In these stunning 5-Day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, our specialist team will take you on an adventure to discover the most incredible destinations of Morocco by driving across the High Atlas Mountains towards Ait Ben haddou kasbah, Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate. Furthermore, enjoy a journey into the Sahara Desert with a medley of palm groves, fertile valleys, barren & rocky landscapes, Grand canyons of Dades & Todra and Rose fields in Kalaat M’gouna. Moreover, Join Merzouga camel trekking and stay overnight in a Desert camp in the Erg chebbi dunes. Visit Cedar Forest, home to the Barbary Macaque. As well as Ifrane, a beautiful town often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort within a 5-day Morocco Desert Trip.
In the morning you’ll meet your private driver/guide, and then depart for Ait Ben Haddou over Morocco’s highest pass, Tizi N’Tichka (2260 m altitude). Marvel at the wonderful scenery of the High Atlas Mountains and appreciate the remarkable Berber villages before you get to Ait Ben haddou kasbah. It is one of Morocco’s most iconic sites and a stunningly well-preserved medieval village which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including the one who wants to be the king, Babel, the kingdom of heaven, Prince of Persia…etc.
It was built by the last Berber chieftain El Glaoui Et-Hami in the late 17th century; it’s now a UNESCO matrimonial historical site. Lunch might be taken near the kasbah before making your lovely way into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees and rose fields in Kalaat M’gouna. The city is known for its annual Rose Festival, which takes place every year in May to celebrate the harvest of roses grown in the region.
Besides, there is a possibility of stopping in Skoura before continuing to your hotel, home to several privately owned kasbahs, including the Amridil Kasbah, It is also a popular filming location and has been featured in many famous movies from Ali Baba, The Sheltering Sky to Game of Thrones. Later on, check into your hotel in the magnificent canyon of Boumalne dades, offering breathtaking natural scenery and a fascinating glimpse into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
◈ Overnight: Boumalne Dades
◈ Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, drive a bit further to Tissadrine to the beautiful panoramic view of the Dades valley, and then the beautiful rocks’ formation called «Monkey fingers». Afterward, depart Boumlane dades and set off on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the gorge of Todra. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 300 m, it is also known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. Moreover, it’s a popular destination for hikers, climbers and nature enthusiasts who come to discover the rugged terrain and enjoy the stunning views. There’ll be time to marvel at this sight before you continue your journey to the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. En route, stop for lunch in the town of Tinejdad.
As soon as you arrive at the popular dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of the world’s iconic landscapes, with towering dunes up to 150 m in height, ride a camel through the desert towards your campsite. A spectacular camp hidden away in the sand dunes of the Sahara. Here in this magical escape from the modern world, you’ll experience the true essence of desert life. Make sure to catch the sunset in the heart of the desert. In addition to that, enjoy a nice dinner, followed by live Berber music around an open fire and spend an amazing night under the stars, digest the desert in all its beauty that will give you remarkable memories of the desert trip exploring.
◈ Overnight: Merzouga Desert
◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast
Spend the day exploring Merzouga and its tiny villages. After a truly stunning sunrise, freshen up and breakfast in your camp. Begin with the traditional Saharan village of Khamlia, known for a distinctive style of music and dance. Along the way you might see some wild animals such as Fennec fox, …etc. Furthermore, set off for a breathtaking panoramic view of Erg Chebbi Dunes from the Galb Nass Mountains. From Here, you’ll also start to see your first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the desert and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination.
Stopping en route to share a cup of tea with some welcoming Berber families in their handwoven tent while enjoying the silence of the Sahara Desert. After that, drive back to Khamlia village, where you’ll enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant, you may like to try Medfouna (also called “Berber pizza”), traditional stuffed bread prepared with meat, herbs and spices by the nomadic people.
The tour ends in the Oasis of Merzouga, a small patch of vegetation surrounded by desert, then return to your beautifully decorated riad. This afternoon why not walk to Erg chebbi dunes to witness sunset again or try out Quad Bike Tour or even Dune Buggy Ride, it is a wonderful experience that you should not miss out!
