5 Days
Private Tour
48 H
English, Multilingual
The private 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) includes one night in Dades, two nights in the Merzouga desert, and one night in Ouarzazate.
The first day will be driving through the High Atlas Mountains and visiting the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. After that, we continue the journey to Dades, passing through Skoura and the Rose Valley.
On the second day, we will visit the stunning Todra Gorges, then head south to Merzouga. There, you will go on a camel trek across the golden sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi, and spend the night in a desert camp.
On your third day on the trip, you will explore the desert. We will visit nomadic families, old abandoned villages, and fossil areas.
On the fourth day, we will travel to Ouarzazate through Alnif, Agdz, and the beautiful Draa Valley.
The final day will be driving back to Marrakech. Before that, we’ll visit the famous film studios in Ouarzazate. We’ll take the same scenic road through the High Atlas Mountains.
For those who want more comfort, this 5-day tour offers two upgrade options. You can choose between standard, superior, or luxury hotels and desert camps to suit your needs.
| Day | Departure | Arrival | Distance |
| #1 | Marrakech | Dades Valley | 260 km |
| #2 | Dades | Merzouga | 300 km |
| #3 | Merzouga | Erg Chebbi Desert | 45 km |
| #4 | Merzouga | Ouarzazate | 396 km |
| #5 | Ouarzazate | Marrakech | 200 km |
On the first day of the tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Marrakech around 08:00 a.m. Then we will drive south through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi N’Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. Along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of winding roads, mountain landscapes, and traditional Berber villages.
We’ll arrive in Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of Africa” because many famous movies were filmed here. The first was Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, followed by others like The Man Who Would Be King and The Mummy.
After exploring this special city, we will continue our journey to Dades. On the way, we’ll pass through the palm groves of Skoura, the Valley of Roses, and the town of Mgouna. We will arrive in Dades in the late afternoon or evening.
Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Kasbah Didis or similar
Superior: Hotel Ksar Sultan or similar
On the second day, we will head toward the Sahara Desert. In the morning, we leave Dades Valley and travel to Todra Gorges, located in the Tinghir region. This area is known for its stunning canyon views and is one of the most beautiful spots in Morocco. You will enjoy a walk through the palm oasis of Tinghir and the Todra gorges, listening to the sound of the flowing streams.
After that, we continue south to Merzouga and the famous Erg Chebbi dunes — the tallest sand dunes in Morocco, also known as the “Golden Dunes” because of their yellow-golden color. On the way, we will pass small desert towns like Jorf and Erfoud, and several Saharan oases.
Depending on when we arrive in Merzouga, you may have time to rest for a bit. Then, we begin the camel ride into the Sahara Desert. You’ll ride into the dunes, enjoy the peaceful sunset, and spend the night in a desert camp.
In summer, the camel trek usually starts around 5:30 PM. In winter, it begins earlier, between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.
At the camp, you will be welcomed with traditional tea. After checking into your tent, you’ll have free time to walk in the dunes or try sandboarding.
After dinner, you can enjoy Berber music played by local guides around a campfire. You’ll dance, relax, and enjoy the starry night sky. Please note: the campfire is only available during the colder months and when the weather is calm.
Accommodation:
Standard: Standard Mouhou Desert Camp or similar
Superior: Luxury Mouhou Desert Camp or similar
On the third day, you will enjoy a desert adventure in a 4x4 vehicle. We will start early with a beautiful sunrise over the sand dunes. After breakfast and a shower, we’ll begin our off-road journey through the Erg Chebbi Desert.
Today, we will visit several amazing places in the desert. If you’re lucky, the seasonal lake near Merzouga might be full of water. It offers a stunning view of golden sand dunes and many birds, including flamingos.
Next, we’ll drive to the village of Khamlia. The people here originally came from Mali and Sudan. You’ll take a short walk in the village and then meet some locals who play a special kind of African music called Gnaoua. You’ll enjoy a live performance and learn about their traditions.
After that, we’ll continue driving to the M'fis area, also called the French village, known for its mineral mountains. We’ll drive across the rocky desert to a small mountain that gives you an amazing view—sand dunes on one side and the Chebbi Mountains (near the Morocco-Algeria border) on the other.
Nearby, we’ll visit a place where you can see fossils of sea animals that lived here millions of years ago. As we drive further, we’ll pass through wide desert landscapes and see mirages in the distance.
Then, we’ll visit one of the last nomadic families still living in the desert. You’ll explore their tent and mud house, see how they live, and learn about their daily life. You’ll also have the option to enjoy a traditional lunch with them or relax under a shady desert tree.
To end the day, we’ll visit a peaceful desert oasis before returning to Merzouga for the night.
Accommodation:
Standard: Standard Mouhou Desert Camp or similar
Superior: Luxury Mouhou Desert Camp or similar
On the fourth day, we will travel to Ouarzazate. Our first stop is the large palm grove and market of Tafilalet, which was once the capital of the Alaouite sultans. Then, we will continue through the beautiful Anti-Atlas mountains and enjoy amazing views of the rocky desert.
Along the way, we will pass through Alnif, famous for its henna plants, and N'kob, a green oasis. Next, we will visit Agdz, a small town located at the edge of the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest valley. Finally, we will arrive in Ouarzazate, where we will spend the night.
Accommodation:
Standard: Hotel Riad Dar Barbara or similar
Superior: Hotel Riad Dar Chamaa or similar
On the fifth and final day, we will leave Ouarzazate in the morning and drive west to visit the beautiful Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This kasbah is a great example of traditional Moroccan clay architecture and was once part of the old caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech.
It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and has been used as a filming location for many famous Hollywood movies. After the visit, we will drive back to Marrakech, traveling through the winding roads of the High Atlas Mountains, and expect to arrive around 4:00 PM.
You will have a private room with private bathrooms in hotels or guesthouses, and spend one or two nights in a desert camp under the stars with comfortable and cozy tents.
Driving times vary, but expect between 3 to 6 hours on travel days, including scenic stops along the way.
Yes, we offer some flexibility on the tour, so you can customize parts of the trip, like adding extra hiking or extending your desert stay.
Pack light, comfortable clothes for hot days and warm layers for cold nights, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera.
The tour involves moderate physical activity, including some walking on uneven terrain and camel riding, but it’s suitable for most healthy travelers.
The 5-day desert tour cost varies according to the number of travelers and the category of the accommodations. Please check the pricing section or contact us for additional information.
Yes, here are some similar tours to the 5-day desert tour from Marrakech:
5-Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour
6-Day Tour From Marrakech to The South
5-day trip from Marrakech to the Sahara