8-Day Tour from Agadir to the Merzouga Sahara Desert
A private round trip from Agadir: Taroudant, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra Gorges, the Erg Chebbi dunes and the Draa Valley
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
8 days and 7 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Agadir, round trip with hotel or airport pickup
Overnight
Hotels and a starry desert camp in the dunes
Highlights
Ait Ben Haddou, Valley of Roses, Dades and Todra Gorges, Erg Chebbi dunes, Draa Valley and Taroudant
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
From the Atlantic Coast to the Sahara Dunes
Leave the Atlantic coast behind and travel east into the heart of the Sahara Desert on this private 8-day tour from Agadir to Merzouga. Over eight unhurried days you cross the Anti-Atlas and the High Atlas foothills, visit the saffron fields of Taliouine, the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of Roses and the dramatic Dades and Todra Gorges, then ride a camel into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night under the stars in a traditional desert camp.
The way back follows a different road, through the palm groves of the Draa Valley and the walled city of Taroudant, so every day brings something new. It is the most complete Agadir Sahara tour for travellers who want real time in the desert without rushing, and it ends back in Agadir.
Tour Highlights
- Taroudant, the “little Marrakech” of the Souss
- A saffron cooperative in Taliouine
- The UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and the Valley of Roses
- The Dades Gorges and the Todra Gorge
- A sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- A night in a Berber desert camp
- Gnawa music in Khamlia and the market of Rissani
- The fossil village of Alnif and the kasbahs of N’Kob
- The Draa Valley palm groves and Tamegroute
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Agadir, Taroudant and Taliouine
Pickup from your hotel or the airport in Agadir and drive inland through the argan country of the Souss Valley to Taroudant, often called “little Marrakech” for its red ochre ramparts. Stroll through its relaxed souks, then continue to Taliouine, the saffron capital of Morocco, and visit a women’s saffron cooperative to learn how the world’s most precious spice is harvested. Dinner and overnight in Taliouine.
Stops on Day 1
- Agadir
- Taroudant
- Taliouine
Day 2
Taliouine, Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou
Cross the volcanic landscapes of Jbel Siroua to Ouarzazate, the “door of the desert” and home of Morocco’s film studios. In the afternoon, explore the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the backdrop of many famous films. Climb to the old granary at sunset for wide views over the Ounila Valley. Overnight in a kasbah guesthouse.
Stops on Day 2
- Taliouine
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
Day 3
Skoura, the Valley of Roses and the Dades Gorges
Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, stopping at the palm grove of Skoura and the Kasbah Amridil. Continue through Kelaat M’Gouna and the Valley of Roses, famous for its rose water and its spring rose festival. In the afternoon you enter the Dades Gorges, with their winding road and the rock formations known as the “Monkey Fingers”. Overnight in the Dades Valley.
Stops on Day 3
- Skoura
- Kelaat M’Gouna
- Valley of Roses
- Dades Gorges
Day 4
Todra Gorge, Merzouga and a Desert Camp
Head to Tinghir and walk through the Todra Gorge, where cliffs rise 300 metres on either side of a narrow canyon. Continue via Erfoud, known for its fossils, to Merzouga. In the late afternoon you meet your camel guide and ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset over the Sahara. Dinner with Berber drumming around the campfire and overnight in a desert camp.
Stops on Day 4
- Tinghir
- Todra Gorge
- Erfoud
- Merzouga
Day 5
Exploring the Sahara around Merzouga
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then ride back by camel. After breakfast you explore the area around Merzouga: the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, whose families came from Mali with the trade caravans, the nomad families of the desert, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji and the old market town of Rissani. Optional extras include a 4×4 dune tour, quad biking or sandboarding. Second night in a hotel or camp in Merzouga.
Stops on Day 5
- Erg Chebbi
- Khamlia
- Dayet Srji
- Rissani
Day 6
Merzouga, Alnif, N’Kob and Zagora
Take the southern desert road through Alnif, a famous fossil area, and the Berber village of N’Kob, with its many kasbahs at the foot of the Jbel Saghro. Arrive in Zagora, gateway to the Draa Valley, and see the famous “52 days to Timbuktu” caravan sign. Overnight in Zagora.
Stops on Day 6
- Alnif
- N’Kob
- Tazzarine
- Zagora
Day 7
Zagora, Tamegroute, the Draa Valley and Taroudant
Visit Tamegroute, known for its ancient Koranic library and its green pottery. Then follow the Draa Valley, a 100 km ribbon of palm groves and earthen villages, via Agdz and over the Tizi n’Tinifift pass. Continue west through Ouarzazate and Taliouine to Taroudant. Overnight in a riad.
Stops on Day 7
- Tamegroute
- Draa Valley
- Agdz
- Taroudant
Day 8
Taroudant and Return to Agadir
After a slow breakfast, enjoy a calash (horse carriage) ride around the walls of Taroudant if you wish. Then drive back to Agadir, about 1 hour 15 minutes away, for drop-off at your hotel or at Agadir Al Massira Airport. End of our services.
Stops on Day 8
- Taroudant
- Agadir
What Is Included
Included
- Private tour for your group only
- English-speaking driver and private 4x4 or air-conditioned minivan with fuel
- 7 nights’ accommodation (riads, kasbahs and one night in a desert camp)
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off in Agadir
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees and local guides in Ait Ben Haddou and Tamegroute
- Optional activities (quad, 4x4 dune tour, sandboarding)
- Tips and personal expenses
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 staying in Agadir or arriving at Agadir airport who want to see the Sahara, the kasbahs and the gorges in one complete loop. The driving is split into comfortable stages, and you spend two nights in the Merzouga desert area.
Starting in Marrakech instead? See our 5-day Morocco desert tour from Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other Sahara desert tours in Morocco.
The Draa Valley, the hidden desert of Ouzina and the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Five days and four nights from Marrakech to the Sahara dunes and back.
Cross the Middle Atlas to Merzouga and end in Marrakech.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Agadir to Merzouga?
Driving directly takes around 10 to 11 hours. This tour splits the journey across three and a half days, with stops at the main sights, so you never spend a whole day in the car.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On day 4 you ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a Berber desert camp. Day 5 is spent exploring the Merzouga area, with a second night in a hotel or camp.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour is a round trip that starts and ends in Agadir, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel or at Agadir Al Massira Airport.
Can the tour end in Marrakech instead of Agadir?
Yes. Days 7 and 8 can be changed to return over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and finish in Marrakech. Tell us on our contact page.
When is the best time to visit the Sahara from Agadir?
From October to April, when days are warm and nights are cool. In summer the desert is very hot, so we plan more activities in the early morning and late afternoon.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. All our tours are private, and the itinerary can be adjusted to your pace, budget and interests.
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.