Private tour · Marrakech round trip
6-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech via Zagora and Merzouga
The 6-day desert tour from Marrakech is a private round trip: nights in Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga, a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and the Dadès Gorges, before you return to your hotel in Marrakech on day six.
Private Desert Tour from Marrakech in 6 Days
This private desert tour from Marrakech is a six-day loop with five nights: Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga, a desert camp at Erg Chebbi and the Dadès Gorges, returning to Marrakech on the last day.
It takes you from Marrakech to Sahara landscapes through two desert regions: the Drâa Valley and Zagora on the way out, then Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes, with a full day around Merzouga before your camp night. The return runs through the Todra and Dadès gorges. It suits travellers who want more of southern Morocco than a short desert trip and are comfortable with several long road days.
Six-Day Marrakech Desert Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The six days run Marrakech to Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate to Zagora, Zagora to Merzouga, a desert day and camp night, Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges, and the Dadès back to Marrakech.
Book a 6-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech
To book, send us your travel dates and group size through the form, and we'll reply with a private tour proposal and quote.
To check availability for your travel dates, please include:
- Your travel dates
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your hotel or riad in Marrakech for pickup
- Your accommodation preferences
- Any changes you'd like to the itinerary
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
By sending the form you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions.
Marrakech Sahara Desert Tour: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the High Atlas to Ouarzazate, heads south to Zagora, crosses east to Merzouga, spends a day in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and returns through the Todra and Dadès gorges to Marrakech.
Marrakech to Ouarzazate via the Tizi n'Tichka, Telouet and Aït Ben Haddou
Day 1 is the drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Telouet, the Ounila Valley and Aït Ben Haddou, ending in Ouarzazate.
You are collected from your hotel in Marrakech. At Telouet you visit the kasbah of the Glaoui pasha, then follow the Ounila Valley, dotted with Berber villages, to Aït Ben Haddou, which UNESCO describes as
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
The day ends in Ouarzazate, which the Moroccan National Tourist Office presents as a starting point for excursions into the south.
Ouarzazate to Zagora via Agdz and the Drâa Valley
Day 2 is the drive south from Ouarzazate over the Tizi n'Tinififft pass to Agdz, the Kasbah of Tamnougalt and the palm groves of the Drâa Valley, ending in Zagora.
You leave at 7:30 am, with a stop at a kasbah overlooking the lake near Ouarzazate. The Moroccan National Tourist Office suggests travellers
"walk in the mineral desert of Agdz or the Dades Gorges"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature
Lunch is at Tamnougalt, then you follow the line of palm groves along the Drâa Valley to Zagora.
Zagora to Merzouga across the pre-Saharan plains
Day 3 is the long crossing from Zagora to Merzouga, through open plains, dry riverbeds and rocky desert via Tafraoute, ending at the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Along the way you pass nomadic camps and remote villages. You arrive in Merzouga in the evening for dinner and the night.
A day in Merzouga and a night in the desert camp
Day 4 is spent around Merzouga, meeting nomad families, visiting Khamlia, and riding camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset and a night at camp.
The Moroccan National Tourist Office describes Merzouga as
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
You share tea with nomad families, see an oasis, and visit Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa community and music. In the late afternoon the camel trek to the camp takes about two hours, with the sunset on the way. Dinner is under the stars.
Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges via Rissani, Erfoud and the Todra Gorge
Day 5 is the drive from Merzouga to the Dadès Gorges, via Rissani, Erfoud, Tinjdad and Touroug, with lunch and a half-hour walk at the Todra Gorge.
After sunrise from the dunes, you ride back by camel for a shower and breakfast. In the afternoon you continue through Boumalne to the Dadès Gorges.
Dadès Gorges to Marrakech via Boutghrar and Ouarzazate
Day 6 is the return to Marrakech: a morning with nomad families in the mountains above the Dadès, lunch in Boutghrar, then the long drive back via Ouarzazate.
You visit nomad families who live in caves in the mountains, share tea and learn about their way of life. After lunch in Boutghrar the route descends to Ouarzazate and crosses the High Atlas to Marrakech, where you are dropped at your hotel.
Hotels and the Erg Chebbi Desert Camp
You stay in hotels in Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga and the Dadès Gorges, and spend one night in desert tents at a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, with dinner and breakfast included.
The exact hotels and camp are confirmed with your quote; tell us your accommodation preferences when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Marrakech Desert Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, pickup and drop-off in Marrakech, hotel and desert-camp accommodation, the camel ride, and dinners and breakfasts; flights, lunches, drinks and entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private tour in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Private driver-guide throughout
- Pickup and drop-off at your Marrakech hotel
- Hotel accommodation on the route
- Night in desert tents at a camp
- Camel ride in the desert
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions, including kasbahs
Why Choose This Marrakech Desert and Kasbah Tour
This Marrakech desert and kasbah tour visits both the Drâa Valley near Zagora and the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, with a full day in the desert before your camp night.
Two desert regions
The Drâa Valley and Zagora, then the high dunes of Erg Chebbi.
A full day around Merzouga
Nomad families, Khamlia and a two-hour camel trek at sunset.
Kasbahs on the route
Telouet, Aït Ben Haddou and Tamnougalt.
Cultural encounters beyond the main road
Tea with nomad families in the dunes and in the mountains above the Dadès.
Scenic stops along the desert route
The Todra Gorge walk and the Dadès Gorges.
A privately planned journey from Marrakech
Only your group in the vehicle; customize your Marrakech desert excursion.
Six-Day Morocco Desert Tour: Driving and Pace
Days three, five and six are long driving days; day four is spent in and around Merzouga, and days one and two have several stops for visits.
How many nights are in the desert?
One night is in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and the night before is in Merzouga at the edge of the desert.
Does the tour go to Zagora or Merzouga?
The tour goes to both: Zagora on night two and Merzouga on nights three and four.
What should you pack?
Pack a small bag for the camp night, a warm layer for the desert evening, and sun protection.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes, the itinerary can be customized: request a custom desert itinerary with the changes you'd like.
Sources and further reading
Heritage and destination facts on this page are supported by UNESCO and the Moroccan National Tourist Office, neither of which endorses any tour operator.
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir, the Hollywood of Africa — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
6-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech FAQs
This tour is private, starts and ends in Marrakech, and visits both Zagora and Merzouga, with one night in a desert camp.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private tour. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver-guide.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends at your hotel in Marrakech. It is a round trip.
Where do you stay each night?
You stay in Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga, a desert camp at Erg Chebbi and the Dadès Gorges.
How long is the camel trek?
The camel trek to the camp takes about two hours, timed for the sunset. You ride back the next morning after sunrise.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees to museums and attractions are not included. They apply at sites such as the Telouet kasbah and Aït Ben Haddou.
What language does the driver-guide speak?
This tour does not list a driver language, so tell us your preferred language when you enquire.
How do I book this tour?
You book by sending the form with your dates and group size. You can also email or WhatsApp us; we'll reply with a quote.
More Private Desert Tours from Marrakech
If you have more or less time, choose one of these tours from Marrakech.
Plan Your Six-Day Morocco Desert Trip
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation preferences and any itinerary changes, and we'll send a quote for your group.