How many days do I need for a Morocco trip?

For a first visit to Morocco, we recommend at least 7-10 days to cover the highlights including Marrakech, the Sahara Desert, and one or two imperial cities. A 3-5 day trip works well for a focused Marrakech and Atlas Mountains experience. For a comprehensive tour including northern Morocco, the coast, and the deep south, plan for 14-21 days.

What is the best Morocco itinerary for first-time visitors?

The classic first-time visitor itinerary covers Marrakech (2-3 days), the Sahara Desert via the Atlas Mountains and Dades Valley (2-3 days), and Fes (2 days). This 7-day route showcases the diversity of Morocco from bustling medinas to vast desert landscapes. Add Chefchaouen and the coast for a 10-day version.

Can I customize a Morocco itinerary?

Absolutely. All our itineraries serve as starting templates that can be fully customized. We can adjust the pace, add or remove destinations, change accommodation levels, include special activities (cooking classes, hot air balloon rides, surfing), and tailor the experience to your interests, budget, and travel dates. Contact our travel experts for a personalized itinerary.

Merzouga Itinerary 2 Days | Erg Chebbi Sahara

Name: Serenity Morocco Tours - Casablanca Office
Address: 31 Rue 110, Hay Moulay Abdellah, Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat, 20000, MA
Telephone: +212 701 664 704
Price range: $$$

Merzouga Desert Itinerary: 2 Days

A Classic Erg Chebbi Overnight - Camel Trek, Luxury Camp and Sahara Sunrise

2 days2 citiesFrom $400 ppFully private

Request a Free Quote Chat on WhatsApp

Duration

2 days

Total distance

60 km

Cities & stops

Pace

Relaxed

Best season

March, April…

From

$400 pp

Updated

June 2026

Route at a glance

Merzouga → Erg Chebbi

Merzouga
Erg Chebbi

Overview

2 days, Merzouga to Erg Chebbi

This 2-day Merzouga itinerary is the classic Sahara overnight built around the Erg Chebbi dunes, which rise to roughly 150 metres outside the village. Day one brings a welcome at a dune-edge auberge, Gnawa music in nearby Khamlia and a sunset camel trek to a luxury desert camp for a Berber dinner under the stars. Day two opens with sunrise over the dunes, breakfast at camp and a 4x4 circuit past nomad camps, fossil beds and the seasonal Dayet Srji lake. Merzouga sits about 560km from Marrakech, so most travellers reach it on a multi-day route via the Dades or Todra gorges and treat the dunes as the grand finale.

MerzougaErg Chebbi

Trip highlights

Ride a camel into the 150-metre Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset
Sleep in a luxury Sahara desert camp beneath the Milky Way
Wake for a spectacular sunrise over the golden Erg Chebbi sea
Listen to live Gnawa music in the Saharan village of Khamlia
Drive the dunes by 4x4 past nomad tents and fossil outcrops
Sip mint tea with a Berber family at the edge of the sand
Try sandboarding down the soft flanks of the great dunes
Watch shifting light turn the sand pink, amber and deep red
Spot desert wildlife and the dark-water Dayet Srji lake (seasonal)

Suitability

Is this 2-day Morocco itinerary right for you?

This route is designed around an unhurried, relaxed rhythm — long mornings, time to linger over mint tea and few box-ticking days. Days are gentle with little strenuous walking, so it suits most travellers, including families and first-time visitors to Morocco. It works best for groups of 1–12 (we find 2 is the sweet spot), and because every departure is private we can stretch or compress it to fit your dates.

You have 2 days and want to see Merzouga, Erg Chebbi
You want a route shaped by people who run it on the ground, not a generic template
You prefer comfort over roughing it — riads, hotels and a private vehicle throughout

Why private

Why book this as a private tour?

On a group coach you follow the crowd's clock. On a private Serenity itinerary the day bends to you: a slower morning in the medina, an extra hour at a viewpoint, dinner moved earlier for the kids. You travel with your own licensed driver-guide and air-conditioned vehicle, sleep in hand-picked riads rather than chain hotels, and skip the daily wait for 30 strangers to reboard the bus.

Your own driver-guide: Licensed, English-speaking, on call throughout
Flexible by design: Adjust the pace and stops day to day
Hand-picked stays: Riads, kasbahs and a desert camp — not chains
No hidden add-ons: One transparent quote, tailored to you

The journey, day by day

Your 2-day Morocco itinerary

A full breakdown of every day — morning, afternoon and evening, plus where you eat, where you sleep and what to know before you set off. Everything is private and fully adjustable.

