5 days marrakech sahara tours​

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Overview

  • Duration:5 days 5 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 40 guests
  • Tour Type:Morocco Desert Tours from Marrakech, Morocco Tours
  • Language:English, Espanol, French
This 5-day Sahara desert tour from Marrakech offers an unforgettable experience exploring Morocco’s dramatic landscapes, cultural heritage, and desert adventure. The journey begins with a scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, passing traditional Berber villages and panoramic mountain views.

Key highlights include visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, exploring Ouarzazate—Africa’s "Hollywood" with its historic kasbahs and film studios—then traveling through the fragrant Valley of Roses and the stunning Dades and Todra Gorges with towering cliffs.

The desert portion features travel to Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara, where travelers embark on camel treks across majestic Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, overnight in Berber desert camps, and enjoy starry skies under the desert’s vast canopy.

Cultural encounters include visits to Berber villages, traditional markets, and experiencing local music and cuisine along the route. The tour concludes with a scenic return to Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains, completing a rich blend of nature, history, and adventure.

This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a compact but immersive Sahara desert experience from Marrakech, combining mountainous landscapes, historic sites, and desert thrills in five well-paced days.
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Highlights

  • Scenic drive across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass with stunning panoramic views.
  • Visiting the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, famous for its unique architecture and film history.
  • Exploring Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa," including historic kasbahs and film studios.
  • Journeying through the fragrant Valley of Roses and dramatic Dades and Todra Gorges with breathtaking landscapes.
  • Experiencing the Sahara Desert at Merzouga with camel trekking on the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes.
  • Overnight stays in traditional Berber desert camps under starry desert skies.
  • Cultural immersion with visits to Berber villages, local markets, and traditional music experiences.
  • A well-paced itinerary blending adventure, history, nature, and local culture.

Includes/Excludes

  • Private comfortable 4x4 transportation throughout the tour.
  • Professional English-speaking driver/guide.
  • Accommodation for 4 nights in hotels, riads, and desert camps.
  • Daily breakfast and some traditional Moroccan dinners.
  • Camel trek experience on the Erg Chebbi dunes.
  • Visits and guided tours of key attractions including Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades and Todra Gorges, and Merzouga desert village.
  • Entrance fees to listed sites.
  • Desert camp accommodations with dinner and breakfast.
  • Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech.
  • International and domestic flights.
  • Lunches, drinks, and personal expenses.
  • Travel insurance and visa fees.
  • Tips and gratuities.
  • Optional activities not specified in the itinerary.
  • Any extras or changes caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Marrakesh – Dades Gorges

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech early in the morning. Begin your journey crossing the stunning High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in North Africa at 2,260 meters. Along the way, stop to admire panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, Berber villages, and terraced fields.

Your first major stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, a dramatic fortified city known for its distinctive red earthen architecture and as a backdrop for many famous films. You will have time to explore this ancient kasbah and take in its rich history.

Continuing south, pass through the bustling town of Ouarzazate, the "Hollywood of Africa," where you may visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the local film studios. From there, journey to the beautiful Skoura oasis and visit the picturesque Kasbah of Amridil surrounded by palm groves.

The day ends in the breathtaking Dades Valley, dotted with numerous kasbahs and stunning rock formations. Arrive in Boumalne Dades or nearby areas where you will spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse or hotel. Enjoy dinner while taking in views of the valley and prepare for the adventure ahead.

This first day provides a rich introduction to Morocco’s diverse landscapes, historic architecture, and culture, combining mountains, oases, and valleys in an unforgettable route.

DAY 2: Dades Gorges – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga

After breakfast in the Dades Gorge area, begin your journey towards the Todra Gorge, which is about 50 kilometers east of Boumalne Dades. The Todra Gorge offers a striking contrast to the Dades with its narrow canyon walls soaring up to 300 meters, creating one of Morocco’s most dramatic natural landscapes. Take time to explore the gorge on foot and admire the towering cliffs, fresh mountain air, and surrounding palm oasis.

Leaving Todra Gorge, drive towards Rissani, an ancient town known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert and the historical capital of the Tafilalet region. Rissani's vibrant souks provide a fascinating look at traditional desert life, with lively markets selling leather goods, spices, and handicrafts – especially bustling on market days.

From Rissani, continue the journey to Merzouga, a desert village at the edge of the vast Erg Chebbi dunes. Arrive in this iconic Sahara Desert location where you can prepare for desert activities such as camel trekking at sunset and overnight stays in Berber desert camps, offering a true Saharan experience under star-filled skies.

This day combines stunning natural scenery, cultural exploration, and the anticipation of desert adventure, making for a rich and varied travel experience

DAY 3: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Desert Camp

Spend a magical day immersed in the heart of the Sahara Desert at the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. After arriving, embark on a camel trek across the towering golden dunes, guided by experienced Berber camel drivers, experiencing traditional desert transport and breathtaking views especially at sunset.At the desert camp, enjoy the unique blend of authenticity and comfort with cozy tents equipped for restful nights. Participate in cultural experiences such as listening to traditional Berber music around the campfire, storytelling, and sharing meals of Moroccan cuisine prepared at the camp. For the adventurous, activities like sandboarding down the dunes or quad biking provide excitement.Walk barefoot on the soft sand, meditate, or simply gaze upward to admire an extraordinary night sky filled with stars, far from city lights. Sunrise and sunset over Erg Chebbi offer unforgettable moments of natural beauty and tranquility.This day provides a perfect balance of adventure, cultural immersion, and serene desert life, making the stay in the Erg Chebbi desert camp an unforgettable highlight of your Moroccan journey

DAY 4: Erg Chebbi – Merzouga – Ouarzazate

After a peaceful morning in the Erg Chebbi desert, you leave the golden dunes behind and begin your journey back towards Ouarzazate. The drive from Merzouga to Ouarzazate covers approximately 350 kilometers and takes around 5 to 6 hours by car.Along the way, you have options to explore key sites depending on your chosen route. The northern route passes through the spectacular Todra Gorge, renowned for its towering limestone cliffs and beautiful canyon scenery, perfect for photos and short hikes. The town of Tinghir nearby offers traditional Berber culture and local cuisine if you wish to stop for a meal.Alternatively, the southern route takes you through desert towns like Tazzarine with palm groves and henna fields, as well as prehistoric rock art sites like Aït Ouazik. Whichever route you choose, the journey offers stunning desert landscapes and fascinating cultural stops.Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, known as Africa's "Hollywood," you can visit the historic Taourirt Kasbah or film studios if time allows. The day concludes with an overnight stay in Ouarzazate, transitioning from the Sahara desert back to a bustling city environment.

DAY 5 : Ouarzazate – Marrakesh

On the final day of the trip, you will travel from Ouarzazate back to Marrakech. The distance is approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles), and the drive typically takes around 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic and stops.The journey follows a scenic route crossing back through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest mountain pass in North Africa at 2,260 meters. This route offers breathtaking panoramic views of rugged peaks, terraced valleys, and Berber villages.Along the way, there are opportunities to stop for photos or short breaks at viewpoints and local markets. The winding mountain roads provide an exhilarating driving experience with stunning landscapes at every turn.You will arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon or early evening, concluding the adventure through Morocco's diverse landscapes from desert to mountains with unforgettable memories.This final leg perfectly caps off a rich cultural and natural exploration in southern Morocco.
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