Experience the Sahara desert in its entirety with our comprehensive 5-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. This itinerary provides the ideal amount of time to go beyond the surface, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the landscapes and culture without feeling rushed.
You will journey by camel into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes, spend unforgettable nights stargazing in a desert camp with the locals, and discover the Berber local life in southern Morocco. For travelers seeking a deep and authentic connection with the desert’s breathtaking beauty and rich traditions, this 5-day adventure is the perfect choice.
We start our 5 days desert tour from Marrakech passing through the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). We will make some stops to enjoy the landscapes in the mountains. Our main stop of the day is the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many others. After, we continue to Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Sahara,” where you can visit the Atlas Studios, the biggest one in Africa (optional).
The journey then takes us through the Valley of Roses, known for growing the roses, before arriving to the Dades Valley, where we spend the night in a traditional Riad with dinner.
After breakfast, we drive via the Todra valley toward the stunning Todgha Gorge. A canyon of 300m-high cliffs tower above a winding river. Where you can enjoy a perfect short walk. We then journey toward the Sahara, passing through Erfoud, known for its fossil facturies.
By afternoon, we reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, you’ll mount a camel and trek into the golden sands, watching the sunset over the desert. At night, we stay in a luxury desert camp, enjoying traditional Berber music, a delicious dinner, and endless stars.
An early start is recommended to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise from a nearby dune. After a delicious breakfast at the camp, your deep exploration of the Merzouga region begins. Boarding our 4×4 vehicle, we will venture off-road to meet a nomadic Berber family who still live in old tents. This is an authentic experience in which we have a cup of tea to learn about their resilient lifestyle, and gain a unique insight into their rich culture.
The expedition continues to the historic mining village of Mefis where the frenchs used to live. Then we heah to Khamlia village to experience the powerful, spiritual rhythms of Gnawa music played by Gnawa people who are originlly brought from Mali and Sudan as refugees. For lunch you will have the chance to try the typical dish of the area called the Berber pizza.
Depending on the season, we may also visit the Lake of Merzouga, a temporary haven for migratory birds. We will proceed to your Riad at the edge of the dunes for check-in and a free afternoon. You can relax by the pool or you can do some desert activities such as Atv quads or Buggies. Later, dinner will be served at the Riad.
For travellers who want the option to spend another magical night at the desert camp is also available.
After enjoying breakfast at the Riad. We start our Morocco desert tour toward Rissani or Sijlmassa, the ancient cradle of Morocco’s ruling dynasty and a historic crossroads for Saharan trade caravans. If we come a cross Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday which are the market days in the city. We will explore one of the oldest authentic traditional souk in Morocco. Where you can see a local atmosphere.
From Rissani, we travel onward through the stunning Draa Valley, following the river of palms through Agdez. This beautiful route leads us to Ouarzazate, where we will arrive in the afternoon and check into our accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Following a final breakfast at your riad, our last day of the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech begins with an exploration of Ouarzazate, named also as the ‘Hollywood of Africa’. We will discover the city’s cinematic landmarks, including the historic Taourirt Kasbah.
From there our return to Marrakech takes us on a final breathtaking drive through the High Atlas Mountains. Along this scenic route, we will make a fascinating stop to admire the historic Telouet Kasbah. Your unforgettable 5-day desert adventure concludes as we drop you off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
Approx. 7:30 AM (flexible based on your location)
We have carefully selected a range of accommodations for your 5-day journey to ensure a restful and authentic experience. Every hotel, riad, and desert camp features clean, comfortable rooms with private en-suite bathrooms, available in double, twin, or single occupancy.
To help us personalize your tour, please choose your preferred accommodation style from the three tiers listed below and let us know your selection when you book.
Let us know if you are interested to spend two nights in the desert camp instead of the Riad.
| Nights | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riad Gabsi Dades | Riad Dades Paradise | Eden Boutique Hotel |
| 2 | Africa Luxury Camp | Caravanserai Luxury Camp | Antares Desert Camp |
| 3 | Riad Azawad | Riad Dar Morocco | Riad Caravan Serai |
| 4 | Riad Bouchedor | Riad Dar Chamaa | Oz Palace Ouarzazate |
