5 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour

Detailed Day Wise Itinerary

• Day 1: Marrakech » High Atlas » Telouat Kasbah » Ait Benhaddou » Ouarzazate[247Km]

  At 8 in the morning, we'll come to pick you up from your place in Marrakech in a comfy 4x4 car. Then, we'll hit the road towards Ouarzazate, passing through the High Atlas mountains. Along the way, we'll go through a high mountain pass called Tizi N'Tichka, which is the tallest spot in Morocco at 2260 meters. You won't believe the stunning views from here! We'll also make some pit stops to snap photos of the cute Berber villages.

  Next, we'll take a little road that leads to Telouat Kasbah. Once we explore the kasbah, you'll have some free time to savor a local meal in town. In the afternoon, our journey continues through the Ounila valley. Here, you'll spot small Berber villages with families living in cozy adobe houses nestled in the mountains. Our final destination for the day is the Ait Benhaddou village, a fortified village, where we'll visit the famous Kasbah. This place is so special that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1986. It's also a famous filming location for movies like Games of Thrones, Gladiator, and more.

  After the kasbah visit, we'll head to Ouarzazate, also known as "The gateway to the desert". We'll have dinner at the hotel where we'll be spending the night.

• Day 2: Ouarzazate » Draa Valley » Nkob » Merzouga Desert » Erg Chebbi[370Km]

  Today after breakfast, we'll head towards the Draa Valley, where you'll find one of the longest rivers in Morocco. Along the way, we'll stop to take some pictures and soak in the views of charming kasbahs and Berber villages that line the road. The beauty of the Draa Valley will also captivate you.

  When it's time for lunch, we'll give you some free time to enjoy a meal in Nkob or Alnif. After about two hours of driving, we'll reach the stunning Merzouga desert dunes, known for their powdery sand. Here's where the real adventure begins!

  We'll switch from our regular transportation to something more unique - camels! These friendly creatures will take us deep into the heart of the desert so you can witness the breathtaking sunset and capture some awesome photos. Then, we'll return to our cozy camps, where we'll sleep in traditional Berber tents made of camel hair. Dinner will be served under the starry night sky, making it a truly magical experience.

• Day 3: Merzouga Desert » Nomads Families » Khamlia Village » Erg Chebbi[120Km]

  Today, we have something special in store - a date with the sunrise. Waking up early might not sound super appealing, but trust us, it's totally worth it. You'll witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises ever from the top of a dune near our camp. Nature sure knows how to put on a show! After soaking in the sunrise and hearty breakfast, we'll hop on camels and head back to the Merzouga area. Then, we'll cruise around Erg Chebbi, which is a massive stretch of sandy desert and home to the tallest dune in Morocco, standing over 250 meters high.

  Our journey continues on a road that used to be part of the famous "Paris - Dakar" rally and leads to the mountains bordering Algeria. As we drive, you'll spot nomad settlements and even learn a thing or two about their way of life. Our next destination is a viewpoint where you can admire the entire Erg Chebbi. Then, we'll head to Kamilia Village, originally from Mali. Here, you can relax with a cup of tea and enjoy a concert of Gnawa spiritual music.

  Finally, we'll take you to your accommodation, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the town or the dunes near your hotel. You won't want to miss the sunset - it's pretty magical! Dinner and a comfy night's rest await you at the hotel.

• Day 4: Merzouga Desert » Rissani Market » Todra Gorges » Dades Gorges[276Km]

  On this day of our trip, we'll start by leaving the Sahara desert after breakfast. Our first stop is Rissani, sometimes called Sijilmassa, where we'll visit the marketplace. It's bustling with activity on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We'll also check out the old Ksar of Abo-Am.

  Next, we'll head to Erfoud, a place known for making things from fossilized marble. Then, we'll make our way to Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves. About an hour later, we'll arrive at one of the coolest spots in the High Atlas region - the Todra Gorges. These are basically narrow canyons with tall cliffs, and climbers love them. You'll have some free time to grab lunch here, and a short walk through the gorges is a great idea to take in the amazing scenery.

  In the afternoon, we'll keep going to the Dades Valley, also called the Figs Valley. We'll pass through Boumalne Dades and stop at the "monkey legs". After that, it's time for dinner and a good night's rest at the Dades Gorges.

• Day 5: Dades Valley » Roses Valley » Skoura » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech[324Km]

  On the final day of our 5 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour, we'll begin with breakfast and then head to a great viewpoint in the mountains. From here, you'll get a fantastic view of the Dades Valley, with lots of kasbahs and unique features in sight.

  We'll continue our road trip, passing various kasbahs that are pretty interesting for tourists. We'll make some stops along the way to enjoy the scenic "One Thousand Kasbahs Road", the Roses Valley, and the expansive Skoura palm grove. Our next destination is Ouarzazate, where we'll visit the Taourirt Kasbah, which used to be the home of the Glaoui or Marrakech Pasha. And if you're into it, we can also check out the cinema studios and the cinema museum.

  You'll have some free time to grab lunch in town. In the afternoon, we'll begin our journey back to Marrakech, going through the mountain pass of Tizi N'Tichka. We'll make some stops for picture-taking along the way. As we leave behind the moon-like landscape, you'll start to see more colors. We'll arrive in Marrakech around 6 PM, and we'll take you back to your accommodation. This marks the end of our adventure together.