Private tour · Marrakech round trip
8-Day Marrakech to the Sahara Tour via Merzouga and Zagora
The 8-day Marrakech to Sahara tour is a private round trip of seven nights, with airport pickup and return in Marrakech: Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, the Dadès Valley and Todra Gorge, one night in a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, then Zagora and the Drâa Valley on the way back.
Private Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech in 8 Days
This private Morocco desert tour from Marrakech is an eight-day, seven-night round trip that visits two distinct desert regions: Merzouga, where you spend one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and Zagora in the Drâa Valley.
The route loops east through the kasbahs, gorges and oasis landscapes of the Dadès and Todra valleys to the Sahara, then returns west through Rissani, N'kob and the Drâa Valley. Spreading the loop over eight days gives you time to explore beyond a short desert trip, although days five and six are still long drives.
Eight-Day Morocco Sahara Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The eight days run Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Merzouga, Zagora, Ouarzazate and back to Marrakech, with the airport transfer on day eight.
Book an 8-Day Marrakech Desert Tour
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 dates, please include:
- Your travel dates and flight times into and out of Marrakech
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your preferred accommodation, and any questions about the desert camp
- Your preferred guide language
- Any itinerary adjustments you'd like
You can also email culture.moroccotours@gmail.com, call/WhatsApp +212 662 178 227, or use our contact page.
Send your trip details
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Marrakech to Merzouga and Zagora: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the High Atlas to Ouarzazate, follows the Dadès and Todra valleys to the Erg Chebbi dunes, loops south-west to Zagora, and returns to Marrakech via Ouarzazate.
Arrival in Marrakech
Day 1 is your arrival: we collect you at Marrakech airport and take you to your riad for dinner and the night.
Marrakech lies on the Haouz plain below the High Atlas and was founded by the Almoravids; its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO describes its main square as
"Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Medina of Marrakesh
If you arrive early, you can take a first walk in the medina on your own.
Marrakech to Ouarzazate via the Tizi n'Tichka and Aït Ben Haddou
Day 2 is the drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate.
The road passes Berber villages such as Tighremt and Irhem n'Ougdal before you visit the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site that UNESCO calls
"a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco."— UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
The ksar has appeared in films including Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. You reach Ouarzazate in the afternoon.
Ouarzazate to Tinghir via the Valley of Roses and the Dadès Valley
Day 3 is the drive east from Ouarzazate through the Valley of Roses and the Dadès Valley to Tinghir, near the Todra Gorge.
After seeing Ouarzazate's kasbahs, you walk through a palm grove in the Valley of Roses, then follow the Dadès Valley past kasbahs, ksour and oases to Tinghir.
Todra Gorge, Tinjdad and Erfoud to Merzouga
Day 4 starts with a visit to the Todra Gorge and ends with a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for sunset and a night in Berber tents.
After the gorge you visit Tinjdad and the fortified Ksar Touroug among its oases, then Erfoud, known for its dates. Merzouga is what the Moroccan National Tourist Office calls
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
The camel ride into the dunes takes around two hours, timed so you can watch the sunset before the night at camp.
Merzouga to Zagora via Rissani, Alnif, Tazzarine and N'kob
Day 5 is the drive from Merzouga to Zagora, via Rissani, Alnif, Mecissi, the palm grove of Tazzarine, N'kob and the Drâa Valley.
This route crosses the pre-Saharan south to a second desert region. The tourist office lists Zagora with Ouarzazate and Tinghir as the departure points for organised tours in the great south. Zagora is a separate desert area from Merzouga; this night is in Zagora, not in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Zagora to Ouarzazate along the Drâa Valley via Agdz
Day 6 is the drive from Zagora back to Ouarzazate along the Drâa Valley on a paved road, via Agdz.
The valley is lined with villages and oases. Around Agdz, the 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
After Agdz the road climbs through the mountains to Ouarzazate.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka
Day 7 is the return from Ouarzazate to Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, with dinner and the night at your riad.
Transfer to Marrakech airport
Day 8 is your transfer to Marrakech airport at a time that fits your flight.
Riads, Hotels and the Erg Chebbi Desert Camp
You stay seven nights with dinner and breakfast: riads in Marrakech and Ouarzazate, hotels in Tinghir and Zagora, and one night in Berber tents at a desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
The overnights are Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, the Merzouga desert camp, Zagora, Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Exact properties are confirmed with your quote; ask about desert-camp accommodation when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Marrakech Desert Tour Package: What's Included
The tour includes a private 4×4 with fuel, a Spanish-speaking guide throughout, Marrakech airport transfers, seven nights with dinner and breakfast including one night in Berber tents, and the camel ride; drinks, lunches and monument entrance fees are not included.
Included
- Private 4×4 for all 8 days, with fuel
- Spanish-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Transfers from and to Marrakech airport
- 7 nights' accommodation with dinner and breakfast
- 1 night in Berber tents in the desert
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi
Not included
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Entrance fees to monuments
Why Choose This Morocco Kasbahs and Desert Tour
This Morocco kasbahs and desert tour combines Merzouga and Zagora in one private round trip from Marrakech, with the High Atlas and southern valleys on the way.
Two distinct desert regions in one itinerary
The Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga and the Drâa Valley at Zagora.
Kasbahs, gorges and oasis landscapes
Aït Ben Haddou, Ksar Touroug, the Todra Gorge and the Valley of Roses.
An overnight experience near Erg Chebbi
A camel ride at sunset and a night in Berber tents.
Scenic travel through the High Atlas
The Tizi n'Tichka pass on the way out and back.
From the dunes of Merzouga to the Drâa Valley
A different road home through Alnif, Tazzarine and N'kob.
A thoughtfully planned Marrakech round trip
Airport pickup and return; customize your eight-day Morocco tour.
Eight-Day Morocco Desert Tour: Driving and Pace
Most days include several hours on the road, with the Merzouga-to-Zagora crossing on day five the longest; days one and eight are short arrival and departure days.
What is the difference between Merzouga and Zagora?
Merzouga is where you sleep in the Erg Chebbi dunes; Zagora is a separate town in the Drâa Valley, where you stay one night on the way back.
How many nights are in the desert?
One night is in the desert, in Berber tents at a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
What language does the guide speak?
The tour is listed with a Spanish-speaking guide throughout; tell us your preferred language when you request a quote.
Can the itinerary be adjusted?
Yes, the itinerary can be adjusted: request a custom desert itinerary, for example with a second desert night.
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.
- Medina of Marrakesh — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- The road to the kasbahs — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Ouarzazate-Zagora-Tinghir: nature — Moroccan National Tourist Office
8-Day Marrakech to Sahara Tour FAQs
This tour is private, starts and ends at Marrakech airport, and includes one night in the Erg Chebbi dunes and one night in Zagora.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, this is a private tour. Only your group travels in the 4×4, with your own guide.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends at Marrakech airport. Nights one and seven are in a riad in Marrakech.
Where do you stay each night?
You stay in Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, a desert camp at Erg Chebbi, Zagora, Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
How long is the camel ride?
The camel ride into the dunes takes around two hours, timed for the sunset. The exact duration depends on the camp's location and conditions.
Is the Zagora night in the desert?
No, the Zagora night is in Zagora itself, not in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Your only desert-camp night is at Merzouga.
Which meals are included?
Dinner and breakfast are included for all seven nights. Lunches and drinks are not.
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees to monuments are not included. They apply at sites such as Aït Ben Haddou and the kasbahs of Ouarzazate.
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.
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Plan Your Merzouga and Zagora Tour
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, preferred accommodation, guide language and any itinerary adjustments, and we'll send a quote for your private eight-day tour.