One of the top highlights of a Sahara desert tour in Morocco is seeing the sunset and sunrise on the sand dunes and spending the night in a Berber Tent or under the shooting stars. In Morocco, you have the choice between two broad areas where you can visit real Sahara dunes; Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga or the Erg Chegaga dunes close to M'hamid. Both sets of dunes offer a true once in a lifetime experience and both takes between 8 - 10 hours in the car from Marrakech. Choosing which dunes to visit depends on your other plans and where you intend to visit or where to fly back home. Whichever one you choose, there is nothing quite like watching the sunset in the peace of the desert.
Tour 1 :Fes-Marrakech Camel Trekking Tour 4 Days
Day 1:Fez / Ifran /Medilt/Merzouga
Depart early from fez you will begin your ascent We pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930's to resemble a Swiss village;we visit the cedars forest in azrou you will see the monkeys , drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Most of the day will be spent winding your way through the beautiful forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as you cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then we continue towards merzouga in the road we will stop in a panoramic views to see the a huge oasis of palm tree we reach to merzouga in the afternoon,diner with Saharan music and over night in traditional Kasbah .
Day 2 :Merzouga /Erg Chebbi
After breakfast and rest we will start an adventure 4*4 tour of approximately half day in the desert to see the different faces of desert dunes with its black volcanic rocks, passing through small villages, where we will stop to drink mint tea and lunch with a Berber family in their tent, along the road used by the Paris Dakar rally We will reach a cave where you can discover how the local people extract the fossils from the heart of the earth,lunch with family berber ,in the afternoon around 5 oclock ,your guide and camels will be waiting for you after rest ,you will start a camel trekking across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi. Camel trek across a desert landscape,you will enjoy the beauty of the sunset on camel, after 2 hours you will reach to the desert camp to spend night in a berbre tent. At your desert shelter, your camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. After a wonderful dinner, there will be a camp fire and drums playing, and we will listen to the songs of the Berbers,Nomads of Southern Moroccan.
Day 3 :Merzouga /Gorge Todra/Ouarzazate
Get up early, to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border, which is about 50 km from Merzouga. We take camel back to the hotel .you will take shower, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate , traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We stop for lunch and walk in todra gorge , We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments we reach Ouarzazate in the afternoon ,Diner and overnight .
Day 4 : Ouarzazate / Ait ben haddou / Marrakech
After breakfast we will visit the town of Ouarzazate,including the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios movie studios, the largest and most famous of all Africa. From here we head to the Fint Oasis, near Ouarzazate.we stop in ait ben haddou we will arrive in time of lunch. Here we can visit the famous Kasbah, declared UNESCO World Heritage and which was the scene of films like The Gladiator, Babel, Lawrence of Arabia,we coutinue passing through the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, along a road that climbs from the plains up to 2260 m above sea level passing through small villages, small waterfalls, through the continuously changing landscape and colors of these beautiful mountains.We reach Marrakech in the afternoon for the end of the trip .
Price includes:
Depart early from fez you will begin your ascent We pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930's to resemble a Swiss village;we visit the cedars forest in azrou you will see the monkeys , drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Most of the day will be spent winding your way through the beautiful forests, springs, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as you cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then we continue towards merzouga in the road we will stop in a panoramic views to see the a huge oasis of palm tree we reach to merzouga in the afternoon,diner with Saharan music and over night in traditional Kasbah .
Day 2 :Merzouga /Erg Chebbi
After breakfast and rest we will start an adventure 4*4 tour of approximately half day in the desert to see the different faces of desert dunes with its black volcanic rocks, passing through small villages, where we will stop to drink mint tea and lunch with a Berber family in their tent, along the road used by the Paris Dakar rally We will reach a cave where you can discover how the local people extract the fossils from the heart of the earth,lunch with family berber ,in the afternoon around 5 oclock ,your guide and camels will be waiting for you after rest ,you will start a camel trekking across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi. Camel trek across a desert landscape,you will enjoy the beauty of the sunset on camel, after 2 hours you will reach to the desert camp to spend night in a berbre tent. At your desert shelter, your camels are hobbled and mint tea is served. After a wonderful dinner, there will be a camp fire and drums playing, and we will listen to the songs of the Berbers,Nomads of Southern Moroccan.
