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Morocco Friendly Tours

4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and Back

The slower Sahara loop: more time in the gorges, a sunrise in the dunes and a night in the Draa Valley.

Desert camp with tents and travelers at sunset, M'Hamid El Ghizlane, Sahara

Overview

The 3-day desert tour is a great trip but it does have one very long final day. This 4-day version splits the return into two, so you spend a relaxed evening in the Draa Valley instead of arriving in Marrakech after dark. It is the version we recommend for families and for anyone who would rather see the kasbahs than the inside of a car.

You also gain time on the way out: a full stop at the Monkey Fingers rock formations, a walk in the Dades Gorge and an unhurried afternoon in Merzouga before the camel ride.

Route: 4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and BackMarrakechAit Ben HaddouOuarzazateDades ValleyTodra GorgesMerzougaDraa Valley1234567
Route

Route

MarrakechAit Ben HaddouOuarzazateDades ValleyTodra GorgesMerzouga & Erg ChebbiDraa ValleyMarrakech

Highlights

  • Guided visit of Ait Ben Haddou and the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate
  • Dades Gorge and the Todra Gorges
  • Sunset camel trek and a night in a comfortable desert camp
  • Visit to a Gnawa village and the fossil workshops of Erfoud
  • Night in a kasbah in the Draa Valley and the ksar of Tamnougalt

Itinerary

  1. 1Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley

    Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou with a local guide, Ouarzazate, Skoura palm grove and the Valley of the Roses. Night in the Dades Valley.

    Meals:
    Dinner
    Overnight:
    4-star kasbah hotel, Dades Valley
  2. 2Dades Gorge → Todra Gorges → Merzouga

    Short walk in the Dades Gorge, Todra Gorges, lunch in Tinghir, Erfoud fossil workshops and arrival in Merzouga. Camel trek at sunset and night at the camp.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
    Overnight:
    Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
  3. 3Merzouga → Rissani → Draa Valley

    Sunrise over the dunes, breakfast, 4x4 tour to the Gnawa village of Khamlia and the Rissani market. Drive to the Draa Valley via Alnif and Tazzarine. Night in a kasbah near Zagora or Agdz.

    Meals:
    Breakfast, dinner
    Overnight:
    Kasbah guesthouse, Draa Valley
  4. 4Draa Valley → Ouarzazate → Marrakech

    Visit of the ksar of Tamnougalt, drive through the palm groves to Ouarzazate, lunch, and return over the Atlas. Arrival in Marrakech around 17:30.

    Meals:
    Breakfast

What's included

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
  • Private vehicle with English-speaking driver
  • 3 nights half board (kasbah hotel, desert camp, Draa Valley kasbah)
  • Camel trek and 4x4 excursion in Merzouga
  • Local guides in Ait Ben Haddou and Tamnougalt

Not included

  • Lunches and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Why choose 4 days instead of 3?

Shorter driving days, a real visit of the Draa Valley and time to enjoy the places instead of rushing through them. If you have the extra day, take it.

Guides to read before you go

All guides
Golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert near Merzouga

18 October 2026 · 6 min read

Best time to visit the Sahara desert in Morocco

Spring and autumn are the obvious answer, but every season has its case. Here is what the desert is really like month by month, from our drivers who go every week.

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