Marrakech to Merzouga: distance, route and how many days

The N9 leaves Marrakech and climbs into the High Atlas, through villages and switchbacks to the Tizi n'Tichka at 2,260 m. On the far side the land turns dry and stony and you drop to Ouarzazate.

From Ouarzazate the N10 runs east past Kalaat M'Gouna and the Dades valley to Tinghir, where the Todra gorge cuts into the mountains a short drive north of town. Its rock walls rise several hundred metres.

From there you cross open, stony desert to Merzouga, a village at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The dunes rise to about 150 m.

Past Tinghir there are two ways into Merzouga: a shorter road from Tinejdad, or the road through Erfoud and Rissani. Your driver picks the better one on the day, depending on roadworks and where you want to stop.

You can, but it is about 10 h 10 without stops, and you arrive tired with the best of the road seen from a car window. A one-way transfer costs 4,550 MAD by sedan if that is what you need.

Most people break the drive with a night in the Dades valley or the Todra gorge. That turns it into two days of five or six hours each, with time to walk at Aït Benhaddou and in the gorge.

The 3-day trip, from 4,500 MAD, goes Marrakech to the Dades valley, then the Todra gorge to a desert camp, then back. Day 3 is a long drive.

The 4-day trip, from 6,000 MAD, adds a full day around the dunes, so you are not in the car every day. Choose it if you travel with children or want time in the desert rather than a single sunset.

Both are private: your own car and driver, fuel and tolls included. Desert-camp nights are arranged with partner camps and quoted in your written confirmation.

Merzouga is a full day's drive from Fes too, so finishing there costs you no extra day and saves the drive back to Marrakech. The road north goes through the Ziz valley and Midelt, then over the Middle Atlas. Ask for the Fes ending when you book and the office prices it in writing.

Desert trips are priced per vehicle, like our transfers. The price covers your own car and driver for every day of the trip, fuel and tolls. Entry tickets, local guides, meals and camel rides are paid on the spot unless your confirmation lists them.

The camp night is arranged with a partner camp and quoted in your written confirmation, so you see one total before you travel. Groups of up to 7 travel by van and up to 16 by minibus, quoted on request.

The Tichka stays open most of the year, but heavy snow can close it for short spells, roughly from late November to early March. In winter, message the office the day before you leave to ask about the road.

Desert nights are cold in winter, and June to August days are very hot. Spring and autumn are the easiest months.

Pack a warm layer even in spring and autumn: the pass is high and desert nights get cold. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream for the dunes, and a scarf against wind-blown sand.

Keep a small bag for the camp night. The last stretch to a camp is by camel or 4x4, so a big suitcase is easier left in the car.

If you only have two days, the Zagora trip (3,000 MAD) crosses the same pass and Aït Benhaddou and sleeps in the desert near Zagora, 349 km from Marrakech. For the big Erg Chebbi dunes you need Merzouga.