5 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour
This 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour includes private transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver-guide, three nights in hotels with dinner and breakfast, and one unforgettable night in a desert camp with sunset and sunrise camel rides. You will also enjoy a full 4×4 desert tour in Merzouga, visiting Khamlia Village, the Black Desert, fossil areas, and nomadic families, with sandboarding included. Pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech, fuel, and all local taxes are covered. Exclusions include lunches, drinks, optional activities like quad or buggy rides, personal expenses, tips, and entrance fees to kasbahs or monuments.
Trip Overview
Experience a 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour with two unforgettable nights in the Sahara. Explore the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Todgha Gorges, and enjoy camel rides, 4×4 desert tours, and magical sunsets over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Perfect for travellers seeking adventure, culture, and authentic Moroccan desert experiences.
Day-by-Day Program
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Valley
Your adventure begins with an early drive from Marrakech into the High Atlas Mountains. Enjoy the scenic journey along the Tizi n’Tichka Pass with photo stops overlooking traditional Berber villages. You will visit the UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou, a spectacular fortified village known for its ancient architecture and film locations. Take your time to explore the ksar and climb to the top for panoramic views. After lunch, continue toward Ouarzazate and then follow the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to reach the Dades Valley. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of rock formations, palm groves, and charming Berber villages. Overnight in a comfortable hotel with dinner.
Day 2: Dades Valley – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Desert)
After breakfast, drive through the Dades landscapes and head to the breathtaking Todgha Gorges. Walk between the towering canyon walls and enjoy the refreshing atmosphere of this natural oasis. Continue toward the Sahara, passing through Erfoud—the gateway to the desert—before arriving in Merzouga. Switch to camels for a sunset trek across the golden dunes, then arrive at your desert camp. Enjoy dinner, music around the fire, and a peaceful night under the starry sky.
Day 3: Full Day in Merzouga – Desert Exploration
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise over the dunes and enjoy breakfast at the camp before beginning a full day dedicated to discovering the magic of the Sahara. You will embark on a 4×4 desert tour that takes you to Khamlia Village, where you can experience traditional Gnawa music, then continue across the Black Desert with its volcanic landscapes. The journey also includes a stop at a fossil-rich area near Erfoud, as well as a visit to nomadic families living in traditional tents, offering a glimpse into their simple desert lifestyle. Along the way, you’ll enjoy panoramic viewpoints over the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes, with time to relax, try sandboarding, or share a cup of tea with the nomads. In the afternoon, return to your hotel in Merzouga to unwind, swim if the hotel has a pool, and enjoy a delicious dinner. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Merzouga.
Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – Agdez – Ouarzazate
Today you leave the desert after breakfast. Drive through Rissani, one of the oldest markets in southern Morocco, known for dates, spices, and traditional crafts. Continue through the long Draa Valley, filled with palm groves and ancient kasbahs. The scenery slowly transitions from desert to mountains until you reach Ouarzazate, where you will spend the night in a hotel and relax after the long journey.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
After breakfast, begin your return journey to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains. Enjoy the changing landscapes and stop at panoramic viewpoints for photos. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, with drop-off at your accommodation, marking the end of your unforgettable 5-day Sahara adventure with two magical nights in Merzouga.