5 Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate To Marrakech

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights Distance: 1061 km

Start: Ouarzazate End: Marrakech

Type: Private Tour

Highlights at a Glance

High Atlas Mountains – Scenic mountain passes & Berber villages

Ait Ben Haddou – UNESCO World Heritage ksar & famous film location

Ouarzazate – “Hollywood of Morocco” & Taourirt Kasbah

Dades Valley – Dramatic gorges & winding mountain roads

Todgha Gorges – Towering limestone cliffs & hiking paths

Merzouga Sahara Desert – Erg Chebbi dunes, camel trek, nomad camp & desert, Sunset

Draa Valley – Palm groves, kasbahs & traditional Berber life

Rissani – Largest traditional souk in southern Morocco

Tour Program

Day 1 : Ouarzazate – Kasbah Ameridil – Valley of Roses – Dades Gorges

Distance: 173km Time on the road: 3h

Our driver will get you up from your accommodation and transport you to the Dades and Todra Gorge, crossing the oasis of Skoura where we will stop to explore Ameridil Kasbah. We will travel the route of the thousand Kasbahs to reach the Valley of Roses. After that, we will go on to the Valley of Dades and the magnificent Dades Gorges canyon, stopping along the way to take in the breathtaking scenery. Our first day in Tinghir city will conclude in the evening with dinner and lodging in a hotel or riad.

Day 2 : Todgha Gorges – Tinjdad – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga Desert

Distance: 195km Time on the road: 3h

Following a customary Moroccan breakfast, we will begin our journey of the four valleys—from Tinghir to Merzouga desert. We will travel to Todra Gorge in Tinghir, which is known for its orange, sheer cliffs. Climbers love this area because of its almost 1,000-foot-deep canyons. Next, take in the verdant vistas of Todra Valley, dotted with almond and palm trees. Later, we resume to Tafilalet oasis, and other Berber settlements, including Tinjdad and Erfoud, on our way to the Sahara desert. We will go to the enchanted Merzouga sand dunes in the afternoon, where we will stay the night in a hotel or riad and have dinner.

Day 3 : Desert Tour – Khamliya – Nomad Family – Camel trekking - Desert Camp

Distance: today we tour around the desert, and the drive is going to be off road.

After breakfast at your hotel, the day begins with an exploration of the Merzouga region and the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes. You will visit the village of Khamlia, known for its vibrant culture and spiritual Gnawa music, where locals perform traditional dances and songs passed down through generations. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover the unique traditions and lifestyle of the desert communities.

After that, you will meet your driver to start your unforgettable desert adventure. After leaving your extra luggage behind, you will set out on a camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. As you ride through the Sahara, you will witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Morocco, surrounded by the silence and vastness of the desert.

By evening, you will arrive at your luxury desert camp, where you will be welcomed with mint tea and a traditional Moroccan dinner. The night will be filled with Berber music and drumming under the starry desert sky, creating a magical atmosphere you will never forget. Overnight stay in a desert camp in Merzouga.

Day 4 : Merzouga – Rissani City – Alnif – Nkoub – Tazarine – Agdez – Ouarzazate

Distance: 320km Time on the road: 5h

Wake up early and head to the hotel terrace to admire the breathtaking sunrise over the Sahara Desert. Afterward, return to your room for a refreshing shower, enjoy breakfast, and prepare your luggage. Your driver will then be waiting to continue the journey toward Ouarzazate.

On the way, you will stop in Rissani, home to the largest traditional souk in southern Morocco, where locals trade spices, textiles, and livestock. The route continues through Alnif, Nkoub, and the scenic Draa Valley, famous for its endless palm groves and stunning landscapes. By evening, you will arrive in Ouarzazate, where you will check into your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5 : Ouarzazate – Atlas Studios – Ait Benhaddou Kasbah – Ounila Valley – High Atlas – Marrakech

Distance: 323km Time on the road: 5h 30min

On the final day of our desert tour, we will resume our journey to the world-renowned movie studio (Atlas Studios) in Ouarzazate. Following that, we will take a short trip to Ait Ben Hadou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kasbah is famous for making series and films such us Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After our visit to the Kasbah, we will continue to Marrakech passing by the high Atlas Mountains, Tizi n-Tishka, which is located at an elevation of 2260 meters. Along the route, we will be stopping for photographs at several locations. There are vistas of the verdant river valleys with adobe settlements and the remnants of old kasbahs when traveling along this route, which is one of the most scenic ways in Morocco. Next, we will make our way in the direction of Marrakech. We will drop you off wherever you want and our services will come to an end.

Accommodations

Category 1
Dades	Hotel Babylon Dades Gorges
Desert Night 1	Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
Desert Night 2	Riad Dar Hassan
Ouarzazate	Hotel Riad Amlal

Category 2
Dades	Riad Dades Paradise
Desert Night 1	Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp
Desert Night 2	Riad Chebbi
Ouarzazate	Riad Dar Chamaa

Category 3
Dades	Eden Boutique Hotel
Desert Night 1	Desert Luxury Camp
Desert Night 2	Desert Luxury Camp
Ouarzazate	Hotel OZ Palace Ouarzazate

*In case the listed hotel is fully booked, we will provide a similar option of the same category and inform you accordingly.

What’s included in our Morocco desert tours

Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
Professional English-speaking driver/guide (or request other preferred language)
Dinners and breakfasts throughout the tour
Camel ride experience in the Sahara Desert
Overnight stay in a Merzouga desert camp
Accommodation in carefully selected hotels and traditional riads
Sandboarding