8-Day Morocco Desert Tour

Duration8 Days Itinerary

DateFlexible

Tour TypePrivate

Customize Your Private Itinerary

Highlights

Enjoy the beauty of the High Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, lush valleys, dramatic gorges, and the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert on this unforgettable 8-day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech. This journey is ideal for travelers who want to combine Morocco’s desert landscapes with imperial cities, Berber villages, palm groves, historic monuments, and scenic mountain roads.

Your adventure begins in Marrakech before crossing the High Atlas Mountains through the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of the most spectacular roads in Morocco. Along the way, you will enjoy panoramic viewpoints, traditional Berber villages, mountain landscapes, and the changing scenery between Marrakech and the southern regions of Morocco. The route continues to the ancient kasbahs of Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou, two remarkable examples of Morocco’s clay architecture and caravan history.

As you travel toward Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, you will discover places such as Atlas Film Studios, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, the Valley of Roses, Dades Valley, and Todra Gorge. These areas are famous for their palm groves, mud-brick villages, dramatic rock formations, and peaceful oasis landscapes. Each stop offers a different view of Morocco’s natural beauty and traditional way of life.

The highlight of the tour is the Sahara Desert experience in Merzouga, near the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here, you will ride a camel across the dunes, watch the sunset over the Sahara, enjoy a traditional dinner, listen to local music, and spend the night in a desert camp under the stars. The following day, you may explore the desert region, visit local villages, discover nomad life, and experience the calm and magic of the Sahara.

The journey also includes visits to Rissani, Erfoud, Midelt, Ifrane, Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, depending on the final itinerary. From desert towns and fossil workshops to cedar forests, imperial cities, Roman ruins, and coastal landmarks, this Morocco Desert Tour offers a complete travel experience filled with culture, landscapes, history, and adventure.

Morocco Desert Tour Highlights

Discover the rich history, culture, and atmosphere of Morocco by visiting Marrakech and Fes, two of the country’s most important imperial cities.
Travel across the stunning High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with panoramic views, mountain villages, and beautiful photo stops along the way.
Visit the historic Kasbah of Telouet, once connected to the powerful Glaoui family and the old caravan routes through the Atlas Mountains.
Admire the impressive architecture of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village famous for its clay buildings, towers, narrow alleys, and dramatic desert setting.
Explore Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara and the Hollywood of Morocco, with its kasbahs, film studios, and desert landscapes.
Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, passing old fortified villages, palm groves, valleys, and traditional mud-brick architecture.
Discover the Valley of Roses, famous for its rose gardens, local cooperatives, rose water, and beautiful scenery, especially during the spring season.
Enjoy the landscapes of Dades Valley and Dades Gorge, where winding roads, red cliffs, kasbahs, and green oasis views create one of Morocco’s most scenic routes.
Take a short walk through Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s most impressive canyon landscapes, with high rock walls, palm groves, and mountain views.
Visit the Tinghir oasis and discover a beautiful area of palm trees, traditional villages, irrigation channels, and Berber life.
Travel through Erfoud and Rissani, known for fossils, date palms, local markets, desert culture, and their historical connection to the Tafilalet region.
Ride a camel across the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and watch the sunset over the Sahara Desert, one of the most unforgettable moments of the tour.
Spend the night in a Merzouga desert camp, with a traditional dinner, local music, desert silence, and a magical sky full of stars.
Wake up early to admire the sunrise over the Sahara dunes and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the desert morning.
Drive through the Ziz Valley, one of Morocco’s most beautiful palm valleys, with scenic viewpoints, date palms, villages, and desert landscapes.
Stop in Midelt, a quiet mountain town known for apples, minerals, and its location between the desert and the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Visit the cedar forests near Azrou and Ifrane, where you may see Barbary macaques in their natural mountain environment.
Explore Fes with its ancient medina, traditional crafts, historic monuments, spiritual atmosphere, and fascinating cultural heritage.
Visit Meknes and Volubilis, where you can discover Morocco’s imperial history and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa.
End the journey with visits to Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, depending on your final route, combining desert adventure with Morocco’s imperial cities and cultural landmarks.

