Private desert tour
5 Days From Marrakech to Merzouga — the Grand Desert Tour
Five days is the point at which the south of Morocco stops being a drive and becomes a journey. This private loop from Marrakech takes in Aït Ben Haddou, the Draa Valley palm groves, the Dades and Todra gorges, and two full nights at Erg Chebbi — one in a camp deep in the dunes, one at the edge — with time for a 4x4 run out to the nomad families and the black desert of Khamlia.
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- From
- €625 per vehicle
- Starts
- Marrakech
- Ends
- Marrakech
A starting price for one comfortable 4x4 carrying up to 4 people — not per person. What you finally pay depends on your dates, the accommodation you choose and any changes you make to the route. Includes the second desert night and the 4x4 morning around the erg.
Most desert tours give you a single night in the sand and a lot of tarmac either side. This one gives you two, and uses the extra day to go sideways rather than further: out to the Gnaoua village of Khamlia, to the dry lake at Dayet Srji where flamingos stop in spring, and into the erg by 4x4 to visit nomad families who still move with the seasons.
It is the trip we recommend when someone says they want to see the desert properly rather than tick it off.
Trip highlights
- Two nights at Erg Chebbi — the second one is the one people remember
- The Draa Valley: the longest palm grove in Morocco
- 4x4 morning to Khamlia, the fossil beds and the nomad encampments
- Aït Ben Haddou and the Ouarzazate kasbah road
- Dades 'monkey fingers' and a walk through the Todra Gorge
- Sandboarding on the big dune behind camp, if you want it
Day by day
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Day 1
Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora
Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and down to Aït Ben Haddou for a proper walk through the ksar. After lunch and Ouarzazate, the road turns south into the Draa Valley — 200 kilometres of palm grove following the river, punctuated by ochre kasbahs and the Tizi n'Tinififft pass. Overnight in Zagora, where the famous 'Timbuktu 52 days' sign stands.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner Night: Hotel in Zagora
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Day 2
Zagora → Tazzarine → Rissani → Erg Chebbi camp
East along the desert road through Tazzarine and Alnif, fossil country, where the landscape is pure hammada — flat, black, enormous. Late morning at Rissani, whose souk still runs on donkeys, and an early afternoon arrival at the dunes. Camels at golden hour into Erg Chebbi, and your first night at camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Night: Desert camp at Erg Chebbi
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Day 3
Erg Chebbi: nomads, Khamlia and the black desert
Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast, then a 4x4 morning around the erg: the dry lake of Dayet Srji, the Gnaoua village of Khamlia for tea and a short set of their trance music, the old kohl mines, and the fossil beds. Lunch with a nomad family if they are camped nearby — this is arranged on the day and depends on where they have moved to. Back to the dunes for a second sunset, sandboarding if you have the legs for the climb, and a second night at camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Night: Desert camp at Erg Chebbi
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Day 4
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
A last sunrise, then west along the Ziz oasis road. The Todra Gorge in the early afternoon, when the light comes down between the walls, and a walk along the river. Into the Dades Valley for the gorge road and its switchbacks, and a night among the rock formations.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Night: Hotel in Dades Valley
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Day 5
Dades → Skoura → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
The Valley of Roses in the morning, the Skoura palmeraie and its kasbahs, then Ouarzazate and back over the Atlas. Arrival in Marrakech in the late afternoon, dropped at your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast
What is and is not included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel and tolls
- English- or French-speaking driver-guide
- 2 nights in traditional hotels, half board
- 2 nights in a desert camp at Erg Chebbi, half board
- Half-day 4x4 excursion around the erg on day 3
- Camel treks at sunset and sunrise
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation
Not included
- Lunches (except day 1) and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Sandboard hire (around 100 MAD)
- Tips and personal expenses
Good to know
Is the second desert night worth it?
In our experience it is the single best upgrade on any Sahara itinerary. The first night you are absorbing the novelty; the second you actually relax into the place. It also buys you the day-three excursion, which is the part guests write to us about afterwards.
Do we really meet nomad families, or is it staged?
It depends on the season and where the families have moved. When they are within reach we visit properly, with tea, and we pay for the hospitality. When they are not, we say so rather than substituting a performance. Autumn and spring are the most reliable months.
Can we swap Zagora for a second Dades night?
Yes. The Draa Valley routing is scenic but it is a long day two. Some guests prefer the direct Dades approach on both legs — tell us and we will restructure it.
Is sandboarding included?
The activity is, the board hire is not — it is about 100 MAD at the camp. Bear in mind that the fun part lasts thirty seconds and the climb back up takes fifteen minutes.
What vehicle is used?
An air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan depending on party size, plus a dedicated 4x4 for the day-three excursion around the erg. All transfers between towns are on paved roads.
Worth reading before you go
-
Merzouga vs Zagora vs Agafay: Which Desert?
Three places get sold as "the Moroccan desert" and they are not remotely the same. The difference is dune size against…
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What a Night in a Sahara Desert Camp Is Really Like
Somewhere between the marketing photographs and the one-star reviews is what actually happens. Here it is, from the…
Ready to see the Sahara?
Send us your dates and we will tailor this 5 days / 4 nights tour to you — no obligation, and a real reply from a local team.
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