5 Days from Marrakech to Marrakech with 2 Nights in the Sahara

5 Days from Marrakech to Marrakech with 2 Nights in the Sahara

5 Days from Marrakech to Marrakech with 2 Nights in the Sahara

Dedicate more time to the Sahara and enjoy it.

On this route, we will enjoy 2 days in the Merzouga desert and this time we want to give you some tips to make your stay unforgettable.
In the Merzouga desert, it is essential to wear light clothing that covers most of the body during the day and warm clothing for the cold nights. A hat, UV-protection sunglasses, and high SPF sunscreen are indispensable for sun protection. Hydration is crucial, so drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks. It is best to carry out activities at dawn or dusk to avoid the intense heat.
Consider staying in a Berber camp and, to get around, you can opt for dromedaries or 4×4 vehicles. If you see animals or plants, it is best to admire them from a distance.
It is advisable to carry dirhams in cash as not all places accept cards. Do not leave litter in the desert and do not extract anything from the natural environment. Do not leave litter in the desert and do not extract anything from the natural environment.
Lastly, it is important to be respectful of local traditions and customs, dressing modestly and following established rules.

Days of circuit:

5

days

Departure from:

Marrakech

Arrival at:

Marrakech

Ourzazate

Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” is a hidden gem in southern Morocco. With its rich Berber heritage, this city is a magnet for film lovers, hosting the famous Atlas Studios where epics like “Gladiator” and “The Mummy” were filmed. Not far away, the iconic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a testament to Moroccan architectural art and has been the backdrop for countless films. Among its streets, Ouarzazate offers craft shops overflowing with tapestries and traditional jewelry. With mountains, oases, and a cinematic legacy, Ouarzazate is a destination that captivates and surprises at every turn.

tour summary
5 Days from Marrakech to Marrakech with 2 Nights in the Sahara

Day 1: Marrakech- High Atlas - Ouarzazate - The Valley of Roses - The Valley of Dades

After enjoying a delicious breakfast in Marrakech or picking you up at Marrakech Menara airport, we embark on an exciting journey to the majestic High Atlas mountains. Our journey takes us through the impressive Tizi N’tichka pass, which majestically rises to 2260 meters above sea level. Along this path, we will make strategic stops to admire dreamlike panoramic views and to explore the picturesque Berber villages clinging to the slopes of these mountains. Here, life revolves around agriculture and livestock, and the charming adobe and mud houses blend harmoniously into the landscape.

Our journey then takes us to the captivating city of Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert” and the “Moroccan Hollywood.” If you wish, you will have the opportunity to visit the world-renowned film studios and explore the exciting world of Moroccan and international cinema, as major films like Gladiator and scenes from the acclaimed series Game of Thrones have been shot here. After this fascinating experience, we continue our way to the picturesque Valley of the Roses, where in spring these precious flowers bloom and are used to make various beauty cosmetic products.

Our day concludes in the idyllic Dades Valley, where charming accommodation awaits us. We will spend the night in a hotel or riad located by the serene Dades River, enjoying a delicious dinner that will satisfy our palates and allow us to rest fully.

This journey promises to be an unforgettable experience, full of natural beauty, local culture, and magical moments

* Pick up in Marrakech and departure on the route.
* Crossing the High Atlas
* Visit to the Cinema Museum in Ouarzazate
* Lunch en route
* Panoramic stops in the Dades Valley. * Dinner and night in accommodation in Dades

Day 2: The Dades Valley - The Todra Gorges - Erfoud - Sahara Desert

On this day of our exciting journey, after delighting in breakfast at the charming riad, we embark on a new stage of the fascinating Route to the Desert. As we progress along the way, we will encounter the impressive Todra Gorges, a natural wonder of breathtaking rock formations. The humble river has sculpted this terrain over millennia, creating imposing walls that reach heights of more than 200 meters in some places. We will enjoy its majesty from the comfort of our vehicle and also explore its most characteristic corners on foot.

Then, we will continue our journey, passing through Tinerhir, another charming village on the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, before reaching two palm groves of great interest: Tinjdad and Touroug, towns known for their oases and palm groves. Afterwards, we will head towards the city of Erfoud, famous for its wealth of fossils dating back millions of years, and continue south until we finally reach Merzouga.

At this point, we change our mode of transport: We leave our vehicle behind and mount dromedaries (one per person, accompanied by their caretakers) to venture into the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi.
In the heart of this “sea of golden sand” lies our camp of jaimas, a truly evocative place. From here, and if the weather permits, we will enjoy one of the best sunsets you have ever seen, a magical sunset, and later marvel at a night sky illuminated by stars that seem to emerge from nowhere. Additionally, we will enjoy a dinner at this remote camp, where the tents offer all the necessary comforts for a night of rest and comfort.

* Breakfast in Riad
* Todra Gorges
* Berber villages and palm groves
* Erfoud fossils
* Dromedaries and Erg Chebbi
* Dinner and accommodation in Jaimas camp

Day 3: Merzouga Desert - Khamlia - Desert Nomads - Merzouga Desert

On this exceptional day of our trip, we will immerse ourselves in a series of unforgettable experiences that will be etched deep within us. We will start the day with a spectacular sunrise over the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi, a true spectacle of light and shadow unfolding in solemn silence, an experience that is truly unique and unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Once the sun has greeted the new day, we will delight in a delicious breakfast at our camp of jaimas and then head towards Khamlia, also known as “the village of the blacks.”

