Day 1: Ouarzazate – Ameridil Kasbah – Dades Gorges – Tinghir
Your desert expedition begins with breakfast before setting off from Ouarzazate. Your driver will collect you from your accommodation, and the journey starts toward the dramatic Dades Gorges. En route, pause at the Skoura oasis to explore the historic Ameridil Kasbah, a striking example of traditional Moroccan architecture.
Continue along the famed “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” passing through the fragrant Rose Valley. Arrive at the towering Dades Gorges, where you’ll enjoy lunch amid breathtaking canyon views. As evening falls, reach Tinghir, where you’ll dine and spend the night in a cozy hotel or riad.
Day 2: Todra Gorges – Tinjdad – Erfoud – Merzouga
After a hearty Moroccan breakfast, depart Tinghir for the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges, where 300-meter-high cliffs create a dramatic natural spectacle. Stroll through the lush Todra Valley, dotted with palm and almond trees, before continuing toward the Sahara.
Traverse the Ziz Valley, a sprawling oasis, and pass through charming Berber villages like Tinjdad and Erfoud. Pause for lunch before arriving at the golden dunes of Merzouga. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel or riad, preparing for tomorrow’s desert adventure.
Day 3: Merzouga Area Tour – Camel Trek & Night Desert Camp
Today, immerse yourself in the wonders of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Visit seasonal Merzouga Lake, a haven for migratory birds like flamingos in spring. Explore Khamlia village, where the rhythmic beats of Gnawa music—a cultural legacy of African descendants—fill the air.
Venture off-road to the mysterious black desert and an abandoned fossil village before meeting a nomadic Berber family. Return to Khamlia for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a camel trek across the dunes to a luxury desert camp. Witness a mesmerizing sunset, enjoy a traditional dinner, and sleep beneath a sky ablaze with stars.
Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate
Rise early to watch the sunrise over the dunes before breakfast and a camel ride back to Merzouga. Depart for Ouarzazate, stopping at Rissani’s bustling market—a hub of local trade (especially lively on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays).
Journey through Alnif, Tazarine, and N’kob, stopping for lunch. Traverse the scenic Draa Valley, lined with ancient kasbahs and palm groves. Cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains (1,660m) before arriving in Ouarzazate for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Telouet Kasbah – Atlas Mountains – Marrakech
Begin your final day with a visit to Ouarzazate’s famed Atlas Film Studios. Next, explore the iconic Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO site and backdrop for films like Gladiator. Travel through the picturesque Ounila Valley, stopping at Telouet Kasbah—a 19th-century palace adorned with vibrant tiles.
After lunch, cross the High Atlas via the Tizi N’tichka pass (2,260m), soaking in panoramic mountain views. Arrive in Marrakech, the “Red City,” where your unforgettable desert journey concludes.
