· Tailored Luxury Tours
The Sahara dunes near Merzouga lie a long way south-east of Marrakech, and the journey is part of the experience. Our Marrakech-based desert itineraries cross the High Atlas and come back over the mountains, so it helps to know what a typical desert leg looks like before you choose how many nights to give it.
How far is the Sahara from Marrakech?
Zagora, on the edge of the desert, is roughly six hours by road. The big Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are about nine to ten hours with stops, which is why almost nobody does the trip in one day. Most private routes split it over two or three days, with stops that turn the drive into part of the trip.
There is no airport near either desert region, so the road is the way in. Done as a private multi-day trip rather than a rushed round trip, the drive is genuinely part of what you are travelling for.
The outward day
In our five-day Marrakech and Desert Adventure, the third day is the long one. The route crosses the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the gateway to the High Atlas Mountains, and stops at Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its earthen kasbah. It then continues through the Dades Valley before reaching Merzouga and the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
A full day in the desert
Having a whole day at the dunes, rather than only an evening, changes the trip. The itinerary uses it for sunrise over the dunes, a visit to a nearby nomadic village and optional activities such as sandboarding, and keeps the evening for a stay in the desert.
The return
The way back follows the Atlas and Berber villages, with a lunch stop in Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Morocco, before arriving in Marrakech in the evening. Another long day, so we suggest not scheduling a flight on the same evening.
How many nights should you give the desert?
- One night in the desert works if you accept two long driving days around it.
- Two nights gives a full free day at the dunes, which is why our five-day route includes it.
- Combine the desert with a day or two in Marrakech either side, so the trip does not become only a drive.
A quieter alternative
A less-travelled route runs via Zagora and M'hamid to the dunes at Erg Chigaga, with a final stretch by 4x4. It is more remote, with fewer camps and a less accessible dune field than Erg Chebbi, which is why most first-time visitors still choose the longer route to Merzouga.
Every route can be adapted to your dates, pace and comfort with long drives. Tell us how you feel about travel days and we will shape the time accordingly.
This guide is general planning information. Conditions, opening hours and entry rules change, so we confirm current details when planning your journey.