In this picturesque village, we will immerse ourselves in an ancient tradition: Gnawa music, performed by descendants of Sudanese slaves who were brought to this land centuries ago. They carry in their blood the rhythms of percussion and the essence of tribal music that has been honored with the prestigious title of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity awarded by UNESCO. We will understand the importance of this recognition when we witness one of their captivating live performances.

We will continue our day by climbing into our sturdy 4x4s to explore the intricate desert tracks that once challenged the intrepid Paris-Dakar rally racers. Along this exciting itinerary, we will cross ancient French and Berber villages, as well as ancient kohl mines that once provided this precious raw material for the cosmetic industry. We will stop at a strategic and elevated point where we can admire the vastness of the Erg Chebbi dunes, a truly imposing landscape.

We will also take time to visit a community of desert nomads who, although in the process of settling, preserve the traditions and customs of their ancestors. We will have an enriching exchange with them, learning about their lifestyle in such a harsh environment.

At the end of this day full of wonders, we will return to our chosen Riad.

* Breakfast in Jaimas camp.
* Sahara Desert
* Kohl mines
* Panoramic view of Erg Chebbi
* Desert nomads
* Dinner and accommodation in Riad.

Day 4: Sahara Desert-Rissani-Daraa Valley-Ouarzazate

After another magical night under the starry mantle of the desert, it is time to begin our return to Marrakech, traversing the hidden treasures along the way. Our first destination is Rissani, a city that at its peak was the economic heart of Morocco between the 8th and 14th centuries. Here, we will immerse ourselves in its traditional market, where past and present intertwine in a bustle of colors and scents that transport us to bygone times.

We continue our journey through the impressive Daraa Valley, one of the longest and most picturesque valleys in Morocco. We will make a strategic stop to contemplate the majesty of this valley, where nature unfolds in all its splendor and the serenity of the environment envelops us.

Our route then takes us to Ouarzazate, a city that seems to rise from the desert sands like an oasis of calm and beauty. Here, we will enjoy an exquisite dinner and stay in a Riad, a place that embodies Moroccan hospitality and offers us a tranquil refuge to rest and recharge.

* Breakfast in Riad Sahara
* Rissani
* Daraa Valley
* Ouarzazate
* Dinner and Riad Accommodation

Day 5: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - High Atlas - Marrakech

On the last day of this route through the Merzouga desert, it will take us back to Marrakech.

After breakfast, we would visit the kasbah of Taourirt, one of the best-preserved in southern Morocco. After the visit, we would hit the road again towards the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, whose visit (optional) is full of reasons, including its declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its selection as a filming location for major films and series (Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones).
After the visit, we return to the road to complete the last 200 km that separate us from Marrakech.

To reach the Red City, we will cross the Atlas via the Tizi N’tichka pass, arriving in Marrakech where we will drop you off at your Riad or at the airport with the hope that your experience with Knowing Morocco has been the best possible and that you are left wanting to return to Morocco to take another of the many routes you can take in our country.

* Riad breakfast
* The Kasbah of Taourirt
* The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
* Tizi N’tichka Pass
* Marrakech

Included services

For the total enjoyment of this 5-day tour of southern Morocco, the following benefits will be included in the itinerary:

  • Round trip transfers from Marrakech airport.
  • Provision of a private vehicle with a Spanish-speaking driver throughout the itinerary.
  • Stay in a charming riad in the Dades Valley with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Night in a camp of Jaimas in the Merzouga desert (with dinner included).
  • Camp breakfast.
  • Accommodation in Hotel or Riad in the Sahara with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Accommodation in Ouarzazate with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Camel excursions through the dunes of the Merzouga desert.
  • Travel insurance coverage.
  • Child seat in the vehicle.
  • Welcome water.
  • Wifi access.
Services not included
  • Arrival and departure to Marrakech on international and/or domestic flights
  • Lunches during the itinerary.
  • Drinks.
  • Tips.
  • Admission fees to monuments.
Included services

For the total enjoyment of this 5-day tour of southern Morocco, the following benefits will be included in the itinerary:

  • Round trip transfers from Marrakech airport.
  • Provision of a private vehicle with a Spanish-speaking driver throughout the itinerary.
  • Stay in a charming riad in the Dades Valley with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Night in a camp of Jaimas in the Merzouga desert (with dinner included).
  • Camp breakfast.
  • Accommodation in Hotel or Riad in the Sahara with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Accommodation in Ouarzazate with full board (Dinner, accommodation, and breakfast the following day).
  • Camel excursions through the dunes of the Merzouga desert.
  • Travel insurance coverage.
  • Child seat in the vehicle.
  • Welcome water.
  • Wifi access.
Services not included
  • Arrival and departure to Marrakech on international and/or domestic flights
  • Lunches during the itinerary.
  • Drinks.
  • Tips.
  • Admission fees to monuments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Trips

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Trips

Lorem fistrum for the glory of my mother, be a jarl and take me to the circus. From the meadow ullamco what are you saying usteer is very bad.

Lorem fistrum for the glory of my mother, be a jarl and take me to the circus. From the meadow ullamco what are you saying usteer is very bad.

Lorem fistrum for the glory of my mother, be a jarl and take me to the circus. From the meadow ullamco what are you saying usteer is very bad.

Lorem fistrum for the glory of my mother, be a jarl and take me to the circus. From the meadow ullamco what are you saying usteer is very bad.

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