5 day Morocco desert tour from marrakech
Duration
Tour Type
Explore Tours
A 5-day adventure that whisks you away from the bustling markets of Marrakech and into the heart of Morocco. Traverse the High Atlas Mountains, their peaks scraping the sky. Marvel at the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified city whispering tales of ancient civilizations. Wind your way through the Dades Valley, dramatic gorges carved by time itself.
Then, as the anticipation builds, arrive at the gateway to the Sahara Desert: Merzouga. Take on a majestic camel trek, swaying gently as you cross the vast Erg Chebbi dunes. Witness a breathtaking sunset paint the desert sands in fiery hues. Spend the night nestled in a traditional Berber camp, a million stars twinkling overhead. This is the essence of a 5-day Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech – a journey that blends cultural immersion with breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights:
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains: Enjoy scenic views and Berber villages.
- Visit the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortified city has been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood films, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.
- See Dades Valley and Todra Gorges: Discover Morocco’s stunning natural beauty with dramatic rock formations.
- Take a camel trek into the Sahara Desert. This is a unique way to experience the vastness of the desert and see the Erg Chebbi Sand dunes.
- Spend the night in a traditional Berber camp. This is a great opportunity to learn about Berber culture and enjoy a traditional meal under the stars.
Included/Exclude
- Air-conditioned private van or 4x4 vehicle depending on group size
- Pick up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes
- Driver/Guide:Â An English-speaking driver or guide will be with you throughout the tour, sharing their knowledge of the places you visit and Berber culture.
- Overnight in a spacious luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi with private toilet and shower, lamps, traditional Moroccan handcrafted furnishings
- Camel trek:Â A camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes is usually included on day three of the tour.
- Breakfast
- Lunches:Â You'll need to factor in the cost of lunches throughout the tour.
- Drinks
- Tips:Â Tipping your guide and driver is customary, though not mandatory.
Tour Plan
Start your journey over the desert from Marrakech to Fes early in the morning by leaving your riad at 8:30.
You pull off in the direction of Kasbah Telouet after the Tichka pass at the top of the High Atlas Mountains. This Kasbah, which consists of three main structures, belonged to the Glaoui family, the Lords of the Atlas. Every extension to the building was constructed at a different time and is now in ruins. It is unsafe to enter two areas because they have been so severely damaged by the wind and rain. As you approach the furthest end of the most undamaged building, there is a sudden surprise.
More surprises can be found in the Ounila Valley's shape of the rock and soil, several tiny Berber towns and gardens, as well as smaller Kasbahs. After viewing the famous Kasbah, lunch is waiting for you at Ait Ben Haddou.
You will arrive in Ouarzazate, the largest town after the mountains, after another 45 minutes. One spends the night at a riad or hotel.
We take a tour of Ouarzazate after breakfast. First, we go to the Taourirt Kasbah, an old walled mud castle, and then we go to the Atlas Studios, where a number of well-known films were filmed. After that, we head in the direction of Agdz and enter the longest river in Morocco, the Draa Valley. We'll travel along it and pause to take in the expansive views of the Berber towns, breathtaking Kasbahs, and groves of palm trees. Lunch break in Nkob or Alnif at your leisure.
We travel through Rissani to Merzouga Sahara after lunch. To traverse the Sahara desert, you transition to camels as we get to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. We'll pause for you atop a large dune so you can see the breathtaking sunset. Next, proceed to the camp, which combines the comforts of a hotel with the traditional nomadic tents. Enjoy dancing around the campfire while listening to the sounds of Berber drums under a starry sky. Dinner and spending the night at the camp.
It is essential to get up early in order to see the breathtaking dawn in the middle of the desert. Breakfast is on your own at this time. Next, you ride camels back to Merzouga, where the driver is waiting for you. We set aside the day to investigate the Merzouga region. There are a ton of amazing places in the area, like sand dunes, a wild lake, mines, fossil locations, and magnificent oases. which are perfect locations for a wide range of outdoor pursuits.
First, we travel off-road to an old eyeliner mine near Merzouga to begin our adventure. Next, we visit the nomads in their tent created by hand. Sip a Berber tea and discover their way of life. Our next stop is the village of Khamlia, where you may take in performances of Gnaoua music and dance. Mali, Sudan, and Niger are among the sub-Saharan nations from where its people come originally. Time to spare for a meal at a restaurant. We then go through the grove of palm trees after that. After that, travel a little distance to witness Merzouga's wild lake, also known as Flamingo Lake. Dinner and rest of the night within a hotel.
We visit Rissani city, the old capital of Tafilalet, after breakfast and depart from the desert. Still a significant trading hub in the area, Rissani features a sizable souk that comes alive on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
We visit one of the fossilized marble workshops in Erfoud after taking a stroll around Rissani Souk. Then, in order to get to the Todra Gorges, we drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. The Todra River's course has carved out a massive canyon with red stone walls that is high above the mountains. Climbers find these gorges to be the perfect location. You are welcome to explore the gorges and take in the breathtaking scenery. Time to spare for a meal at a restaurant. After that, we pass via Boumalne Dades and on to the Dades valley. Unavoidable pauses at the rock formation known as "monkey fingers." and on a location with a view of the Dades Valley from atop a mountain. And lastly, dinner and a hotel stay.
On the final day of your vacation through the Moroccan desert, we head to Kalaa Magouna to see the Rose Valley. There is an annual Rose Festival in May. where residents sell their rose-related goods, such as cosmetics, rose water, oil, and perfumes. After that, we travel by a number of kasbahs, such as Amridil Kasbah, which is encircled by the Skoura palm tree forest. When we get to Ouarzazate, we have time to go to town for lunch. After that, we drive via the High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass to Marrakech. Finally, we drop you off at the Marrakech airport or at your place of accommodation. Tour's end.
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4.4
Let’s just say this tour wasn’t exactly “glamping” in the desert. More like “camping” with a fancy name. My camel’s name was Bartholomew, and he seemed to have a grudge against everyone. But hey, the sunsets were incredible, and the Berber hospitality was heartwarming. Plus, I learned to haggle like a pro in the souks! If you’re up for an adventure (and don’t mind a little sand in your…”everything”), then this tour is for you!
4.4
This 5-day desert tour from Marrakech was an unforgettable experience! From the breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains to the starlit sky over the Merzouga dunes, everything was magical. Our guide, Ismail, was fantastic – knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to answer our questions. The camel trek was a highlight, and the desert camp was comfortable and luxurious. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an adventure in Morocco!