Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech: 5 Days and 4 Nights to the Sahara Dunes
Five days through Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley and the Merzouga dunes, with a camel ride and a desert camp
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
5 days and 4 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, and a night in a desert camp
Highlights
Ouarzazate, Todra Gorges, Merzouga dunes, Khamlia and a camel ride
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Five Days to the Heart of the Sahara
This Morocco desert tour from Marrakech takes five days to cross the High Atlas Mountains, follow the Roses and Dades valleys to the Todra Gorges and reach the golden dunes of Merzouga. You spend a full day in the desert, exploring the dunes, meeting nomadic Berber families and hearing music at a local association in Khamlia, before a camel ride takes you to a camp in the middle of the dunes.
The return journey brings you through Rissani, the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate, with time to visit the Taourirt Kasbah before you cross the High Atlas to Marrakech. It is a good choice if you want more time in the desert than our 2-day, 3-day and 4-day tours allow.
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
- Visit Rissani and Erfoud
- A full day exploring the dunes of Merzouga
- Meet nomadic Berber families and hear music from Mali in Khamlia
- Ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp
- Drive through the Draa Valley with its palm groves
- 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, Sand Dunes and Khamlia
After breakfast you spend the day in the desert, exploring the dunes and visiting nomadic Berber families who still live in tents. In the village of Khamlia, whose people are originally from Mali, you listen to their music and learn about their traditions at a local association.
In the early afternoon you return to the hotel to prepare for a camel ride into the dunes, where you spend the night in a Berber tent in the desert camp.
Stops on Day 3
- Merzouga
- Sand Dunes
- Khamlia
Day 4
Merzouga, Draa Valley and Ouarzazate
After a night in the dunes you return to the hotel for breakfast and set off toward Ouarzazate. On the way you pass Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family and a meeting place of the trading caravans, 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 4
- Merzouga
- Draa Valley
- Ouarzazate
Day 5
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
- Camel ride into the dunes
- A night in a desert camp, with dinner and breakfast
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 a full day in the desert as well as the drive through the valleys of the south. Expect several hours on the road on days 1, 2, 4 and 5.
If you have less time, see our 3-day tour or our 2-day trip. For a longer journey, see the Special Sahara Morocco desert tour.
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.
Drive south over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) to Ouarzazate and on to the Sahara.
Sahara camel trekking with an overnight stay in a desert camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I ride a camel and sleep in the desert?
Yes. On the third day you ride a camel into the dunes and spend the night in a Berber tent in the desert camp.
Are group discounts available?
Yes. We can customise the trip based on your budget and interests, and group discounts are available. Tell us your group size on our contact page.
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 fifth 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.