FAQs:

Does the Morocco desert tour include camel rides?

Most Morocco desert tours include a camel trek through the dunes, especially in the Merzouga region. Camel rides are one of the highlights of a desert tour and are often scheduled at sunset or sunrise for the best views.

Which desert is included in the Morocco desert tour?

Most desert tours visit the Sahara Desert, particularly the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. Some tours also visit the Erg Chigaga dunes near M’Hamid, which offer a more remote and off-the-beaten-path desert experience.

Is a Morocco desert tour worth it?

A desert tour is one of the most memorable experiences in Morocco. Travelers can enjoy stunning landscapes, camel trekking, spectacular sunsets and sunrises, traditional Berber hospitality, stargazing, and overnight stays in desert camps.

What is included in a Morocco desert tour package?

Most Morocco desert tour packages include transportation, accommodation, camel rides, breakfast and dinner, an overnight stay in a desert camp, and visits to scenic attractions along the route. Some tours also include local guides and cultural experiences.

What should I pack for a Morocco desert tour?

It is recommended to bring comfortable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light jacket for cool evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and a small backpack for personal items. During winter, warmer clothing is advisable, as desert nights can be quite cold.

Is a private Morocco desert tour better than a group tour?

It depends on your travel style. Private tours offer greater flexibility, personalized service, and the freedom to travel at your own pace. Group tours are generally more affordable and provide opportunities to meet other travelers while sharing the experience.

What is the best time of year for a Morocco desert tour?

The best time for a Morocco desert tour is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are comfortable for outdoor activities. Winter is also popular due to mild daytime temperatures, while summer can be extremely hot in the Sahara Desert.

Itinerary Expand all Collapse all

DAY 1 MARRAKECH – HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS – DADES

Begin your 8-day exploration of Marrakech and Fes through Merzouga by departing from the Hotel or Airport in the morning. Take the Tizi N-Tichka pass, traversing the beautiful High Atlas Mountains at 2260 meters high. Along the way, have the opportunity to visit Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, famously seen in movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. Experience the exquisite scenery and colorful Berber villages, stopping at overlooks along the way to snap some memorable photos. The adventure continues in Ouarzazate, a gateway to the Sahara desert. Visit the local Kasbah Taourirt and Film Studios before making your way to the spectacular Dades Gorges on the Thousand Kasbahs road, finally spending the night in a traditional Riad or Hotel in Boumalne Dades.

DAY 2 DADES VALLEY – MERZOUGA DUNES

We will begin our day with a traditional Moroccan breakfast in Dades, before delving into the marvelous scenery of the Todra Gorges. Take in the beautiful sights of the 300m high canyon walls, a frequent stopping point for climbers, as we make our way to the Berber village of Tinghir and the majestic Todra Gorge. Later, we continue to the Merzouga Sahara Desert for a delicious lunch at a local eatery. Afterward, we proceed to Erg Chebbi dunes and board camels for a one and a half hour journey towards the center of the desert. From the highest sand dune, one will witness the stunning sunset, and later on a delectable dinner prepared with Berber drums and music. Lastly, before retiring for the night, you will stay at a Standard or Luxury Desert Camp beneath a sky filled with stars.

DAY 3 MERZOUGA SAHARA TOUR

Rise and shine! Wake up early to experience the most beautiful sunrise of your life. Afterwards, journey back to your Riad or Hotel in Merzouga and set off on a thrilling off-road tour. Pop into the Khamlia settlement, also known as the Black People, and soak up the atmosphere of their traditional Gnawa music. Admire the sweeping views of the desert and get the chance to understand the nomad life, as they live under tents and animal herds. Then, visit some deserted mines and explore a hidden palm-tree oasis. Lastly, take some time to wander around Merzouga and explore its unique streets.

