The Sahara at a relaxed pace
This 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is the relaxed way to see southern Morocco. You cross the High Atlas, visit Ait Benhaddou, the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge, then spend two nights in Merzouga: one in a desert camp after a sunset camel ride, and one in a hotel by the dunes after a full day exploring Erg Chebbi. As a 5 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakech, it returns on a different road through Nekob and the Draa Valley, with a night in Ouarzazate before the drive back to Marrakech.
Why this tour is unique
Shorter tours spend most of their time on the road. With five days, no day has more than about 6 hours of driving, you get a full day in the desert, and the return follows a new route instead of the same road back.
Tour highlights
- High Atlas MountainsCross the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (about 2,200 m).
- Ait BenhaddouWalk through the UNESCO-listed clay Kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
- Dades Valley & Todra GorgeStand beneath 300-meter-high vertical canyon walls.
- Sahara Camel Trek & Desert CampRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under the stars.
- Khamlia & RissaniHear Gnawa music in a desert village and see a traditional market town.
- NekobPass the village of 45 kasbahs at the foot of Jbel Saghro.
- Draa ValleyDrive along the palm groves of Morocco’s longest river.
- OuarzazateSpend your last night in the gateway town to the desert.
Route map
You will depart Marrakech and cross the High Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou and the Dades Valley. From there you continue east through the Todra Gorge to the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, where you spend two nights. The return goes west through Alnif, Nekob and the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate, and on the last day you cross the High Atlas back to Marrakech.
Day-by-day itinerary
Here is the full plan for your 5 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, from pick-up to drop-off.
Day 1: Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou and Dades Valley
6 hours driving
Your driver will pick you up at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or from the airport. We cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Ait Benhaddou (also spelled Ait Ben Haddou), the clay kasbah famous for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Learn more about the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab). After lunch in Ouarzazate, we drive through the Valley of Roses to our hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 2: Dades Valley to Todra Gorge and Merzouga
5 hours driving
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the awe-inspiring Todra Gorge. You’ll have free time to walk through the massive 300-meter-high canyon walls. We then continue through Erfoud until the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab) appear. Trade your vehicle for a camel and ride into the desert at sunset to reach your camp.
Day 3: A full day in the Sahara: Khamlia and Rissani
Short drives
Wake up for sunrise over the dunes, then ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast. Your driver then takes you around Erg Chebbi by 4×4: the village of Khamlia, known for its Gnawa music, the desert lakes when they hold water, and the market town of Rissani. In the afternoon you check in to your hotel in Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes, with time to rest and watch the sunset.
Day 4: Merzouga to Nekob, the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate
6 hours driving
After breakfast, we head west through Alnif to Nekob, a village known for its many kasbahs, then follow the palm groves of the Draa River (opens in a new tab) north to Ouarzazate, where we spend the night.
Day 5: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
4 hours driving
After breakfast, we cross the High Atlas Mountains one last time via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with photo stops along the way. We arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, where your driver drops you at your accommodation.
Prices and packages
We offer three tier levels to suit your travel style. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
- Private transportation
- 4-star hotels or traditional riads
- Standard desert camp
- Excellent 4-star to luxurious 5-star hotels
- Upgraded luxury desert camp
- Comfortable private car
- Hand-picked 5-star and high-end boutique hotels
- Premium VIP desert camp
- Entrance fees included
Prices may vary depending on travel dates and final accommodation choice. Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free.
Hotels and camps where you’ll stay
Choose a package to see the hotels and camps we use on this tour.
- Riad Bahammou Hotel
- Grand Canyon Lodge
- Dar Ahlam Dades
- Ksar Sultan Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Desert Villa Boutique Hotel
- Riad Azawad
- Dar Morocco
- Riad Amlal
- Riad Dar Blues
- Hotel Xaluca Dades
- Palm Hotel Dades
- Dihya Desert Camp
- Ideal Desert Camp
- Tawada Desert Camp
- Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- Tents with air conditioning
- Riad Serai
- Riad Madu
- Riad Dar Chama
- Les Tourmalines Guest House
- Eden Boutique Dades
- Merzouga Luxury Desert Camps
- Desert Luxury Camp
- Suite at Riad Serai
- Sunrise Palace Merzouga
- Berbere Palace
- Oz Palace
Every desert camp tent has a private washroom with a shower. We confirm your exact hotels when you book, depending on availability.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- Private, air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver/guide
- 4 nights accommodation (as per selected package)
- Private washroom with shower at the desert camp
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners)
- Sunset and sunrise camel treks in Erg Chebbi (or a 4×4 transfer to the camp, if you prefer)
- 4×4 tour around Erg Chebbi on Day 3
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation or the airport
Excluded
- Lunches and daytime drinks
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums (included in the Luxury Package)
- Tips and gratuities
What travelers say about this trip
Reviews from our sister company, Morocco Top Trips
Our 5-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga was an incredible experience! We loved the beautiful landscapes, traditional villages, and especially the camel ride through the Sahara dunes at sunset.
