Merzouga Desert Tour from Marrakech | 5 Day Sahara Adventure

The tour starts early to make the most of your day. Our DRIVER will pick you up punctually at your HOTEL, AIRPORT, or any preferred location. On board a COMFORTABLE VEHICLE, we will head for the HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS.

Crossing the TIZI N’TICHKA PASS at 2,260 meters above sea level, you’ll enjoy BREATHTAKING VIEWS and, in winter, even SNOW. The southern face becomes more arid, hinting at the DESERT ahead. Our first stop is the KSAR OF AIT BEN HADDOU, a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and a prime example of BERBER DEFENSIVE ARCHITECTURE.

We continue to the DADES VALLEY, a region of CHARMING VILLAGES along a seasonal river, with ADOBE-BUILT HOUSES and TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a CHARMING RIAD in BOUMALNE DADES.

Summary of the day

• Pick up in MARRAKECH

• HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS via TIZI N’TICHKA PASS

• Visit AIT BEN HADDOU

• Dinner and overnight in DADES VALLEY

A long but rewarding day. We start with TINGHIR, a town surrounded by PALM GROVES and FARMLAND. Then, a detour takes us to the TODRA GORGES, a narrow CANYON with VERTICAL WALLS perfect for photos and short walks.

Continuing through PALM GROVES, KASBAHS, and VILLAGES, we reach ERFOUD, known for its FOSSILS dating back to the DINOSAUR ERA. Finally, in MERZOUGA, we switch to CAMELS to cross the ERG CHEBBI DUNES. Dinner and overnight stay will be in a LUXURY DESERT TENTED CAMP under the STARRY SKY.

Summary of the day

• Breakfast at DADES VALLEY RIAD

• TINGHIR and TODRA GORGES visit

• ERFOUD stop

• CAMEL RIDE in ERG CHEBBI DUNES

• Dinner and night in LUXURY TENT CAMP

Experience the DESERT SUNRISE and enjoy breakfast at the CAMP. Return to MERZOUGA to start the 4×4 OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE.

Stop at KHAMLIA, famous for GNAWA MUSIC, a heritage from their ancestors. Continue on former PARIS-DAKAR TRACKS, passing old KOHL MINES and FRENCH PROTECTORATE-ERA VILLAGES. The day includes visits to SEMI-NOMADIC FAMILIES, offering insight into their TRADITIONAL LIFESTYLE. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a DESERT INTEGRATED HOTEL.

Summary of the day

• SUNRISE at ERG CHEBBI DUNES

• Breakfast at LUXURY TENTS

• 4×4 OFF-ROAD ROUTE

• KHAMLIA and GNAWA MUSIC CONCERT

• Meeting NOMADIC FAMILIES

• Dinner and overnight in MERZOUGA

Leaving the DESERT, the journey to MARRAKECH is split over two days. First stop is RISSANI, with its traditional MEDINA, MARKETS, and HISTORIC MONUMENTS.

Then, the route passes through villages like ALNIF and TAZZARINE into the DRAA VALLEY, one of AFRICA’S LARGEST PALM GROVES, stretching 150 km. Arrival in OUARZAZATE for dinner and overnight in a HOTEL.

Summary of the day

• Breakfast at HOTEL in MERZOUGA

• Visit RISSANI MEDINA

• Explore DRAA VALLEY PALM GROVES

• Dinner and overnight in OUARZAZATE

After breakfast, visit the TAOURIRT KASBAH, a historic residence of the powerful EL GLAOUI FAMILY. Admire its combination of BERBER SOBRIETY and ARAB REFINEMENT with ADOBE WALLS, TILES, PLASTERWORK, and WOODEN CEILINGS.

Then we drive back to MARRAKECH via the HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS and TIZI N’TICHKA PASS, descending through GREEN VALLEYS and VILLAGES. Free time in the afternoon upon arrival. End of services.

Summary of the day

• Breakfast at HOTEL in OUARZAZATE

• Visit TAOURIRT KASBAH

• Drive through HIGH ATLAS via TIZI N’TICHKA

• Arrival in MARRAKECH and END OF SERVICES