5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and Back

A private 5-day (4-night) round trip from Marrakech to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga: a night by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge and a camel ride to a desert camp, then a different way back from Merzouga to Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley palm groves, and no day is longer than about 6–7 hours.

Merzouga is about 560 km from Marrakech, 8–9 hours of driving each way and 10+ with stops, so this is the shortest Sahara trip we list. Five days lets the drive happen in stages of about 150–330 km instead of two marathon days, and the loop takes a different way back from Merzouga to Ouarzazate.

Day one crosses the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Ben Haddou, with the late afternoon free to walk up the ksar. Day two follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley. Day three runs through Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, where the walls rise to around 300 m, to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride to a camp among dunes of around 150 m. Day four starts with sunrise in the dunes, then heads west past Rissani, Alnif and N'Kob on the road below Jbel Saghro to a kasbah in the Draa Valley. Day five passes Agdz and Ouarzazate and crosses the High Atlas back to Marrakech.

Good to know

Length

5 days, 4 nights, Marrakech to Marrakech

Group

2–6 travellers, private: only the people you book with

Effort

Moderate

Languages

English, French, Spanish, Arabic

Booking

A written itinerary and a fixed price within 24 hours. A 30% deposit confirms; cancellation and refunds follow Serenity Morocco Tours' booking terms.

Highlights

• Four nights: Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Valley, an Erg Chebbi desert camp and a Draa Valley kasbah
• Tizi n'Tichka pass and an evening at the UNESCO ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
• Skoura oasis, the Valley of Roses and the Dades gorge
• Walk in the Todra Gorge between walls of around 300 m
• Sunset camel ride to camp and sunrise over the dunes
• A loop: a different way back from Merzouga to Ouarzazate, below Jbel Saghro and through the Draa Valley palm groves

Not included: Lunches and drinks (budget about MAD 100–150 per lunch); Entrance fees and local guides at monuments unless noted; Travel insurance; Tips for the driver, guides and camp staff; Local guide at Aït Ben Haddou (about MAD 100–150 per group).

Every day in full

Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou

08:00 pickup and the climb over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, about 190 km and 4–5 hours with stops. Afternoon guided walk up the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Night: Guesthouse by the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. Meals: D.

Day 2: Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Valley

Ouarzazate, the Skoura palm oasis and the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna, then the Dades gorge road (about 150 km). Night: Kasbah hotel, Dades Valley. Meals: B · D.

Day 3: Dades – Todra Gorge – Merzouga

Tinghir and a walk in the Todra Gorge, then east via Tinejdad and Erfoud to Merzouga (about 260 km in total). Camel ride into the dunes for sunset and dinner at camp. Night: Private tent, desert camp in Erg Chebbi. Meals: B · D.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – N'Kob – Draa Valley

Sunrise over the dunes and breakfast, camel ride back, then west past Rissani, Alnif and N'Kob below Jbel Saghro to the Draa Valley (about 330 km, 6–7 hours with stops). Night: Kasbah guesthouse in the Draa Valley near Agdz. Meals: B · D.

Day 5: Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Morning in the palm groves, then Agdz, Ouarzazate and the Tizi n'Tichka pass back to Marrakech (about 270 km, 5–6 hours with stops). Drop-off at your riad, hotel or the airport in the late afternoon. Meals: B.

What to bring

• A small overnight bag — main luggage stays in the vehicle at the camel station
• Warm layers: desert nights drop close to freezing from December to February
• Scarf or cheche to cover your face against wind-blown sand
• Head torch, sunglasses and SPF 30+
• Closed shoes or sandals you don't mind filling with sand
• Cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks and tips