5-Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech

A Journey Through Desert Majesty & Timeless Heritage

Tour Overview

• Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

• Departure City: Marrakech

• Return City: Marrakech

• Price Per Person: From €750 (based on 2 participants in double occupancy)

• Tour Type: Private | Fully customizable

• Travel Style: Cultural discovery, adventure, nature

• Accommodations: Riads, authentic guesthouses, and one luxury desert camp

• Transportation: Private A/C 4×4 vehicle or minivan

• Camel Ride: Included

• Two Furthest Locations: Marrakech ↔ Merzouga (approx. 560 km)

Introduction

Unfold the wonders of Morocco in just five unforgettable days, where ancient kasbahs whisper stories of caravans past and windswept dunes invite you into the heart of the Sahara. This premium private tour blends the awe-inspiring natural scenery of southern Morocco with deep cultural encounters and unmatched comfort. From the red-ochre walls of Marrakech to the golden waves of Merzouga, you’ll experience the true magic of Morocco.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech → Telouet Kasbah → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate

Drive time: ~4 hours (excluding stops)
After meeting your private driver-guide in Marrakech, begin your adventure by crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m). Enjoy sweeping views and photo stops en route to the remote Telouet Kasbah, once a stronghold of the powerful El Glaoui family.

Continue to the UNESCO-listed Ksar Aït Ben Haddou, an iconic fortified village made famous by films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring its labyrinthine alleys and mud-brick architecture, head to nearby Ouarzazate — the “Hollywood of Africa” — for dinner and overnight in a charming riad.

Day 2: Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Agdz → Nkob → Merzouga

Drive time: ~6 hours
Start your day with a short city tour of Ouarzazate, visiting Taourirt Kasbah and (optionally) the Atlas Film Studios. Then journey into the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river oasis dotted with endless date palms and ancient kasbahs.

Travel through Agdz and the scenic village of Nkob, known for its adobe architecture and 45 kasbahs. In the afternoon, reach the edge of the Sahara in Merzouga. Exchange your 4×4 for camels and trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes, arriving at your luxury desert camp just before sunset.

As darkness falls, gather around the fire under the star-studded sky, enjoying Berber music and a traditional Moroccan dinner.

Day 3: Full Day Sahara Desert Exploration

Drive time: ~2 hours (local loops)
Wake early to witness the sunrise over the dunes, a truly unforgettable moment. After breakfast, set off to explore the Merzouga region by 4×4:

• Visit a local nomadic family, sharing tea in a traditional tent and learning about their way of life.

• Head to Khamlia village to hear Gnawa music, a soulful rhythm brought from Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Explore an ancient eyeliner mine in the black desert.

• Spot flamingos and migratory birds at the Merzouga Lake (seasonal).

• Stroll through a nearby palm grove for a taste of oasis agriculture.

Return to your riad in Merzouga for a relaxing evening and dinner.

Day 4: Merzouga → Rissani → Erfoud → Todra Gorges → Dades Valley

Drive time: ~5 hours
Begin your journey back westward by stopping in Rissani, once the center of the ancient Tafilalet kingdom and still home to one of Morocco’s most authentic souks. Then visit Erfoud, known for its fossil-rich quarries and artisan marble workshops.

Continue through the palm-fringed towns of Tinjdad and Touroug to reach the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges, where 300-meter cliffs form a narrow canyon beloved by climbers and nature lovers. After lunch, drive to Dades Valley, where bizarre rock formations like the “Monkey Fingers” await. Overnight in a boutique kasbah-style hotel.

Day 5: Dades Valley → Rose Valley → Skoura Oasis → Marrakech

Drive time: ~6 hours
After breakfast, follow the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs through Rose Valley, a blooming paradise in spring and home to the annual Rose Festival in El Kelaa M’Gouna. Continue to Skoura, a verdant palm grove famous for the Kasbah Amridil, one of the best-preserved and most photogenic kasbahs in southern Morocco.

After lunch in Ouarzazate or along the way, traverse the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass again, descending toward Marrakech. Arrive by late afternoon and transfer to your hotel or riad. End of services.

What’s Included

• Private air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan with fuel

• English/Spanish-speaking professional driver/guide

• 3 nights in boutique hotels/riads

• 1 night in a luxury desert camp with private bathroom

• Camel ride (1 camel per person)

• All breakfasts and 4 dinners

• Sandboarding in the dunes

• Local visits and experiences

• Hotel/airport pickup and drop-off

What’s Not Included

• Lunches and drinks

• Monument entrance fees

• Gratuities and personal expenses

Why Book This Tour?

This itinerary offers a rich yet well-paced discovery of Morocco’s south. You’ll experience the grandeur of the Atlas Mountains, the desert’s serenity, the warmth of local encounters, and the timeless beauty of Morocco’s kasbahs — all with private transport and personalized attention. It’s perfect for couples, families, or small groups looking to travel deeper while staying comfortable.