4 days tour from Marrakech to desert

Depart Marrakech early and drive through the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains, with panoramic stops for photos and a visit to a local Argan oil cooperative. Descend into the south to explore the legendary Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic film location.

Ouarzazate & Dades gorges

After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Morocco,” then head east through the Skoura palm oasis, home to ancient kasbahs and green farmland. By evening, reach the Dades Valley, where your hotel awaits among the canyons and cliffs. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse with valley views.

After breakfast, explore the unique rock formations of the Dades Gorge, known as “Monkey Fingers,” and visit old kasbahs perched above the valley. Continue to Todra Gorge, a dramatic canyon of red cliffs rising 300 meters—a paradise for climbers and photographers. Walk along the gorge floor before traveling through desert towns like Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud, known for fossils and dates.

Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes

By late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara. Here, you’ll trade your 4x4 for a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes, where your desert camp awaits. Enjoy Berber drumming, a traditional dinner, and sleep in a luxury or nomadic tent under the desert stars.

This day is all about discovering the life and culture of the Sahara. Wake to a mesmerizing sunrise over the dunes, then enjoy breakfast at camp. Spend the day in and around Merzouga: visit Khamlia village to listen to Gnawa music performed by descendants of sub-Saharan slaves, meet Berber nomadic families, explore ancient mines, and see how locals survive in the harsh desert environment. Visit a nearby oasis and enjoy a traditional lunch. Optional activities include sandboarding, quad biking, or simply relaxing in the silence of the dunes. Return to your camp or desert lodge for dinner and a peaceful night.

After a final breakfast in the desert, begin your return journey through Rissani, an ancient market town once central to trans-Saharan trade. Pass through Alnif, N’Kob, and follow the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river oasis lined with palm groves and fortified villages. Stop for lunch en route. Continue over the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka, arriving in Marrakech by early evening—ending your unforgettable desert experience.