Three days from Marrakech: time for the big dunes

Option 1: the 3-day Merzouga desert tour

Day one crosses the Atlas, stops at Aït Ben Haddou and sleeps in the Dades valley. Day two runs through the Todra gorge and reaches the dunes for sunset and a night in camp. Day three starts with sunrise on the sand and ends in Marrakech in the evening.

This is the standard route because the dunes are on a different scale from Zagora's. On Civitatis it starts at around €109 per person; prices change. Details on camps and the drive are in the Merzouga guide.

Option 2: three days ending in Fes

If Fes is your next stop, some three-day tours continue north after the camp night instead of turning back. The last day is about 7.5–8.5 h of driving to Fes, and you arrive with all your luggage.

It saves you the return to Marrakech plus a separate trip to Fes. The Civitatis version starts at around €202 per person. Four days from Marrakech compares it with the slower four-day tour.

Option 3: Zagora plus a day trip

Spend two days on the Zagora tour for a camp night and small dunes, then use the third day for something close: Ourika, Imlil or a slow day in the medina with a hammam.

You get a taste of the desert and still have a day without a long drive. You give up the big dunes.

Option 4: three days without long drives

If the drive is what puts you off, mix short trips instead. One day to Ouzoud, one to Essaouira or Imlil, and an evening in Agafay with a night in camp gives you waterfalls, mountains or sea, and a desert sunset.

Each piece can be booked separately, so you can reshuffle around the weather. Browse the day trips from Marrakech to build your own mix.

Plan around the return day

The Merzouga return covers around 560 km in one day and can run late. Do not book a flight out of Marrakech that evening, and keep the next morning light.