4-Day Sahara Desert Tour (Merzouga & Back to Marrakech)

Early pickup in Marrakech. Cross High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), with stops for photos, Berber villages, terraced fields.

Descend to arid pre-Saharan region. Visit Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO site, 17th-century ksar, film location). Guided walk and climb for views.

Lunch near Ait Ben Haddou (not included). Continue via Ouarzazate (“Hollywood of Africa”), possible stop at Taourirt Kasbah or Cinema Museum if time allows.

Drive along Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing towns, palm groves, rock formations.

Arrive late afternoon in Dades Valley (“monkey fingers” rock formations). Check into hotel or riad. Dinner included. Optional evening walk before overnight rest.

• Driving Time: 5–6 hours with stops
• Stay: Hotel/riad in Dades Valley
• Meals: Dinner included
• Highlights: High Atlas Mountains, Tizi n’Tichka Pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, Dades Valley

Breakfast at hotel. Short drive to Dades Valley viewpoint for Dades Gorges and serpentine road. Guide explains geological formations.

Continue to Todra Gorges (cliffs up to 300 m, narrowest at 10 m). Walk along canyon floor, possible rock climber sightings.

Drive toward Merzouga; landscape becomes arid, first sand dunes appear.

Lunch in Tinghir or Erfoud (not included).

Arrive in Merzouga. Option to shower and change at local hotel.

Meet camel guide for ~1-hour sunset trek across Erg Chebbi dunes. Arrive at camp in time for sunset from high dune.

Settle into tent. Dinner in dining tent or under stars. Evening with Berber music by campfire, stargazing.

Desert camp offers tents with beds and shared bathrooms; option to sleep outside under stars.

• Driving Time: 4–5 hours with stops
• Stay: Desert camp in Merzouga
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
• Highlights: Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges, camel trek, Sahara sunset, desert camp, Berber music, stargazing
• Optional: Sandboarding (if available)

Early wake-up for Sahara sunrise over dunes. Breakfast at camp. Camel ride back to Merzouga, morning desert views.

Shower at local hotel. Begin relaxed return drive.

Pass through Alnif (fossil area), then Agdz in Draa Valley (palm groves, kasbahs). Lunch stop in Agdz (not included).

Continue to Ouarzazate. Check into hotel. Free time to explore:

• Kasbah Taourirt: maze of passages, painted cedar ceilings, tower views.
  
  
• Cinema Museum: film sets, props, local film history.
  
  
• Shops: Berber carpets, pottery, handicrafts.
  
  

Dinner at hotel (included) or local restaurant. Optional evening stroll in Ouarzazate.

• Driving Time: 4–5 hours with stops
• Stay: Hotel/riad in Ouarzazate
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
• Highlights: Desert sunrise, Draa Valley, Ouarzazate (Kasbah Taourirt, Cinema Museum)

Breakfast at hotel. Option for more time in Ouarzazate to visit missed sites or relax.

Optional visit to Atlas Film Studios (film sets, guided tours).

Mid-morning departure to Marrakech via High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Multiple stops for photos and views.

Lunch stop in mountains (not included), traditional Berber cuisine.

Afternoon descent toward Marrakech, landscape becomes greener. Guide points out sights and shares local history.

Arrive in Marrakech late afternoon, drop-off at hotel or riad.

• Driving Time: 4–5 hours with stops
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Highlights: Atlas Film Studios (optional), High Atlas Mountains, Tizi n’Tichka Pass