5-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
5 Days 4 NightsExperience a 5-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and discover the charm of the Sahara desert. Ride camels, spend nights under the stars, and admire the sweeping sand dunes. Dive into the rich culture of southern Morocco as you journey further into the desert. Enjoy stunning desert scenery and learn firsthand about life in the Sahara.
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Key Experiences on the 5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Tour
- • Drive over the High Atlas Mountains and cross the scenic Tizi-N-Tichka pass
- • Pass through traditional Berber villages
- • Visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- • Explore the top film studio in Africa and a historic kasbah in Ouarzazate
- • Spend a night in a beautiful riad in the Dades Valley
- • Walk the dramatic Todra Gorge in Tinghir
- • Trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes by camel
- • Watch sunrise and sunset in the peaceful Merzouga desert
- • Stargaze in the clear desert sky
- • Sleep in a private desert camp tent
- • Go off-road to meet a nomadic family
- • Explore a lively Moroccan souk
Why Book a Private 5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour?
Choose a private 5-day tour for a relaxed way to enjoy southern Morocco. Walk through storied kasbahs, ride camels, and spend a day exploring the Merzouga region, including a visit to a nomad family. The itinerary is designed to cut down on long drives, so you get more time to soak up the Sahara’s magic.
5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Tour Itinerary
The trip starts with pickup from your Marrakech accommodation. As you leave the city, you’ll cross the High Atlas mountains through the striking Tizi-N-Tichka Pass. Your guide and driver will stop at scenic spots along the way, and you can ask for stops whenever you like. Enjoy lunch in Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate before heading to Dades Gorge, passing through Skoura and the Rose Valley. In Skoura, take time to discover the Amridil Kasbah, a standout fortified village. In spring, the Rose Valley bursts with color, making for great photos. At the Dades Gorge, take in the “monkey fingers” rock formations and sweeping views before checking in to your hotel for dinner and a restful night.
After breakfast in the Dades Valley, head to Tinghir. Here, explore a lush oasis and old kasbahs where Berber and Jewish families once lived side by side. Walk beneath the high cliffs of Todra Gorge, then travel toward the Sahara. Stop for lunch, then reach Merzouga where camels and a skilled camel guide await. Cross the golden Erg Chebbi dunes to your desert camp, pausing to watch a sunset from a tall dune and try sandboarding. Dine at camp, enjoy Berber music around a fire, and gaze up at the stars before turning in.
Wake early for a sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast at camp, hop into a 4×4 for a full day exploring the desert. Visit a nomadic family for tea and learn about their way of life. Stop at an abandoned village known for its galena mines. Continue to Khamlia village, listen to traditional Gnaoua music, and enjoy lunch at a local spot. If the lake near Merzouga is full, you’ll visit it before heading to your riad for the night.
Begin your day with another sunrise, this time from your riad’s terrace. Next, visit Rissani for a walk through its bustling traditional market. Travel along the scenic Draa Valley, stopping in Agdez to take in the valley views. Arrive at your riad in Ouarzazate later that afternoon.
Enjoy breakfast at your riad before seeing the highlights of Ouarzazate, known as the “gateway to the Sahara” and a major film-making spot in Africa. Visit Kasbah Taourirt and the Atlas Film Studios. Travel on to Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village recognized by UNESCO and featured in well-known movies and TV series like Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. After taking in the sites, drive through the High Atlas Mountains and visit Telouet Kasbah before heading back to Marrakech. At the end of your journey, you’ll be dropped off at your Marrakech accommodation.
What’s Included and What’s Not
Included:
- • Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel or riad
- • Modern air-conditioned 4x4, van or minibus (vehicle depends on group size)
- • English-speaking driver, or a driver with an English-speaking guide (let us know if you want another language)
- • Accommodation for four nights
- • Four breakfasts and four dinners
- • Camel rides
- • Sandboarding
Not Included:
- • Lunches
- • Drinks
- • Entrance fees (where needed)
- • Tips (optional)
FAQ
The drive is about 9 hours. This is why the 5-day route includes a night in the Dades Valley before the desert and another in Ouarzazate on the return. These stops make the drive easier and more enjoyable.
Yes, if you’d rather not ride a camel, no problem. We’ll take you to camp by 4×4 at no extra cost.
Yes, all our camps are luxury standard and offer private en-suite bathrooms.
The vehicle depends on your group size. We use Toyota Prado Land Cruisers, Ford 8-seater vans, Mercedes Sprinter minibuses for larger groups, and other comfortable cars.
A small deposit is needed to book your spot, payable by PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The rest is due in cash on the first tour day, paid directly to your driver or guide. You can pay in euros, US dollars or Moroccan dirhams.
Reach out if you have more questions, or send us a WhatsApp message or call +212666224924 if you don’t hear back within 24 hours.
What People Are Saying
Suisie Crey
Up Morocco Tours gave us an amazing 5-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Everything was well-planned from start to finish. Every moment felt special, from the culture to the desert scenery. Our guide Ahmed knew so much and made the trip both fun and interesting. The places we stayed were clean and cozy, and we liked having a say in our choices. Sleeping under the desert stars was unforgettable. I suggest this trip to anyone who wants to discover the Sahara and Moroccan culture.
Heather Smith
Our private 5-day trip with Up Morocco Tours went above and beyond. The plan let us visit must-see spots like Ait Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge. Our guide, Hassan, gave us plenty of time at each place, and we never felt rushed. Staying in the desert camp, watching sunset and sunrise, and meeting local Berber hosts were highlights. The lodgings were clean and comfy, and having options was a plus. We highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a true Moroccan experience.
Laura Newton
I couldn’t have hoped for a better way to see Morocco than on this 5-day desert tour with Up Morocco Tours. The trip had a comfortable pace, and the guide was both friendly and full of information about the culture and history. Our overnight stays were great, and we liked picking where we stayed. The camel ride, sand dune sunsets, and time under the desert stars made the best memories. This tour let us enjoy Morocco and its beauty in the best way. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a full desert adventure.
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