Day 1

Into the Dunes - Camel Trek & Desert Camp

Merzouga

Arrive at the small Saharan village of Merzouga, where the orange wall of the Erg Chebbi dunes rises straight out of the flat hammada. After a welcome mint tea and time to freshen up at an auberge, you set off in the late afternoon by camel, following an experienced cameleer along the dune ridges as the sand shifts from gold to deep red. An hour or so later you reach your luxury camp tucked between the highest crests, which top out around 150 metres. As night falls you dine on tagine under the stars, listen to Berber drumming around the fire and watch a sky thick with the Milky Way, far from any city light.

Morning

2-3 hours

Arrival in Merzouga & Khamlia Gnawa Music

Settle in at a dune-edge auberge with mint tea, then drive south to Khamlia, a village of sub-Saharan heritage famous for its hypnotic Gnawa music, for a short live performance and a glass of tea.

Afternoon

1.5 hours

Sunset Camel Trek into Erg Chebbi

Mount your camel in the late afternoon and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes with your cameleer, climbing a high crest for sunset views over a rippling sea of sand before continuing to camp.

Evening

3 hours

Berber Dinner, Drumming & Stargazing

Enjoy a traditional Berber dinner at your camp, then gather around the campfire for djembe drumming and storytelling before lying back to take in one of the clearest night skies in Morocco.

Meals

BreakfastOwn expense
LunchRecommended · Light lunch at a Merzouga auberge before the trek
DinnerIncluded · Traditional tagine dinner at the desert camp

Where you sleep

Luxury Erg Chebbi camp with en-suite private tents

Desert camp · Erg Chebbi, Merzouga · $$$

Travel note · Bring only an overnight bag to the camp and leave your main luggage at the auberge or in the 4x4. Wear closed shoes for the camel and pack a warm layer - desert nights are cold even after hot days.

Day 2

Sahara Sunrise & 4x4 Dune Circuit

Merzouga

Wake before dawn and climb a nearby dune to watch the sun lift over the Algerian horizon, flooding Erg Chebbi with pink and gold light - the moment most travellers remember above all. After breakfast at camp you trek or ride back to the village, shower at an auberge, then explore the wider desert by 4x4. The circuit takes in nomad encampments, the black volcanic outcrops, fossil beds, and - after wet winters - the shallow Dayet Srji lake that draws flamingos. There is time for a final mint tea before your onward transfer, ending a short but unforgettable taste of the Sahara.

Morning

3 hours

Sunrise over Erg Chebbi & Camel Return

Climb a dune for first light as the sand glows pink and amber, enjoy breakfast at camp, then ride or walk back across the dunes to Merzouga and freshen up at a local auberge.

Afternoon

2-3 hours

4x4 Desert Circuit & Nomad Visit

Tour the wider desert by 4x4 - nomad tents, the dark volcanic hills, fossil-rich outcrops and the seasonal Dayet Srji lake - with a stop for tea with a Berber family at the edge of the sand.

Evening

Flexible

Onward Departure

A final mint tea before your private transfer onward - back toward Marrakech, Fes or the Dades and Todra gorges - completing your two-day Erg Chebbi escape.

Meals

BreakfastIncluded · Breakfast at the desert camp
LunchRecommended · Berber pizza (medfouna) at a Merzouga auberge
DinnerOwn expense

Where you sleep

Departure day - auberge day room for showers on request

Hotel · Merzouga · $$

Travel note · Sunrise is the highlight, so set an alarm and ask your camp the exact time. Most onward routes back to Marrakech or Fes take a full day, so plan an early start.

What's included

Included in your private tour

1 night in a luxury Erg Chebbi desert camp with private tent
Sunset camel trek into the dunes with an experienced cameleer
Sunrise camel trek or guided dune walk on day two
Private 4x4 with driver for desert transfers and the dune circuit
Traditional Berber dinner and breakfast at the camp
Welcome mint tea on arrival at the dune-edge auberge
Live Gnawa music and a campfire under the stars
Sandboarding equipment for use on the dunes
Bottled water throughout the desert programme
Hotel or auberge day room in Merzouga for freshening up
24/7 local English-speaking support during your stay

Not included

Excluded (so there are no surprises)

Transport to and from Merzouga (long-distance transfer or tour)
Lunches and drinks other than those stated
Quad-bike, sandboard lessons and other optional activities
Travel insurance
Tips, gratuities and personal expenses

Pricing

2-day Morocco itinerary cost

Indicative per-person pricing for a fully private departure. Final cost depends on your travel dates, group size and choice of accommodation — request a free quote for an exact figure.

