Marrakech to Merzouga

About this tour

Experience the beauty of the desert this Morocco Marrakech Desert tour, and explore the ancient cultures and vivid landscapes of Southern Morocco. Journey through the rustling palm groves and discover the Berber villages, rose-filled valley, and drive along the road of thousand Kasbahs. Roam in the fortified towns of Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou after mounting Tizi n’Tichka pass. Your tour from Marrakech includes a camel ride into the Sahara dunes and sleep at a nomadic bivouac.

What to expect

See the impressive Atlas Mountains
Visit Ait Ben Haddou
Take a tour in Todra gorges
Enjoy a camel ride at both sunset and sunrise
Step into desert villages known to set the scenes in major motion pictures, such as Babel
Witness the grandeur of the Sahara Desert and the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes

Itinerary

Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Rose Valley – Dades Gorges

Start your Marrakech Sahara Desert Tour in the morning, as you follow a well-maintained path to the High Atlas Mountains. After a few kilometers of drive the road begins to wind its way through the most scenic roads crossing tizi-n-tichka pass (2,260 m), Berber villages along the way and endless views of wheat palm trees fields. Then we stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah for lunch and tour this UNESCO heritage site which looms up like a mirage. This Kasbah is a kind of citadel consisting of high-walled buildings with clay and straw. After lunch set off again and drive to Ouarzazate the prime city of cinema studios, you’ll visit the Kasbah of Taourirt at leisure, then continue to the valley of roses. This latter is an incredible romantic place full of roses, besides they have a rose festival on may each year. In the afternoon we reach Dades gorges surrounded by bright palm valleys and rugged mountains. Enjoy hiking in this stunning rock formation until you reach the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Dades Gorges – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi

Enjoy a breakfast in the hotel then travel towards the Todra gorges via Tinghir Oasis and the road of thousands Kasbahs, the splendid road of turreted sand castles along the old caravan trading route. Then we arrive in Todra gorges a massive canyon rising to 300m thick studded with berber villages and with palmeries. After lunch in the gorge drive to Erfoud the capital of fossils and Rissani an important and holy town in Morocco as it is actual dynasty of the rolling family ” The Alaouite”. From here we continue further and we will see the sea sand dunes of Erg Chebbi as you get closer to Merzouga. After a short break in the hotel to relax ready yourself to sit upon your camel back and plod softly into sand sea of the golden dunes. Once you arrive at the camp you will climb the dunes to enjoy the views of the sunset. Finally enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night under the incredible starry sky.

Merzouga – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Early morning witness the amazing sunrise over the high dunes in the desert; this will be an enjoyable and memorable moment. Then journey back to Merzouga riding your camel and enjoying the morning breeze. After breakfast and shower at the hotel leave Merzouga to Marrakech. During this Morocco Marrakech Desert tour, we will pass through many wonderful landscapes and berber villages. You’ll reach Ouarzazate to have your lunch then we continue to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, if we have time we can explore this fascinating UNESCO heritage site which looms up like a mirage. Arrival in the late afternoon to Marrakech then you’ll be dropped off to your accommodation.