A five-day private journey from Marrakech to the desert, with time for the landmarks of the south — the film kasbahs, the gorges, and a memorable night among the dunes.
Tour highlights
- Tizi n'Tichka pass and Ait Ben Haddou
- Todra Gorge
- Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Overnight desert camp
- Berber villages of the Draa Valley
- Telouet and the Glaoui kasbah
Itinerary
Day 1 — Marrakech to Ouarzazate
We set off from Marrakech around 8am and climb the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) across the High Atlas, stopping at a women's argan oil cooperative and for the mountain views. After lunch we visit the UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, then carry on to Ouarzazate for dinner and the night.
Day 2 — Ouarzazate to Merzouga by the Draa Valley
After a look at the Taourirt Kasbah we head south around the Djebel Saghro range and into the Draa Valley, along Morocco's longest river, passing through the palm-shaded villages of Agdz and N'Kob. We stop for lunch along the way and reach Merzouga in the evening.
Day 3 — Merzouga, Khamlia and a night in the dunes
Today we explore the desert around Merzouga: the daily life of the nomad families, and the village of Khamlia, where the Gnawa musicians play the music their ancestors carried north across the Sahara. We have a Berber pizza lunch in Rissani and time in its market before meeting the camels for a ride of about 90 minutes into the Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner is tagine and mint tea at camp, with a night in a nomad tent under the stars.
Day 4 — Merzouga to the Dades Valley
We watch the sun rise over the dunes, then return for breakfast and a shower. Driving west through Erfoud, we walk in the Todra Gorge and, later, in the Dades Gorge with its folded rock and switchback road, before stopping for the night at a hotel in the valley.
Day 5 — Dades Valley to Marrakech via Telouet
The last day runs down the Dades Valley through El Kelaa M'Gouna and the Skoura oasis. After lunch near Ouarzazate we climb back into the Atlas to visit Telouet and the crumbling kasbah of the Glaoui, once the most powerful family in the south, then follow the old road over the mountains to Marrakech.
