Sahara Desert 5-Day Tour from Marrakech with Camel Ride

Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades

Discover the Beauty of the Atlas Mountains

After picking you up from your accommodation in Marrakech, we’ll hit the road toward the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m) in the High Atlas Mountains. You will experience a winding road, beautiful landscapes with varying colors, and traditional Berber villages along the way.

Our first stop will be in Ait Barka Village for breakfast and the chance to take beautiful pictures. It’s the starting point of the ascent to the highest part of the Atlas Mountains, where we’ll also stop at Tizi n’Tichka for panoramic views.

Next, we continue to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A local guide will show you around and explain the history of this remarkable village before we stop for lunch.

After lunch, we continue through Ouarzazate, the Rose Valley, and Skoura palm grove, finally reaching the Dades Valley and its famous gorges. You’ll spend the night in a traditional Moroccan hotel nestled in the heart of the gorges.

Dades – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Sahara Desert

Gaze at a Blanket of Stars in the Sahara

After enjoying a traditional Moroccan breakfast, we’ll drive along the road of 1,000 Kasbahs, passing through colorful Berber villages in the Dades Valley.

In Tineghir, we’ll explore the lush palm groves and visit the historic Jewish quarter before continuing to the breathtaking Todra Gorges, where you’ll have free time to hike through the 300-meter-high canyons, popular among rock climbers.

We’ll then head to the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga Sahara Desert. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a camel ride at sunset, leading you to the oasis camp.

You’ll spend the night in a bivouac among the dunes under traditional nomadic tents, enjoying dinner under the stars and Berber music with your camel guides.

Sahara Desert Sand Dunes Tour

After breakfast, we’ll begin a tour of the Erg Chebbi dunes. We’ll visit the village of Khamlia, home to a Berber community known for their unique traditions and Gnawa music. You’ll enjoy tea with a local family and attend a live performance.

We then visit the Merzouga Oasis, where you’ll see a traditional irrigation system still in use today. You’ll have free time for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to take part in thrilling activities:

• Sandboarding: Try sliding down the soft dunes — an exciting and accessible activity for all ages.

• Quad Biking or Buggy Tour: A fun and adventurous way to explore the desert and its iconic landscapes.

Later in the afternoon, we switch back to camels for a trek across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes. You’ll spend the night at a desert camp, enjoy Berber music around the fire, and sleep in a camel-hair nomad tent under the stars.

Sahara Desert – Merzouga – Nkob – Ouarzazate

Camel Riding in the Village of Merzouga

Wake up early to witness one of the most breathtaking sunrises of your life over the Sahara dunes. After sunrise, return to camp for breakfast.

Then enjoy a peaceful camel trek back to the village of Merzouga, taking in the beauty of the ever-changing sand dunes as the light shifts throughout the morning.

Once back in Merzouga, you’ll meet your driver and continue the journey through Nkob and the Draa Valley toward Ouarzazate.

Nkob is unique for having more than forty traditional kasbahs, many of which are still standing in the old village, constructed in mudbrick in front of the oasis and Jbel Saghro mountains.

The Draa Valley, located south of the Atlas Mountains, is the largest palm grove in the world — a 200-kilometer-long and 18-kilometer-wide green corridor starting from Agdz.

Overnight stay at a hotel or riad in Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Ouarzazate Sightseeing

Discover Ouarzazate — a gateway into Morocco’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant culture.

We’ll visit two key sites:

• Kasbah Taourirt: Once home to the Glaoui family, this maze-like kasbah offers a glimpse into traditional Moroccan life and architecture.

• Atlas Film Studios: Often called the “Hollywood of Morocco,” this is where films like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones were shot.

Then we continue to the Kasbah of Telouet, also known as the Glaoui Palace. This historic site was a stop on the former caravan route linking the Sahara to Marrakech and a seat of power for the influential El Glaoui family.

After the visit, we return to Marrakech, stopping for lunch in the Atlas Mountains.

This marks the end of your unforgettable Morocco Sahara Desert tour.