5-Day Tour from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert – Two Nights in the Dunes

Your private desert journey begins with a morning departure from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Cross the dramatic High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with panoramic views and photo stops along the way.

Visit the historic Kasbah of Telouet, once the seat of the powerful El Glaoui family, and continue through the picturesque Ounila Valley, lined with red-earth villages and terraced gardens. Arrive at the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most iconic ksars in Morocco, known for its traditional earthen architecture and cinematic fame.

Continue through Ouarzazate and reach the palm-dotted oasis of Skoura, where you’ll spend the night in a peaceful guesthouse surrounded by nature.

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

After breakfast, visit the impressive Kasbah Amridil and take a stroll through the Skoura palm grove. Drive through the fragrant Roses Valley and the town of Kalaat M’Gouna, continuing through the scenic Dades Valley.

Stop for a walk in the majestic Todra Gorge, where sheer cliffs rise over a palm-filled canyon. Then head east through Erfoud and Rissani, known for fossils and traditional markets, until you reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Tonight, you’ll skip the camel ride and go directly to your luxury Sahara desert camp by 4x4. After settling in, enjoy a relaxing evening under the stars, traditional dinner, and campfire music with the local team.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp in the dunes (en-suite tents)
Driving time: Approx. 4 hours

After a desert sunrise and breakfast, enjoy a full day of exploration around the Merzouga dunes. You’ll travel by 4x4 to discover the region’s diverse landscapes:
•    Search for fossils in ancient desert formations
•    Visit nomadic families in their traditional tents and share tea with them
•    Experience the rhythm of Gnawa music in the village of Khamliya
•    Explore the market of Rissani, one of the most authentic souks in southern Morocco

For lunch, you’ll visit a local Berber family in the area. They will show you how to prepare and bake traditional madfouna (Berber pizza) in a clay oven, let you try on traditional Saharan clothing, and share stories of desert life. You’ll enjoy a warm, home-cooked meal with the family—an unforgettable experience of Moroccan hospitality.

In the late afternoon, return to the edge of the dunes, where you’ll swap the 4x4 for camels and ride into the desert. Climb to a high dune for an epic sunset view, then ride to your desert camp for your second magical night under the stars.

Overnight: Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi dunes
Driving time: Approx. 2–3 hours (mostly off-road exploration)

After breakfast, depart from Merzouga and head south through the open desert landscapes. Pass through Rissani once more, then travel through Alnif, Tazzarine, and Nkob, small desert towns famous for fossil deposits and kasbahs.

By the afternoon, you’ll reach the scenic Draa Valley, home to Morocco’s longest river and lined with date palms and fortified villages. Spend the night in a tranquil guesthouse nestled in this green oasis.

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

After a relaxed breakfast, continue your journey north through the Draa Valley, passing Agdz and Tamnougalt, before rejoining the road near Ouarzazate.

From here, you’ll recross the High Atlas Mountains with scenic stops along the way and arrive back in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

End of tour.
Driving time: Approx. 5 hours