From Marrakech: 3-Day Marzouga Desert Tour with Camel Ride

Day 1 Start your trip to the desert with a pickup from your hotel in Marrakech. Drive through green valleys and arid deserts to reach Tizi n’Tichka, the highest pass in North Africa, and get breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains.  On the way, visit the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, then stop for lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the kasbah (cost not included).  Continue your desert trip towards Ouarzazate, known as the gate of the desert. Stop at the cinema studios for a short visit (optional), and then drive toward the heart of the city to discover another hidden gem, the Kasbah Taourirte, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Finish your day at the Dades Gorges. On the way, stop at Rose Valley for a short visit to a local rose water cooperative. Spend the night in a local hotel or Riad.  Day 2 After breakfast at your hotel, head towards the Todra Gorges, a favorite destination for rock climbers. After a visit to the gorges and the palm oasis of Todra, follow the ancient caravan trade routes to the Sahara, passing through a series of fortified villages with pre-Saharan architecture.  Arrive in Erfoud, built by the French as a central administration city, and admire its famous rich black marble fossils. Next, head to the dunes of the Merzouga Desert. When you arrive at the Berber camp, sip on traditional mint tea.  Once you've finished your tea, ride a camel through the golden dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert before taking in the vivid colors of the sunset. Return to the Berber camp for dinner and a relaxed night gathered around the fire. Spend the night in the camp under the stars.  Day 3 Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise from the Great Dune of the Sahara Desert. Return to camp to have breakfast, then ride Dromedaries, the tallest of the three camel species, or travel by 4WD to meet your driver to start the return journey from the desert to Marrakech.  As you drive from the Sahara to Marrakech, stop for lunch and toilet breaks (lunch is optional and not included in the price).