Excursion in the Desert of Merzouga: 4 Days / 3 Nights

Yes — Riad Vendôme arranges short Sahara excursions for guests who don't have time for a full 4-day circuit. The 2-day Zagora trip (closer, easier route) departs early morning Day 1, includes overnight in a luxury Berber camp with camel sunset and starlit dinner, returns Day 2 afternoon. From 195 EUR/person all-in (private 4x4, English-speaking guide, full board in desert, camel ride). Less rushed than 1-day attempts to Merzouga (too far). Bookable 7-10 days in advance via WhatsApp Eric.

The most flexible option is the private 4x4 customisable circuit: choose duration (2/3/4 days), destination (Zagora closer / Merzouga authentic), accommodation level (basic Berber tent vs luxury desert camp), departure date (modify up to 7 days before). From 195 EUR/person (2 days basic) to 850 EUR/person (4 days luxury). Eric coordinates with trusted local guides since 2011. Cancellation flexible up to 14 days before. Single contact for the entire round trip (Marrakech ↔ desert ↔ Marrakech).

Desert circuits start from Marrakech, so you first fly into Marrakech-Menara and base yourself at the riad. There are no non-stop flights from the United States; from New York allow about 8 to 9 hours via Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc, which hubs there. From Canada, Royal Air Maroc runs a seasonal non-stop from Montreal to Casablanca, then a short connection. Most North American guests spend a few days at the riad in the medina before setting off on the desert circuit.

A 4-day Merzouga excursion from Marrakech costs from €280/person all-inclusive — transport, accommodation, full board, camel trek at sunset and luxury bivouac with real beds and hot shower.

All desert excursions include: private transport (minibus or Land Cruiser 4x4), all accommodation, full board (3 meals/day), camel trek at sunset, night in a luxury bivouac, Berber guide, and all entrance fees. No hidden costs.

October to April is the best period for desert excursions. Temperatures are pleasant (15-25°C by day). Summer (June-August) reaches 45°C in the desert and is not recommended for multi-day circuits.

Contact Eric via WhatsApp (+212 600 608 608). He confirms availability and coordinates the full circuit from the riad, in collaboration with an approved licensed transport partner and official guides. Most excursions can be arranged with 24-48 hours notice.

Merzouga sits 560 km south-east of Marrakech, roughly 7 to 8 hours of driving over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), through Ouarzazate and past the Todra gorges. Three days and two nights is the realistic minimum: one road day out, one night in a bivouac at the foot of the Erg Chebbi, one road day back. Four days makes the drive far easier and adds the Dadès valley. If you only have 48 hours, take Zagora instead — 2 days / 1 night is enough there.

Not for the main roads: they are tarmac all the way to Merzouga and to Zagora, and an air-conditioned minibus is perfectly comfortable. A 4×4 becomes necessary for the last off-road stretch — the piste to the camps at the foot of the Erg Chebbi, and above all the crossing to the erg Chegaga (also spelled Chigaga) beyond M'hamid, which is around 2 hours of dunes and stony track. Riad Vendôme coordinates the vehicle and the driver in collaboration with an approved licensed transport partner; you choose private or shared when you book.

Merzouga and its Erg Chebbi are the postcard Sahara: dunes up to 150 m, orange at sunrise — but 560 km and 7 to 8 hours from Marrakech, so 3 days minimum. Zagora and the erg Chegaga (Chigaga) are closer, 360 km and 5 to 6 hours, and work in 2 days / 1 night; the Chegaga dunes are wilder and far less visited, but reaching them adds about 2 hours of 4×4 piste from M'hamid. Short trip: Zagora. Iconic dunes: Merzouga. Both: the 4-day Grand Tour. The full comparison is on our Merzouga vs Zagora page.

Yes, and it catches most first-timers out. From November to February the temperature in the erg drops to roughly 0 to 5 °C after dark, even after a 25 °C afternoon. The bivouac tents have real beds with thick wool blankets and the camp lights a fire, but pack a fleece or a down jacket, a hat, socks and long trousers for the evening. From April to October the nights are mild and one light layer is enough. Full packing list on our preparation guide.

You reach the edge of the dunes in the late afternoon and ride out by camel at sunset — 30 to 45 minutes, slow and suitable for complete beginners. The camp is a circle of nomad tents with real beds, proper mattresses and blankets, and shared or private washrooms depending on the camp. Dinner is a Berber tagine served under the tent, then drums and mint tea around the fire, and a sky with no light pollution at all. Wake-up is before dawn to climb the nearest dune for sunrise, breakfast at the camp, then the road back.

Yes — families are a large share of our departures. The road day is the only real constraint and it is broken up with stops. Éric recommends the Zagora circuit for younger children: 5 to 6 hours of driving instead of 7 to 8, and a shorter night away. Bivouac tents have real beds, camel rides are gentle and a small child can ride with a parent. Travelling with a baby, say so when you book so the partner fits a suitable car seat and the camp sets aside a quieter tent.

Both, and you choose when you book. A private departure gives you your own vehicle and your own driver, with a flexible itinerary and departure time — the usual choice for couples, families and anyone travelling with young children. A small group of 4 to 6 travellers shares the vehicle and brings the cost per person down. Larger parties are run with several vehicles and a lead driver. In every case the transport is coordinated in collaboration with an approved licensed transport partner and the visits are handled by official guides.

Southern Morocco is one of the calmest and most travelled parts of the country, and the Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Merzouga axis is a well-maintained tourist road. The circuit is coordinated in collaboration with an approved licensed transport partner — professional drivers who know the passes — and with official guides for the visits. The camps are permanent, staffed and reachable by telephone. Mobile coverage is patchy in the middle of the erg, which is part of the charm: leave the camp number with your family. Otherwise it is common sense — drink plenty of water, cover your head, and never walk off into the dunes alone.

That is how most guests do it, and it is why the riad is the anchor point. You arrive at Riad Vendôme in the Marrakech medina, take a night or two to settle in, leave for the desert, then come back to the same room. On the return day the spa books a hammam and a massage, and the cooking class with Chef Naïma — 3 hours, market, tagine and couscous, lunch included — is €48 per person. Luggage you don't need in the desert stays at the riad.

Riad Vendome is at 217 Derb El Halfaoui, in the Dar El Bacha district of the Marrakech medina. It is a 7-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fna square, close to the Koutoubia and the souks, so you reach the main sights on foot without needing a taxi. A member of staff meets you at the nearest vehicle drop-off point on arrival.

Yes, Riad Vendome can be hired exclusively. The main riad has 12 rooms and goes up to 20 rooms with our second riad 100 metres away, for exclusive hire of up to 45 guests. During an exclusive hire there are no other guests: the pool, hammam, jacuzzi and rooftop are reserved for your group alone.