Check the detailed plan for the 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga below to anticipate the activities of the trip. Remember, you have the option to tailor the program to suit your personal interests.
Start your 5-day journey from Marrakech to Merzouga with a convenient and stress-free collection from your hotel or riad. As we depart Marrakech, we will cross the impressive High Atlas mountains via the breathtaking Tizi-N-Tichka Pass. Throughout the drive, your knowledgeable guide and driver will pause at scenic viewpoints, and you are welcome to request additional stops whenever you wish. After enjoying a satisfying lunch in Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate, our expedition will lead us toward the Dades Gorge, passing through the intriguing Skoura and the delightful Rose Valley. In the lush oasis area of Skoura, you have the option to visit the remarkable Amridil Kasbah, an impressive fortified settlement. For those traveling during the spring months, we can make a special halt to observe the valley completely covered in a beautiful display of roses in full bloom. Upon our arrival at the Dades Gorge, prepare to be captivated by the spectacular natural rock formations, commonly referred to as “monkey fingers,” while also enjoying a sweeping panoramic view of the stunning Gorge area. Finally, we will proceed to your reserved hotel for an evening of rest, dinner, and a well-earned overnight stay.
Driving distance: Approximately 353 km Driving time: Approximately 6 hr 30 min
Begin your second day with a lovely breakfast at your Dades Valley hotel. We will then set off for Tinghir, where you will have the opportunity to admire a beautiful oasis and historic kasbahs, which once housed both Berber and Jewish communities living side-by-side. You will also get the chance to walk beneath the immense 300-meter cliffs of the Todra Gorge before continuing your travel towards the Sahara desert.
We will stop for a satisfying lunch during the drive, and upon arrival, your camel guide and our dromedaries will be prepared to lead you across the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to your desert camp. En route, you will stop on top of a high dune, where you can witness a magnificent sunset and take part in sandboarding activities. As darkness falls, our camp staff will serve a delicious dinner and entertain you with captivating Berber drum performances around a warm campfire beneath the clear night sky.
Driving distance: Approximately 310 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr
Waking up early today is highly recommended to observe a peaceful sunrise directly from your camp location. After enjoying a delicious breakfast there, we will collect you in a 4×4 vehicle and commence our day-long exploration of the Sahara:
We will drive to the areas where Nomadic families are currently settled. They will warmly invite you into one of their tents for traditional tea. This is a perfect opportunity to learn about their self-sufficient life in a challenging environment away from modern civilization.
We will visit a historic abandoned village found in a remote location! This settlement is known for its Galena mines, which you will also get to see.
We will drive to a second village called Khamlia, where you will hear Gnaoua music performed by local musicians. Their cultural roots trace back to southern African countries like Sudan. Here, you will also be able to have lunch at a local eatery.
Following lunch, we will drive to a lake near the town of Merzouga, provided it is currently full of water, before heading to your riad accommodation.
Driving distance: Approximately 57 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hr 15 min
An early start today is rewarded with another tranquil sunrise viewed from the terrace of your riad. Then, we begin the next stage of our journey. First, we will stop in the ancient city of Rissani, where we will visit a traditional marketplace (souk). Afterward, we head to Ouarzazate via the stunning Draa Valley, pausing in Agdez to admire some impressive valley landscapes. You will arrive at your riad in Ouarzazate in the afternoon.
Driving distance: Approximately 370 km
Driving time: Approximately 5 hr 20 min
Total driving distance: Approximately 194 km Total driving time: Approximately 3 hr 39 min
Our final morning commences with a delicious breakfast at your riad. Ouarzazate is widely known as both the entry point to the Sahara desert and the Hollywood of Africa. The city features the historical Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas studio, which have made it a famous setting for filmmaking. After fully engaging ourselves in the captivating sights of Ouarzazate, our journey continues to the impressive Ait Ben Haddou. Here, we have the opportunity to tour the ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a site of significant historical importance protected by UNESCO since 1987. This remarkable fortress has been the filming location for numerous iconic films and television series, including Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones, which only enhances its appeal. As we conclude our exploration of the beautiful Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, our drive takes us onward to the bustling city of Marrakech, leading us through the majestic High Atlas Mountains. During the trip, we will enjoy admiring the fascinating Telouet Kasbah. As our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga comes to an end, we will ensure your safe return by dropping you off at your accommodation in Marrakech.
Driving distance: Approximately 203 km Driving time: Approximately 3 hr 52 min
Casablanca
Ourzazate
Merzouga
Marrakech
When you make your booking, please kindly inform us about your dietary preferences or any specific food requirements, such as being vegetarian or vegan. This ensures that we can fully arrange your meals during the trip to be specifically tailored to your needs. Our guides select dining establishments known for serving fresh and high-quality meals to ensure you have a pleasant dining experience throughout the journey. If you have a specific restaurant in mind that you would like to visit for lunch, please inform your guide. They will be more than happy to arrange for you to eat there. Your personal comfort and satisfaction with dining are extremely important to us. The schedule outlined above includes two nights in Merzouga, with one night spent in a tented camp and the other in a riad. However, you also have the alternative of spending both nights in the camp instead of just one. If this option interests you, please let us know when confirming your reservation. If you have less than 5 days available for the desert tour, there are alternative, shorter options to explore. You can consider the 4-day desert tour from Marrakech, the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech, or the 2-day Marrakech desert tour.
The most popular Saharan desert gateway for this route is Merzouga/Erg Chebbi. The driving distance from Marrakech to Merzouga is approximately 560 kilometers (350 miles). The trip typically takes 9 to 10 hours of driving time without stops. This is a very long journey, which is why the tour is heavily focused on driving time on Day 1.
The driving distance from Fes to Merzouga/Erg Chebbi is slightly shorter than from Marrakech, covering approximately 460 to 470 kilometers (286–292 miles). The journey takes about 7 to 7.5 hours of driving time without stops, which is why the second day of the tour also involves significant driving.
We prioritize your comfort and utilize modern, air-conditioned transportation, including 4×4 SUVs, vans, and minibuses (depending on the size of your group).
It is highly recommended to book the tour as soon as possible to ensure availability for your preferred dates.
To confirm your reservation, a small initial payment (deposit) must be submitted via PayPal, Wise, or bank transfer. The remaining balance is to be paid in cash to your driver/guide on the first day of your tour, accepted in euros, US dollars, or the equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.
