ITINERARY:
Day 1: Marrakesh – High Atlas Mountains – Tizi-n-Tichka pass – Telouet – Kasbah ait ben Hadou – Ouarzazate .
Your Marrakech to Dades Valley journey begins at 8:30 AM with a private pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech. We will leave the city behind and drive south through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, enjoying beautiful mountain scenery and traditional Berber villages along the way.
Our first scenic stop will be at Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, one of the most famous mountain passes in Morocco. Here, you can take in breathtaking panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains and surrounding valleys before continuing towards the desert landscapes of southern Morocco.
Along the way, we can make an optional visit to an Argan oil cooperative. This is a great opportunity to learn about the traditional production of Morocco’s famous Argan oil, see how it is extracted, and discover its various traditional uses.
We will then continue towards Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most iconic attractions in southern Morocco. Located a short distance from the main road, this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historic fortified village (Ksar) built from traditional earthen architecture. Ait Ben Haddou is also famous as a filming location for major international productions, including Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile, and Sahara.
After exploring the narrow streets and traditional buildings of Ait Ben Haddou, we will stop for lunch before continuing to Ouarzazate, often known as the Gateway to the Sahara Desert. Ouarzazate is also one of Morocco’s most important film-making destinations and is home to famous landmarks such as Taourirt Kasbah.
Optional Cinema Studio Visit in Ouarzazate:
If you are interested in cinema and Moroccan film history, you can enjoy an optional visit to one of Ouarzazate’s famous film studios. The city has been used as a filming location for numerous international movies and television productions, making a studio visit an interesting addition to your Morocco itinerary.
From Ouarzazate, we continue towards the Dades Valley, driving through the impressive Skoura Palm Grove, known for its lush palm trees, ancient kasbahs, and beautiful oasis landscapes. We then continue through Boumalne Dades and the scenic Valley of the Roses, one of the most picturesque areas of southern Morocco.
By late afternoon, we will arrive in the Dades Valley, where you will check into your accommodation, enjoy dinner, and relax after a memorable day traveling from Marrakech to Dades Valley via the High Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate.
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Agdz – Zagora – Off road – Tismoumine – Oum Majran – South east Tafraoute – Mharech Oasis.
After breakfast at your accommodation in the Dades Valley, we will continue our journey towards the remote landscapes of southeastern Morocco and the Mharech Oasis (Foum Mharech).
We will first drive towards Todra Gorge, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Morocco. The road takes us through the beautiful landscapes of the Todra Valley, with its palm groves, traditional villages, and dramatic mountain scenery. At the gorge, we will have time to walk between the impressive limestone cliffs and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this remarkable natural site.
From Todra Gorge, we will continue towards Alnif, a small town surrounded by the rugged landscapes of southeastern Morocco. This region is well known for its fascinating geological formations and fossil-rich landscapes, making it an interesting stop between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara.
After Alnif, we will leave the main tourist routes behind and continue towards the more remote Mharech Oasis, also known as Foum Mharech. The scenery gradually changes as we travel through vast desert landscapes, rocky plateaus, and isolated valleys, offering a completely different experience from the more visited areas of Morocco.
Upon reaching Foum Mharech, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquility of this remote desert location. The area is particularly attractive for travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path Morocco experience, away from the busy tourist destinations.
In the evening, we will enjoy dinner and spend the night at a traditional desert accommodation in the Mharech Oasis, surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Moroccan desert.
Day 3: Mharech Oasis – Ramlia – Ouzina – Taous – Khamlia– Merzouga .
After breakfast at the Mharech Oasis (Foum Mharech), we will continue our adventure through the remote desert landscapes of southeastern Morocco. Today is one of the most scenic and adventurous days of the journey, taking us far from the usual tourist routes and through some of the most spectacular landscapes between Foum Mharech and Merzouga.
We will begin by crossing the rugged desert terrain towards the Ghriss River, a fascinating area where the landscape changes dramatically depending on the season. The route offers beautiful views of rocky plateaus, desert valleys, and remote settlements that showcase a different side of Morocco.
We will then continue to Ramlia, a small and isolated desert village located along the former Paris–Dakar Rally route. This remote area gives you the chance to experience the authentic atmosphere of southeastern Morocco and see how local communities live in the desert environment.
From Ramlia, we will continue towards Ouzina, traveling through spectacular desert scenery with wide-open landscapes, rocky formations, and golden sand dunes. We will then pass through Taous, another small desert settlement, before continuing towards Khamlia.
In Khamlia, we will have the opportunity to experience the famous Gnawa music of Morocco. This village is particularly known for its Gnawa musicians and their traditional music, which has deep historical and cultural roots in the region.
After Khamlia, we will continue to Merzouga, the gateway to the famous Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert. Upon arrival, you will begin your camel ride into the Sahara Desert, crossing the golden dunes while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the desert.
As the sun begins to set, you will reach your desert camp, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular desert surroundings. In the evening, we will have dinner followed by traditional Moroccan music and an authentic desert camp experience under the stars.
Day 4 Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Dunes Tour – Nomads people – Black Stony Desert – Merzouga Camel Trekking.
After breakfast at your Sahara desert camp, we will begin a full-day Merzouga desert tour to explore the spectacular landscapes and cultural highlights surrounding the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Our first stop will be to visit a traditional nomadic community living in the desert. This is an opportunity to discover a different way of life and learn more about the traditions, daily activities, and hospitality of the nomadic people of the Sahara. You will have the chance to meet local families and experience the authentic culture of the Merzouga region.
We will then continue our 4x4 desert excursion through the vast black stony desert, also known as the Hamada. The contrasting landscape of dark volcanic stones and the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi creates some of the most impressive scenery in southeastern Morocco.
Along the way, we will explore the remote desert surroundings and enjoy several panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Erg Chebbi Sahara dunes. Depending on the season and local conditions, we may also have the opportunity to discover other interesting spots around the desert.
We will continue to Khamlia village, famous for its Gnawa music and cultural heritage. You can enjoy a traditional Gnawa music performance and learn about the history and traditions of this unique community.
After exploring the desert and surrounding villages, we will return to Merzouga in the afternoon. You will have time to relax at your hotel or riad and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara.
The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the spectacular views of the Erg Chebbi dunes, making this a perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the Merzouga desert at your own pace.
Day 5: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Tinjdad – Tinghir – Todra Valley Gorge – Boumalne Dades.
Day 6: Dades Valley – Klaat M’Gouna – Skoura – Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Tizi-n-Tichka pass – Marrakesh .
| Starts | Marrakesh |
| Ends | Marrakesh |
| Pick Up | Pick up from your hotel/riad in Marrakesh or from the airport |
| Drop Off | Drop off at your hotel/riad in Marrakesh or at the airport |
| Available dates | All the year |
