8 Days Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour

Detailed Day Wise Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival at Marrakech » Transfer to the Hotel

  We'll be there to pick you up from the airport when you arrive. Then, we'll take you to a cozy riad in the heart of Marrakesh, right in the historic center called the medina. It's just a quick two-minute walk from the famous Jamaa El-Fna square. In the afternoon, you can venture out to explore the medina on your own. You'll love the square, especially in the evening when it comes alive with storytellers, street performers, snake charmers, and more. You'll spend the night in Marrakech.

• Day 2: Marrakech » High Atlas » Telouat Kasbah » Ait Benhaddou » Ouarzazate[206Km]

  We'll come to pick you up at 8:30 in the morning in a comfy 4x4 vehicle or minivan. Our first stop is Ouarzazate, and the journey is quite exciting. We'll drive through the High Atlas mountains and cross a really high point called Tizi N'Tichka port, which is the tallest place in Morocco, about 2260 meters up. Along the way, you'll see some stunning views, and we'll stop for pictures in Berber villages.

  Then, we'll take a small road leading to Telouat Kasbah. After checking out the kasbah, you'll have some free time to savor the local food in town. In the afternoon, we'll continue through the Ounila Valley, passing by small Berber villages and families living in mud houses hidden in the mountains. Our destination is the Ait Benhaddou Ksar, a fortified village. This place is famous and even recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It's been featured in lots of movies like Games Of Thrones, Gladiator, and more.

  After exploring the kasbah, we'll head to Ouarzazate, our second stop, also known as "The Gate of the Desert". We'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

• Day 3: Ouarzazate » Draa Valley » Merzouga Desert » Camel ride[370Km]

  After breakfast at your accommodation, we're off to the Draa Valley, where you'll see one of Morocco's longest rivers. As we continue on our 8-day trip from Marrakech to Merzouga, we'll make stops for photos and enjoy the view of cool kasbahs and little Berber villages along the way, plus the beauty of the Draa Valley.

  You'll have some free time to grab lunch in Nkob or Alnif. And then, after about two hours of driving, we'll arrive at the incredible Merzouga dunes, known as the "Desert of powdery sand dunes". Now, we're going to switch from our vehicle to camels for a ride right into the heart of the sandy desert.

  Once we reach the camp, you'll stay in tents that are made from camel hair, just like the ones used by nomad families. There, we'll have dinner and spend the night in a Berber tent under a stunning starry sky, with some Berber music by the campfire for a special evening.

• Day 4: Merzouga Desert » Nomads Families » Khamlia » Erg Chebbi Dunes[120Km]

  This is a special day in the desert, starting with a sunrise that's absolutely worth waking up early for. You'll climb up a dune near the camp to watch the most incredible sunrise ever. It's a natural gift. After that, you'll have a tasty breakfast and a refreshing shower in the Berber tents.

  Then, we're back on camels, guided by an experienced camel rider, to explore the Merzouga desert. We'll ride around the Erg Chebbi, a big stretch of sandy desert that's home to the largest dune in Morocco, standing over 250 meters tall. Our desert adventure continues along the road that was once used for the "Paris - Dakar" rally, leading us to the mountains on the Algerian border.

  We'll make a stop at Tissardmin Oasis, where there are still fossil quarries. As we drive, we'll pass by nomad settlements and learn about their way of life. Our next stop will be at a viewpoint to see the whole Erg Chebbi.

  We'll also visit Kamilia Village, originally from Mali, where you can relax with a cup of tea and enjoy a Gnawa spiritual music performance. Afterward, we'll take you back to your accommodation, and you'll have a free afternoon to explore the town or check out the dunes near your hotel to catch the sunset. We'll wrap up the day with dinner and a comfy night's stay in a hotel.

• Day 5: Merzouga Desert » Rissani Market » Todra Gorges » Dades Valley[260Km]

  In the morning, we'll leave the Sahara desert after having breakfast at your accommodation. Our first stop is Rissani, where we'll visit the marketplace on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, depending on the day. From there, we'll head to Erfoud, where we can check out the places that make fossilized marble before we start our journey to Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves.

  About an hour later, we'll arrive at one of the best spots in the High Atlas Mountains, the Todra Gorges. This place is really cool because the river has cut through the cliffs to make this canyon, and it's super popular with climbers. You'll have some free time to enjoy lunch in this beautiful spot. It's a good idea to take a short walk by the gorges to see the amazing landscape up close.

  In the afternoon, we'll keep going to the Dades Valley, also known as the Figs Valley. We'll pass through Boumalne Dades, and we'll make a stop at the "monkey legs". Then, we'll have dinner and spend the night at the Dades Gorges.

• Day 6: Dades Valley » Palm Groves of Skoura » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech[308Km]

  After having breakfast at your accommodation, we'll head to a high spot in the mountains where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Dades Valley. From here, you can see lots of kasbahs, each with its own unique look.

  Our day continues as we drive along a road that's lined with different kasbahs that people like to visit. We'll make some stops so you can take pictures and enjoy the "One Thousand Kasbahs Road". We'll also pass through the Roses Valley and the big Skoura palm grove before reaching Ouarzazate.

  In Ouarzazate, we'll visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, which used to be the home of the El-Glaoui, who was like a ruler in Marrakech. If you're interested, we can also check out the cinema studios and the cinema museum. You'll have some free time for lunch in town.

  In the afternoon, we'll start our journey back to Marrakech, going through the Tizi N'Tichka mountain pass. We'll make a few stops for pictures along the way. As we leave behind the moon-like landscape, we'll be greeted by colorful views. We should get back to Marrakech around 6 PM, and you'll spend the night in a hotel or riad.

• Day 7: Visit to the Medina and Marrakech Historical Monuments

  In the morning, we'll explore the old part of Marrakech with a friendly local guide. We'll start off our tour by checking out the big wall that surrounds the old city, known as the Medina. Then, we'll see the Koutoubia Minaret, which is a lot like the one in Seville, Spain.

  Our trip continues with visits to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and the lovely Majorelle Gardens, which are filled with vibrant colors and plants. Eventually, we'll make our way to Jamaa El-Fna square, where the atmosphere during the day is quite different from the evening.

  In the evening, you'll have some free time to try your hand at bargaining in the bustling souk (market) or maybe uncover some hidden gems within the Medina. You'll spend the night at a comfy riad or hotel.

• Day 8: Marrakech » Transfer to the Airport

  You'll have breakfast at your accommodation and some free time in the morning before it's time to go. We'll take you to the airport and assist you with your luggage, making sure you find your way to the boarding gate. This marks the end of our 8 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour. We hope you've had a fantastic time with us!