Day 1: Marrakech - Telouet - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Skoura - Dades Gorges.

Tizi n Tichka - Departing from Marrakech around 07:30, the journey crosses the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n Tichka pass at an altitude of 2260 meters. Travelers will enjoy stunning views of Berber villages and elevated mountain vistas. Before reaching the fortified Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, there’s the beautiful Kasbah of Telouet to explore.

Kasbah du Pacha el Glaoui - Nestled in the Atlas Mountains at an elevation of 1800 meters, Telouet Kasbah lies along the former caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech. It was the seat of the El Glaoui family’s power, sometimes referred to as the Palace of Glaoui. Construction began in 1860 and continued over the years.
TICKET COST: 2 EUROS PER PERSON.

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou - Located 30 km before Ouarzazate, the fortified Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou was built in the 11th century. It was once a key stop on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Situated on a hill along the Ounila River, it features beautiful examples of Kasbahs, though they suffer damage from rain and windstorms. Most residents now live in a modern village across the river, but about five families still reside within the Kasbah. Ait Benhaddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and has been featured in films like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000), and Alexander (2004).

Dades Gorges - The journey continues to Dades Gorges through the “1000 Kasbahs,” with large Kasbahs lining the road. Some are restored, but many remain in ruins. A visit to Amridil Kasbah is included. The route passes through the Kelaa M’gouna valley of roses, with its lush alfalfa, olive, fig, and grape plants. This valley is known for producing roses used in cosmetics like soap, perfumes, and skin creams. A national festival celebrates the rose each April. The journey then continues through the Dades Valley, originating in the High Atlas Mountains.

Dades Gorges - Todra Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga Desert.

Gargantas del Todra - Passing through Boumalen city on the edge of the Dades Valley, which supports a large Berber community with its rich agriculture, the route leads to the Todgha Gorges beyond the central High Atlas Mountains. The landscape here is reminiscent of Colorado, with high plateaus, gorges, and canyons. Peaks in this area exceed 4000 meters, with Jbel Saghro at 2500 meters and Jbel Mgoun at 4068 meters being the highest. The area is inhabited by Berbers, and visitors can enjoy hiking among the stunning canyons.

Erfoud - The journey continues to Erfoud, known for its pottery and fascinating fossil quarries. Fossils are a significant industry here, as the region was part of a vast ocean 350 million years ago.

Merzouga Desert - Heading to the red sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, travelers will be amazed by the vast sand dune of Merzouga emerging from the horizon. In the evening, a camel ride of about one and a half hours leads to a breathtaking sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga. Overnight accommodation is in a Berber tented desert camp, offering a spectacular view of the stars.

Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Agdez - Oasis Fint - Ouarzazate.

Merzouga - Early risers can witness the magical sunrise, with the dunes’ colors and shadows creating a stunning scene. Afterward, a camel or 4x4 ride returns travelers to meet their driver and enjoy Gnaoua music in Khamlia village.

Khamlia Gnawa Music - Khamlia is a village of nomadic Tuareg black people. A stop by a nomadic family offers tea and a glimpse into nomadic life. Visitors can explore the unchanged lifestyle of the Touareg people in Alkhamliya village.

Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum - A visit to Rissani includes the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco in the 17th century. This quiet town was once the capital of Tafilalet and a major caravan center. Rissani remains a key commercial hub, with a lively souk on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, known for leather and goat skin trading in ancient times.

Alnif - After a three-hour drive from Rissani, a stop in Alnif village provides a break for restrooms and refreshments.

Nkob - Lunch is scheduled in this town at a panoramic restaurant overlooking the Saghro Valley.

Agdz - A quick break for restrooms and refreshments.

Oasis Fint - Fint is a magical oasis located 10 km off-road from Ouarzazate. Upon arrival, visitors can forget the world and enjoy the views and tranquility. A guide will assist in exploring the area and its history.

Ouarzazate - After visiting all the sights, travelers check into a wonderful hotel in Ouarzazate by evening.

Merzouga. Alnif Ouarzazate.

Taourirt Kasbah - Originally built in the 17th century by the Imzwarn, a powerful local family, the Kasbah was later expanded by the Glaoui family in the 19th century. At its peak in the late 19th century, the Kasbah controlled a strategic location at the confluence of several river valleys, including the Draa and the Dades, which were part of the Saharan trade routes. Thami El Glaoui, a member of the Glaoui family, was famously the pasha of Marrakesh during French colonial rule over Morocco in the 20th century. After the end of colonial rule and Glaoui control, the Kasbah was taken over by squatters and began to decay. A small part was restored in the 1990s with UNESCO’s help and is now a historical attraction. The Kasbah has appeared in films like Gladiator and Prince of Persia.

Ouarzazate - Known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” Ouarzazate is a city on a barren plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who built many of the area’s prominent Kasbahs and buildings. One such building is the Taourirt Kasbah, constructed in the 17th century. The town is nicknamed “Hollywood of Africa” due to its popularity as a film-making location, with Morocco’s largest studios attracting international film companies to shoot movies like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997), and Babel (2005).

Marrakech - The journey concludes with a return to Marrakech, where travelers are dropped off at their accommodation, marking the end of the trip.

Ouarzazate - Marrakech.

Taourirt Kasbah - Originally built in the 17th century by the Imzwarn, a powerful local family, the Kasbah was later expanded by the Glaoui family in the 19th century. At its peak in the late 19th century, the Kasbah controlled a strategic location at the confluence of several river valleys, including the Draa and the Dades, which were part of the Saharan trade routes. Thami El Glaoui, a member of the Glaoui family, was famously the pasha of Marrakesh during French colonial rule over Morocco in the 20th century. After the end of colonial rule and Glaoui control, the Kasbah was taken over by squatters and began to decay. A small part was restored in the 1990s with UNESCO’s help and is now a historical attraction. The Kasbah has appeared in films like Gladiator and Prince of Persia.

• Luxury Sleeping Camp and camel ride/4x4 in Sahara Merzouga.
• 1 hour guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah with a local guide.
• Pick-up / drop-off from your accommodation in Marrakech.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Ouarzazate.
• 1h30 guided visit of Oasis Fint.
• Dinner included.
• Breakfast included.
• Overnight stay at a hotel in Dades Gorges.
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan/4WD with an English speaking driver.

• Gratuities (Optional)
• Lunch
• Carbonated beverages

What an amazing 5-Days Desert tour from Marrakech to Sahara, will allow you to explore the majestic Sahara desert. On this sahara tour you will absolutely have a unique and amazing desert experience. The Morocco desert tour will take you from the authenticity of Marrakech and take you the wildness of the desert to discover a completely new lifestyle and Berber people and culture.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.