5-Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Marrakech

Tour Details

Day 1: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Valley of Roses – Dades Gorge

Your adventure begins in Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert.” Travel first to the Skoura Oasis, home to the beautifully preserved Kasbah Amridil, then continue along the scenic Valley of Roses, known for its fragrant blooms and rosewater production. Cross the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs before arriving at the dramatic Dades Gorge, where jagged cliffs and winding roads provide incredible scenery. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a local guesthouse overlooking the gorge.

Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Ziz Valley – Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, drive to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge, where sheer cliffs rise nearly 300 meters. Take a walk through the canyon before continuing through the lush Ziz Valley, dotted with palm groves and traditional Berber villages. Arrive in Merzouga by late afternoon, where a camel caravan awaits to take you into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Experience a magical sunset over the desert before settling in at your traditional desert camp. Enjoy a delicious Berber dinner with music and stories under the starlit sky.

Day 3: Exploring the Merzouga Desert

Wake early to watch the spectacular sunrise over the dunes, a highlight of any Sahara experience. Spend the day exploring the desert surroundings: visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia to hear its spiritual music, see local nomadic communities, and discover fossil-rich sands or seasonal lakes if present. Afternoon options include another camel ride or simply relaxing amidst the serene dunes. Return to your desert camp for another night under the stars with traditional Berber entertainment.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – N’kob – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, leave the desert and head toward Rissani, a historic market town. Continue through small desert villages like N’kob and Tazarine, then enter the lush Draa Valley, famous for its endless palm groves and mudbrick kasbahs. Pause along the route for photography and local interactions. Arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening, where you will stay overnight, reflecting on your journey through the desert and valleys.

Day 5: Ouarzazate – Aït Benhaddou – Telouet – High Atlas – Marrakech

On the final day, visit the iconic Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar known for its earthen architecture and appearances in many international films. Drive through the Ounila Valley to explore the historic Telouet Kasbah, once home to Berber leaders. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, stopping at panoramic viewpoints and Berber villages along the way. Arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon, where your tour concludes, leaving you with memories of dunes, gorges, valleys, and the Atlas Mountains.