OVERVIEW
The ultimate Moroccan adventure with this unique 6-day luxury desert tour. Starting and ending in the vibrant city of Marrakech, this immersive journey is designed for travelers who want to explore the majestic Sahara and the rugged beauty of southern Morocco at a comfortable, relaxed pace.
You will cross the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains, explore the ancient mud-brick Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and walk beneath the towering red cliffs of the Todra Gorge. A major highlight is your venture into the Sahara, where you will enjoy an authentic camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend an unforgettable night in a unique luxury desert camp under the stars.
By dedicating six days to this route, you will also have time to explore the hidden oases of the Draa Valley, visit nomadic Berber families, and discover the “Hollywood of Africa,” Ouarzazate.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tour ITINERARY
DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → OUARZAZATE
Your 6-day desert tour begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Leaving the bustling city behind, you will travel southeastward, ascending the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m). We will make several stops to capture panoramic photos of the rugged landscapes and traditional Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides.
The route takes you to the iconic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site that has served as the backdrop for epic films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring the ancient fortified village and enjoying lunch, the journey continues to Ouarzazate. Known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” you will have time to visit the impressive Taourirt Kasbah or the massive Atlas Film Studios. Dinner and overnight stay at a charming riad in Ouarzazate.
DAY 2: OUARZAZATE → SKOURA → ROSE VALLEY → DADES GORGE
After a delicious breakfast, the journey heads east along the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.” Your first stop is the vast palm oasis of Skoura, where you will explore the beautifully preserved Amridil Kasbah, gaining insight into 300-year-old kasbah life.
The drive continues through Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of the Valley of Roses, famous for its annual rose festival and locally produced rose water. From here, you will venture off the main road to enter the spectacular Dades Valley. Prepare to be amazed by the unique, bulbous rock formations known locally as “monkey fingers” and enjoy a panoramic view of the winding canyon road. Check into your hotel in the Dades Gorge for a relaxing evening, dinner, and an overnight stay.
DAY 3: DADES GORGE → TODRA GORGE → ERFOUD → MERZOUGA DESERT
Start your day with a delightful breakfast before taking a scenic drive along the Dades and Todra Rivers, flanked by lush palm groves. You will arrive at the Todra Gorge in Tinghir, a dramatic canyon where you can walk beside a crystal-clear river surrounded by sheer red limestone cliffs that rise 300 meters high.
Following lunch, the drive pushes deeper into the Sahara, passing through the fossil-rich town of Erfoud. Upon arrival at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, you will trade your vehicle for a camel. Embark on a peaceful trek into the desert, pausing on a high dune to witness a magical golden sunset. You will arrive at your luxury desert camp as night falls. Enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, followed by live Berber drumming around the campfire under a brilliant starry sky. Overnight in the luxury camp.
DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT EXPLORATION
We highly recommend waking up early to watch a spectacular sunrise over the Sahara dunes. After breakfast at the camp, you will begin a full day of desert exploration in a 4×4 vehicle.
You will drive off-road to visit a family of Berber nomads living in traditional woven tents, offering a unique opportunity to share a cup of mint tea and learn about their resilient way of life. Next, visit the abandoned mining village of M’Fis before heading to the village of Khamlia. Here, you will listen to captivating Gnawa music performed by locals whose origins trace back to Sub-Saharan Africa. After lunch, you will visit a seasonal desert lake (water levels permitting) before heading to a beautiful riad at the edge of the dunes to relax by the pool. Dinner and overnight stay at your Merzouga riad. (Note: You can opt to spend this second night at the luxury desert camp instead).
DAY 5: MERZOUGA DESERT → RISSANI → ALNIF → DRAA VALLEY → AGDEZ
After breakfast, we leave the Sahara and drive to the historic town of Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet. If we arrive on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday, you will get to experience its vibrant traditional souk. Moving on to Erfoud, we will stop at a local workshop to see how the region’s famous fossilized marble is crafted.
The drive continues northward along the scenic Ziz River, stopping for a panoramic view over the sweeping Ziz Valley before breaking for lunch in Midelt. In the afternoon, we enter the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in the dense cedar forests to observe and feed the friendly, wild Barbary macaques. We’ll then make a brief stop in Ifrane—often called the “Switzerland of Morocco” due to its alpine architecture and cooler climate—before finally dropping you off at your accommodation in the imperial city of Fes.
DAY 5: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → ERFOUD → MIDELT → CEDAR FOREST → IFRANE → FES
After breakfast, we begin the journey back toward Marrakech, taking a different, equally scenic southern route. The first stop is the ancient city of Rissani, where you can explore its traditional and vibrant souk (especially busy on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays).
The drive then continues through the arid, volcanic landscapes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, passing through the towns of Alnif and Nkob. In the afternoon, you will connect with the magnificent Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river valley. You will drive alongside millions of date palms and historic mud-brick kasbahs that once served as vital stops on the ancient caravan routes. We will arrive in the peaceful oasis town of Agdez in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in a beautiful riad in Agdez.
DAY 6: AGDEZ → ANTI ATLAS MOUNTAINS → OUARZAZATE → MARRAKECH
Enjoy a final, peaceful breakfast in the oasis before we depart Agdez. The journey takes you winding up through the striking, lunar-like landscapes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tinififft pass.
You will pass back through Ouarzazate, stopping for a final lunch before beginning the ascent back over the High Atlas Mountains. As you cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka pass one last time, you can reflect on the incredible sights and sounds of the Sahara. You will arrive back in Marrakech in the late afternoon or early evening. Your private driver will drop you off at your accommodation or the airport, marking the end of your unforgettable 6-day Moroccan adventure. End of the tour.
Paying for your tour is straightforward. A small upfront deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot — this can be sent via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The outstanding balance is then settled directly with your driver or guide on the first day of your trip, accepted in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Morocco’s official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While major hotels and larger establishments tend to accept credit cards, smaller markets and towns generally operate on a cash-only basis, so it’s advisable to carry local currency.
Absolutely. The tour can be fully tailored to match your preferences — whether that means adding extra destinations, upgrading your accommodation, or switching to alternative transport such as a private 4×4 vehicle.
Yes, camel rides are commonly included in desert tour packages, typically used to cross the dunes on the way to your overnight camp.
Camel rides are a standard part of desert experiences and are used to reach the overnight camp by crossing the dunes.
Guests stay in traditional Berber-style tents within a desert camp setting. Amenities include comfortable bedding, warm blankets, shared or private bathroom facilities (depending on the camp category), and a shared dining area for meals and socializing.
The policy varies based on how far in advance you cancel relative to your departure date. A booking deposit is required to hold your reservation, and partial or full refunds may apply depending on the notice given.
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