◈ Overnight: Merzouga Village
◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast
◊ Activities in Merzouga Desert:
Leave Merzouga after breakfast and drive to the capital of the Tafilalet region, Rissani. On arrival, wander its massive lively souk, known for its vibrant atmosphere and variety of goods for sale, including spices, textiles, and handicrafts, Probably one of the most authentic cities in Morocco. After a brief stop in Rissani, enjoy a scenic drive towards the Draa Valley through Alnif, Tazarine oasis, and N’kob. With plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the panoramic views of the ancient kasbahs and palm groves (lush valleys with palm trees, fields and acacia), as well as the mountains of the anti-atlas (1660 m high). Free time to enjoy your lunch at your convenience.
Later on, we hit the road again to the Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate, famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including «Gladiator», «Jewel of the Nile». After check-in at your hotel, time to relax before dinner.
◈ Overnight: Ouarzazate
◈ Meals: Dinner & Breakfast
Following morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Ouarzazate city. Begin with a visit to the Atlas Studio (Optional), it’s one of the largest studios in the world. Then Taourirt kasbah, a former palace of the Glaoui dynasty. It’s an amazing example of Berber architecture, which was built in the 17th century and housing hundreds of people. After a leisurely lunch, head back to Marrakech across the high Atlas Mountains. Half way, stop at the kasbah of Telouat on the former caravan route. It was once the seat of El Glaoui family’s power. Perhaps get into Marrakech in the early evening. Eventually, drop you off at your preferred location in the city, then your 5-day Morocco desert tour from Marrakech with us ends right here and hope you enjoy it.
⟐ Meals: Breakfast
Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to explore Marrakech. Find out things you can do during your stay in Marrakech and beyond.
♦ Private Day Excursions from Marrakech:
If the above proposed Itinerary: 5-day tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara Desert does not match what you’re looking for, then contact us, and we’ll tailor a customized desert trip in Morocco starting in Marrakech specifically designed to match your desired duration and interests. Whether you’re traveling with family, relatives, or friends, simply inform us of your timeframe and desired activities, and leave the rest to us. Our dedicated team at Morocco Tabiarte Tours is here to answer all your questions, provide detailed quotes for our Morocco Private tours, and offer valuable advice on the best time and places to visit. Whether you’re seeking guidance or ready to make a booking, we’re committed to assisting you every step of the way.
➢ How to book a Tour with Us:
To get your booking confirmed for the 5-day desert tour from Marrakech, a deposit is required and can be done easily and securely over PayPal. Regardless of the balance, it is in cash to your driver once you meet each other at the airport or accommodation. Besides, the currency EURO, USD, CAD and MAD are both acceptable.
➢ Is it possible to pay the total amount with credit card or PayPal?
Please be notified that we don’t accept payments with credit cards due to many fees and hold security risks. Although we ask for the balance in cash because PayPal also has too many transaction fees and operational delays as it’s an international institution. In addition to that, we can accept it in some cases via PayPal, but a 5% fee will be added to cover the extra transaction charges. If you’re thinking of this method, it is better to arrange the payment before your trip to Morocco.
➢ Cancellation process:
More than a month before the start date of the tour, deposit is non-refundable, but no worries since we’re going to hold any deposit towards a trip with Morocco Tabiarte Tours at any later date you select.
219 Reviews ★★★★★ Authentic & Genuine Reviews from our Travellers
Excellent experience with Morocco Tabiarte Tours agency from the beginning to the end for our friends to the majestic Moroccan Sahara Desert. Moreover, I cannot say enough amazing things about the communication, pre-planning and detail-oriented organizing that went into the trip to make it go smoothly and a top rate experience. We specifically highly recommend Moha if you or your friends, or even family, is travelling to Morocco. He took time to get to know what we wanted and what was important to us, and then tailored a trip specific to our needs and budget. Thank you Moha and MTT for a trip of a lifetime and the ability to make wonderful memories.
