Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert Tour: 10 Days from Marrakech
Ouzoud Waterfalls, Imilchil, the Todra Gorges, the Erg Chebbi dunes and the Draa Valley
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
10 days and 9 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Starts and ends in Marrakech
Overnight
Hotels and guesthouses along the route
Highlights
Ouzoud Waterfalls, Imilchil, Todra Gorges, Erg Chebbi dunes and the Draa Valley
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
From the High Atlas to the Sahara
This Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert tour takes ten days to link the High Atlas with the Sahara along a less common route. You start with the Ouzoud Waterfalls, cross the Atlas via the Berber village of Imilchil to the Todra Gorges, and then continue to the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga for a 4×4 tour, a visit to Khamlia and a camel ride.
On the way back you follow the Draa Valley through Zagora and Ouarzazate, visit Ait Ben Haddou and finish in Marrakech with a full day in the city.
Tour Highlights
- Visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Berber village of Imilchil
- The Todra Gorges
- The dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert
- A 4x4 tour and a visit to the village of Khamlia
- A Sahara camel ride
- Rissani, the first imperial city of Morocco
- The Draa Valley and its palm groves
- Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Marrakech with an official guide
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Our team welcomes you and drives you to your accommodation in Marrakech.
Day 2
Marrakech, Ouzoud Waterfalls and El Ksiba
Your first stage begins with a visit to the Ouzoud Waterfalls, a cascade about 100 metres high. You then drive past the Bin el Ouidane dam and through a region of orange groves, olive trees and fig trees to the Berber village of El Ksiba, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 2
- Marrakech
- Ouzoud Waterfalls
- The Ksiba
Day 3
The Ksiba, Imilchil and Tinghir
Today you discover the splendour of the Atlas Mountains. You drive through Imilchil, a Berber village in the High Atlas, and continue to the Todra Gorges, a spectacular canyon, before reaching Tinghir, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 3
- The Ksiba
- Imilchil
- Tinghir
Day 4
Tinghir, Tinejdad, Erfoud and Merzouga
After breakfast you drive through Tinejdad and many old Berber villages to Erfoud, the land of fossils, where all kinds of fossils can be found. In the afternoon you arrive at the foot of the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert.
Stops on Day 4
- Tinghir
- Tenjdad
- Erfoud
- Merzouga
Day 5
Merzouga, Khamlia and a Camel Ride
After breakfast you enjoy a 4×4 tour of the Sahara, where you visit Khamlia, an African village whose community plays traditional desert music on simple instruments. In the afternoon you return to the hotel to prepare for a camel ride into the dunes.
Stops on Day 5
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Sahara
Day 6
Sahara, Rissani, Tazarine and Zagora
After an unforgettable day in the desert, you drive to Rissani, the first imperial city of Morocco and an important commercial centre, once an exchange market for the caravan routes. You continue through Tazarine to Zagora, the gateway to the Sahara.
Stops on Day 6
- Sahara
- Rissani
- Tazarine
- Zagora
Day 7
Zagora, Draa Valley and Ouarzazate
After breakfast you follow the Draa Valley, one of the longest river valleys in Morocco, with its beautiful palm groves. In the middle of the valley you leave the main road for an off-road track through the heart of the valley, past lovely villages and kasbahs, before continuing to Ouarzazate.
Stops on Day 7
- Zagora
- Draa Valley
- Ouarzazate
Day 8
Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech
After breakfast you leave Ouarzazate and visit the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then cross the High Atlas Mountains again over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The road winds through mountain scenery and Berber villages, and you reach Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Stops on Day 8
- Ouarzazate
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Marrakech
Day 9
Full Day in Marrakech
You explore Marrakech with a local guide. The highlights include Jemaa El Fna square, the old medina and its souks, the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Koranic school. The rest of the day is free to shop in the souks or relax.
Day 10
Departure from Marrakech
At a suitable time we transfer you to the airport. 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
- City tour guide in Fes and Marrakech
- Camel ride into the dunes
- 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 travellers who want to see the High Atlas and the Sahara on one journey and are happy to spend long days on the road. It includes a full day with an official guide in Marrakech.
For a shorter route, see our Morocco desert tour from Marrakech.
More Tours You May Like
Compare our other tours from Marrakech.
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A 12-day trek through Berber villages to Ighil M’Goun (4,068 m), the second-highest peak of the High Atlas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which waterfalls does the tour visit?
On day 2 you visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls, a cascade about 100 metres high, before continuing to the Berber village of El Ksiba.
Does the tour cross the High Atlas?
Yes. On day 3 you cross the High Atlas through the Berber village of Imilchil and reach the Todra Gorges and Tinghir, and on day 9 you cross the mountains again on the way back to Marrakech.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech, with an airport pick-up on day 1 and a transfer on day 10.
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 Atlas and 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.