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

Your driver picks you up from your accommodation in Marrakech around 8:00 am. The road heads south, climbing the switchbacks of the High Atlas up to the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 metres — one of North Africa’s most dramatic mountain drives. You’ll make stops to admire the views and visit a few traditional Berber villages along the way.

Your first major stop is the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou — a spectacular UNESCO-listed fortified village of earthen architecture and a favourite filming location for internationally famous productions. You’ll have plenty of time to wander its alleyways and towers.

After lunch, the route continues along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing through Ouarzazate, the lush palm oasis of Skoura, and the Valley of Roses at Kalaat M’Gouna. You’ll reach the Dades Valley in the late afternoon. If time allows, we’ll stop to see the striking “monkey fingers” rock formations before checking in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

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

DAY 2: DADES VALLEY → TINGHIR OASIS → TODRA GORGE → MERZOUGA DESERT

After breakfast, the drive continues east to Tinghir, with a panoramic stop overlooking a wide belt of palm groves and traditional Berber villages. From there, you’ll enter the Todra Gorge, where limestone walls rise 300 metres above a narrow riverbed — one of the most dramatic canyons in Morocco. You’ll have time to walk beneath the cliffs before continuing toward Merzouga.

You’ll arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in the afternoon. Your camels are waiting. From the edge of the sand you’ll ride deep into the dunes, pausing on a high ridge to watch the sun turn the desert copper and gold. The caravan continues to your luxury camp, where a welcome tea and a private tent are waiting. After a Moroccan dinner, the evening is spent around the campfire with Berber drumming, storytelling, and a star-filled sky overhead.

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

DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT → DRAA RIVER → OUARZAZATE → MARRAKECH

An early start is worth it for the sunrise from the nearest high dune to the camp. After breakfast, you’ll return to the town of Merzouga by camel or 4×4. The drive back to Marrakech takes a different route today — following the Draa River, at 1,100 km Morocco’s longest, with vast green palmeries stretching along its course.

You’ll stop for lunch in Ouarzazate before continuing over the High Atlas Mountains and descending into Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation.

Approximate driving distance: 560 km
Approximate driving time: 9 hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

– This route involves a significant amount of driving each day — if you can, consider extending to 3 days for a more relaxed pace.
– The tour is not recommended for travellers prone to motion sickness.
– Vegetarian and vegan meals are available — please let us know in advance.
– Your luggage will travel by 4×4 directly to the camp, so you don’t need to carry it on the camel ride.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 can take you to the camp instead at no extra charge.
– This tour can also be done in the opposite direction (Fes to Marrakech) or ended in Marrakech instead.