Helpful reading: Erg Chigaga vs Merzouga
Budgeting your trip? See our guide to the Morocco desert tour cost, with real prices, what is included and the extras to plan for.Deciding how long to go for? Read our honest comparison: 3 or 4 day desert tour from Marrakech.Travelling over the holidays? See our guide to spending New Year in the Sahara.Говорите по-русски? Читайте наш гид на русском языке: Марокко для россиян.
Говорите по-русски? Читайте наш гид на русском языке: Тур в пустыню Мерзуга.
Early morning departure from Marrakech, heading east across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest paved road in North Africa at approximately 2,260 meters above sea level. The mountain road winds through a series of spectacular switchbacks with sweeping views of rocky peaks, deep valleys, and small Berber villages perched on the hillsides. Stop along the way for panoramic photographs and to stretch your legs before beginning the descent toward the pre-Saharan plains of the south.
The first major stop of the day is the legendary Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco. This ancient ksar, built entirely from red earthen clay, has stood as a key stop along the trans-Saharan trade routes for centuries. It has also appeared in some of the most celebrated productions in cinema history including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Mummy. Your guide will walk you through the narrow alleyways, explain the rich history of the ksar, and take you up to the top granary for sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Please note that entrance fees to Ait Ben Haddou are paid locally and are not included in the tour price.
Continue through Ouarzazate for a lunch stop before heading east through the Valley of Roses, passing through the town of Kelaat M’Gouna where Damask roses are cultivated by local Berber farmers and celebrated every May during the famous Rose Festival. Continue into the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, arriving in the late afternoon. The winding roads of the Dades Gorge, the red rock formations, and the ancient kasbahs clinging to the cliffsides make this one of the most beautiful overnight settings in southern Morocco. Check into your riad overlooking the valley for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, begin the day with a drive through the Dades Gorge, passing the famous Monkey Fingers red rock formations near Ait Oudinar before the valley opens out into the broader plains of the south. Continue east to the Todra Gorge, a spectacular natural canyon carved by the Todra River through limestone cliffs that rise over 300 meters on either side. At its narrowest point the walls close in to just a few meters wide. Take a refreshing walk along the river through the gorge and absorb the extraordinary scenery before continuing south.
The road south from Todra Gorge passes through small Berber villages and gradually shifting desert landscapes before reaching Erfoud, a desert town known for its fossil-rich black marble terrain. Stop briefly to browse the fossil workshops before continuing to Merzouga, the gateway to the legendary Erg Chebbi dunes. As the afternoon light turns golden, the towering orange dunes appear on the horizon, their color shifting and deepening as the sun moves across the sky.
Your camels will be waiting at the edge of the desert for a sunset trek across the golden sands, a ride of up to about 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the camp location. On the way, stop on the dunes to try sandboarding down the slopes. As the sun descends, the dunes glow in shades of amber and rose and the silence of the Sahara settles completely around you. Arrive at your luxury desert camp to a warm welcome of mint tea and Berber bread. Settle in before gathering around the campfire for a traditional Moroccan dinner under a sky full of stars, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of live Berber music. The night sky above the Sahara, far from any city lights, is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in Morocco.
Rise before dawn to watch the Sahara sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, one of the most peaceful moments of the whole trip. After breakfast at the camp, set off with your guide on a full day 4×4 excursion through the desert around Merzouga, exploring the dunes, the open plains and the small villages at the edge of the Sahara.
Along the way you can add optional activities, such as quad biking, buggy rides or dirt bikes across the sand. Quad and buggy riders must be at least 16 years old, and dirt bikes need a valid licence. These activities are paid locally and are not included in the tour price.
In the late afternoon, check into a Sahara hotel with a swimming pool at the foot of the dunes. Cool off in the pool, watch the sunset over the sand, and enjoy dinner and a relaxed second night in the desert.
After breakfast at the hotel, begin the long drive back to Marrakech. The road heads west through the oases and kasbah villages of the south, then climbs over the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with stops along the way for lunch, photos and to stretch your legs.
You arrive in Marrakech in the evening, and we drop you at your riad, your hotel or the airport, depending on your onward plans.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a fully private tour operated exclusively for you and your travel companions by Navigate Morocco. You will have a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide for all 4 days and will not share with any other group.
Does the tour start and end in Marrakech?
Yes. This is a round trip beginning and ending in Marrakech. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, riad, or Marrakech Menara Airport can be arranged by Navigate Morocco at the time of booking.
Why are entrance fees not included?
Entrance fees to monuments, kasbahs, and attractions including Ait Ben Haddou (and the Atlas Film Studios on the Ouarzazate option) are not included in the tour price, giving you the freedom to choose which sites you wish to enter and how much time to spend at each. Your guide will advise on the cost of each site locally.
What type of accommodation is included?
You will stay in a carefully selected riad in the Dades Valley, a luxury desert camp in Merzouga, and a Sahara hotel with a swimming pool in Merzouga. All accommodations are chosen for their comfort, cleanliness, and authentic Moroccan character.
Is the camel trek suitable for all travelers?
Yes. The sunset camel trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes is slow-paced and guided by experienced local handlers, making it suitable for travelers of all ages and fitness levels. A 4×4 transfer to the desert camp can be arranged as an alternative if preferred.
What meals are included?
The tour includes 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners. Dinners are served at your riad in the Dades Valley on night one, at the luxury desert camp in Merzouga on night two, and at your Sahara hotel on night three. Lunches, drinks and dinner in Marrakech are not included, giving you the freedom to explore local restaurants along the route.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. Navigate Morocco offers fully flexible itineraries. Stops, pacing, accommodation preferences, and optional activities can all be adjusted to match your group’s interests and schedule.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
The best months are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are comfortable across all regions of the route. Summer can be very hot in the Sahara and southern Morocco, while winter is cooler but still manageable with appropriate clothing.
What optional activities are available in the desert?
Sandboarding and a full day 4×4 desert excursion are included in the tour. Optional extras in Merzouga include quad biking, buggy rides and dirt bikes, paid locally and arranged on the day with your driver-guide. Quad and buggy riders must be at least 16, and dirt bikes need a valid licence.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, light layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings in the mountains and desert. A small daypack is ideal for daily excursions and the camel trek.
Can we stop in Ouarzazate instead of a second Sahara night?
Yes. Two nights in the Sahara is the standard version of this tour, shown in the itinerary above. If you prefer, you can keep one desert night and stop in Ouarzazate on the way back instead. Just tell us which you prefer.
