5-Day Desert Tour Overview
Complete Sahara Adventure with Skoura Oasis & Extended Merzouga ExperienceThe extended duration allows for a more authentic experience of Berber culture, multiple opportunities for photography at golden hour, and time for optional desert activities without feeling rushed.
The Marrakech to Merzouga 5-day tour covers approximately 700 kilometers of breathtaking Moroccan scenery at a leisurely pace. You'll cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, discover the palm-filled Skoura Oasis, travel through the Valley of the Roses and Dades Valley, marvel at the towering cliffs of Todra Gorge, and finally reach the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga.
The highlight is your extended stay in the Sahara desert at Merzouga. With two nights in a traditional Berber camp, you'll experience multiple camel treks at different times of day, enjoy traditional meals under the stars, and have time for optional activities like quad biking, sandboarding, or visiting nomadic settlements. For more information about the region, visit the Wikipedia page on Erg Chebbi.
5-Day Desert Tour Itinerary: Marrakech to Merzouga
Detailed day-by-day itinerary of your ultimate Sahara desert adventureDay 1: Marrakech - High Atlas Mountains - Ait Ben Haddou - Skoura Oasis
Departure & Atlas Mountains Crossing
Your 5-day Sahara adventure begins with pick-up from your Marrakech accommodation (around 7:15 AM). Journey east and ascend the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), Morocco's highest mountain pass. Enjoy panoramic views and extended photo stops at scenic viewpoints overlooking traditional Berber villages.
Ait Ben Haddou Exploration & Lunch
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, the famous fortified village (ksar) that has served as a backdrop for numerous films. Take your time exploring the ancient clay architecture, narrow alleyways, and panoramic views from the top before enjoying a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant with views of the kasbah.
Ouarzazate & Skoura Oasis Arrival
Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Morocco," and visit the Taourirt Kasbah if time permits. Then travel to the beautiful Skoura Oasis, a lush palm grove dotted with ancient kasbahs. Check into your traditional guesthouse or hotel, enjoy dinner, and spend your first night in this peaceful oasis setting.
Day 2: Skoura Oasis - Valley of Roses - Dades Valley
Skoura Oasis Exploration
After breakfast, explore the beautiful Skoura Oasis with its thousands of palm trees, traditional irrigation systems (khettaras), and historic kasbahs like Amridil. This peaceful morning allows you to experience rural Moroccan life before continuing your journey toward the desert.
Valley of Roses & Dades Valley
Travel through the fragrant Valley of the Roses (particularly beautiful in April-May during blooming season) and continue to the dramatic Dades Valley. Check into your hotel overlooking the stunning gorge formations known as "monkey fingers." Enjoy dinner and spend your second night surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Day 3: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Merzouga Desert Camp
Dades Valley & Todra Gorge
After breakfast, explore the Dades Valley with its unique rock formations. Continue to Todra Gorge (Tinghir), where you can walk between the towering 300-meter-high canyon walls. Take your time at this spectacular natural site, popular among climbers and photographers.
Journey to Merzouga & Desert Arrival
Travel towards the desert, watching the landscape transform from lush valleys to arid plains. Arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga in the late afternoon. Prepare for your desert immersion and store your main luggage securely.
First Camel Trek & Desert Camp
Mount your camel for a ~1-hour sunset trek into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Arrive at your traditional Berber desert camp as the sun sets. Enjoy mint tea, a delicious traditional dinner, and an evening of Berber music around the campfire under a spectacular canopy of stars. Spend your first night in the peaceful Sahara.
Day 4: Full Day in Merzouga Desert
Sunrise Camel Ride & Optional Activities
Wake up early to witness a breathtaking Sahara sunrise over the dunes. Enjoy a peaceful morning camel ride back to the edge of the desert. After breakfast at a local hotel, you have the entire day free for optional activities: quad biking in the dunes, sandboarding, visiting a Berber village or nomadic settlement, or simply relaxing.
Desert Exploration & Relaxation
Enjoy free time to explore the desert at your own pace. You might visit the nearby village of Rissani with its traditional market (Sundays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays), take a 4x4 excursion to discover the desert surroundings, or simply relax and soak in the tranquil desert atmosphere.