We had a fantastic experience exploring Morocco on this 5-day private tour. From the Atlas Mountains to Ait Ben Haddou and the golden dunes of Merzouga, every day brought something special.
My husband and I had a wonderful 5-day journey from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. Ismail made the trip even more enjoyable with his professionalism, safe driving, and friendly personality.
Good to know before you go
Pick-up and start
Pick-up is usually at 8:00 am from your Marrakech accommodation or the airport. If the time changes, your driver will message you on WhatsApp with the time and meeting point.
Distance and driving
On the 5 day desert tour from Marrakech, the road over the High Atlas is winding, so bring motion-sickness tablets if needed. No single day has more than about 6 hours of driving, and Day 3 in the desert is a rest from the road.
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months, with warm days and cooler evenings. In summer, daytime temperatures in Merzouga often pass 40°C. In winter the days are mild, but nights near the dunes can get close to freezing.
The camel trek and the camp
The sunset camel ride into camp lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you prefer not to ride a camel, you can be transferred to the camp by 4×4 instead. Your bags travel to the camp by SUV, and anything you leave in the vehicle is safe.
What to pack
Layers are crucial. The desert is hot during the day but temperatures drop sharply at night. Bring a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf (for sand and sun protection), sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). While hotels and larger restaurants take cards, you should carry cash for small purchases, lunches, and tips in rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. Expect to tip guides, drivers, and camp staff if you are happy with the service. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your driver at the end of the trip.
Connectivity
Most hotels along the route have free WiFi. The desert camps have limited to no connectivity, so enjoy the chance to unplug and look at the stars.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about the 5 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
How much does the 5 days desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga cost?
Prices start from €550 per person for the Comfort package. The Superior package is €770 and the Luxury package €990 per person, based on two travelers. The difference is the level of accommodation, and prices may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what each package includes.
Do infants and children pay?
Infants (0 to 5 years) travel free. For older children, tell us their ages when you send your request, and we will confirm the price for your group.
How long are the drives on a 5 day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Merzouga is roughly 550 km from Marrakech. On this tour the driving is about 6 hours on Day 1, 5 hours on Day 2, short drives on Day 3, 6 hours on Day 4 and 4 hours on Day 5. Those are driving times, and you also stop for photos, meals and visits along the way. Arriving in Marrakech a day early? See 10 Best Things to Do in Marrakech (opens in a new tab).
Should I choose 3, 4 or 5 days?
All three visit the Todra Gorge, the Erg Chebbi dunes and Ait Benhaddou. The 3-day tour drives back to Marrakech in one long day. The 4-day tour adds Nekob, the Draa Valley and a night in Ouarzazate. The 5-day tour also adds a full day in the desert with a second night in Merzouga, so it is the most relaxed. Flying into Casablanca first? See Best Things to Do in Casablanca (opens in a new tab).
What do we do on the full day in the desert?
After sunrise, you ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast, then your driver takes you around Erg Chebbi by 4×4 to Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music, and the market town of Rissani. In the afternoon you check in to your hotel in Merzouga, at the edge of the dunes, to rest and watch the sunset.
Is it safe to travel to Merzouga and the Sahara?
The route from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of the most popular tourist routes in Morocco. You travel in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide who knows the roads, the stops and the camps. As anywhere, keep your valuables with you in busy places, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
What is the best time of year for a 5 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakech?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. See the “Good to know” section above for what to expect in summer and winter.
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit by PayPal to confirm your booking. The balance is paid on the first day of the tour, in cash or by card (a 5% fee applies to card payments). Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
What happens to my luggage during the camel ride?
We take your bags to the camp by SUV, so you can ride the camel with nothing to carry. If you would rather leave something behind, it is safe in the vehicle.
Can I skip the camel ride?
Yes. The camel ride is optional. If you prefer not to ride, we transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 instead, and you still enjoy the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Just let us know when you book or tell your driver on the day.
Are there toilets and showers in the desert camp?
Yes. All our packages include a private washroom with a shower at the desert camp.
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.