Day 3 :Merzouga /Gorge Todra/Ouarzazate
Get up early, to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border, which is about 50 km from Merzouga. We take camel back to the hotel .you will take shower, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate , traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We stop for lunch and walk in todra gorge , We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments we reach Ouarzazate in the afternoon ,Diner and overnight .
Day 4 : Ouarzazate / Ait ben haddou / Marrakech
After breakfast we will visit the town of Ouarzazate,including the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios movie studios, the largest and most famous of all Africa. From here we head to the Fint Oasis, near Ouarzazate.we stop in ait ben haddou we will arrive in time of lunch. Here we can visit the famous Kasbah, declared UNESCO World Heritage and which was the scene of films like The Gladiator, Babel, Lawrence of Arabia,we coutinue passing through the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, along a road that climbs from the plains up to 2260 m above sea level passing through small villages, small waterfalls, through the continuously changing landscape and colors of these beautiful mountains.We reach Marrakech in the afternoon for the end of the trip .
Price includes:
- Tour in 4×4 vehicle/Minibus Air Conditioner
- Accommodation (breakfast & dinner included) Camel Ride
- Night in desert camp
- Driver and Guide
Tour 2 : Marrakech Desert Tours 3 Days
Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi -n-Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dade Valley/Gorges
We will pick up you from your hotel/riad/ bus station then we will start our journey from Marrakech to Dades Gorges. Across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass, with far-reaching views across the mountains, to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and we continue to Ait Benhaddou to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village (Ksour).you'll take your lunch at Ait benhaddou or ouarzazate and continue to Dades valley, we well spend the night in a riad/hotel in dades gorges
Day 2 : Dades Gorges - Tenghir - Todra Gorges - Tinjdad - Erfoud - Merzouga (Night in desert)
After the breakfast, we go from Dades gorges to the erg chebbi Sahara desert in Merzouga. Berber villages are scattered along the way, we’ll pass through Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, and the we continue to Merzouga,after relaxing few minuts in Merzouga,we go to ride the camels who are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. we will spend the night in an camp(Nomad berber tents) with drums music in the middle of the Sahara,this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise,when we arrive at the camp we go to a high dunes to see the sunset , we will spend the night in nomad tents .
Day 3 : Camel Trekking back to Merzouga - Atlas mountains - Back to Marrakech
After seeing the sunrise in desert we go back on the camels to Merzouga after the breakfast and take shower in Hotel then start our journey backing to Marrakech trough the Berber villages of the atlas mountains ( Tinjdad , tenghir todra gorges ,Boumalene-du-Dades )we arrive a Marrakech in evening/night
Price includes:
Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi -n-Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dade Valley/Gorges
We will pick up you from your hotel/riad/ bus station then we will start our journey from Marrakech to Dades Gorges. Across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass, with far-reaching views across the mountains, to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and we continue to Ait Benhaddou to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village (Ksour).you'll take your lunch at Ait benhaddou or ouarzazate and continue to Dades valley, we well spend the night in a riad/hotel in dades gorges
Day 2 : Dades Gorges - Tenghir - Todra Gorges - Tinjdad - Erfoud - Merzouga (Night in desert)
After the breakfast, we go from Dades gorges to the erg chebbi Sahara desert in Merzouga. Berber villages are scattered along the way, we’ll pass through Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, and the we continue to Merzouga,after relaxing few minuts in Merzouga,we go to ride the camels who are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. we will spend the night in an camp(Nomad berber tents) with drums music in the middle of the Sahara,this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise,when we arrive at the camp we go to a high dunes to see the sunset , we will spend the night in nomad tents .
