4-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert and Draa Valley

Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. You’ll cross the majestic High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 meters), with stops along the way to enjoy panoramic views and traditional Berber villages.

We visit the remote Kasbah Telouet, once home to the powerful Glaoui family, followed by a drive through the colorful Ounila Valley to reach the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou. This famous ksar is one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages and a filming location for Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones.

From Ait Ben Haddou, we continue past Ouarzazate and spend the night in the peaceful Skoura Oasis, known for its palm groves and ancient kasbahs.

Overnight: Boutique guesthouse in Skoura
Driving time: Approx. 5 hours (excluding stops)

After breakfast, we visit the iconic Kasbah Amridil, a beautifully restored mud-brick fortress, then take a short walk through the lush palm groves of Skoura. The journey continues through the fragrant Valley of Roses and the town of Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for its annual rose festival and rose-based cosmetics.

We’ll travel through the Dades Valley and arrive at Todra Gorge, where you’ll enjoy a scenic walk beneath towering cliffs carved by the river. After lunch, we cross the Ziz Valley, stopping in Erfoud—known for its fossil workshops—and continue to Merzouga, at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

In the late afternoon, you’ll ride camels into the golden dunes to catch the sunset from a high dune, then continue to your luxury Sahara desert camp. Enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine, music around the campfire, and a star-filled sky.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp with en-suite bathrooms
Driving time: Approx. 4 hours

Wake early for a spectacular sunrise over the dunes, then return to camp for breakfast. From Merzouga, we begin our journey southward through the town of Rissani, an important trading center, and continue through the stark desert plateaus of Alnif and Tazzarine.

This region is known for its prehistoric fossils and wide desert landscapes. By mid-afternoon, we reach the village of Nkob, famous for its 45 kasbahs, before descending into the beautiful Draa Valley. This valley is the longest palm oasis in Morocco, lined with mudbrick villages and ancient fortresses.

Spend the night in a kasbah-style lodge or guesthouse surrounded by palm trees and desert serenity.

Overnight: Guesthouse or kasbah in the Draa Valley
Driving time: Approx. 4 hours

After a relaxed breakfast, we follow the Draa River north through the towns of Agdz and Tamnougalt, where green palm groves contrast beautifully with the ochre landscape.

We then pass back through Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains, stopping for lunch along the way. You’ll arrive back in Marrakech by late afternoon, marking the end of your 4-day Sahara Desert adventure.

End of tour.
Driving time: Approx. 5 hours