Tour details
$350
Tour Overview
Experience southern Morocco on a captivating 5-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Travel over the towering peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and be amazed by the intricate architectural styles of the Berber people. Experience the expansive golden dunes of the famous Sahara Desert.
Along the way, you will see the UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its historical kasbahs and recently featured in several films. Visit the colorful historic medieval medinas, busy souks, magnificent mosques, impressive palaces, and ancient desert towns that all highlight Morocco's rich culture.
Enjoy the picturesque landscapes of southern Morocco, from deep gorges and green valleys to magnificent kasbahs and quiet desert oases. You will also get to take an unforgettable camel desert trek over the expansive golden dunes to watch the sunset at Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, one of Morocco's most famous desert landscapes.
Enjoy an authentic nomadic life experience while experiencing welcoming traditional hospitality deep inside the desert—this is a truly unique 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour, an adventure sure to provide lifelong memories!
Itinerary of the 5-Day Desert Tour
01
DAY 01 - Marrakech - Hight Atlas Mountains - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Dades Gorges
Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Marrakech. You will then travel across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest peak in North Africa. There will be an opportunity to stop and take pictures along the way.
Upon reaching the village of Ait Ben Haddou, you will have a tasty lunch. This is the most famous kasbah in Morocco and one of the country's nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can visit it after lunch.
The drive continues past Ouarzazate and Skoura Oasis. There are numerous ancient kasbahs. Some ruins stand among the palm grove. You will visit a very famous kasbah in the region called Amridil Kasbah. It is a historic, fortified residence in the oasis of Skoura, and it is considered one of the most impressive kasbahs of its kind in Morocco. The kasbah was built in the 17th century. It is where the movies "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" and "Lawrence of Arabia" were filmed.
The drive continues to cross the Dades Valley. You will pass through beautiful Berber villages, such as the "Rose Town" of Kalaa Mgouna, famous for its rose farming. You will arrive in the town of Boumalen Dades by late afternoon and check in to your hotel.
- Drive: Marrakech to Dades Valley - approx. 310 km (around 6-7 hours)
02
DAY 02 - Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga Desert
After breakfast at your riad, begin another unforgettable adventure. Travel through the valley to marvel at dramatic formations, such as "monkey toes," and the distinctive sand castles that punctuate the landscape.
Next, you will visit the Todra Gorges, the highest and narrowest in Morocco. You may have the opportunity to hike for an hour in the area. After lunch, the drive continues to Merzouga, where you will spend the night in a hotel or riad.
- Drive: Boumalne Dades to Merzouga - approx. 244 km (around 5 hours)
03
DAY 03 - Discovering the Merzouga Region: Nomads & Khamlia — Camel Ride and Night in the Desert
After breakfast in your hotel, you will start an explorative journey of the area. We will start the day with Gnawa music at the village of Khamliya, 7 kilometers south of Merzouga, a small desert village with a rich history whose inhabitants are direct descendants of enslaved people brought from Sudan. You will get to enjoy their music and lifestyle.
Not far from there is Dayet Srij—a seasonal salt lake that is often dry in summer. When full, it attracts a wide range of migratory and desert birds, including desert warblers and flamingos. This area attracts photographers from all over the world when the birds are present.
You may also visit the souk of Errissani if you are there on the right day, as the souk takes place here three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—where locals come to trade anything necessary, from fruits, vegetables, meat, dates, nuts, crafts, and even donkeys, sheep, and goats. This souk is also a social meeting place where local communities gather to catch up with one another and hear news from the entire area and their relatives. This souk market, without a doubt, is the most fascinating in the town.
After that, we will make sure to try one of the tastiest lunches in one of the local restaurants in the area.
In the afternoon, you will start the guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man, to explore and enjoy the sand sea of Erg Chebbi. The camel man will make sure to give you the chance to watch what may be the best sunset of your lifetime.
Overnight accommodations at a Berber luxury camp provided with flush toilets and hot showers, where you will enjoy dinner and breakfast.
- Drive: Merzouga area - approx. 50 km (around 3-4 hours)
04
DAY 04 - Merzouga Desert - Draa Valley - Ouarzazate
Today, your guide will wake you to watch a beautiful sunrise, during which you will see the sun's rays illuminating the small golden dunes of Merzouga and the rocky, barren Sahara Desert.
