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 gorges, and uncover hidden gems along the way.
The tour accommodations are selected not only for their quality but also for 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.
ITINERARY
1st DAY Marrakech-Dades valley (~6h driving)
2nd DAY Dades valley-Todra gorge-Sahara desert (~5h 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);
- Rose Valley Village;
- Dades valley/Monkey Fingers Rock formations;
- Todra Gorge Canyon;
- 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.
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;
- 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
- 4×4 jeep in the Sahara desert or quads/buggies/sand surfing
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 8/8.30 am (depending on breakfast time in your riad), 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 the 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, with beautiful views of the Dades Valley, the valley of a thousand kasbahs. Overnight in Dades Valley/Boumalne Dadès, in a beautiful 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 you the hotel at Dadès Boumalne (Monkey fingers) around 17h. Free time, dinner at the hotel.
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-Todra gorge-Sahara desert (~5h drive)
After breakfast, at 9 am., you will continue your trip towards the Sahara desert. After around 1 hour drive, you will visit the famous Todgha Gorge – a series of limestone river canyons. The Todra is the name of the last 600 meters just under 2,000 feet) of the canyons. In places, this gorge measures just 33 feet across, but the cliffs are more than 500 feet tall on either side.
After the Todra gorge visit, you will stop for lunch and will finally, around 17h will reach the Merzouga village, where layers of the Sahara desert are impressive. Erg Chebbi Dunes reach heights of 160m, twenty-two kilometres long and five kilometres wide.
Comfortably sitting on camel backs, you will take a slow walk to your luxury Sahara desert camp. There, you will have dinner there, then sit around the fireplace and listen to live Berber music.
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 either chill in the camp or take an additional 4×4 desert tour with jeeps, visiting desert nomads and the surrounding desert. Or, a 1-hour adventure with quads and buggies.
Then you will 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.
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.
