5 days Marrakech Sahara desert trip departure: The departure begins from your hotel/riad to Marrakesh in the morning and we transfer you to Gorge Dades where you will spend your first night with us. During this day trip, we will pass through High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka path and the World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou which is a “fortified city” or ksar, along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. Centuries ago Ait Ben Haddou was an important stop for the caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory, and slaves. The fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture and is also famous for its role on the silver screen, featuring in numerous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, and Gladiator. Then we will head to Ouarzazate and visit there Atlas Studios and Taourirt Kasbah. After Ouarzazate, we drive directly to Dades Gorge passing through Skoura with its historical Kasbahs and Kalaat Mgouna (valley roses). Kalaat Mgouna is famous for its yearly festivity of roses, and in the center of Boumalane Dades, we will turn to the left to its Gorge. Along this valley Gorge you will enjoy its green color and the ruin of ancient Kasbahs, and the strange rocks which we call “Monkey’s Toes”. Then we will take a break and dine in a hotel.

On the second day, the tour will begin from your hotel in Gorge Dades to Merzouga Village which is famous for its highest golden sand dunes. We will pass through Tinghir City and visit Todgha Gorge, Tinjdad, Malaab, and Tourog Village where we will break for lunch. We will pass through Erfoud and Rissani where you will have a chance to enjoy the atmosphere of palm trees before reaching Merzouga. Nightly accommodation will be in a hotel in Merzouga with a traditional Berber meal and desert atmosphere.

After breakfast in your hotel, you will start discovering the hidden Merzouga. We will drive all around Merzouga and the sand dunes and visit the nomads in their tents. We will also visit the iron mine which was exploited by the French. You will then be led to Gnawa (black people) village called Khamlia. You will meet Gnawa people and hear their music and experience their lifestyle. Afterward, we will head to Rissani, and in this town, you will walk around its traditional market where they sell dates, clothing, and some of the finest Moroccan handcrafts. After lunch in Rissani, we will drive back to the hotel in Merzouga where you will find the camel man waiting for you with prepared camels and then you will camel trek in the sand dunes to traditional Berber tents where you will spend a desert night with the blue people and listen to their music.

You will be woken up to ascend sand dunes to see the beautiful sunrise. Then the camel man will bring you back to your hotel to shower and have breakfast. We will then follow our trip to Ouarzazate, passing over Berber villages Alnif, Tazzarine, and Nkob, and drive along the Draa River with its Kasbahs and palms. Overnight accommodation will be spent in Ouarzazate.

After Ouarzazate night, we will continue our journey to Marrakesh, passing through the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains and arrive in Marrakesh we will reach your riad/hotel “End of our 5 days Marrakech Sahara desert trip“.