5 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

Today, our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Marrakech. We will leave Marrakech around 8:00 AM and drive towards the High Atlas Mountains. The zigzag road will take us on an impressive journey through lush valleys and Berber villages, leading us to the highest pass in Morocco, Tizi N'Tichka, which stands at an altitude of 2,260 meters. We will take a break for coffee or mint tea and capture some photos along the way. In the afternoon, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, a famous film location for international directors and filmmakers. This historic kasbah was once a significant fortress and stronghold on the old Salt Road, where caravans brought gold, slaves, ivory, and salt for trade with Moroccan cities. Next, our tour will continue to the city of Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa" due to its many film studios. As we travel southeast toward the "One Thousand Kasbahs", the landscape will change, showcasing more Berber villages and towns on our route to the Dades Valley, where we will spend the night. We will have an overnight stay in Dades Valley. Driving distance Approximately 331 kilometers Estimated driving duration 5 hr 45 min (without traffic and stops) Accommodation Overnight stay at hotel/riad Meals Dinner

Today morning, after breakfast, we will leave the Dades Valley and continue our 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Our journey takes us along the road to the Todra Gorge, known as the favorite canyon for international rock climbers due to its impressive landscape. After a lunch break somewhere along the way, we will head south towards the Sahara. On the way, you'll see a lot of attractions, including beautiful oases, palm groves, stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, adobe kasbahs, and even traces of dinosaur fossils. Then, we will stop in Erfoud, known as the "city of fossils", was once part of an ocean, and many fossils and minerals can be found in the area. These are often transformed into beautiful furniture and decorative pieces.Visit a women’s cooperative producing traditional Moroccan carpets, where you’ll learn about their craftsmanship and cultural significance. Our day will end at the sea of sand in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Afterward, you will join the experience of camel trekking over the high dunes of the Erg Chebbi desert. Your local guides will teach you how to mount and dismount the camels and other handy camel-related safety tips. You'll enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset from atop a high dune before riding the camels to your desert camp. After a delicious dinner, time to listen to traditional Berber music played by local nomads under the stars in the serene evening atmosphere. If you love dancing, feel free to join in and dance to the rhythms of the music. You'll be amazed by the starlit sky above you, then, before you go to your tent. Driving distance Approximately 264 kilometers Estimated driving duration 4 hr 00 min (without traffic and stops) Accommodation Overnight stay at a desert camp Meals Breakfast Dinner

After waking up early, you'll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful view of the sunrise, which is the amazing part of the day in the desert. Following this, you will return to the desert camp where you can take a shower and savor a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, our exciting desert excursion will begin as we explore the marvel Erg Chebbi region. We will drive off-road to visit the nomadic families living around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, giving you a chance to observe their unique lifestyle and learn how they survive in the dry Sahara Desert. We'll share a cup of mint tea with them. Next, we will drive to the M'Fis mines, which are located on a high plateau that offers a fantastic panoramic view of Erg Chebbi and the surrounding desert landscape. After that, we will head to Khamlia Village, also known as Gnaoua Village. The inhabitants of this small village originated in Black Africa and share a long-standing relationship with the Sahara, as their ancestors were brought from Central and West Africa through caravans that traversed the desert to southeastern Morocco. During our visit, you'll learn more about their culture and enjoy their traditional music. After immersing yourself in the sounds of Gnaoua music, it's time to have a delicious lunch which is Berber pizza. Later in the day, we will return to Merzouga and drop you off at your accommodation for the night. Driving distance Approximately 86 kilometers Estimated driving duration 1 hr 08 min (without traffic and stops) Accommodation Overnight stay at hotel/riad Meals Breakfast Dinner

We will wake you up early in the morning to watch the amazing view of the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Afterward, we'll return to the desert camp where you can take a shower and savor a delicious breakfast, including Berber tea (known as Berber whisky). Once we finish breakfast, we'll depart for Ouarzazate, passing through different areas and various small Berber villages and the arid pre-desertic area, where you'll meet the "Acacia trees" typical tree of this landscape. On our way along the Draa Valley, we'll make some stops to enjoy the beautiful views and landscapes of the river that gives the valley its name. This river is the longest in Morocco, flowing through the entire country and reaching Mauritania. Our journey will continue towards Ouarzazate, traveling through the Anti-Atlas Mountains. We expect to arrive in the evening, around 4 or 5 p.m., where we will spend the night in Ouarzazate. Driving distance Approximately 369 kilometers Estimated driving duration 5 hr 6 min (without traffic and stops) Accommodation Overnight stay at hotel/riad Meals Breakfast Dinner

Today before leaving Ouarzazate for Marrakech, we will stop to explore this town, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco" due to its numerous film studios. Our visits will include the Atlas Studios, the Cinema Museum, and Taourirt Kasbah. On our return journey to Marrakech, we will pass through the stunning High Atlas Mountains and charming Berber villages located between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Your driver will drop you off at your location in Marrakech. This concludes our services for the 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Driving distance Approximately 193 kilometers Estimated driving duration 3 hr 39 min (without traffic and stops) Accommodation Not included Meals Breakfast Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.