Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
You will be collected from your hotel or riad in Marrakech in the morning by your private driver.
We begin our journey towards southern Morocco, travelling through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. The road crosses the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, reaching an altitude of approximately 2,260 metres. Along the way, we will stop at panoramic viewpoints where you can admire the mountain scenery, traditional Berber villages and beautiful valleys.
Our main visit will be:
Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah
We stop at the UNESCO-listed fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, one of Morocco’s most famous and impressive kasbahs. You will have time to walk through its narrow lanes, explore its traditional mud-brick buildings and enjoy the magnificent views from the upper part of the village.
Aït Ben Haddou has also been used as a filming location for many international films and television productions.
Lunch can be enjoyed at a local restaurant near the kasbah before continuing to Ouarzazate.
Ouarzazate
Known as the “Gateway to the Sahara” and the “Hollywood of Morocco,” Ouarzazate is famous for its kasbahs, desert scenery and film studios.
Depending on the arrival time, you may visit or view:
Check in at your hotel in Ouarzazate, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Rose Valley – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga Luxury Camp
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart towards Merzouga and the magnificent Sahara Desert.
During the journey, we travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes in southern Morocco, with several interesting and scenic stops.
Skoura Oasis
Our first stop is the peaceful Skoura Oasis, known for its palm groves and historic kasbahs. We will enjoy views of this beautiful green oasis surrounded by dry desert landscapes.
Valley of the Roses
We continue through the Valley of the Roses and Kalaat M’Gouna, an area famous for growing fragrant Damask roses. Rose water, oils, creams and other natural rose products are produced locally.
Dades Valley
The journey continues through the dramatic Dades Valley, known for its colourful rock formations, traditional villages and impressive mountain scenery. We will stop at a panoramic viewpoint for photographs.
Todra Gorge
We then visit the spectacular Todra Gorge, where towering rock walls rise dramatically on both sides of the river. You will have time for a short walk through the gorge and to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
After some free time for lunch at a local restaurant, we continue through Tinghir, Tinjdad and Erfoud.
Erfoud and the Tafilalet Region
Erfoud is known for its fossils, date palms and location at the entrance to the Sahara. From here, the landscape gradually changes as we approach the golden sand dunes of Merzouga.
Arrival in Merzouga and Camel Ride
On arrival in Merzouga, you will meet your camel man and begin a magical camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Enjoy the peaceful desert atmosphere and admire the changing colours of the dunes as the sun begins to set. There will be time to stop in the dunes for photographs and to experience the unforgettable Sahara sunset.
On arrival at the luxury desert camp, you will be welcomed with traditional Moroccan tea and shown to your private luxury tent.
Dinner will be served at the camp. Afterwards, gather around the campfire beneath the desert stars and enjoy traditional Berber music and drumming.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight: Luxury desert camp in Merzouga
Included experience: Camel ride and desert sunset
Day 3: Merzouga Desert Tour – Nomadic Families – Khamlia – Berber Lunch – Hotel and Pool
Wake up early if you wish to watch the sunrise over the Sahara dunes—one of the most peaceful and memorable experiences of the tour.
After breakfast at the luxury camp, we begin a fascinating 4x4 tour around the Merzouga desert region.
Visit to Nomadic Families
Travel across the desert landscape to meet local nomadic families who continue to live in the traditional way.
This visit offers an opportunity to learn about their daily life, culture and connection to the Sahara. You may share a glass of traditional tea with the family and discover how they live in the desert with limited resources.
We continue to Khamlia, a small village near Merzouga known for its Gnawa community and musical heritage.
Enjoy a live performance of traditional Gnawa music, featuring drums, metal castanets and energetic rhythms. You will also learn a little about the history and culture of the Gnawa people.
Traditional Berber Lunch
After the visit to Khamlia, enjoy a traditional Berber lunch and taste the famous Berber pizza, locally known as Medfouna.
This delicious speciality consists of freshly baked bread filled with seasoned meat, onions, herbs and spices. A vegetarian version can be arranged when requested in advance.
Hotel Check-In and Relaxation
After lunch, transfer to your hotel in Merzouga. Check in and spend the afternoon relaxing beside the swimming pool after your desert adventure.
Optional Sunset Quad-Bike Experience
In the late afternoon, you may choose an optional quad-bike experience across the dunes.
Follow an experienced local guide and enjoy fun, action and beautiful desert scenery before stopping to watch another spectacular Sahara sunset.
The quad-bike experience is optional and available at an additional charge.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Berber lunch and dinner
Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga
Included experience: 4x4 desert tour, nomadic-family visit and Gnawa music
Optional activity: Sunset quad-bike experience
Day 4: Merzouga – Erfoud – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we begin our return journey to Marrakech.
This is a long but very scenic travel day. We travel through Erfoud and the desert landscapes before continuing through the valleys and mountain scenery of southern Morocco.
Stops will be made along the route for:
Refreshments and comfort breaks
Panoramic photographs
Lunch at a local restaurant
Views of the Dades and Rose Valleys
Ouarzazate
High Atlas Mountain viewpoints
After passing through Ouarzazate, we cross the High Atlas Mountains once again via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
We expect to arrive in Marrakech in the evening. You will be dropped off at your hotel, riad or another agreed central location.
Meals included: Breakfast
Journey: Merzouga to Marrakech
Expected arrival: Evening, depending on traffic, weather and the duration of stops
