morocco sahara desert camels dunes

Private 4 days desert tour

A journey to Morocco is incomplete without visiting the Sahara Desert. The awe-inspiring Sahara and its endless dunes leave an indelible impression on everyone.

The Sahara Desert is quite far from Marrakech, so a tour to the Sahara Desert typically spans several days. While most offer quick three-day packages, if you can spend four days on the tour, then the memories will be even more unforgettable, less driving included in the day – meaning more time to immerse into the experiences.

But don’t be mistaken, this tour is not just about the Sahara Desert; it’s a journey for nature enthusiasts, those who wish to traverse the High Atlas Mountains, explore ancient cities, witness stunning rock formations and uncover hidden gems along the way.

The tour accommodations are selected for their quality and the values they promote—environmental sustainability, family businesses, ecology, and unique places that are less known to mass tourism but cherished by travellers who appreciate authenticity.

P.S.. the tour involves 4-6 hours of driving, so before booking, make sure you are comfortable with long driving.

ITINERARY

1st DAY    Marrakech-Dades valley (~6h driving)
2nd DAY     Dades valley-Sahara desert (~4,3h drive) 
3rd DAY     Sahara/Merzouga – Rissani-Agdz (~4,30h drive)
4th DAY    Agdz-Ait Ben Haddou kasbah-Marrakech (~ 5,30h drive) 

Highlights:

  • Tizi N’Tichka mountain pass  (2,207 metres/7,241 ft; the highest major mountain pass in North Africa);
  • Dades valley/Monkey Fingers Rock formations;
  • Sahara desert in Merzouga village with Erg Chebbi Dunes (reaching heights of 160m);
  • Camel ride, stay in the luxury desert camp, fireplace, live music;
  • Rissani market visit (optional: depending on the day); local Berber pizza tasting;
  • Oasis of Agdz;
  • Ancient Ait Ben Haddou kasbah.

`! For this tour, I decided to remove the visit to the Todra gorge, so you have more time to spend in the desert.

ACCOMMODATIONS of the tour will depend on the availability; normally the ones in the pictures, but if not available very similar ones. You will receive photos of them after booking.

PRICE

For 2 people: 1590 eur total
For 4 people: viso 2160 eur total
For 5 people: viso 2390 eur total
(prices until 2024-10-01) 

EXTRA:
If you want to finish the trip not in Marrakech but in Agadir/Taghazout or other cities, contact me for prices and an itinerary change.

Included

  • Comfortable transport with Airco, professional driver and his expenses;
  • 3-night accommodations (boutique hotel in Dades Valley with a pool, luxury camp in the Sahara desert, or boutique eco-lodge in Adz (with pool)) are subject to availability.
  • Camel ride in the Sahara desert;
  • sand surfing – upon request
  • 3 dinners (with live music at the desert);
  • 3 breakfast;
  • Local Guide in Ait Ben Haddou
  • My support during all trips (Whatsapp messages/calls if needed).

Not Included

  • 4 lunches (driver will stop); `
  • extra drinks;
  • tips
  • quads/buggies (if you want extra)

p.s. This tour is with a professional driver who is not a guide but will provide essential information during the trip. However, if you prefer to have more information during the tour, such as historical facts, I suggest adding an additional guide for the trip—great for bigger groups.

FULL ITINERARY

DAY 1 Marrakech-Dades valley (~6h driving)

Your trip will start at 8 a.m. First, you will drive through the High Atlas mountains and cross the famous Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass. At an elevation of 2,260m (7,415 ft) above sea level, it is the highest major mountain pass in North Africa. The twisty mountain road is breathtaking, and you will stop a few times for pictures and a small coffee break.

The first day of the tour will include the most driving, but you will have many small break stops. After lunch, we drive further to Valley of the Roses, which has beautiful views of the Dades Valley, the valley of a thousand kasbahs. Overnight in Dades Valley/Boumalne Dadès, in a stunning boutique hotel surrounded by the famous Monkey finger rock formations formed by erosion, looks like a primate’s fingers emerging from the Dades River, as the name indicates. Will drive up the famous ZigZag road for a panoramic photo (close to your hotel at Monkey fingers). You will arrive at the hotel at Dadès Boumalne (Monkey Fingers) around 17h. Dinner at the hotel.

road morocco desert valley

HOTEL: Tonight at Dadès Boumalne Boutique Hotel with a swimming pool. Double/twin rooms
(depending on the tour date, will choose an available place from the photos below – with a swimming pool)

2nd DAY     Dades valley-Sahara desert (~4,5h drive) 

After breakfast, you will continue your trip towards the Sahara desert. Will have lunch break on the way.

You will reach the Merzouga village around 16 h, where the layers of the Sahara desert are impressive. Erg Chebbi Dunes reach 160m, are 22 kilometres long, and are 5 kilometres wide.

Comfortably sitting on camel backs, you will take a slow walk to your luxury Sahara desert camp.

There, you will have dinner, then sit around the fireplace and listen to live Berber music.

desert dunes pose scenery merzouga

HOTEL: luxury Sahara desert camp, either desert camp with a hotel + swimming pool (can use it) or a small boutique first in the Sahara desert eco-luxury camp. (depending on availability).

3rd DAY     Sahara/Merzouga – Rissani-Agdz (~4,30h drive)

In the morning, after breakfast, you will slowly start moving back from the desert and hit the road again.

Passing Rissani city, visiting local market (optional, if the market is working that day), stopping for lunch to try local Berber Pizza, and continuing driving the scenic road towards Agdz city, nestles at the entrance to the famous Draa Valley,  Agdz is a hidden gem, surrounded by lush green palm groves and located at the foothills of the rugged mountains of Djebel Kissane, Agdz is the perfect oasis. Night at the beautiful hotel.

HOTEL: modern eco-lodges in Agdz Oasis or a boutique hotel (both with swimming pool).
(depending on availability)

4th DAY    Agdz-Ait Ben Haddou kasbah-Marrakech (~ 5,30h drive) 

After breakfast, you will start your trip toward Marrakech. The first stop is at the UNESCO World Heritage site listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, dating to the 12th Century and one of the most iconic Morocco monuments. Many Hollywood and international films were shot in Ait Ben Haddou. You will meet the local English-speaking guide there, who will guide you to the Kasbah.

Ait Benhaddou kasbah, where the famous Game of Thrones TV series was filmed

After lunch, you will continue your drive through the Ounila Valley, a narrow river flowing from Ait Ben Haddou to the High Atlas downs until it joins the Imini River. The region boasts numerous villages, kasbahs, green gardens, and colourful geology. Inhabited by the hospitable Amazigh people, it offers a secondary route, linking Ait Ben Haddou to the Tizi-n-Tichka pass. You can read more about the Ounilla Valley here.  

Will come back to Marrakech in the evening, around 6pm.