Morocco in 5 Days: Private Marrakech to Sahara Desert Tour
Marrakech → Dades Valley → Sahara Desert → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
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Morocco in 5 days works best when the route is built around the desert. This private tour starts and ends in Marrakech, crosses the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, spends a night in a camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, and returns through Ouarzazate. You have your own driver-guide throughout, and every stop can be adjusted.
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Highlights
- An evening in Jemaa el-Fna and the souks on arrival in Marrakech
- Tizi n'Tichka pass and a guided visit to Ait Ben Haddou
- A night in the Dades Valley, in the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- A hike in the Todra Gorge and a sunset camel trek into Erg Chebbi
- A night at a luxury desert camp, with sunrise over the dunes
- An easy return through Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Morocco
Day by day
This itinerary is a starting point. The order and pace can be adjusted once we know what matters most to you.
Arrival in Marrakech
You are met by your guide at the airport and transferred to your riad in the old medina. After settling in, we take a guided evening walk to Jemaa el-Fna, where storytellers, musicians and food stalls fill the square, and through the surrounding souks of textiles, spices and handicrafts. Dinner is a traditional Moroccan meal of chicken tagine with preserved lemons, and the evening ends with mint tea on your riad's rooftop.
Just the airport transfer today
Riad Aslal or similar, Marrakech medina
Marrakech to the Dades Valley
We leave Marrakech and cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the gateway to the High Atlas. At Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a local guide shows you the iconic kasbah, a striking example of traditional earthen architecture. We continue through Ouarzazate and the Skoura oasis to the Dades Valley, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, where green palm groves contrast with rugged cliffs, and spend the night there.
About 6 hours on the road, roughly 310 km, plus stops
Dades Paradise or similar, Dades Valley
Dades Valley to Merzouga
We drive east to Todra Gorge for a short hike between its towering canyon walls. We arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and ride camels across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to a luxury desert camp. Dinner is a starlit meal of traditional Berber dishes, followed by live music and storytelling around the campfire.
About 4.5 hours on the road, roughly 260 km, plus stops
Tiziri Desert Camp or similar, Erg Chebbi
Merzouga to Ouarzazate
We watch the sunrise paint the dunes in gold and crimson, then have breakfast at camp. Before leaving we can visit a nearby nomadic village to learn about desert life, with optional sandboarding or quad biking. We then drive west to Ouarzazate, often called the Hollywood of Morocco, where we spend the night.
About 6 hours on the road, roughly 360 km, plus stops
Kasbah Yu Palace or similar, Ouarzazate
Return to Marrakech and Departure
We drive back over the Atlas through Berber villages with views across the mountains, arriving in Marrakech in the afternoon. Your driver takes you to your hotel or to the airport for your onward journey.
About 4.5 hours on the road, roughly 200 km
Included
- ✓Private vehicle with a professional driver for the full route
- ✓4 nights' accommodation
- ✓A camel trek and a night in a luxury desert camp
- ✓All transfers listed in the itinerary
Not included
- —International flights
- —Meals not listed in the itinerary
- —Entry fees to monuments and museums
- —Travel insurance
- —Tips for driver and guides
Prices start from, per room, in euros
Prices
Single
1 person per room
From€2,431(≈ $2,705 USD)€2,860 (≈ $3,185 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027
Double
2 people per room
From€2,807(≈ $3,125 USD)€3,302 (≈ $3,675 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027
from €1,403(≈ $1,560 USD)€1,651 (≈ $1,840 USD) per person
Triple
3 people per room
From€3,426(≈ $3,815 USD)€4,030 (≈ $4,485 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027
from €1,142(≈ $1,270 USD)€1,343 (≈ $1,495 USD) per person
Quadruple
4 people per room
On request
Prices include taxes. Groups, children and camp upgrades priced on request. Offer ends 17 February 2027
Prices are charged in euros. USD amounts are approximate and based on a recent exchange rate.
Questions about this route
- ★★★★★
Amazing Experience with Morocco Tailored Tours!
I had a wonderful experience with Morocco Tailored Tours! 🇲🇦 The team was professional, friendly, and very helpful throughout the trip. Everything was well organized, and the itinerary was tailored to our preferences, allowing us to discover the beauty, culture, and traditions of Morocco. Thank you for an unforgettable adventure! I would definitely book with them again.
Toni Alehyane, Alexandria, Virginia · Travelled Jul 2026 · Friends · Written 16 October 2026 · via Tripadvisor
- ★★★★★
Experience of my life
Very good and professional people, it feels like home and they make everything in a safe and beautiful way Sand dunes and oasis , it’s an experience 100% everyone should do
Aristides B · Travelled Aug 2026 · Solo · Written 27 September 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Ask about this route
Send us your rough dates and what you'd want to change, and we'll come back with a real draft, not a form letter.
Tour at a glance
- Duration
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Price
- From €1,403(≈ $1,560 USD)€1,651 (≈ $1,840 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027 per person, double or twin room
- Transport
- Private car/4x4
- Languages
- English, French
- Availability
- Year-round
Read before you go
Marrakech to the Sahara desert: how far, and how to go
It's a full day's drive either way: here's what that actually looks like.
Read article
Merzouga or Zagora: which Sahara fits your trip?
One has the tall golden dunes, the other is far closer to Marrakech. The right answer depends on how many days you have.
Read article
The Marrakech to Sahara road: Ouarzazate, Dades and Todra Gorge
The journey to the dunes is a trip in itself, and these are the stops that actually deserve your time.
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