Best 5 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech

We invite you to spend a well-crafted and adventurous 5 days Morocco desert tour from Marrakech with the company of one of our experienced guides/drivers. The private desert tour from Marrakech entails enough time to fully explore the most interesting highlights of the desert.

We will visit the dramatic Telouet castle, which is located in the heart of the mountains, then Ait Ben Haddou Village, enjoy the magnificent views highlighted by the lush palm valleys, canyons, unique architecture of the Kasbahs (fortresses). We also explore the desert area and make a visit to a local nomad family so that you can learn about their unique lifestyle and much more…

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakech - Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate

After having breakfast in your Riad/hotel in Marrakech, we will pick you up from your accommodation at around 7h30 am before embarking on a memorable trip down to the desert of Morocco. We will have a nice drive through the spectacular High-Atlas Mountains crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m), which is the highest pass in the north of Africa. The views from here are just magnificent and the lifestyle of the Berber inhabitants is interesting.

We will take a secondary road that leads us to the dramatic Telouat Castle, which is located at the very heart of the Atlas Mountains. This masterpiece of architecture witnesses the wealth and the power that the Glawi family used to have when they used to control the caravan route that connected Marrakech with the Sub-Saharan Lands. Nearby the Castle, you will see a salt mine that generated great fortune for the family.

We will continue on the track to the Ait Benhaddou Village, which consists of numerous Kasbahs (fortresses). The village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it goes back to the 11th century. It has been used as a perfect setting for shooting numerous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Sahara, Prince of Persia, and many others.

After exploring the Ait Benhaddou Village, we will resume our journey to Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa) where we will spend our first night in a comfortable Riad/hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate - Agdz - Nkob - Merzouga Desert

Today, we will carry on to the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi by crossing the spectacular Anti-Atlas Mountains with its unique geological formations. We will drive through Agdz, then Nkob, which is known for its countless Kasbahs before reaching the desert of Merzouga where we will spend our second night in a nice and authentic hotel/Riad by the edge of the sand dune field of Erg Chebbi.

Day 3: Explore the Desert Area & Camel Trek

After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad, we will spend most of the day exploring what the desert area has to offer. Learn about the ancient system of irrigation called Khettaras, which is a sophisticated way of conveying water from afar to the aosis by digging wells that are connected together with an underground channel. We will cross the village of Merzouga to the Khamlia Village, which is inhabited predominantly by black Africans who were brought as slaves. They are known for their hospitality and for the spiritual Gnawa Music they perform to guest-visitors as a way to make a living.

We will have a complete tour around the golen sand dune field of Erg Chebbi including a visit to a local nomad family who still live in the tent offering a good chance to learn about their unique style of life. In the late afternoon, you will have a camel trek experience in the soft sand while enjoying the stunning view of the sunset. Upon arrival to our luxury desert camp, a warm welcome by the staff members with tea and pastries before taking you to your private tents. Have a nice dinner inside our tented camp or under the stars before culminating the day experience with a nice sleep.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley

Early wake up in the morning to attend the miraculous view of the sunrise atop the sand dune field of Erg Chebbi. After having breakfast and taking a refreshing shower, we will continue on the track to the Dades Valley through the city of Erfoud, which is known for the fossil factories and the dates market. Stretech your legs in the impressive Todra Gorge (Canyon) before arriving in the lush valley of Dades where we will spend our fourth night.

Day 5: Dades Valley - Skoura - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

After having breakfast in your hotel/Riad, we drive back to Marrakech through the Valley of the Roses where we will include a short break so that you can learn about the local produce. In Skoura, we will make a visit to the 16th century Amredil Kasbah before driving through the High-Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, which we will reach in the late afternoon.

What is Included

What is not Included

Useful Information

> The private 5 days desert tour from Marrakech is an extended itinerary that covers the deep south as once you cross the High-Atlas Mountains, you will be amazed with the difference in terms of the landscape, fauna and flora. Spend the 5 days desert trip from Marrakech with our private driver/guide and meet the Berber culture on its own terms. In case you are short in time, we invite you to take a look at our 3 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour or the best-selling 4 days Marrakech desert tour.

The desert trip is not suitable for pregnant & wheelchair users
Please note the road can be blocked during the winter due to the snowfall or heavy rains, as a result, taking another route through Agadir is the main alternative. We highly recommend not to book the desert trip if your flight is scheduled for the next day.
Please note we will drop you off in your hotel but if it happens you are staying in a Riad within the walls of the Medina that is inaccessible to the car, we will liaise with your Riad staff members to escort you so that you can avoid the hassle.