7 Days Tour from Ouarzazate to the Sahara: Draa Valley, Deep Desert & Dunes
The Draa Valley, the hidden desert of Ouzina and the Erg Chebbi dunes
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
7 days and 6 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Ouarzazate, with airport transfers
Overnight
Hotels and a starry desert camp in the dunes
Highlights
The Draa Valley, deep desert, Erg Chebbi dunes, Gnawa music and the Todra and Dades Gorges
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Away from the Usual Routes
This 7 days tour from Ouarzazate to the Sahara takes you away from the usual routes. Starting from our home town, you follow the Draa Valley to Zagora, then spend two days in the wild desert through Tafraouet, Ramlia and the hidden desert of Ouzina before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco.
You spend a full day around the dunes, with Gnawa music, tea with nomads and a camel ride to a desert camp, and then return through Rissani, the Todra and Dades Gorges, the Roses Valley and the Skoura palm groves to Ouarzazate.
Tour Highlights
- The Taourirt Kasbah and the Tamnougalt Kasbah
- The Draa Valley and its palm groves
- The hidden desert of Ouzina
- Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco
- Gnawa music from families originally from Mali
- A camel ride and a night in a starry desert camp
- The traditional market of Rissani
- The Todra Gorges
- The Dades Gorges and the Roses Valley
- The Skoura palm groves
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Ouarzazate, the Draa Valley and Zagora
Your tour starts with a visit to the Taourirt Kasbah in the centre of Ouarzazate. You then cross the Lower Atlas and drive to the Draa Valley, one of the longest river valleys in Morocco, lined with palm trees, and visit the Tamnougalt Kasbah before continuing to Zagora.
Day 2
Zagora, Tafraouet, Ramlia and Ouzina
Today is a special day to explore the wild desert. You drive through many Berber villages to reach Ouzina, where you enjoy the silence of the deep desert.
Stops on Day 2
- Zagora
- Tafraouet
- Ramlia
- Ouzina
Day 3
Ouzina, Taous and Merzouga
You continue exploring the desert to reach Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco, near Merzouga.
Stops on Day 3
- Ouzina
- Taous
- Merzouga
Day 4
Merzouga, the Dunes and a Desert Camp
During the first half of the day you discover the area of the dunes and visit an association of Gnawa musicians to listen to their African music. Their families originally came from Mali and settled here when trade caravans passed through. You also have mint tea with nomads who still live in tents. In the afternoon you ride camels into the dunes to sleep in the camp, and the next morning you ride back to the hotel, about an hour and a half.
Day 5
Merzouga, Rissani, Todra Gorges and Dades Valley
You visit the typical, traditional market of Rissani, then continue to the Todra Gorges with their palm groves and on to the Dades Valley, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 5
- Merzouga
- Rissani
- Todra Gorges
- Dades Valley
Day 6
Dades, Roses Valley, Skoura and Ouarzazate
You visit the Dades Gorges, drive through the Roses Valley and the Skoura palm groves and reach Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 6
- Dades
- Roses Valley
- Skoura
- Ouarzazate
Day 7
Departure from Ouarzazate
Transfer to the airport or your hotel. End of our services.
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
- Airport-hotel-airport transfers
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 adventurous travellers who want to see the quieter side of the Sahara, away from the busiest routes. It includes long drives and a night in a desert camp.
For a shorter trip, see our 3-day tour from Ouarzazate.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours starting in Ouarzazate.
Explore Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, and the village of Taourirt before heading to the Sahara.
Kasbah Taourirt, Atlas Studios, Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge and the Dades and Roses valleys, ending in Fes.
A family journey starting in Ouarzazate, with Marrakech and a Sahara camel trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour off the beaten track?
Yes. Days 2 and 3 cross the wild desert through Tafraouet, Ramlia and Ouzina, away from the main tourist routes, before you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Do I sleep in a desert camp?
Yes. On the fourth day you ride camels into the dunes and sleep in the camp, then ride back to the hotel the next morning.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Ouarzazate, with a transfer to and from the airport or your hotel.
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.