5D/4N The Sahara Desert Tour
Tour overview
The 5 days Sahara desert tour covers 1,000 km of varied landscapes. We will drive through the High Atlas Mountains, stopping at Berber villages and enjoy breathtaking views from the Tizi n Tichka pass. In the desert, you’ll stay in a small village and experience life as the locals do. On the final day, you’ll return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate, visiting kasbahs and historic sites along the way.
The tour covers a range of terrain, from mountainous regions to desert landscapes, and includes a mix of cultural experiences, such as visiting Berber villages and listening to traditional music. You’ll stay in hotels and guesthouses, with breakfast and dinner provided.
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech, making it a great option for those with limited time or looking for a taste of Morocco’s desert landscapes.
What's Included
- 5 days transportation from your hotel in Marrakech and back
- Experienced driver to take you around per itinerary
- 3 nights at the hotels with breakfast and diners
- 1 night at the desert camp with diner and breakfast
- Sahara expereince: Camel trek and jeep transfer, sunset pictures
What's Not Included
- Lunches & drinks
- Hotel in Marrakech
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech - Boumalne Dades
Breakfast at the hotel and right away start the Sahara Desert tour from Marrakech
Pick up by our driver, leaving Marrakech back and drive towards the South East of Morocco. Traverse the High Atlas Mountains where the road is traced upon 2000 m altitude. Travel across Tizi N Tichka pass (7 217,85 ft altitude) which links Marrakech to the South of Morocco. This road used to be the gateway to the sub-Saharan countries, especially Timbuctoo. Stop for lovely pictures, and Berber villages panoramic pictures. Continue on the road of caravans to reach Ait Ben Haddou Village for lunch.
The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is an eleven century citadel which is declared on the 80s as a protected UNESCO site, and an impressive sight for film directors. Numerous movies have been filmed as “Jesus of Nazareth”, the “man who would be a King”, and so on. After lunch, Continue the journey crossing Ouarzazate and further on the town of Skoura.
Stop by Kalaa Mgouna, best known for roses cultivation and people make the distillation of roses water to send to the markets elsewhere in Morocco.
Transfer to Boumalne and enjoy the drive along the valley of Dades with its picturesque rock formation and green trees. Arrive to the hotel and over night at the area.
Day 2: Boumalne Dades – Ramlia
At around 08AM, we set off for Ramlia, a forgettable small village in the desert Sahara. This tour includes two hours and half driving on the off road with a picnic on the go. From your hotel, start the journey and transfer via Dades valley to Tinghir. Take a scenic drive to see the Todra gorges: spectacular geological fault, and a good place for mountain climbers.
Continue the journey to Alnif and enjoy the scenic desert view with black Mountains.
After Alnif turn right and drive via the town of Tazoulaite, and Fezzou to reach Tafraoute Sidi Ali.
from there start the desert off road expedition, and real experience of Sahara desert tour starts here! This wilderness gives you the chance to live a real African adventure, driving most of the day itinerary on trackless ways that used to be taken exclusively by camels. Your driver/ guide is indeed a Berber GPS, their knowledge for the area assist you to experience a life time adventure.
Night will be spent at Foum el Mharech or around.
Day 3: Ramlia – Merzouga
Breakfast at the hotel and start the journey to Merzouga, on off road way that is taken by the famous Rally Paris-Dakar, alongside Moroccan borders with Algeria. Enjoy the desert ride where rarely a soul can be seen. We cross Jdaid, Taouz Berber villages.
Come back to the road, and transfer to the village of Khamlia where you’ll attend Gnaoua music show before getting ready to take a camel experience to the desert camp.
Enjoy the sand dunes, walk on soft sand, see the sunset over the sandunes and enjoy time at a luxury desert camp. The camp has private tents with private showers at each tent. Enjoy diner, enjoy music, enjoy desert night stars, enjoy life!
Day 4:Merzouga – Ouarzazate
Wake up for lovely sunrise pictures (optional). Right after, take a camel ride back to the town of Merzouga or enjoy a 4×4 transfer. Depart to Ouarzazate via Rissani, where to visit the traditional market ( if this is day market).
Travel further via Alnif and Tazarine. Enjoy a lunch break at Nekoub. Continue along the valley of Draa with its million palm trees and cross the Mountains of the small Atlas.
Arrive to Ouarzazate and check into the hotel.
Day 5: Ouarzazate - Marrakech :
At the appropriate time, we will depart to Marrakech through Tichka pass. We visit the fortified Kasbah of Telouet, also called the Glaoui citadel. An impressive 19 century sight where the Sultan was assaulted, therefore assisted by the Glaoui family. We will drive the rest of the itinerary to Marrakech. Good bye, and have a safe flight.
