4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

• Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi Ntichka Pass.
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
• Drive through the Dades Valley and the dramatic Todra Gorge.
• Ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset.
• Spend a night in the Sahara Desert under the stars with Berber music.
• Visit Rissani, Alnif, and the scenic Draa Valley.

See the film studios and cinematic landmarks of Ouarzazate.

Day 1: Marrakech → Tizi Ntichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Valley of Roses → Dades Valley

The adventure begins with an early departure from Marrakech, driving through the High Atlas Mountains and along the panoramic Tizi Ntichka Pass. The route offers stunning mountain views, traditional Berber villages, and small streams along the way.

Your first major stop is the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified kasbah famous for its clay architecture and as a backdrop for numerous films. Explore its maze-like alleys and learn about its cinematic history before enjoying a traditional Moroccan lunch with dishes like tagine, couscous, and mint tea.

After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, a desert city known for its film studios and rich cultural history. From there, drive through the Valley of Roses and along the road of 1,001 kasbahs, reaching the scenic Dades Valley by evening, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by striking landscapes.

Day 2: Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, depart for the impressive Todra Gorge near Tinghir. Walk along the oasis and admire the cliffs rising dramatically on either side, with palm groves and agricultural lands adding splashes of green.

Continue through the Atlas Mountains, passing through contrasting landscapes of light and dark rocky slopes. Stop for lunch in a small local town and sample traditional Moroccan cuisine.

In the afternoon, arrive at Merzouga, where camels await to take you on a sunset trek across the Erg Chebbi dunes. Capture the golden hues of the desert and then settle into your desert camp for an unforgettable night. Enjoy traditional Berber music around the fire, dinner under the stars, and the serene beauty of the Sahara.

Day 3: Merzouga → Rissani → Alnif → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate

Rise early to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning by camel to the desert edge. Begin your journey westward, stopping at Rissani to explore its lively souk, where local Berber and Arabic traders sell handmade goods, traditional clothing, and unique crafts.

The route continues through Alnif and along the Draa Valley, a lush corridor lined with palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Stop for lunch in a traditional local restaurant before ascending the curves of the Anti-Atlas mountains. Arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening, completing a full day of desert and mountain exploration.

Day 4: Ouarzazate → Film Studios → Tizi Ntichka → Marrakech

After breakfast, visit one of Ouarzazate’s famous film studios, where many historical and modern movies were filmed. Learn about the cinematic history of the region and explore its iconic sets.

Afterward, begin the journey back to Marrakech, retracing the scenic Tizi Ntichka pass and enjoying panoramic mountain views. Stop for lunch along the way and capture final photos of the desert and mountain landscapes before arriving in Marrakech in the evening, concluding your 4-day Moroccan desert adventure.