DAY 1: MARRAKECH → HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS → AIT BEN HADDOU → DADES VALLEY

Your 5 day Merzouga adventure begins with a pick-up from your accommodation in Marrakech. The road heads south through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with photo stops at the finest viewpoints.

After lunch in Ait Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate, the drive continues east through the Skoura oasis and the Valley of Roses. You can optionally visit the remarkable Amridil Kasbah in Skoura, and — if you’re travelling in spring — stop to see the roses in full bloom.

On arrival in the Dades Valley, you’ll see the striking “monkey fingers” rock formations and panoramic views of the gorge before checking in to your hotel for dinner and the night.

Approximate driving distance: 353 km
Approximate driving time: 6 hours 30 minutes

DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA

After breakfast, the drive continues to Tinghir, with panoramic views of the oasis and its historic kasbahs. You’ll have time to walk beneath the 300-metre cliffs of the Todra Gorge before continuing toward the Sahara.

After lunch along the route, you’ll reach the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes, where your camels will be waiting. The trek takes you deep into the sand, with a pause on a high dune for a magnificent sunset and sandboarding on the steep slopes. As night falls, camp staff serve dinner, drumming begins around the campfire, and a sky full of stars unfolds overhead.

Approximate driving distance: 310 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours

DAY 3: FULL DAY EXPLORING THE SAHARA

An early wake-up is rewarded with a peaceful sunrise from the camp. After breakfast, a 4×4 takes you off-road for a full day of exploration: a visit to a nomadic Berber family who will welcome you into their tent for tea and share their way of life; an abandoned village deep in the desert that was once home to working galena mines; and the village of Khamlia, where the locals — whose roots trace back to Sub-Saharan Africa — play traditional Gnawa music. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant before driving to the lake near Merzouga (if the water is full) and then returning to your riad.

Approximate driving distance: 57 km
Approximate driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes

DAY 4: MERZOUGA → RISSANI → AGDEZ → OUARZAZATE

An early start is rewarded with another peaceful desert sunrise from the terrace of your riad. The drive begins with a stop in the old city of Rissani, where you’ll visit a traditional Moroccan souk. From there, the route heads west through the scenic Draa Valley, with a stop in Agdez for panoramic valley views, before arriving in Ouarzazate in the afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.

Approximate driving distance: 370 km
Approximate driving time: 5 hours 20 minutes

DAY 5: OUARZAZATE → AIT BEN HADDOU → TELOUET KASBAH → MARRAKECH

After breakfast, there’s time to explore Ouarzazate — gateway to the Sahara and “Hollywood of Africa” — home to the historic Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Studios, one of the world’s largest film complexes.

The drive continues to Ait Ben Haddou, where you can explore the ancient UNESCO-listed kasbah. The route then climbs back over the High Atlas toward Marrakech, with a stop to admire the atmospheric Kasbah of Telouet along the way. Your driver will drop you off at your accommodation in Marrakech.

Approximate driving distance: 203 km
Approximate driving time: 3 hours 52 minutes

IMPORTANT NOTES

– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this when booking.
– The itinerary above includes one night in the desert camp and one in a Merzouga riad. If you’d prefer both nights in the camp, just let us know when booking.
– Optional extras such as quad biking, buggy driving, or a professional photographer can be arranged on request.
– All our luxury camps offer private tents with en-suite bathrooms.
– The itinerary is fully flexible and can be adjusted upon request.