he never had to look at the map!

All stops were culturally immersive and fun, especially the Berber guest house in Gorges Dades. Very kind people who took care of us and cooked us the best dinner we had in Morocco! Not to mention the camel trekking and staying in the Berber tent. An unforgettable nights.

This is the real deal for a tour. Private is not an understatement, it was just us two with our private drive and our time. We were so happy we weren't on the bus tours loaded with other tourists. Private Desert Tours has given us memories for all our lives and we will without a doubt recommend this tour to any friends or family who plan to travel to Morocco. Our dream is to return one day and we will be booking with Private Desert Tours again.

Mona RTripadvisor★★★★★

Unforgettable

Overall amazing experience. Everything was taken care of so there was nothing we had to worry about. Ismail was so patient with us throughout the 3 days. The accommodations were all amazing the car was nice and extremely clean. I definitely recommend to anyone visiting Morocco and considering doing any sort of tour. 1000/10

Srivatsan STripadvisor★★★★★

Private Desert tour to Erg Chebbi with family

This was a unique experience which me and my family will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you Abidine for making it possible. Your prompt response to all my queries helped me plan my trip better. A million thanks to Ismail (our guide) who made sure we had a wonderful time through the trip. We feel like we made a great friend in him. From introducing us to local music, to tirelessly driving the 4 days, to taking us to these amazing riads run by the most wonderful people, to showing us the main sites to see along the way - he was simply amazing. This tour helped us experience Morocco in a way that no other tour could. We met amazing families who hosted us. The desert camp was spectacular. I was worried that being a vegetarian and not being able to speak arabic or french would be major hurdles - definitely not so. This tour made it so easy to manage. This is something I would recommend to anyone planning on spending time in Morocco.

paul leonGoogle★★★★★

An unforgettable stay, at the pace of the camels, among the dunes, delicious meals prepared by our kind guides! We were in another world. Thank you, Abidine.

Translated from French by Google

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