Should you book a 3 or 4 day desert tour from Marrakech? It is the question we hear most from travelers planning the Sahara. Both reach the same golden dunes at Merzouga. The difference is how much time you spend in the car, and how tired you are when you get back.
We are a local family company, and our drivers do this route every week. Here is an honest comparison of our two most popular desert trips.
3 or 4 Day Desert Tour: The Quick Answer
| 3-day tour | 4-day tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Marrakech, Dades Valley, Merzouga, back to Marrakech | Marrakech, Dades Valley, Merzouga, then Ouarzazate or a second Sahara night, Marrakech |
| Nights | Riad in Dades, desert camp | Riad in Dades, desert camp, then Ouarzazate or a second night in the Sahara |
| Longest drive | About 560 km, 9 to 10 hours (last day) | About 370 km (Ouarzazate option) |
| Pace | Fast | Relaxed |
| Private price from | $360 per person | $450 per person |
Prices are per person for 2 travelers on a private tour. Choose the 3-day tour if you are short on time. Choose the 4-day tour if you can spare one more day, because the drive home is much easier.
The 3 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech, Day by Day
Our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is the classic short Sahara loop.
Day 1: Marrakech to the Dades Valley
Cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass and stop at the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. About 330 km and 7 hours of driving with stops. Night in a riad in the Dades Valley.
Day 2: Todra Gorge to the Merzouga desert camp
Walk in the Todra Gorge, then continue to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes. About 290 km and 5 hours. Night in a desert camp.
Day 3: Merzouga back to Marrakech
Watch the sunrise, then drive back through the Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas. This is the hard day: about 560 km and 9 to 10 hours of driving. You arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
The 4 Day Desert Tour From Marrakech, Day by Day
Our 4-day Marrakech Sahara desert tour follows the same first two days. After that, you choose one of two options.
Days 1 and 2: Same as the 3 Day Desert Tour
Day 1 crosses the High Atlas to the Dades Valley. Day 2 takes you through the Todra Gorge to a camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
Option 1, Day 3: Merzouga to Ouarzazate via the Draa Valley
Leave the dunes after sunrise and drive through palm groves and kasbahs. About 370 km and 6 to 7 hours. Night in a hotel in Ouarzazate.
Option 1, Day 4: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
Visit the Atlas Film Studios, then cross the High Atlas back to Marrakech. About 200 km and 4 hours, arriving by early evening.
Option 2: Two nights in the Sahara
Prefer more time in the dunes? Spend day 3 around Merzouga and a second night in the Sahara. On day 4, drive straight back to Marrakech: about 560 km and 9 to 10 hours with stops. Tell us which option you want when you book.
How the Driving Compares on a 3 or 4 Day Desert Tour
Whether you pick a 3 or 4 day desert tour, you cover roughly the same distance, about 1,180 km. The difference is how it is split:
- 3-day tour: 7 hours, 5 hours, then 9 to 10 hours on the last day.
- 4-day tour, Ouarzazate option: 7 hours, 5 hours, 6 to 7 hours, then 4 hours.
- 4-day tour, two Sahara nights: 7 hours, 5 hours, a short day around the dunes, then 9 to 10 hours.
On the 3-day trip, you leave the camp at sunrise and reach Marrakech in the evening. Most travelers manage it fine, but it is a long day. Read what the drive to the Sahara is really like.
Who Should Choose the 3 Day Desert Tour?
- Travelers with only a week or less in Morocco
- Couples and friends who do not mind long days on the road
- Anyone flying out of Marrakech the day after the tour
- Travelers on a tighter budget
Who Should Choose the 4 Day Desert Tour?
- Families with children or older travelers
- Anyone who gets tired or carsick on long drives
- Photographers who want the Draa Valley in daylight
- Travelers who want to see Ouarzazate and the film studios
What the Extra Day Costs on a 3 or 4 Day Desert Tour
Between a 3 or 4 day desert tour, the price difference is $90 per person for 2 travelers. That covers one more day with your driver-guide and one more night with dinner and breakfast, in Ouarzazate or in the Sahara. For the full picture, see our guide to the Morocco desert tour cost.
Is a 2 Day Tour to Merzouga Possible?
Not from Marrakech. Merzouga is too far for a 2-day return, so the minimum is 3 days. If you only have 2 days, go to Zagora instead, or start from Fes, which is closer to Merzouga. Compare the options in Erg Chigaga vs Merzouga.
Our Advice: Which 3 or 4 Day Desert Tour to Book
When guests ask us to pick a 3 or 4 day desert tour, our answer is simple. If you can spare the day, choose the 4-day tour. You see more, you arrive in Marrakech less tired, and the difference in price is small. If your time is fixed, the 3-day tour is still well worth it: the dunes at sunset are the same on both.
Not sure which fits your plans? Send us your dates or message us on WhatsApp at +212 609 490 681, and one of our family will help you choose.
Starting in Fes? See our guide to going from Fes to Merzouga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3 or 4 day desert tour better from Marrakech?
The 4-day tour is more relaxed, because it splits the long drive home in two. The 3-day tour is best if you are short on time.
How long is the drive from Merzouga to Marrakech?
About 560 km, which takes 9 to 10 hours with stops. On the 4-day tour, you can break it with a night in Ouarzazate.
How many nights do you spend in the desert?
One night on the 3-day tour. On the 4-day tour, you can choose one night in the Sahara and one in Ouarzazate, or two nights in the Sahara.
Can we end the tour at Marrakech airport?
Yes. We can drop you at the airport or at your riad in Marrakech.