Visit the enchanting Sahara Desert on a 4-day trip from Marrakech. Explore dirt roads, valleys, mountain passes, gorges, dunes and picturesque villages and discover this unique country.
Trip Details
Day 1: Marrakesh - Aït Benhaddou - Valley of the Roses - Dadès Gorges
After collecting you from your hotel, riad or from the airport, we'll head to Ouarzazate. On the way, we'll pass through the striking Atlas Mountains via the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, which offers spectacular views from its 2,260 metres.
Having crossed through the Atlas Mountains, we'll arrive at Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, one of the most impressive fortified cities in Morocco and the emblematic filming location of movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
We'll then take the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs to Skoura and to Kelaat M'Gouna, a pretty city in Tinghir Province and capital of the Valley of the Roses. At the end of the first day, we'll drive to the Dadès Gorges, where we'll spend the night.
Day 2: Dadès Gorges - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga
After breakfast, we'll set off towards the Dadès Valley, travelling through the incredible Todgha Gorges, where we'll have lunch.
With renewed energy, we'll continue on our journey in the direction of Merzouga, passing through the Jorf palm grove, an area known for its excellent dates, and Erfoud, home to intriguing fragments of fossils.
Having arrived in Merzouga, we'll swap our vehicles for camels to immerse ourselves in the desert and make our way to a Bedouin camp, where we'll spend the night and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner.
Day 3: Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Tazarine - Tizi N'Tfrkhin - Ouarzazate
We'll begin the third day of our tour io the most magical day: watching the sunrise over the desert. After an early start, we'll climb back onto our camels and explore the area.
On the way back to Ouarzazate, we'll take a different route. Passing the Tafilalet Palm Grove and the village of Rissani, ancient capital and home to the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty, we'll reach the town of Alnif. Here, we'll join the road that cuts across the stunning Anti-Atlas mountain range.
After taking in the spectacular colours and shapes of the mountains, we'll arrive at Tizi N'tfarkhin, Tinghir and an amazing palm grove in the Dadès Valley. At lunchtime, we'll stop at Klaat M'Gouna to eat and rest before continuing the route.
In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Ouarzazate, where we'll spend the night in a hotel/kasbah.
Day 4: Ouarzazate - Marrakech
After a delicious breakfast, you'll have the morning free to explore Ouarzazate at your own pace. We recommend visiting the Taourirt Kasbah and Atlas Film Studios, known as the Hollywood of the desert. We'll leave Ouarzazate between 12 and 3:30 pm.
We'll leave at some point between noon and 3:30 pm, and finally drop you off in Marrakech in the late evening, depending on traffic.
Trip Accommodation
There are two options, standard (2 - 3 stars) and luxury (4 stars):
- Standard hotels: Kasbah Tifawe / Dar Essyaha / La Kasbah de Dades or similar (Dadès), Haima Camp (Merzouga) and Hotel La Perle Du Sud, Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate, Hotel Riad Amlal or similar (Ouarzazate).
- Luxury hotels: Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or similar (Merzouga). The luxury option does not change the accommodation in Dades or Ouarzazate.
For both the hotels and the tents in the desert, there is no possibility of a single room, only double rooms. If you prefer, triple or family rooms (for 4 or 5 people) are also available. Standard rooms have communal showers in the camp, while superior rooms have a private bathroom in the haimas tents and showers in the camp. If a single-person booking is made, a supplement will be applied.
If you prefer, triple or family rooms are also available. The haimas of the standard category can accommodate up to 4 people and have private bathrooms. The haimas of the superior category can accommodate up to 5 people and also have private bathrooms.
The standard and superior camps are completely separate, and there are differences in the food and the interior decoration of the haimas.
However, please note that during the peak season, like Easter or Christmas, you may have camps with shared bathrooms in the standard category.
Pickup Info
If you are staying in the Medina, you should go to one of the following meeting points:
- KFC Marrakech, in the Medina, located on Av. Mohammed V
- Moulay El Yazid Mosque, at 23 Rue de La Kasbah
- Mohamed V School, Riad Laarouss
- Abdelmoumen School
- Bab Doukkala Pharmacy
If you're staying outside the Medina, we'll pick you up free of charge from your hotel or riad. If the hotel is located outside Marrakech, there will be a supplement of 10EUR to 40EUR, depending on the distance.
Marrakech to Fez: 4-Day Tour
If you want, you can enjoy the Marrakech to Fez: Merzouga Desert 4-Day Tour.
2 or 3-Day Desert Trip
If you would like to explore the Moroccan desert, but you're looking for a shorter tour, check out our other day trips: 2-Day Zagora Desert Trip and 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour.
Private Tour
If you'd like, you can do this day trip in a private group of just you and your partner, family or friends by booking our Private Desert Trip.
