5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

Best 5 days desert tour from marrakech

Overview

From Marrakech begins a very special 5-day desert tour from marrakech. Over a well-organized 5-day/4-night itinerary, our program intends to gather great experiences to see a lot of attractions in a short period.

Our program will include the majestic High Atlas Mountains, the wiggling Tizi-N-Tichka pass, the historically significant Ait-Ben-Haddou Kasbah, and the movie capital Ouarzazate. Other highlights are the green Draa Valley, the lively town of Rissani, and the fabulous Merzouga Sahara desert.

In Merzouga, enjoy a camel trek, spectacular sunset and sunrise views, and a never-to-be-forgotten night in a desert camp. Venture into the middle of the Merzouga Sahara by 4×4. Among other things, on our excursion will be the lovely Dades Valley, the stunning Todra Gorges, and the ancient Amridil Kasbah. The tour ends with the return to the busy city of Marrakech.

Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas mountains- Telouat Kasbah – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Ouarzazate

Thus begins our early morning pick up for our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech, cost airport or lodging. Onward from there-Crossing-Tihi the High Atlas Mountains via scenic drive through the Tizi-N-Tichka pass. There will be plenty of stops along the way to stimulate perspectives and possibly get the chance to absorb the amazing views.

On the trip, we stop at the historic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage site. Besides being listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the cinematic past of the Kasbah is well known, as it has formed backdrops for films such as Gladiator, Alexander, and The Mummy, as well as for some television serials, including Game of Thrones. Following that, we will reach our destination, Ouarzazate, which is popularly dubbed as “The Gate of the Desert”. And with that, you’re going to have dinner at your cozy hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Agdz -Draa Valley – Nkob- Merzouga Desert – Camel trekking – overnight in a luxury camp

After breakfast, we set off on our exploration of Ouarzazate. The first appointment is with a little tour of the Atlas Studios, where we can visit the settings of many famous productions, and afterwards continue to the Taourirt Kasbah, a historic fortified structure made of mud. Our journey will then continue towards Agdz and enter the Draa Valley, which is home to the longest river in Morocco.

We plan to drive along the scenic route of the valley with numerous breaks to enjoy breathtaking views of palm groves, impressive Kasbahs, and conventional Berber settlements, with a lunch break in Nkob or Alnif. After lunch, the excursion continues toward the Merzouga Desert, crossing through Rissani.

Upon arrival at the Erg Chebbi dunes, swap off the vehicles for camels to explore the Sahara. We will stop on a big dune to witness an amazing sunset. Our campsite is a blend of traditional nomadic tents with the comfort of a modern hotel. The night at the camp will be filled with an opportunity to enjoy Berber drum performances, dancing around a bonfire, and stargazing. Dinner will then be served on this camping night.

Day 3: Explore Merzouga region – Nomads – Khamlia – Merzouga lake – Erg Chebbi – palm grove

The day starts with an early rise, so that one can witness a breathtaking sunrise as it paints the desert scenery. Breakfast is then served. The next step is a return via camel to Merzouga, where your driver will already be waiting. The rest of the day is dedicated to excursions in and around Merzouga.

This place offers fantastic opportunities for various outdoor ventures, from spectacular dunes, an extraordinary savage lake, old mining and fossil sites, to enchanting oases. The exploration of Merzouga kicks off with an off-road drive, where the first stop is an eyeliner mine. We then go on to a nomadic family and visit them in their hand-made woven tent.

Here you can take a sip of Berber tea and learn about their life. Next, we continue to Khamlia, where you will witness some Gnaoua music and dance. The community descends from people originating from the Sub-Saharan region, including Mali, Sudan, and Niger. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, and afterward, we will walk through a lush palm grove. Finally, we will drive for a short while to check out Merzouga’s wild lake, sometimes referred to as the flamingos’ lake. Dinner and overnight will be at a hotel.

Day 4: Merzouga Sahara – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

In the morning, we have breakfast and depart for Rissani, the ancient heart of Tafilalet, away from the desert. The town, a former capital, is now a centre of trade, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with a very important souk. After a visit to the Rissani Souk, we drive to Erfoud, where a workshop for fossilized marble is to be visited. From here, we drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad to the Todra Gorges.

Hence, the mighty river Todra has carved a magnificent canyon through the mountains, forming a spectacular red-walled gorge with towering cliffs. These gorges are an excellent place for rock climbing, and we propose a period of free time in the gorges to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Lunch will follow at a restaurant. Then we continue to the Dades Valley, passing by Boumalne Dades. A stop will be made at the interesting “monkey fingers” rock formation, then a stop on top of the mountain with an overview of the Dades Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Dades Valley – Roses Valley – Palm Groves of Skoura – Amridil Kasbah – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

The last day of your Moroccan desert expedition is towards Kalaa Magouna, famous for its Rose Valley. This place organizes an annual Rose Festival in May. Here, the community presents its rose products, from aromatic perfumes and cooling rose water to essential oils and cosmetics.

Thereafter, we will pass under a landscape filled with historical Kasbahs, including the Amridil Kasbah delicately placed amid palm trees within the Skoura oasis. We will then go to Ouarzazate and leave some time free for you to travel around and have lunch in town. Afterward, the journey resumes towards Marrakech, crossing through the magnificent Tizi-N-Tichka pass and the towering High Atlas Mountains. Ultimately, you will be dropped off at your arranged accommodation or Marrakech airport. Thus, your 5-day tour will come to an end.

Standard Tour

Great value for travelers prioritizing experience over amenities.

From €250 PER GUEST

Luxury Tour

Ideal for honeymooners or anyone wanting more space/comfort.

From €450 PER GUEST

Mixed Tour

A smart balance of comfort and cost.

From €300PER GUEST

Tour itinerary map

FAQ Hub

The 5 day tour from Marrakech is a private experience, ensuring that only the travelers making the inquiry will be participating. No additional individuals will join the tour. Our primary focus is on providing high-quality, personalized experiences, which is why we mainly offer private tours.

Please provide us with any dietary preferences you may have, and we will ensure that your needs are met. Kindly inform us of your preferences in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements for lunch stops and notify the Riad/Camp accordingly, as dinners are included in the package.

The Vehicle will be either a SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C

Vehicle Details :

  • 4×4 : Land Cruiser Prado ( up to 4 pax )
  • Minivans : Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo Van or Similar ( up to 8 pax )

For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 pax can be provided.

The Tent at the luxury camp is private, and has private bathrooms with hot running water.

Please provide us with any dietary preferences you may have, and we will ensure that your needs are met. Kindly inform us of your preferences in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements for lunch stops and notify the Riad/Camp accordingly, as dinners are included in the package.

The Vehicle will be either an SUV (4×4) or a Minivan, both with A/C

Vehicle Details :

  • 4×4 : Land Cruiser Prado ( up to 4 pax )
  • Minivans: Mercedes Vito Tourer or Ford Torneo Van ( up to 8 pax )

For groups larger than 8, a minibus that takes up to 18 passengers can be provided.

The Camel ride is 40 minutes to 1.5 hours long, depending on which camp you are staying in.

The meeting point for the tour is at 8:30 a.m. at any location within Marrakech. If your Riad is accessible by car, we will pick you up directly from there. In case of accessibility issues, we will pick you up from the nearest accessible road point. This can be arranged upon confirmation of your booking.

At the end of the tour, we will drop you off at your hotel or Riad in Fes, or the closest available parking lot. The tour typically concludes between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Fes, but the exact duration may vary depending on the time spent at each location.

 
 

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