THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Cross the High Atlas, explore Ait Ben Haddou and sleep under the stars in a luxury Merzouga bivouac. This 3-day route mixes mountain passes, river canyons and the color-changing dunes of Erg Chebbi—ideal for travelers who want culture, geology and a classic Sahara camel trek.
Cross the High Atlas, explore Ait Ben Haddou and sleep under the stars in a luxury Merzouga bivouac. This 3-day route mixes mountain passes, river canyons and the color-changing dunes of Erg Chebbi—ideal for travelers who want culture, geology and a classic Sahara camel trek.
Book with Open Travel - Day Tours
Book directly with Open Travel - Day Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve NowVerified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Open Travel - Day Tours · Merzouga, Drâa-Tafilalet
Sand shifts under camel hooves as the atlas silhouette fades behind the convoy—this is the entry point to the Sahara most travelers imagine. The 3-day loop from Marrakech to Merzouga threads the High Atlas at the Tizi n’Tichka pass (≈2,260 m), winds through the kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou, drops into the rose-scented Dades Valley and finishes at the color-changing ripples of Erg Chebbi, dune heights near 150 m.
easy.
3 days.
Suitable for travelers in average fitness; able to sit in a vehicle for long drives and walk short distances over uneven terrain
Expect roughly 550–600 km round-trip; the eastbound leg is about 8–10 hours including stops, depending on traffic and photo breaks.
Camel rides across Erg Chebbi are gentle and short (sunset and sunrise treks typically 1–2 hours); riders of most ages can join but those with serious back issues should avoid the saddle.
The tour includes an upgraded bivouac with private tented rooms or luxury nomad-style tents, shared facilities, and a communal dinner and campfire entertainment.
This private tour includes driver/guide transport, hotel and camp accommodations as stated; local guides can be hired at sites like Ait Ben Haddou if desired.
The route follows historic caravan corridors; Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO-listed ksar that once housed traders en route to Timbuktu.
Erg Chebbi’s dune systems are fragile—stick to established tracks, avoid nighttime vehicle access on dunes and minimize water use in this arid region.
Open Travel - Day Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Open Travel - Day Tours
Book directly with Open Travel - Day Tours for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now