Day 3 : Camel Trekking back to Merzouga - Atlas mountains - Back to Marrakech
After seeing the sunrise in desert we go back on the camels to Merzouga after the breakfast and take shower in Hotel then start our journey backing to Marrakech trough the Berber villages of the atlas mountains ( Tinjdad , tenghir todra gorges ,Boumalene-du-Dades )we arrive a Marrakech in evening/night
Price includes:
- Tour in 4x4 vehicle/minibus with A/C
- Driver/Guide
- Hotel overnight stays (breakfast & dinner included)
- Camel ride
- Night in desert camp
Tour 3 : Marrakech Desert Tours 4 Days
Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi -n-Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley/Gorge
We will pick up you from your hotel/riad/ bus station the we will start our journey from Marrakech to Dades Gorges. Across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass, with far-reaching views across the mountains, to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and we continue to Ait Benhaddou to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village (Ksour).you'll take your lunch at Ait benhaddou or ouarzazate and continue to Dades valley, we well spend the night in a riad/hotel in dades gorges
Day 2 : Dades Gorges Tenghir Todra Gorges - Tinjdad Erfoud Merzouga Night in desert
After the breakfast, we go from Dades gorges to the erg chebbi Sahara desert in Merzouga. Berber villages are scattered along the way, we’ll pass through Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, and the we continue to Merzouga,after relaxing few minuts in Merzouga,we go to ride the camels who are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. we will spend the night in an camp(Nomad berber tents) with drums music in the middle of the Sahara,this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise,when we arrive at the camp we go to a high dunes to see the sunset , we will spend the night in nomad tents .
Day 3 : Camel Trekking back to Merzouga - Berber Villages - Ouarzazate
After seeing the sunrise in desert we go back on the camels to Merzouga after the breakfast and take shower in Hotel then start our journey to Ouarzazate trough the Berber villages of the atlas mountains ( Tinjdad , tenghir todra gorges ,Boumalene-du-Dades )we arrive to Ouarzazate in evening/night.
Day 4 : Ouarzazate - Berber Villages and atlas Mountains - Back to Marrakech
Leaving Ouarzazate in the Morning ,we will visit UNESCO protected site of Ait Ben Haddou. A most impressive Kasbah and well-preserved fortress in Morocco. Many movies were filmed here such as the Gladiator. Leave Ait Ben Haddou and start heading towards the majestic Atlas Mountains. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the highest road pass in Morocco Tizni Tichka 2260m high offering impressive views of valleys, mountains and many Berber villages nearby. arrive a in evening.
price includes:
Day 1 : Marrakech - Tizi -n-Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley/Gorge
We will pick up you from your hotel/riad/ bus station the we will start our journey from Marrakech to Dades Gorges. Across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass, with far-reaching views across the mountains, to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and we continue to Ait Benhaddou to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village (Ksour).you'll take your lunch at Ait benhaddou or ouarzazate and continue to Dades valley, we well spend the night in a riad/hotel in dades gorges
Day 2 : Dades Gorges Tenghir Todra Gorges - Tinjdad Erfoud Merzouga Night in desert
After the breakfast, we go from Dades gorges to the erg chebbi Sahara desert in Merzouga. Berber villages are scattered along the way, we’ll pass through Tinjdad, Jorf and Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan oasis of Tafilalet, and the we continue to Merzouga,after relaxing few minuts in Merzouga,we go to ride the camels who are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. we will spend the night in an camp(Nomad berber tents) with drums music in the middle of the Sahara,this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise,when we arrive at the camp we go to a high dunes to see the sunset , we will spend the night in nomad tents .
Day 3 : Camel Trekking back to Merzouga - Berber Villages - Ouarzazate
After seeing the sunrise in desert we go back on the camels to Merzouga after the breakfast and take shower in Hotel then start our journey to Ouarzazate trough the Berber villages of the atlas mountains ( Tinjdad , tenghir todra gorges ,Boumalene-du-Dades )we arrive to Ouarzazate in evening/night.
