5 DAYS DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH

Begin your 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with an 8:30 am pick-up from your accommodation. We will cross the High Atlas Mountains, including the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass, the highest pass in North Africa at 2260 meters.

Along the way, your friendly driver will make stops at scenic spots, and you can also request additional stops whenever you like. The Berber villages perched on the mountainsides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the mountains themselves, are spectacular.

After enjoying a delicious lunch in Ouarzazate, we continue towards Dades Gorges, passing through Skoura Oasis and the Rose Valley. In Skoura’s lush oasis, you have the option to visit the Amridil Kasbah, one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortresses. If traveling in spring, we can also stop to admire the valley covered in blooming roses.

Upon reaching Dades Gorges, get ready to be amazed by the unique rock formations, known as ‘Monkey Fingers’, and take in the stunning views of the canyon. Finally, we will head to your Riad, where you can relax, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.

Driving distance: Approximately 353 km
Driving time: Approximately 6 hr 30 min

After breakfast in your Riad, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the Dades and Todra Rivers, which are surrounded by palm groves and Berber villages. Your main stop is the Todra Gorge in Tinghir, one of the most amazing canyons in the world. Afterward, head to the Merzouga desert.

Before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes, our driver/guide will suggest visiting a traditional Berber shop. Here, you can take free pictures wearing a Berber outfit. If you are interested, you can buy something, like a scarf for the desert or some souvenirs. Remember, there is no obligation to purchase anything. The shop’s goal is to share the Berber culture, so if you’d rather skip it, just let your driver know.

Once you arrive in Merzouga, get ready for a camel ride into the desert to watch and enjoy an amazing Sunset over the golden dunes and try sandboarding. In the evening, enjoy a tasty dinner and spend the night in a Luxury desert camp, where you will experience the magic of the Sahara under the stars.

Driving distance: Approximately 310 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr

If you wake up early today, you will be treated to an incredible sunrise, with beautiful colors lighting up the desert dunes near your camp. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you can choose between a camel trekking adventure or a comfortable 4×4 vehicle ride to return to the town of Merzouga.

Not far from Merzouga, we will stop at Khamlia village, famous for its traditional Gnawa music. Here, you can experience the local rhythmic sounds of this unique Moroccan music. Next, we drive towards the Berber Nomads behind the dunes, where you will learn about their lifestyle and traditions.

After that, we visit a small, hidden, and deserted village called Mefis, known for its abandoned lead mines from the French colonial period.

Following lunch in a local restaurant, we will take a stroll in a palm tree grove. Then we proceed to your Riad, where you will have time to relax, explore the town, or walk in the dunes before dinner and an overnight stay.

Driving Distance: Approximately 70 km
Driving time: Approximately 3 hr

After enjoying a healthy breakfast at the Riad, you will meet your driver and drive towards Ouarzazate. On the way, you will visit Rissani, an ancient city of historical significance, known as the foundation of Morocco’s current ruling family and once a major stop on the caravan trade routes.
If it happens to be Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, we will explore the city’s traditional market, where locals buy and sell goods.

From Rissani, we will travel through the picturesque Draa Valley in Agdez, a place known for its stunning landscapes. By the afternoon, we will arrive in Ouarzazate, where we will settle into our accommodation.

Driving Distance: Approximately 370 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr 30 min

On the final day of your 5-day Marrakech desert tour, our journey starts with a visit to Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Africa and the gateway to the Sahara. This city is home to Africa’s largest film studio, Atlas Studios, as well as the historic Taourirt Kasbah.

Next, we will head to the ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. This remarkable fortress has been the setting for numerous iconic films and TV series like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones.

As we conclude our exploration of the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, we will continue toward Marrakech, passing through the stunning Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we will enjoy spectacular views of Berber villages dotting the mountainside.

As our 5 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour comes to an end, we will drop you off at your hotel in Marrakech, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the desert wonders and rich culture we experienced together.

Driving Distance: Approximately 195 km
Driving time: Approximately 3 hr 45 min