Private tour · Marrakech round trip
5-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Desert Tour with a Full Day in Merzouga
The 5-day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi desert tour is a private round trip with four nights: the Dadès Gorges, a desert hotel in Merzouga, a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and Ouarzazate, before returning to Marrakech on day five.
Private Marrakech to Merzouga Tour in 5 Days
This private Marrakech to Merzouga tour is a five-day, four-night round trip that gives you two nights around Merzouga, including a full day exploring the desert before your night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Merzouga is the village at the edge of the desert, and Erg Chebbi is the field of high dunes beside it. Compared with a three-day trip, this route adds a hotel night in Merzouga, a whole desert day with a Gnawa village and nomad families, and an overnight stop in Ouarzazate on the way back, which splits the long return drive in two.
Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Itinerary: Jump to a Day
The five days run Marrakech to the Dadès, the Dadès to Merzouga, a desert day, Merzouga to Ouarzazate, and Ouarzazate back to Marrakech.
Book a 5-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
- Number of travellers, and the ages of any children
- Your hotel or riad in Marrakech for pickup and drop-off
- Your accommodation preferences, and any questions about the desert camp
- Any changes you'd like to the route
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 Erg Chebbi: Day-by-Day Itinerary
The itinerary crosses the High Atlas to the Dadès Gorges, continues through the Todra Gorge to Merzouga, spends a day in the desert with a camp night in Erg Chebbi, and returns via Ouarzazate to Marrakech.
Marrakech to the Dadès Gorges via the Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate
Day 1 is the drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas to Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then east through Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dadès Gorges.
After pickup in Marrakech, the road climbs to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and passes Berber villages. You visit the Ksar of 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
In Ouarzazate you visit the Taourirt Kasbah and stop for lunch, then continue past the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses, a road the Moroccan National Tourist Office describes with
"palm groves and rose gardens with expansive views."— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), The road to the kasbahs
Dadès Gorges to Merzouga via Tinghir, the Todra Gorge and Erfoud
Day 2 is the drive from the Dadès through Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, via Erfoud and Rissani, to a desert hotel in Merzouga.
You walk in the Todra Gorge, popular with climbers, then pass the palm groves to Erfoud, where you may stop at a fossil workshop (optional). The Moroccan National Tourist Office calls Merzouga
"one of the gates of the Sahara"— Moroccan National Tourist Office (Visit Morocco), Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga
A full day around Merzouga and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Day 3 is spent exploring the desert around Merzouga by 4×4, visiting a Gnawa village and nomad families, then riding a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night at camp.
In the Gnawa village you learn about the community's music and way of life, then share lunch with a nomad family. A visit to the Rissani souk is optional. In the afternoon an experienced camel guide leads you into the dunes, where dinner is served at the camp.
Erg Chebbi to Ouarzazate via Rissani and Agdz
Day 4 starts with sunrise over the dunes and a camel ride back to the village, then the drive to Ouarzazate via Rissani and Agdz.
You can climb a high dune for the sunrise before breakfast. The return follows the southern road through Rissani and Agdz to Ouarzazate, where you stay the night.
Ouarzazate to Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka
Day 5 is the drive from Ouarzazate back over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech, where the tour ends at your accommodation.
Riads, Desert Hotel and the Erg Chebbi Camp
You spend four nights with dinner and breakfast: a riad or hotel in the Dadès Gorges, a desert hotel in Merzouga, desert tents at a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a hotel in Ouarzazate.
The camp night comes after your desert day (night three). Exact properties are confirmed with your quote; ask about desert-camp accommodation when you enquire. More about camps on our Merzouga desert page.
Private Erg Chebbi Desert Tour: What's Included
The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide, Marrakech pickup and drop-off, three hotel nights and one desert-camp night, 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 in Marrakech
- 3 nights in hotels or a riad
- 1 night in desert tents at a camp
- Camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Dinners and breakfasts
Not included
- Flights to and from Morocco
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to museums and attractions, including kasbahs
Why Choose This Five-Day Morocco Desert Tour
This five-day Morocco desert tour goes beyond a brief desert overnight: you get a full day around Merzouga and a shorter drive home thanks to the Ouarzazate stop.
More time to experience Erg Chebbi
Two nights around Merzouga and a whole desert day.
Cultural stops along the journey
A Gnawa village, nomad families and the Rissani souk (optional).
From mountain roads to Sahara sands
The Tizi n'Tichka, the Valley of Roses and the Todra Gorge.
A split return journey
A night in Ouarzazate breaks up the drive back to Marrakech.
Kasbahs on the route
Aït Ben Haddou and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate.
A private journey from Marrakech to the dunes
Only your group; customize your five-day desert tour.
Marrakech Sahara Desert Tour 5 Days: Driving and Pace
Days one, two and four are long drives; day three is spent around Merzouga, and day five is a shorter drive from Ouarzazate to Marrakech.
How much time do you spend around Merzouga?
You spend two nights and a full day around Merzouga, from the evening of day two to the morning of day four.
What does the fifth day add?
The fifth day adds a full desert day and splits the return with a night in Ouarzazate, compared with the 3-day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi tour.
What is the difference between Merzouga and Erg Chebbi?
Merzouga is the village at the edge of the desert, and Erg Chebbi is the dune field next to it where the camp is.
Can the route be customized?
Yes, the route can be customized: request a custom Morocco 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
- The road to the kasbahs — Moroccan National Tourist Office
- Errachidia-Midelt-Merzouga, between Atlas and desert — Moroccan National Tourist Office
5-Day Marrakech to Erg Chebbi Tour FAQs
This tour is private, starts and ends in Marrakech, and includes a desert hotel night, a full desert day and a camp night at Erg Chebbi.
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 end?
The tour ends back in Marrakech on day five, with drop-off at your accommodation.
Where do you stay each night?
You stay in the Dadès Gorges, a desert hotel in Merzouga, a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and Ouarzazate.
What do you do on the desert day?
On the desert day you explore around Merzouga by 4×4, visit a Gnawa village and nomad families, and ride a camel into the dunes in the afternoon. A stop at the Rissani souk is optional.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes, the camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes is included. Tell us when you enquire if you'd prefer not to ride.
Which meals are included?
Dinners and breakfasts are included. Lunches and drinks are not.
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.
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Plan Your Private Desert Journey
Send your travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation preferences and any route changes, and we'll send a quote for your private five-day tour.