5 Day Tour from Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Merzouga Desert

About this tour :

This five-day journey from Ouarzazate to Marrakech takes you deep into Morocco’s desert heart, combining epic landscapes, cultural encounters, and unforgettable Sahara moments. Along the way, you’ll travel through palm-filled valleys, dramatic gorges, historic desert towns, and the golden dunes of Merzouga.

From camel trekking at sunset to waking up beneath endless desert skies, this tour offers a perfect balance between adventure and discovery. Crossing the Atlas Mountains at the end of the journey, you’ll arrive in Marrakech with lasting memories of Morocco’s south and its timeless traditions.

Highilights :

• Explore southern Morocco’s valleys, kasbahs, and desert towns.
• Walk through the impressive Todra Gorges with their towering rock walls.
• Experience a camel trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
• Spend a magical night under the stars in the Sahara Desert.
• Discover Rissani’s traditional markets and desert culture.
• Visit iconic sites such as Ait Ben Haddou.
• Cross the High Atlas Mountains on the way to Marrakech.

Itinerary :

Day 1: Ouarzazate ➝ Skoura ➝ Valley of Roses ➝ Draa Area

Depart from Ouarzazate toward the oasis of Skoura, where palm groves and historic kasbahs dominate the landscape. Continue through the Valley of Roses, known for its colorful villages and seasonal blooms. The journey leads into the Dades region, famous for its dramatic rock formations and peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy the evening surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

Day 2: Dades Area ➝ Todra Gorge ➝ Erfoud ➝ Merzouga

After breakfast, head toward the spectacular Todra Gorges, where sheer canyon walls rise high above a narrow riverbed. After time to explore the gorge, continue through desert towns and palm oases toward Erfoud, a regional center known for fossils and desert trade. By late afternoon, arrive in Merzouga and ride camels into the dunes of Erg Chebbi just in time for sunset. The night is spent deep in the desert under a sky full of stars.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert ➝ Rissani ➝ Merzouga

Wake early to witness sunrise over the dunes, one of the most memorable moments of the journey. After breakfast, explore the surrounding desert area, including visits to nearby villages and oases. Stop in Rissani, an important historic town with a lively traditional market. Return to the desert later in the day for another peaceful evening among the dunes.

Day 4: Merzouga ➝ Alnif ➝ Draa Valley ➝ Ouarzazate

Leave the Sahara behind and travel through changing desert landscapes and rocky plains. Pass through remote villages before reaching the Draa Valley, a long ribbon of palm groves and ancient kasbahs stretching along the river. By evening, arrive back in Ouarzazate, where desert and mountain cultures meet.

Day 5: Ouarzazate ➝ Ait Ben Haddou ➝ Atlas Mountains ➝ Marrakech

On the final day, visit Ait Ben Haddou, a famous fortified village recognized for its remarkable architecture and history. Continue across the Atlas Mountains, stopping at panoramic viewpoints and Berber villages along the way. Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, marking the end of an unforgettable desert adventure.

Included :

• Private transportation with a professional local driver
• Hand-picked accommodations (riads, kasbahs, boutique hotels or desert camps, depending on itinerary)
• Breakfasts included in most accommodations throughout the trip
• Dinners in the desert and remote regions, when applicable
• Cultural and heritage activities listed in your itinerary
• Local certified guides at major historical sites and selected cities
• Camel ride in the Sahara for desert tours
• Assistance from our dedicated team throughout your stay

Excluded :

• International flights to and from Morocco
• Lunches and beverages, unless specified
• Entrance fees to certain monuments or optional activities
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Tips for guides and drivers (at your discretion)