Day 4 : Ouarzazate - Berber Villages and atlas Mountains - Back to Marrakech
Leaving Ouarzazate in the Morning ,we will visit UNESCO protected site of Ait Ben Haddou. A most impressive Kasbah and well-preserved fortress in Morocco. Many movies were filmed here such as the Gladiator. Leave Ait Ben Haddou and start heading towards the majestic Atlas Mountains. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the highest road pass in Morocco Tizni Tichka 2260m high offering impressive views of valleys, mountains and many Berber villages nearby. arrive a in evening.
price includes:
- Tour in 4x4 vehicle/minibus with A/C
- Driver/Guide
- Hotel overnight stays (breakfast & dinner included)
- Camel ride
- Night in desert camp
Tour 4 : Marrakech Desert Tours 5 Days
Day 1 : Marrakech – Tizi-n-Tichka - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Skoura – kelaa Mgouna – Boumalne - Dades Gorges
Early morning departure to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah through the Tizi-n-Tichka col (2260m) and the High Atlas Mountains. Arrival in Ait ben Haddou, visit of the Kasbah and lunch on thespot. In the afternoon, way towards Ouarzazate to join Skoura and visit Amredhyle kasbah. Then, going towards the Dades Gorges through Kelaa Mgouna, Boumalne and the Dades Valley. Dinner and night in the hotel.
Day 2 : Dades Gorges– Boumlane – Tinghir – Toudra Gorges - Tinjdad - Touroug - Erfoud - Merzouga
After breakfast, return via the Dades Valley until Boumalne in order to continue in direction ofTinghir and the Toudra Gorges, walk in the Gorges and afterwards departure to join Erfoud by Tinjdad Palm grove (lunch on the spot) and the one of Touroug. Break in Erfoud to visit the marble and fossil production workshop and then going by track towards the amazing dunes of Erg Chebbi in order to see the sunset and spend the night in the feet of the dunes in hotel with swimming pool.
Day 3 : Merzouga -Erg Chebbi – Merzouga
After the breakfast, you will make the large turn of the dunes while passing by : 2 oases of MERZOUGA, the wandering deposit, the village of KHAMLIA (village of the Gnaoua) mines of MIFISS, the plates desert with the meeting of the Berber nomads of the desert, oasis TISSARDMINE, and return to the hotel. Change 4×4 for dromedaries to see the sunset and spend the night in the middle of the dunes. Dinner and night in the nomad camp.
Day 4 : Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Tazarine - Nkoub – Draa Valley - Agdez - Ouarzazate
Early morning departure to be at the sunrise on the dunes, return by dromedaries to the inn, after breakfast, start to the huge palm grove of Tafilalet through Rissani. Way towards Alnif (lunch onthe spot), Tazarine Oasis, N'kob and the Draa Valley. Next, way to Ouarzazate via the small Berber villager named Agdez and the mountains of the Anti-Atlas (1660m high). Dinner and night in hotel.
Day 5 : Ouarzazate – Fint Oasis – Tifoultoute - Marrakech
After breakfast, start to Fint Oasis: at the top of a rocky peak, discovery of the oasis nestled inthe wadi surrounded by the mountains. Four small villages where time seems to be stopped, and where inhabitants peacefully live on the resources of that wonderful oasis. Lunch on the way and night in your hotel. End of our services.
price includes:
Early morning departure to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah through the Tizi-n-Tichka col (2260m) and the High Atlas Mountains. Arrival in Ait ben Haddou, visit of the Kasbah and lunch on thespot. In the afternoon, way towards Ouarzazate to join Skoura and visit Amredhyle kasbah. Then, going towards the Dades Gorges through Kelaa Mgouna, Boumalne and the Dades Valley. Dinner and night in the hotel.
