Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Dadès Gorges
Your 5-day desert adventure begins in Marrakech, the vibrant city known for its colorful souks and rich history. After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up and lead you through the majestic High Atlas Mountains. The scenic road winds through valleys and Berber villages until we reach the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), the highest road pass in Morocco. The views here are breathtaking, with mountains stretching endlessly across the horizon.
We make our first cultural stop at the Kasbah of Telouet, once the residence of the powerful Glaoui family. Its walls tell stories of Morocco’s feudal rulers, decorated with mosaics, stucco, and wooden ceilings that recall a glorious past.
Our journey continues to the world-famous Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most photographed ksars. Its red clay walls have been the backdrop for many Hollywood films, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You’ll have time to explore the alleys and climb to the top for panoramic views before enjoying lunch here or in Ouarzazate.
Driving through Skoura’s palm groves and the Valley of Roses, we finally arrive at the Dadès Gorges, known for their dramatic rock formations and winding roads. Dinner and overnight stay in a charming riad or hotel nestled in the valley.
Day 2: Dadès Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga
After breakfast, we leave Dadès behind and drive through picturesque Berber villages scattered across the desert plains. Along the way, we pass Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud, where the landscape shifts from rocky mountains to palm groves and the beginnings of the Sahara. Erfoud is famous for its fossil workshops and local dates — a great stop for souvenirs and cultural insight.
By afternoon, we arrive in Merzouga, a small desert town at the edge of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes. You’ll check into a hotel near the dunes, where dinner will be served. In the evening, enjoy live Berber music and the tranquil desert atmosphere. Overnight stay in Merzouga.
Day 3: 4×4 Desert Tour & Camel Trek
This day is dedicated to exploring the Sahara Desert in depth. After breakfast, we set out in a 4×4 to circle the Erg Chebbi dunes. Stops include a visit to a local Berber family where you’ll be welcomed with tea, as well as the village of Khamlia, known for its spiritual Gnawa music brought by descendants of sub-Saharan migrants.
We’ll also explore abandoned mines, visit nomadic families who still live in tents, and discover a lush desert oasis hidden among palm trees. After lunch in Merzouga and some time to relax, the adventure continues.
In the late afternoon, your camels will be ready to take you across the dunes on a traditional trek. The slow ride offers stunning views as the sun sets over the Sahara, painting the sands in gold and red. Arriving at your Berber desert camp, you’ll climb the dunes to watch the sunset, then enjoy dinner around a campfire. The evening is filled with drumming, singing, and stargazing before spending the night in a traditional tent under the vast desert sky.
Day 4: Merzouga – Ouarzazate
After an unforgettable sunrise over the Sahara, we ride back to Merzouga. After breakfast and a shower, we begin the drive to Ouarzazate. Along the way, we stop at small Berber shops selling fossils, carpets, lamps, and other handicrafts. This is the perfect chance to buy authentic souvenirs and support local artisans.
By the afternoon, we arrive in Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, home to famous film studios and desert landscapes. Many blockbuster movies have been filmed here, making it a fascinating stop for film lovers. Dinner and overnight stay in a comfortable hotel.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Marrakech
On the final day, after breakfast, we set out towards Marrakech. Before leaving, you’ll have another opportunity to visit Ait Benhaddou, where you can enjoy lunch and explore its kasbahs in more detail.
Afterward, we cross the High Atlas once again through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with its scenic viewpoints and winding roads. In the late afternoon or evening, we arrive back in Marrakech, marking the end of your 5-day Sahara adventure.
Price Includes:
✅ 3 nights in hotels/riads with dinner & breakfast
✅ 1 night in a Berber desert camp with dinner & breakfast
✅ Comfortable 4×4 AC Land Cruiser for 5 days
✅ Professional English-speaking driver/guide
✅ Fuel throughout the journey
✅ 2-hour camel trekking in the dunes
✅ 4×4 desert excursion around Erg Chebbi
