4 Days Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert: Kasbahs, Gorges & Dunes
Ouarzazate, the Roses Valley, the Todra Gorges and the Merzouga dunes at a relaxed pace
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
4 days and 3 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Marrakech, with pick-up early in the morning
Overnight
Hotels in Ouarzazate and Merzouga
Highlights
Tizi n’Tichka pass, Ouarzazate, the Roses Valley, Todra Gorges and the Sahara dunes
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
A Relaxed Pace to the Sahara
This 4 days tour from Marrakech to the Sahara gives you a more relaxed pace than our shorter trips. You cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, spend the first night in Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, and continue along the Roses Valley and the Dades Valley to the Todra Gorges and the golden dunes of Merzouga.
On the way back you drive through Rissani, the Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountains, and on the last morning there is time to visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate before you cross the High Atlas again to Marrakech. If you would like to add a camel ride and a night in a desert camp, contact us and we will adapt the itinerary.
Tour Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass
- Visit Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”
- Drive through the palm groves of Skoura and the Roses Valley
- See the Todra Gorges and the palm groves of Tinghir
- Cross the Tafilalet oasis and visit Rissani and Erfoud
- Reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga
- Drive through the Draa Valley with its palm groves
- Cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains
- Visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Marrakech and Ouarzazate
Your driver picks you up early in the morning in Marrakech, and you head south over the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres, with views of Berber villages, kasbahs, palm groves and oases along the way.
You continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa” and gateway to the desert, where you spend the night.
Day 2
Ouarzazate, Roses Valley, Boumalne Dades, Tinghir and Merzouga
After breakfast you leave Ouarzazate and follow the Roses Valley and the Dades Valley on the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs”, with plenty of chances for photos. You visit the Todra Gorges, a canyon whose rock walls rise up to about 160 metres, and continue through Tinghir, Erfoud and the palm groves of the Tafilalet oasis to reach the Sahara dunes of Merzouga in the late afternoon.
You spend the night in a hotel in Merzouga.
Stops on Day 2
- Ouarzazate
- Roses Valley
- Boumalne Dades
- Tinghir
- Merzouga
Day 3
Merzouga, Draa Valley and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you leave Merzouga and drive toward Ouarzazate. On the way you pass Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family, with its souk under red arches and many ksour. The road continues through Alnif, Nkob and other Berber villages to the Draa Valley, one of the longest river valleys in Morocco, lined with palm groves. You cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains and reach Ouarzazate, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 3
- Merzouga
- Draa Valley
- Ouarzazate
Day 4
Ouarzazate and Marrakech
After breakfast you have time to visit the Taourirt Kasbah in the centre of Ouarzazate, one of the finest kasbahs in the south-east of Morocco. You then cross the High Atlas Mountains again over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and reach Marrakech, where our services end.
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- Driver-guide and private 4x4 or minivan transport with fuel
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary, with breakfast and dinner
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Museum and monument entrance fees
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits travellers who want to reach the Sahara at a more relaxed pace than our 2-day and 3-day trips, with time to see Ouarzazate and its kasbah. Expect several hours on the road each day.
If you would like a camel ride and a night in a desert camp, see our 3-day tour or the Morocco desert tour from Marrakech, or tell us and we will adapt this itinerary.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other Sahara tours from Marrakech.
Cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then take a camel ride in the desert.
After a short stay in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas and pass heritage sites and the “Hollywood of Morocco” on the way to the desert.
Sahara camel trekking with an overnight stay in a desert camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include a camel ride and a desert camp?
The standard itinerary spends the nights in hotels. If you would like a camel ride and a night in a desert camp, tell us and we will adapt the tour, or see our 3-day tour and the Morocco desert tour from Marrakech.
How long are the drives each day?
Days 1 and 2 involve several hours on the road, including winding mountain sections, and Day 3 brings you back through the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate. Day 4 includes time in Ouarzazate before the drive back to Marrakech.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech. We pick you up by four-wheel drive early in the morning on the first day, and the tour ends in Marrakech on the fourth day.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready for Your Sahara Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.