Day 2 : Dades Gorges– Boumlane – Tinghir – Toudra Gorges - Tinjdad - Touroug - Erfoud - Merzouga
After breakfast, return via the Dades Valley until Boumalne in order to continue in direction ofTinghir and the Toudra Gorges, walk in the Gorges and afterwards departure to join Erfoud by Tinjdad Palm grove (lunch on the spot) and the one of Touroug. Break in Erfoud to visit the marble and fossil production workshop and then going by track towards the amazing dunes of Erg Chebbi in order to see the sunset and spend the night in the feet of the dunes in hotel with swimming pool.
Day 3 : Merzouga -Erg Chebbi – Merzouga
After the breakfast, you will make the large turn of the dunes while passing by : 2 oases of MERZOUGA, the wandering deposit, the village of KHAMLIA (village of the Gnaoua) mines of MIFISS, the plates desert with the meeting of the Berber nomads of the desert, oasis TISSARDMINE, and return to the hotel. Change 4×4 for dromedaries to see the sunset and spend the night in the middle of the dunes. Dinner and night in the nomad camp.
Day 4 : Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Tazarine - Nkoub – Draa Valley - Agdez - Ouarzazate
Early morning departure to be at the sunrise on the dunes, return by dromedaries to the inn, after breakfast, start to the huge palm grove of Tafilalet through Rissani. Way towards Alnif (lunch onthe spot), Tazarine Oasis, N'kob and the Draa Valley. Next, way to Ouarzazate via the small Berber villager named Agdez and the mountains of the Anti-Atlas (1660m high). Dinner and night in hotel.
Day 5 : Ouarzazate – Fint Oasis – Tifoultoute - Marrakech
After breakfast, start to Fint Oasis: at the top of a rocky peak, discovery of the oasis nestled inthe wadi surrounded by the mountains. Four small villages where time seems to be stopped, and where inhabitants peacefully live on the resources of that wonderful oasis. Lunch on the way and night in your hotel. End of our services.
price includes:
- Tour in 4x4 vehicle/minibus with A/C
- Driver/Guide
- Hotel overnight stays (breakfast & dinner included)
- Camel ride
- Night in desert camp
Tour 4 : Marrakech Zagora Tour 2 Days
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Zagora Dunes
Pick up is planned from your hotel in Marrakech at 7h30 in the morning, taking the road to cross High Atlas mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka pass towards Ait Benhaddou village, the fortified ksar with it’s beautiful Kasbahs, Ait Benhaddou has served as a natural decoration for many movies producers since 1960’s. Once you get to Ait Benhaddou village you take a walk to go on the top of the hill to dominate the whole village. Afterwards, you will head to Ouarzazate for lunch next to the famous Kasbah of Taourirt which represents the historical and cultural interest of Ouarzazate. After lunch you will travel to the south and cross the second pass which is Tizi N’Tnifift at 1710m and Ait Saoun village, the former route of caravans for Sahara traders coming from “Tombouktou”, you will reach the first administrative centre called “Agdez Village” that marks the source of Draa Valley, with it’s 6 successive palm groves stating (Mezguita palmary, Fezouata...) and Kasbahs stating the famous Tamnougalt Kasbah. You will continue through the lunar landscapes and the Pre-Sahara routes until you get to Zagora which is a small town, the native region of Saadian dynasty (Saadian tombs in Marrakech) who used to rule Morocco in the XVII century. You will take a camel trek , ride the camels by the sunset and get to the camp and enjoy a dinner and overnight in the tents.
Day 2: Zagora Dunes - Agdez - High Atlas & Tichka - Marrakech
After a traditional Berber breakfast, just prior to sunrise, we have 1 and half hour camel ride at sunrise to explore the area further and we head back to Zagora on our Camels. When we reach Zagora, we have the opportunity to wash and then we begin our journey through the Draa valley and over the Atlas mountains, with plenty of stops for photos and lunch, to Marrakech.
We usually return to Marrakech, arriving between 17:00hrs and 18:00hrs.
price includes:
- Tour in 4x4 vehicle/minibus with A/C
- Driver/Guide
- Hotel overnight stays (breakfast & dinner included)
- Camel ride
- Night in desert camp
- NT: Travel insurance.Soft drinks.Tips and personal expanses are not included