Second Night in Desert Camp
In the late afternoon, take another camel ride back to your desert camp, enjoying different lighting conditions on the dunes. Experience another magical evening with traditional Berber hospitality, dinner, music, and stargazing. Your second night in the Sahara offers even more opportunity to appreciate its profound silence and beauty.
Day 5: Merzouga - Return Journey to Marrakech
Final Sunrise & Breakfast
Enjoy one final Sahara sunrise before your morning camel ride back to Merzouga village. After breakfast and freshening up at a local hotel, begin your return journey to Marrakech, filled with unforgettable memories of your extended desert experience.
Scenic Return Journey
Travel back through the stunning landscapes you experienced on your way to Merzouga. You'll have opportunities for final photo stops and a lunch break along the route. The leisurely journey allows you to appreciate the changing scenery from desert to mountains.
Arrival in Marrakech
Cross the Atlas Mountains once more, arriving back in Marrakech in the early evening (around 7:00 PM). You'll be dropped off at your accommodation, concluding your unforgettable 5-day Sahara desert adventure from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Tour Highlights
Experience the best of Morocco's 5-day desert adventureAtlas Mountains Crossing
Leisurely Tizi n'Tichka Pass journey
Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
UNESCO site with extended exploration
Skoura Oasis Visit
Palm groves & ancient kasbahs
Multiple Camel Treks
Sunset & sunrise rides in Erg Chebbi
2 Nights Desert Camping
Extended Sahara immersion
Todra Gorge & Dades Valley
Natural wonders & scenic valleys
What's Included / Not Included
Complete details for your 5-day desert tour package- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
- Transport in air-conditioned vehicle
- English/French speaking driver-guide
- 1 night in Skoura Oasis (hotel/guesthouse)
- 1 night in Dades Valley hotel
- 2 nights in private tent at Merzouga desert camp
- Multiple camel rides in Erg Chebbi dunes
- All dinners & breakfasts (4 dinners, 4 breakfasts)
- Ample free time for optional activities
- Lunches and drinks during the journey
- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
- Optional activities (quad biking, sandboarding, 4x4)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities for driver, guide, and camp staff
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Practical Details
Important information for your 5-day tourFrequently Asked Questions
About our 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tourThe 5-day tour includes an additional stop at Skoura Oasis and offers an even more relaxed pace with less daily driving. You spend your first night in the beautiful palm groves of Skoura instead of Dades Valley, allowing you to experience this unique oasis environment. The itinerary is spread out more comfortably, with more time for photography, exploration, and cultural experiences at each stop along the way to Merzouga.
Skoura Oasis is a vast palm grove in the Draa Valley, featuring traditional mud-brick kasbahs and a network of ancient irrigation channels. It's included in the 5-day tour to provide a more diverse experience of Moroccan landscapes—from mountain passes to lush oases before reaching the desert. The Amridil Kasbah in Skoura is particularly photogenic and offers insight into traditional oasis life. This addition makes the journey more varied and interesting.
The 5-day tour features minimal daily driving with ample exploration time: Day 1: ~4-5 hours to Skoura, Day 2: ~3 hours to Dades Valley, Day 3: ~4 hours to Merzouga, Day 4: No driving (free day in desert), Day 5: ~9 hours return to Marrakech. This balanced schedule means you're never spending too much time in the vehicle on any single day, allowing for a more enjoyable and less tiring experience.
Yes, the 5-day tour is excellent for families due to its relaxed pace and varied activities. The minimal daily driving reduces travel fatigue for children, and the itinerary includes kid-friendly experiences like camel rides, sandboarding opportunities, and exploring interesting sites like kasbahs and gorges. The two nights in the desert also allow children to adjust to the new environment. We recommend discussing any specific family needs when booking.
The ideal seasons are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when temperatures are pleasant both day and night. Spring offers the bonus of blooming roses in the Valley of Roses (April-May). Summer (June-August) can be extremely hot in the desert, though nights are comfortable. Winter (December-February) offers cold nights but pleasant days, and is great for photography with clear skies. The 5-day tour is enjoyable year-round with appropriate clothing.