Steffany 〉 5 out of 5 ★★★★★ 〉 Friends Traveller 〉 May 27th, 2023
Our first time in Morocco, we did the 5 days private tour of the south Morocco, and we felt so welcomed and so safe in their hands! I want to thank Moha my guide who was so kind and the best guide in Morocco for making this trip for my family and I unforgettable! He showed us all the great attractions in the desert. Great food and overall fabulous experience.
Valerio & Miwa 〉 5 out of 5 ★★★★★ 〉 Family Traveller 〉 May 11th, 2023
We had an absolutely wonderful 5 day from Marrakech to Merzouga desert organized by Morocco Tabiarte tours. our driver, Hmad was very professional, kind and also polite. Furthermore, He drove us along distances very safely. In addition to that, the 1st day we stayed in Ait ben haddou village, 2nd day in a hotel in Merzouga village, moreover we had enjoyed the camel ride experience and spent another two nights in the desert camp. The local tour guides in each place were excellent. Besides, our accommodation was top means perfect. the desert camp was new and very comfortable with very hospitable employees. we had a fabulous, memorable trip, and thank Moha for all the support in arranging and execute the trip! Read More Morocco tour’s reviews
Emma 〉 5 out of 5 ★★★★★ 〉 Group Traveller 〉 April 25th, 2023
◈ Marrakech to Sahara Desert • Vacationing in Morocco‘s FAQ
It takes around 9–10 hours drive to get to Merzouga desert from Marrakech, approximately 563 kilometers (350 miles). But it’s possible to break up this long journey with overnight stops, either in Ouarzazate or Dades Gorge along the way.
Booking a private tour offers a unique and personalized experience tailored to your interests. You enjoy privacy, comfort, and the freedom to customize the itinerary and pace. With exclusive access and an expert guide dedicated to your group, you gain a deeper understanding of the destinations. While private tours can be more expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost for those seeking an exceptional and unforgettable travel experience.
The camel trek is about an hour, with a break in the heart of the desert in order to witness the sunset. If you prefer to walk, then you can walk alongside our camel caravan, but bear in mind that walking in the sand can be tiring.
Whether you choose to embrace the adventure of a camel ride or opt for the convenience of a 4×4 transfer, the choice is yours. Erg Chebbi’s enchanting desert camp awaits, promising an unforgettable getaway amidst the breathtaking dunes.
You don’t need a sleeping bag since there’re well-equipped Desert camps provides all the bedding you need including pillows, blankets and even a private bathroom in the tent if you need to take a shower (Luxury camp).
To fully experience Fes, it is recommended to spend at least two to three days in the city. Begin with a guided tour of the Medina, exploring its hidden treasures and iconic sites like the Karaouine Mosque, Al-Attarine Madrasa & Chouara Tannery. Take a day to navigate the Medina’s souks and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere. If time allows, consider a day trip to the blue city of Chefchaouen, located approximately 200 kilometers away. This picturesque town offers stunning views and a charming ambiance. While two days are sufficient for a basic visit, extending your stay allows for a more immersive and leisurely exploration of Fes.
The majestic Merzouga Desert lies at a distance of around 463 kilometers (287 miles) from the vibrant city of Fes. Embarking on this enchanting journey from Fes to the mesmerizing Merzouga sand dunes unveils a tapestry of awe-inspiring sceneries and captivating stops, creating an unforgettable adventure for travelers. Prepare to be enthralled as you traverse this remarkable distance, immersing yourself in the beauty of the landscapes that unfold before your eyes.
Wi-Fi availability in the desert camps can vary depending on the specific camp you choose. Some desert camps may offer Wi-Fi access to their guests, while others may not have this facility available.
It’s recommended to pack comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather during the day and cooler temperatures at night. Essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a scarf for protection from the desert wind, comfortable shoes for walking, and a small backpack for personal items. It’s also advisable to bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and memorable moments.
The number of days you need in Marrakech is at least 2 days to fully explore and experience the city’s rich culture, history, and attractions. Discover 10 best things to do in Marrakech
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