6 Days Morocco Desert Tour From Marrakech To Erg Chebbi And Erg Chegaga Dunes. You will explore the Berber villages and Old Kasbahs crossing the Atlas Mountains, to verdant valleys and dramatic gorges to discover the immense Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga for camel trek adventure and celestial overnights in tented camps or under the stars filled sky.
The 6-day Morocco desert tour starts with an early pick up from your accommodation or airport of Marrakech. Then drive through the fascinating high Atlas Mountains and the pass of Tizi N-Tichka. Stops will be made for panoramic view of the breathtaking landscapes. After that, we continue to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village recognized as a World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Furthermore, the Kasbah has appeared in many movies including Gladiator, Alexander, The Mummy…etc. And also, TV series including Game of Thrones. Then, we head to the “gate of the desert”, Ouarzazate. Free time for lunch before we continue to visit the Rose Valley passing through the large Palm grove of Skoura. Finally, we reach Dades Valley where we spend the night with dinner.
After breakfast, we drive through the Dades Valley. We stop on a spot overlooking the Valley to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of Dades gorges. Then we continue to Todra Gorges, the course of Todra river has carved out a Grand Canyon through the mountains making a high red cliff-sided canyon. Feel free to wander in the gorges and appreciate the beauty of the landscape. After that we drive through the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Feel free for lunch on the way. In the afternoon we reach the Sahara Desert of Merzouga where you will switch to camels and cross the sandy desert. A stop will be made for you to enjoy the magical sunset on top of a high dune. Then, continue to the desert luxury tented camp, where you will enjoy the Berber drums music while dancing around the campfire under the vast open sky stars. Dinner and overnight in the Camp.
Greet a new day with an early morning wake up for a picturesque sunrise upon the stunning dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy your breakfast and ride camels or Jeeps back to the town of Merzouga where you will meet your driver. We continue the tour towards Erfoud Known as the “Gateway to the Desert”, Erfoud is a charming town in the south of Morocco and a paradise for fossil hunters. The unique fossilized species were found here, especially the trilobites. You might be surprised to learn that this place has been used for some of the most popular movies of all time, such as The Mummy and the Prince of Persia. We reach Rissani, which has been the capital of the Tafilalet area for centuries and was the last glimpse of civilization for caravans heading south. Rissani is today an important center where the inhabitants of the region make their purchases. Nearby is the historic mausoleum of Moulay Ali-Cherif, the founder of the Alawite dynasty. Behind this mausoleum are ruins of the photogenic ancient Ksar Oulad Abdelhalim. The next destination for the day is the Draa Valley, a stunning oasis home to Berber villages, sumptuous Kasbahs, lush green plains, endless stretches of palm trees and the Draa, Morocco’s largest river. The beauty of the Draa Valley is not its only geographical richness; the valley has thousands of years of history, evidenced by the ancient cave paintings and carvings found in the area. It was in the Draa Valley where archeologists found the statuette of Venus of Tan-Tan, one of the oldest prehistoric sculptures ever discovered. Draa Valley was once an important transit point on the trans-Saharan caravan trading routes, as well as an important trading center for Jewish, Arab, Berber and Christian civilizations. We arrive to Zagora for the overnight with dinner at the Riad/hotel.
After breakfast, we head for a short stroll in the oasis before heading southerly and passing the old town of Tamegroute. In this little village, you will visit one of the oldest libraries in Morocco where some ancient books and scripts can be found. The surrounding is dotted with palm trees and tamarisk trees. Along the way, you can visit one of the workshops in Tamegroute that bake stylish green pottery in an old-fashioned method. After that, we continue our journey to the wild desert gate of M’hamid. We will then cross a huge plateau where you will surely be impressed by the wide and huge sand dunes of Chegaga dotted with wild plants and trees. Here we will take a camel ride at sunset and enjoy the most fantastic views. Prepare for a special evening and enjoy the music of the local nomads by the campfire and the full clear starry sky. If the weather permits it, you can sleep under the sparkling stars if you wish as it is safe.
Awake to the sight of sunrise over the desert, painting the dunes with hues of orange and gold. Spend the day exploring Erg Chigaga’s majestic landscape—climb to the top of the dunes for panoramic vistas or simply enjoy the serenity of the desert. Later, embark on an exhilarating adventure as you traverse the dried Salt Lake of Iriqui, following the footsteps of the legendary “Rally Paris Dakar”. Continuing onwards, you’ll reach the quaint town of Foum Zguid, nestled at the edge of the desert. Here, you can immerse yourself in the local culture, savoring the unique charm of this small town. Your path then winds through Taznakht, a place known for its vibrant carpets and intricate craftsmanship. The final leg of your day’s expedition leads you back to Ouarzazate, where the dinner awaits. Savor the flavors of Moroccan cuisine as you reflect on the remarkable experiences that have colored your day before the overnight stay with dinner at your hotel/Riad in Ouarzazate.
On your final day, embrace a captivating journey that weaves through history, cinema, and architectural wonders. Begin in Ouarzazate, a town known for its prominent film studios that have set the stage for countless cinematic tales. Explore the magic of these studios before embarking on a visit to the magnificent Kasbah of Telout, a former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. It was the seat of the El Glaoui family’s power; they were given political power of Morocco south of High Atlas Mountains by King Moulay Hassan. The Glaouis were almost as strong in power as the sultan himself. The palace can still be visited but it is steadily becoming more damaged and is slowly collapsing. In 2010, work was underway to restore the property. We lunch in the Pass of Tichka and drive to Marrakech where you will be dropped at your Riad/Hotel.
NOTE : Bear in mind that this is just a tour itinerary suggestion, if it does not match what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will organize a different itinerary based on your preferences and your stay duration. We offer customized and tailor-made tours and trips all around Morocco.
The price varies according to the number of people traveling, the more people joining the tour the less the price gets. Since the transportation payment is fixed, the price will be divided according to the number of travelers. The price depends on the quality and category of the accommodation. Contact Us for an exact quote.