5 Days Marrakech Desert Tour to Merzouga

Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Daraa Valley

We will meet you in Marrakech at 8:30 in the morning in a private 4×4 vehicle, and depart to Ouarzazate, traveling through the High Atlas mountains. On the way, you’ll pass through Tizi Ntichka port, the highest point in the country at 2,260 meters, enjoying beautiful landscapes and stopping to take pictures of Berber villages. You’ll then take a small road to Telouat Kasbah, where after visiting the kasbah, you’ll have free time to enjoy a typical meal in town. In the afternoon, you’ll continue through the Ounila valley, observing small Berber villages and families living in adobe houses in the mountains, reaching the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou. Here, you’ll visit the famous Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, known as a filming location for movies such as Gladiator, Obelix, The Mummy, The Jewel of the Nile, and Sahara. After visiting the kasbah, you’ll proceed to Ouarzazate, also known as “The Gate of the Desert,” where you’ll have dinner and spend the night at a hotel.

Day 2: Daraa Valley – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga 

After breakfast at the Draa Valley, we will continue our journey to Merzouga. Along the way, we’ll stop to take pictures and enjoy the view of the majestic Todgha Gorges. You’ll have some free time to walk along the valley and explore the site. We’ll reach the wonderful Merzouga dunes, known for their powdery dunes. We’ll switch from motorized transportation to animal traction to venture into the heart of the desert. Upon reaching the camp, we’ll settle into tents made of camel hair, similar to those used by nomadic families. Dinner and night will be spent in the Berber tent under a beautiful starry sky.

Day 3: Merzouga Experience 

This is a complete desert day, starting with a “date with the sunrise.” If you are in the middle of the desert, it’s worth getting up early to witness the most spectacular sunrise you’ve ever seen from the top of a dune near the camp and enjoy this natural wonder. After sunrise, we’ll return to Merzouga on camels, where a hearty breakfast awaits. Then, we’ll skirt the Erg Chebbi, a vast sandy desert featuring the Big Dune of Morocco, which stands over 250 meters high. We’ll continue along the road once used for the “Paris – Dakar” rally, ending at the mountains bordering Algeria. We’ll stop at Tissardmin oasis, where fossil quarries still exist, and then proceed along a road where we can see nomad settlements and learn about their secrets and customs. The next stop will be a viewpoint to contemplate the whole Erg Chebbi. We’ll then reach Kamilia Village, originally from Mali, where we’ll enjoy a relaxing cup of tea while listening to a concert of the spiritual music of Gnawa. You’ll be transferred to your accommodation, with a free afternoon to enjoy the town or the dunes next to the hotel to watch the sunset. Dinner and night will be at the hotel.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate

We leave the desert after breakfast and head to Rissani to visit the marketplace (market days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). Then, we continue to Erfoud, where we can visit fossilized marble manufacturers before making our way to the Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves. An hour later, we’ll reach one of the best spots in the High Atlas, the Todra Gorges. The river has carved out a cliff-sided canyon, making it a popular destination for climbers due to its beauty and high rock walls. You’ll have free time for lunch in this wonderful place, and a short walk through the gorges is highly recommended to fully appreciate the landscape’s beauty. In the afternoon, we continue to the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of Figs, passing through Boumalne Dades and stopping at the “monkey legs.” Dinner and overnight stay will be at the Dades Gorges.

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Marrakech 

The next morning, we will depart from Ouarzazate and make our way back to Marrakech, bringing our tour to an end. As we retrace our route through the stunning landscapes and vibrant villages of the High Atlas, you’ll have one last opportunity to soak in the beauty of Morocco’s diverse scenery. Our journey will culminate upon our arrival in Marrakech, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation, marking the conclusion of an unforgettable adventure.