4-Day Marrakech Desert Tour: Explore Iconic Landscapes

After pickup, begin your drive through valleys and deserts, enjoying scenic views of the Atlas Mountains. Pass through the Tizi n’Tichka, a mountain road at 2,260 meters—North Africa’s highest pass—famous for its breathtaking landscapes.

Midway through the journey, visit the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide. Discover this fortified city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant overlooking the kasbah (cost not included).

Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert. You may stop at the local cinema studios for a short optional visit. Then, head to the heart of the city to explore another treasure: Kasbah Taourirte, also a UNESCO-listed site.

Later, travel toward the Dades Gorges, your final destination of the day. Along the way, stop in the Roses Valley to visit a local cooperative that produces rose water and related products.

After a short drive, arrive at the Dades Gorges and settle in for the night at a local hotel or riad.

After breakfast at your hotel, head to the Todra Gorges, a favorite spot for rock climbers. Visit the gorges and explore the palm oasis of Todra. Then, follow the ancient caravan trade routes toward the Sahara. Along the way, pass through a series of fortified villages known for their pre-Saharan architecture.

Arrive in Erfoud, a dry red city built by the French as an administrative center. The city is famous for its black marble fossils. After visiting Erfoud, continue to the dunes of Merzouga. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome with traditional mint tea.

At a Berber camp, ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Watch the sunset over the desert. After dinner, gather around the fire and enjoy the desert night. Sometimes, the evening includes traditional Berber drum music.

After breakfast, begin your private 4×4 excursion. Visit several key highlights, including the Classic Car Museum, the Nomads of Khamlia, the Morocco-Algeria border, and a panoramic viewpoint over the Merzouga dunes. Then, head to Arfoud. There, you’ll stroll through the old Souq Medina to buy dates. You'll also visit the Dinosaur Museum and the Darih Moulay Ali Cherif.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in Rissani with the famous “Medfouna” dish, a specialty of the Tafilalet region. After lunch, return to the Merzouga desert for your second night under the stars. Rest and prepare for the return journey to either Marrakech or Fes, depending on the option you selected.

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise from the Great Dune of the Sahara Desert. After that, return to camp for breakfast. Then, ride dromedaries—the tallest of the three camel species—or travel by 4×4 to meet your driver. The return journey will start toward Marrakech or Fes, depending on the option you selected. Along the way, you’ll stop for breaks and lunch. Please note that lunch is optional and not included in the price.