6 Days Tour from Marrakech to Sahara Desert of Merzouga and Zagora

Day 1: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

Your adventure begins early in the morning after breakfast in Marrakech. Leaving behind the bustling medina, you’ll ascend into the High Atlas Mountains, where winding roads reveal sweeping panoramas of rugged peaks, terraced farms, and scattered Berber villages. The highlight of this drive is crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), the highest road pass in Morocco, offering incredible photo stops along the way.

Your first main stop is Telouet Kasbah, once the palatial residence of the influential Pasha Glaoui. Here, you can wander through its weathered corridors, admire the remnants of intricate zellij tiles, and hear stories of Morocco’s political history.

The journey then follows the Ounila Valley, a picturesque route dotted with ancient villages, green oases, and dramatic red rock formations, leading you to the world-famous Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been featured in countless films such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You’ll have time to explore the narrow lanes, climb to the old granary for panoramic views, and enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant.

In the late afternoon, you’ll continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Anti-Atlas – Draa Valley – Zagora

After breakfast, you’ll head south through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, passing dramatic landscapes of volcanic rock and arid hills before descending into the lush Draa Valley. This valley is the largest date palm oasis in Morocco, stretching for over 200 km along the Draa River and lined with kasbahs and fortified villages.

Along the way, you’ll stop at Agdz, a small town famous for its market and the impressive Tamnougalt Kasbah, which offers a glimpse into traditional desert architecture. Continuing along the valley, you’ll pass countless palm groves, fields of wheat, and orchards irrigated by ancient canals.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at Tamegroute, a historic village known for its underground kasbah, centuries-old Koranic library with rare manuscripts, and distinctive green-glazed pottery. You can visit local workshops to watch artisans shape and glaze the clay using traditional methods.

The day ends in Zagora, a town once considered the “last stop” before the Sahara. Dinner and overnight stay at a local hotel.

Day 3: Zagora – Tazarine – Alnif – Rissani – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)

This morning, you’ll depart Zagora after breakfast, traveling through desert plains and passing remote Berber villages like Taftechna and Aït Ouazik, known for prehistoric rock carvings. The route then reaches Tazarine and Alnif, where you can enjoy lunch and sample local dishes.

Continuing north, you’ll pass through Rissani, a historic caravan town that was once the capital of the Alaouite dynasty. Its souk is famous for dates, spices, and traditional desert goods.

By late afternoon, you’ll reach the edge of the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Here, you’ll trade your vehicle for a camel and set off on a camel trek into the desert, riding across golden sand dunes as the sun dips toward the horizon. Upon arrival at your desert camp, enjoy mint tea, dinner, and a night under the stars, with the option to listen to live Berber music around the campfire.

Day 4: Merzouga – Erfoud – Touroug – Tinejdad – Todra Gorges

Wake early to witness the unforgettable sight of the sunrise over the Sahara, as the first light turns the dunes into shades of gold and orange. After breakfast, you’ll ride back to Merzouga and continue to Erfoud, a town famous for its fossil workshops and date production.

The journey continues through Touroug, with its scenic palm groves, and Tinejdad, where you’ll stop for lunch. By the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the spectacular Todra Gorges, a narrow canyon with sheer limestone cliffs towering up to 300 meters. You’ll have free time to walk along the riverbed, take photos, or simply relax while admiring the natural beauty.

Dinner and overnight stay in the Todra Gorge area.

Day 5: Tinghir – Boumalne Dades – Dades Gorges – Rose Valley – Skoura – Ouarzazate

After breakfast, enjoy a short walk through the palm plantations of Tinghir, where locals cultivate figs, pomegranates, and dates. Then continue to Boumalne Dades and into the Dades Gorges, a region known for its dramatic rock formations, such as the “Monkey Fingers,” and winding roads like the famous Tizi n’Tazazert pass.

You’ll enjoy lunch in the Dades Valley before heading to Kelaat M’Gouna, the heart of Morocco’s Rose Valley. Depending on the season, you might see fields of blooming roses and visit local cooperatives producing rose water and cosmetics.

The route then passes through Skoura Oasis, home to the Amridil Kasbah, one of the best-preserved in Morocco. The day concludes back in Ouarzazate, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.

Day 6: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

On your final day, you’ll explore Ouarzazate’s main attractions, including the Taourirt Kasbah, once the residence of a powerful Glaoui family, and the Atlas Film Studios, where movies like Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy were filmed.

You’ll then cross back over the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, with scenic stops for photos and refreshments, before arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon, marking the end of your unforgettable desert adventure.