Three days links Ouarzazate and Marrakech by way of the desert, taking in many fabulous places in a short time. The tour starts with the Todra Gorge, then heads to the Merzouga Sahara, where you ride camels, take in the sunset and sunrise, and spend a night in a desert camp. A full day is given to exploring the Sahara by 4×4, with a visit to the Rissani market. You then drive along the Draa Valley, visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The tour ends in Marrakech.
You drive from Ouarzazate through the Todra Gorge to Merzouga on the first day, with a camel trek to the camp. The second day is given to the Merzouga region by 4×4, with nomads, Khamlia, and the flamingo lake. The last day runs west through Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou and over the High Atlas to Marrakech.
You are collected from your accommodation or the airport in Ouarzazate early in the morning, then drive through the Todra Valley, a grand, red-walled canyon, with time to wander the gorge. You then drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Free time for lunch on the way.
In the afternoon you reach the Sahara at Merzouga and switch to camels to cross the sand, with a stop on a high dune for the sunset. You continue to the luxury camp for Berber drum music and dancing around the fire under a wide sky of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Approx. 6 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
After breakfast the day is given to exploring the Merzouga desert (Erg Chebbi) — sand dunes, a seasonal wild lake, fossil sites, small mines, and oases.
You start with an off-road drive to an old kohl (eyeliner) mine, then visit nomads in their woven tents over Berber tea. You continue to Khamlia for Gnaoua music and dance. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon you stroll through a palm grove and drive to the wild lake of Merzouga, the flamingo lake.
Later you switch to camels to cross the dunes, stopping on a high dune for the sunset, then continue to the luxury camp for Berber drumming under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
Approx. 2 hours driving · Overnight: Luxury desert camp, Merzouga
Wake early for the sunrise in the heart of the desert. After breakfast you return to Merzouga, meet your driver, and head west, with stops for viewpoints and café breaks before reaching Ouarzazate, where you have free time for lunch.
After lunch you continue toward Marrakech via the famous ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass through the High Atlas to arrive in Marrakech, then transfer to the airport or your accommodation.
Note: if the long drive feels too much, the tour can instead end at Errachidia airport, 2 hours from Merzouga, with a one-hour flight to Marrakech (flight not included).
Approx. 9 hours driving
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It is a private experience: only the travellers who make the enquiry take part, with no one else joining. Our focus is on high-quality, personalised trips, which is why we mainly run private tours.
The camel ride runs from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on which camp you stay in. If you’d rather not ride, the camp has a 4×4 that carries people and luggage in and out. ATVs can also be arranged at extra cost.
The tent at the luxury camp is private and has a private bathroom with hot running water.
Either an SUV (4×4) or a minivan, both air-conditioned. The 4×4 is a Land Cruiser Prado (up to 4 passengers); minivans are a Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo, or similar (up to 8 passengers). For groups larger than 8, a minibus for up to 18 can be provided.
Yes, it suits travellers of all ages, though two days involve about 6 and 7 hours of driving (day 3 is around nine). The vehicles are new and comfortable and we make regular stops.
