set out on an unforgettable 5-day journey from Marrakech to the heart of the Moroccan desert. Your adventure begins by crossing the spectacular High Atlas Mountains to discover the legendary Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel onward through the stunning Dades and Todra Gorges, admiring dramatic rock canyons and traditional Amazigh villages. The tour culminates in Merzouga, where you’ll ride a camel across the golden dunes of the Sahara to spend a magical night under the stars in a desert camp. Your return journey winds through the fragrant Valley of Roses and Ouarzazate before crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass and concluding back in vibrant Marrakech.
✔ Camel Trekking: Sunset ride over Erg Chebbi’s golden dunes
✔ Luxury Desert Camp: Overnight stay with traditional Berber music and stargazing
✔ UNESCO Sites: Visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou kasbah
✔ Spectacular Landscapes: Todgha Gorge, Dades Valley & Draa Valley
✔ Cultural Experiences: Explore local markets and Berber villages
✔ Sandboarding: Optional activity on the dunes
✔ Small Groups: Personalized attention and flexible itinerary
This all-inclusive tour ensures a hassle-free experience with:
✖ Lunches (can be purchased along the way)
✖ Drinks (water, sodas, alcoholic beverages)
✖ Entrance fees (e.g., Atlas Film Studios, kasbahs)
✖ Tips for guides, drivers, and camp staff
✖ Travel insurance (recommended)
✖ Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra activities)
Your journey begins with an early morning pick-up from your Marrakech hotel. As you leave the city behind, you’ll cross the breathtaking Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m), the highest mountain road in Morocco, offering panoramic views of the High Atlas.
Your first major stop is the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning fortified village that has served as a backdrop for films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After exploring its ancient alleys, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, known as “the Hollywood of Morocco,” where you’ll visit the Atlas Film Studios and the grand Taourirt Kasbah.
The day ends in the scenic Dades Valley, where you’ll spend the night in a charming guesthouse, enjoying a traditional Moroccan dinner.
After breakfast, you’ll drive through the dramatic Todgha Gorge, where towering canyon walls rise up to 300 meters, creating a spectacular natural wonder. A short walk through the gorge allows you to fully appreciate its grandeur.
Next, you’ll pass through Erfoud, famous for its fossil workshops, before reaching the gateway to the Sahara—Merzouga. Here, you’ll switch from your vehicle to camels for a magical sunset trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Upon arrival at your luxury desert camp, you’ll be welcomed with mint tea and traditional Berber music. Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars before spending the night in a comfortable, well-equipped tent.
After breakfast, your day is dedicated to exploring the diverse landscapes surrounding the Merzouga dunes. We will visit the surrounding villages, including Khamlia, where you will be welcomed with mint tea and experience the powerful, spiritual music of the Gnawa people. The journey continues into the desert, where we’ll search for fossils, visit a nomadic family to learn about their traditional lifestyle, and take in panoramic views of the golden dunes near the Algerian border.
In the late afternoon, you will trade your vehicle for a camel and embark on a memorable trek across the sand as the sun sets. You’ll arrive at a traditional Berber desert camp, where a delicious dinner and an evening of drum music around a campfire await before you sleep under a spectacular canopy of stars.
An early start is rewarded with the breathtaking spectacle of a Sahara sunrise over the dunes. After witnessing this natural wonder, you will camel-trek back to the village for a refreshing shower and breakfast. Our journey then begins towards Ouarzazate. We will pass through Rissani, the ancient foundation of Morocco’s current dynasty, and travel through a landscape of acacia trees and desert plateaus.
Along the way, we’ll stop to admire the immense, sheer rock walls of the Todra Gorge. After a stop for lunch en route, we will continue to Ouarzazate, Morocco’s cinematic capital, where you will check into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, the final day of your tour begins with a drive through the fragrant Valley of Roses, famous for its sprawling rose cultivation (in full bloom in May). Next, we visit the magnificent Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic fortified village that has served as the backdrop for films like Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. The journey then continues over the High Atlas Mountains via the winding Tizi n’Tichka pass, which offers stunning panoramic views from its summit. Descending from the mountains, we will arrive back in Marrakech in the evening, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, concluding your incredible desert adventure.
