Marrakech & Sahara Express

Please note: You can be collected and dropped off for this tour either from the airport or an independently booked hotel in Marrakech - please let us know your preference at time of booking.

Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley. After you've been collected from the airport or your hotel, we travel through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m), the highest mountain pass in Morocco. Along the way, we pass traditional Berber villages and dramatic mountain scenery, with stops to take photographs and enjoy the views.

Our first break is in the village of Ait Barka at around 10:00 am, where you can relax, take photos and enjoy breakfast. We then continue to the highest point of the pass for another short stop to admire the panoramic views.

We then arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s best-preserved fortified villages. A local guide leads us through the historic ksar, sharing the history of this remarkable site. Afterwards, you have around one hour of free time to enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon we continue through the Valley of Roses and the Skoura palm grove before arriving in the Dades Valley and its impressive gorges.

Tonight you stay in traditional Moroccan accommodation located in the heart of the Dades Gorges in southern Morocco.

Dades Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga. This morning, we depart our accommodation in the Dades Gorges at 8:00 am after a traditional Moroccan breakfast. We travel along the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing colourful Berber villages and striking desert landscapes in the Dades Valley.

Around 45 km further, we arrive in Tinghir, known for its vast palm groves and historic Jewish quarter. From here we continue to the dramatic Todra Gorge, where towering canyon walls rise up to 300 m. Here you have free time to walk through the gorge and enjoy the scenery - a popular spot for climbers from around the world.

After time for lunch, we continue towards the Sahara Desert and the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. On arrival at the edge of the dunes, we ride camels across the sand for around 1 hour and 30 minutes, timing our journey to enjoy the sunset over the Sahara.

We arrive at our desert camp, set among the dunes near an oasis. Tonight we experience a traditional Saharan bivouac, staying in nomadic-style tents. After dinner, we gather around the fire to play drums with our camel guides before spending the night under the clear desert sky in the Merzouga Sahara.

Merzouga - Alnif - Nkoub - Ouarzazate - Marrakech. Today, you rise early to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi - often considered the most memorable moment in the Merzouga desert. The soft morning light across the Sahara creates a peaceful and unforgettable scene.

After sunrise, we enjoy a traditional breakfast at the desert camp before riding camels back across the dunes to meet our driver.

We then begin our journey back to Marrakech, travelling through Rissani, Tazarin, Nkob and the scenic Draa Valley - Morocco’s longest valley, known for its vast palm groves and historic caravan routes. We continue to Ouarzazate, where you have free time for lunch.

After lunch, we visit a historic kasbah once associated with the powerful Pacha El Glaoui., once the residence of the powerful Pacha El Glaoui, one of Morocco’s most influential figures in the early 20th century. This impressive kasbah offers a glimpse into the region’s rich history and traditional architecture.

In the afternoon, we cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. We arrive in Marrakech at around 7:00 pm, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation or the airport for your onward flight, marking the end of our 3-day desert tour.