5 Days tour from Marrakech to Desert
Overview
Experience an unforgettable 5-day / 4-night journey through Morocco’s most breathtaking landscapes and cultural highlights. This private tour takes you across the majestic High Atlas Mountains and over the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, offering stunning panoramic views along the way.
Discover the iconic Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the cinematic city of Ouarzazate. Continue through the lush Draa Valley, home to Morocco’s longest river, before reaching the historic town of Rissani.
In the magical Merzouga Sahara Desert, enjoy a camel trek across golden dunes, witness unforgettable sunsets and sunrises, and spend a night under the stars in a traditional desert camp. You’ll also explore the desert by 4×4 for a deeper adventure.
The journey continues to the spectacular Dades Valley and the dramatic Todra Gorge, as well as the historic Amridil Kasbah.
Your adventure concludes back in Marrakech, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Morocco’s diverse beauty.
Highlights
- Crossing the sneaky road of Tizi N’Tichka
- Wandering in Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
- Visiting the Oscar Studio & Taourirt Kasbah
- Free time to walk in Todra gorges
- Ride camels and camp in the desert
- Discover Berber culture and Lifestyle
Itinerary
Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Kasbah Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazat
Your 5 days tour from marrakech to desert begins with an early pick-up from the airport or your accommodation in Marrakech. From there, you’ll travel through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, crossing the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Along the way, several stops will be made to admire and photograph the breathtaking panoramic landscapes.
You will then visit the iconic Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic kasbah has served as a filming location for many famous productions, including Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy, and the popular TV series Game of Thrones.
After exploring the site, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, often referred to as “The Gateway to the Desert.” Dinner and overnight stay will be in a comfortable hotel.
Ouarzazate -Draa Valley – Merzouga desert
After breakfast, we begin exploring the city of Ouarzazate. First, we visit the famous Atlas Studios, where many internationally known films were produced, followed by a visit to the historic Taourirt Kasbah, an ancient fortified mud-brick castle rich in Moroccan heritage.
We then continue our journey toward Agdz, where we join the breathtaking Draa Valley, home to the longest river in Morocco. Along the way, there will be several stops to admire the panoramic views of lush palm groves, impressive kasbahs, and traditional Berber villages. Free time will be provided for lunch in Nkob or Alnif.
After lunch, we continue toward the Merzouga Sahara via Rissani. Upon arrival at the magnificent Erg Chebbi sand dunes, you will switch to camels for an unforgettable ride across the Sahara Desert. A stop will be made atop a high dune to witness the magical desert sunset before continuing to the luxury desert camp.
The camp combines the charm of traditional nomadic tents with modern comfort and hospitality. In the evening, enjoy traditional Berber drum music and dance around the campfire beneath a sky filled with countless shining stars. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the desert camp.
Explore Merzouga region – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga lake
Waking up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise in the heart of the Sahara Desert is an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, you will return by camel to Merzouga, where your driver will be waiting.
Today is dedicated to exploring the fascinating region of Merzouga, an area filled with remarkable natural and cultural attractions, including golden sand dunes, wild lakes, ancient mines, fossil sites, and beautiful oases — perfect for a variety of outdoor experiences.
Our journey begins with an off-road drive to visit an old eyeliner mine, once used for extracting traditional cosmetic minerals. We then visit local nomadic families in their handmade woven tents, where you will discover their unique way of life while enjoying a traditional Berber tea.
Next, we head to the village of Khamlia, famous for its vibrant Gnaoua music and dance performances. The village’s inhabitants originally come from sub-Saharan African countries such as Mali, Sudan, and Niger, giving the village its rich cultural heritage.
Free time will be provided for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing walk through the palm groves before driving a few kilometres to visit the wild lake of Merzouga, also known as Flamingo Lake.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at a comfortable hotel.
Merzouga Sahara – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
After breakfast, we leave the desert behind and head to Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet. Rissani remains an important trading center in the region, known for its traditional souk, which comes alive every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
After a stroll through the vibrant Rissani market, we continue to Erfoud, where we visit one of the local workshops specializing in fossilized marble craftsmanship. We then drive through the lush palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad on our way to the spectacular Todra Gorges.
Carved by the Todra River, these dramatic canyons feature towering red cliff walls that create one of the most impressive natural landscapes in Morocco. The gorges are especially popular among rock climbers and nature lovers. You will have free time to walk through the canyon and admire its breathtaking scenery. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we continue toward the beautiful Dades Valley via Boumalne Dades. Along the way, we stop to admire the famous “Monkey Fingers” rock formations and enjoy panoramic views from a mountain viewpoint overlooking the valley.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at a comfortable hotel in the Dades Valley.
Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Amridil Kasbah – Marrakech
On the final day of your Morocco desert tour, we continue to Kelaat M’Gouna to visit the beautiful Rose Valley. Every year in May, the region hosts the famous Rose Festival, where local artisans showcase a variety of rose-based products, including perfumes, rose water, essential oils, and cosmetic items.
We then drive through the scenic Route of the Kasbahs, passing several traditional fortified villages, including the remarkable Amridil Kasbah, surrounded by the lush palm groves of Skoura.
After arriving in Ouarzazate, you will have free time for lunch before continuing the journey back to Marrakech through the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass and the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains.
Finally, we will drop you off at your accommodation or at the airport in Marrakech, marking the end of your unforgettable 5-day tour to the Merzouga Desert.
- Hotels & accommodation
- Air-conditioned 4×4/minibus vehicle with a multilingual driver
- Camel ride and desert camps
- Fuel & parking
- Pick up and drop off from Airport/Hotel/Riad
- 4 dinners in the desert
- Breakfasts
- Flight tickets & visa
- Entrance tickets
- Personal expenses
- Tips to guide and driver
- 2 Travelers: $910/person ($1820 for 2)
- 3 Travelers: $750/person ($2250 for 3)
- 4 Travelers: $658/person ($2632 for 4)
- 5 Travelers: $550/person ($2750 for 5)
- 6 Travelers: $495/person ($2970 for 5)
To upgrade the hotel in Dades, an extra $55/person is required