After breakfast at the camp, you will trek back by camel. Alternatively, if you've had enough of riding camels, you have the option to return by 4x4 car. Then we begin our journey. We will cross the Anti-Atlas and the Draa Valley, and you will have the opportunity to visit the Kasbah Tamnougalt on the way back to Ouarzazate.
On our way, we see the Berber shops, where you can purchase souvenirs such as fossils, carpets, lamps, and leather goods. We arrive in Ouarzazate in the afternoon and spend the night in a hotel.
- Drive: Merzouga to Ouarzazate - approx. 259 km (around 5-6 hours)
05
DAY 05 - Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech
Leaving Ouarzazate in the morning, we will have the opportunity to visit the historic Kasbah Taourirt, the Cinema Museum, and the Atlas Film Studios. This famous kasbah, dating back to the 11th century, has served as a backdrop for more than 20 films, including Gladiator.
After that, we will begin our journey back to Marrakech through the scenic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, arriving in the afternoon.
- Drive: Ouarzazate to Marrakech – approx. 200 km (around 3–4 hours)
5-Day Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Highlights
- ● Private 5-Day Southern Morocco Adventure: Discover southern Morocco's highlights from Marrakech to Merzouga with minimized driving time for maximum immersion in kasbahs, gorges, and dunes.
- ● Full-Day Merzouga Desert Experience: Spend a complete day in Erg Chebbi dunes with camel trekking at sunset, overnight in luxury desert camps, and visits to nomadic Berber families for authentic hospitality.
- ● Explore Historic Kasbahs and Landscapes: Tour iconic sites such as Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorges, and Dades Valley en route, showcasing Morocco's ancient fortified villages and dramatic scenery.
- ● Fully Customizable Itinerary and Stays: Tailor your trip with preferred riads, hotels, or luxury camps—all featuring clean rooms, private bathrooms, and flexible bed options (double, twin, or single).
- ● Add-On Adventures: Enhance your stay with extras like Marrakech day trips, hot-air balloon rides over the dunes, quad biking, sandboarding, or romantic desert dinners under the stars.
Included And Excluded
- Private, modern transportation with air conditioning
- Car fuel
- Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- 1 Night in a private room in Dades Valley
- 1 Night in a private tent in the desert camp
- 1 Night in a hotel in Merzouga
- 1 Night in a private room in Ouarzazate
- Dinner and breakfast included for 3 nights
- Camel ride in the Sahara Desert
- Sandboarding experience in the desert
- Beverages
- Lunches
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (optional)
Accommodation Options
Carefully selected lodgings ensure comfort and authenticity throughout the tour. Accommodations may be adjusted based on availability, and upgrades are available upon request.
- Night 1 – Dades Valley:
- Standard: Hotel Babylon / Hotel Panorama / Riad Villa Dades – Comfortable rooms offering traditional ambiance and scenic views of the valley.
- Superior: Kasbah Xaluca Dades / Ksar Sultan / La Perle Du Dades – Luxurious stays featuring panoramic terraces, spa facilities, and high-end Moroccan décor.
- Night 2 – Merzouga (Hotel or Riad):
- Standard: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca Erg Chebbi / Hotel Yasmina – Charming desert hotels with modern amenities and peaceful surroundings.
- Superior: Luxury Desert Camp – Elegant private tents with en-suite bathrooms, traditional music, and stargazing in the Sahara.
- Night 3 – Merzouga Desert Camp:
- Standard: Comfortable Berber tents with private beds, shared bathrooms, and traditional Moroccan dinner and breakfast included.
- Superior: Luxury desert camp with en-suite tents, hot showers, air conditioning (on request), and candlelit dinners under the stars.
- Night 4 – Ouarzazate:
- Standard: Hotel La Palmeraie / Hotel Marmar – Friendly, budget-friendly hotels with basic amenities and good access to the city.
- Superior: Le Berbère Palace / Dar Chamaa – Elegant kasbah-style hotels with pools, gardens, and quality dining experiences.