Essential

Per person · private · from

$400

Comfortable riads & hotels

Get this quote

Best time to visit Morocco for this route

Spring and autumn bring the most reliable weather for combining cities, mountains and the Sahara — warm days, cool desert nights and comfortable medina walking. We run this itinerary year-round; high summer favours an earlier start to beat the desert heat.

MarchAprilMaySeptemberOctoberNovember

Good to know

2-day Morocco itinerary FAQs

Is Merzouga or Zagora better for the desert?

Merzouga is the better choice for classic Saharan scenery: its Erg Chebbi dunes reach about 150 metres and look exactly like the desert of the imagination, though it is a longer drive (around 560km from Marrakech). Zagora is closer and cheaper but its dunes are low and scrubby. For most travellers chasing big golden dunes, Merzouga is worth the extra distance.

How far is Merzouga from Marrakech?

Merzouga is roughly 560km southeast of Marrakech, an 8-9 hour drive that is almost always split over two days via Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and the Dades or Todra gorges. As a standalone desert stay, this 2-day itinerary assumes you have already reached the dune-edge village.

Erg Chebbi vs Erg Chigaga - which dunes should I choose?

Erg Chebbi, beside Merzouga, is the most accessible big dune field, reached straight from a sealed road and rising to about 150 metres. Erg Chigaga, near M'Hamid, is wilder and larger but needs a 2-hour 4x4 piste to reach, so it feels remoter and sees fewer visitors. Choose Erg Chebbi for ease and iconic dunes, Erg Chigaga for solitude and adventure.

What is the best time of year for the Sahara at Merzouga?

March to May and September to November are ideal, with warm days and cool, clear nights perfect for camping. Midsummer (June-August) can exceed 45C in the dunes, while December and January bring chilly nights that can drop near freezing. Aim for spring or autumn for the most comfortable desert experience.

Is the desert camp luxury or basic?

Both exist. Standard camps offer shared bathrooms and simple bivouac tents, while luxury camps - which this itinerary uses - have en-suite private tents with real beds, rugs, hot water and proper dining. All include a Berber dinner, breakfast and campfire, but comfort, privacy and food quality rise sharply at the luxury level.

How long is the camel trek into Erg Chebbi?

The sunset ride to camp typically lasts about 60-90 minutes each way, long enough to reach the high dunes for the best light without leaving you sore. If you prefer, you can swap the camel for a short 4x4 transfer to camp and just walk the dunes on foot.

What should I pack for an overnight in Merzouga?

Bring a warm layer for the cold night, a scarf to keep out sand, closed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a head-torch and plenty of water. Pack only a small overnight bag for camp and leave your main luggage at the auberge or in the vehicle, as you ride in by camel.

What is there to do in Merzouga besides the camel trek?

Beyond the trek you can hear Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia, take a 4x4 circuit to nomad camps and fossil beds, try sandboarding, visit the bustling Rissani market (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) and, after wet winters, see flamingos on the seasonal Dayet Srji lake.

Insider tips

Before you go

Merzouga is a long way from anywhere - pair this with the Dades or Todra gorges en route
Spring and autumn are ideal; midsummer days can exceed 45C in the dunes
Book a camp with private en-suite tents if you want comfort over basic bivouac
Cash is essential in the village - there are very few card machines
A head-torch and a scarf to keep sand out are genuinely useful
Ride the camel in closed shoes and long trousers to avoid chafing
Tip your cameleer and camp crew in small notes at the end
Even in summer, pack a fleece - the desert cools sharply after dark

Packing list

What to pack

A warm fleece or jacket for cold desert nights
A scarf or shesh to shield your face from sand and sun
Closed walking shoes plus sandals for the soft sand
Sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
A head-torch or phone torch for the unlit camp
A small overnight bag (leave main luggage behind)
A refillable water bottle and lip balm for the dry air
Cash in small notes for tips and village purchases
A power bank - there is limited electricity at camp

Journey in pictures

A look down the road ahead

Scenes from the places this 2-day route runs through — from Merzouga to Erg Chebbi and the kasbahs, medinas and dunes in between.

Merzouga, Morocco — scene from this 2-day itinerary — Merzouga

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Make this 2-day Morocco itinerary your own

Tell us your dates and what matters most. A travel designer will reply within 24 hours with a tailored, no-obligation proposal — including WhatsApp and phone if you'd rather talk it through.

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