Pricing & Options
- 2 People €480 per person
- 4 People €450 per person
- 6+ People €400 per person
- Custom Pricing Available for solo travelers, families, or larger groups
Map of the Tour
Reviews & Testimonials
What our travelers say about their experiences
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic experience—from Marrakesh to Merzouga
"We had a 5-day trip—Marrakesh to Merzouga and back—with several stops on the way. We discovered incredible landscapes that would be worth exploring for more than just 5 days, so if you can, stay longer. We had excellent communication with Said, who responded quickly to our questions and gave detailed information on our concerns. Our driver, Ismail, is much more than a driver; he shared many interesting aspects of Moroccan culture with us. He is a very cultivated person; we highly recommend him."
5 out of 5 stars
Marrakech to Merzouga and back—5 days, 4 nights
"This was one of the best choices we made on our trip to Morocco! Ibrahim promptly accommodated our last-minute addition of a friend to our tour, and the memorable highlight of our overnight stay at the desert camp was the musical performance by him, Hassan, and Ali. Another highlight was our driver/guide, Mohamed, who shared his knowledge of Amazigh culture and life in the desert throughout. We were a group of three girls, and we were able to relax and enjoy our tour because the level of service by these guys is top-class! I will definitely recommend this company to any family and friends planning a visit to Morocco."
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing desert experience!
" It was my first big trip, and it was really great. We took a 5-day trip to Merzouga, and at the start, I thought it would be a long, tough way to get to the end, but I was wrong. Our guide, Hassan, is knowledgeable about a wide range of topics. He is a perfect conversation companion, helper, recommender, and friend. If you want to travel without worrying about anything, this option is exactly for you, because Kamal can lead you to the best places along the way—from restaurants to places with the most impressive views. In one word, you are in excellent hands with Hassan! And along with it all, you also get the remarkable landscapes, mountains, cozy lodging, and very delicious food (you definitely don't stay starving), and of course, a desert with camels."
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic tour and great experience
"We booked a 5-day tour from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert and back, and we loved it—an excellent tour with an impressive landscape and a fantastic route. The hotels were all great, the food was delicious, and the desert camp was a highlight. Everything was excellently organized, and we didn't have to worry about anything. A special thanks to our excellent and AMAZING tour guide/driver, Hamid. He knows the area like no other, showed us his beautiful homeland in a significant way, and became like a friend in such a short time. We recommend everyone book the 5-day tour to see the fantastic locations outside the main route; the tour is also much more relaxed and less strenuous."
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About the 5-Day Marrakech To Merzouga Desert Tour
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Marrakech Desert Tour. Whether you're wondering about logistics, comfort, or what's included, we've got you covered.
This private 5-day tour takes you from Marrakech through southern Morocco to the Merzouga desert. During the trip, you visit historic Kasbahs, enjoy a camel ride, and spend a full day exploring the Merzouga desert. The tour also includes a visit to a nomadic family, with an itinerary designed to reduce long driving times so you can enjoy more time in the Sahara.
Yes, you can personalize the program to match your interests. The base itinerary is set so you know what to expect from the trip, but you are free to request changes. You can adjust activities, focus more on certain sights, or add optional experiences before, during, or after the main desert tour when you contact the company.
You can choose from several accommodation options for each night of the tour. The options include hotels, riads, and luxury desert camps such as Hotel Babylon Dades, Hotel Panorama, Dar Blues, Eden Boutique Hotel, Africa Luxury Camp, Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp, Desert Luxury Camp, Riad Azawad, Riad Madu, Desert Villa, Riad Serai, Hotel Riad Amlal, Riad Dar Chamaa, and OZ Palace. All options provide clean and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and a choice of double, twin, or single beds.
Yes, you can mix and match your accommodations across the four nights. For example, you can stay at Hotel Babylon Dades on the first night, Desert Luxury Camp on the second night, or two nights in the desert camp if you prefer Riad Serai on the third night and Dar Chamaa on the fourth night. You have full freedom to combine the options listed and create the stay that suits your preferences.
You can add several extra experiences before, during, or after your main desert tour. Before or after the tour, options include airport transfers, a hot-air balloon ride in Marrakech, a guided tour of Marrakech, and day trips to Essaouira, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, or the Ourika Valley. During the tour, you can book a professional photographer, a romantic dinner in the desert, a romantic desert proposal setup, quad biking, or buggy driving. Mention your interests when you book so the team can help arrange these add-ons.