DAY 4 MERZOUGA – RISSANI – MIDELT

You will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of the sunrise in the morning, when your camel guide wakes you up. After a scrumptious breakfast, it will be time to climb aboard the camel and explore the sand dunes of Merzouga. Upon arrival you can explore the Berber people in the Khamlia community, invite the locals in for a cup of tea, and listen to their enchanting Gnawa music. Take in the magnificent desert views with a chance to visit abandoned mines and oases. Before heading back, you will have the opportunity to explore the town of Merzouga and its picturesque streets.

DAY 5 MIDELT – IFRANE – FES

Today, after a delicious breakfast at your lodging, we will begin our 8-day tour from Marrakech to Fes. On our way, we will traverse through various historical Berber settlements found in the Middle Atlas. We will make an informative stop at the well-known Cedar forest next to the village of Azrou and have the opportunity to snap pictures of the interesting Barbary apes. Afterwards, we will proceed to Ifrane before arriving at your hotel in Fes.

DAY 6 FES CITY TOUR

Visiting exquisite sites in Fes is a must-do when exploring Morocco. Spend a morning with a local guide on a walking tour of the old medina, followed by free time to further explore the dazzling city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina of Fes is the most expansive living ancient city in the world, and you won't want to miss the chance to glimpse its ancient structures. From the Nejjarin Museum to Al Quaraouin, the oldest university in Morocco, to the Jewish Quarter, you will get to observe the beauty of Fes' famed leather tannery, and much more. At the end of the day, relax in a hotel and enjoy the experience.

DAY 7 FEZ – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – RABAT

After we have had breakfast, let’s make our way along the Meknes-Fes route to the city of Rabat. On the journey, we will stop at the archaeological site of Volubilis, where we can learn about Morocco's history during the Roman Empire. This amazing ancient city was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. In Meknes, we will visit the iconic Bab El Mansour, browse the Lahdim plaza's spice market, and marvel at the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Then, we will continue towards Rabat, the political capital of Morocco and a seaside city, where we can witness the red ocher walls, tour the Kasbah of the Oudaya, see the grandeur of the Hassan II tower, and pay our respects at the tomb of Mohamed V. When we reach the Medina, we can find a hotel to stay in for the night.

DAY 8 RABAT – CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

Today marks the end of our 8-day tour from Marrakech to Fes via Merzouga. We will depart from Rabat in the morning, making our way to Casablanca to marvel at the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque. As the second-largest mosque in Africa and the seventh-largest in the world, it offers a majestic sight to behold. It is especially noteworthy for its record-breaking 689 foot minaret, the world's second-highest. From there, we will return to the starting point of our journey: Marrakech. For the remainder of the day, you are free to explore the city. Whether it's a stroll through Djemaa el Fna square or simply taking in the sights and sounds of the city, this is your chance to make the most of your time in Marrakech. Finally, we will take you to the hotel or airport, depending on your time of departure. Thus concludes our 8 day journey throughout Morocco.

Included

Included Services

Private pickup from your hotel, riad, or airport in Marrakech
Private drop-off at your hotel, riad, or airport at the end of the tour
Private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the 8-day Morocco Desert Tour
Professional English-speaking driver
7 nights of accommodation in selected riads, hotels, kasbahs, and Sahara Desert camps
Daily breakfast during the tour
Selected dinners, including dinner in the Sahara Desert camp and some accommodations
Camel trekking experience in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Sunset and/or sunrise experience in the Sahara Desert, depending on weather and timing
Overnight stay in a standard or luxury desert camp near Merzouga
4×4 desert excursion around Merzouga, including Khamlia village, nomad areas, desert landscapes, and local stops when included in the final itinerary
Visit to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and Ouarzazate region
Visit to Dades Valley, Todra Gorge, Tinghir, Erfoud, Rissani, Midelt, Ifrane, Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Rabat, and Casablanca
Local licensed guide for sightseeing in Fes
Flexible stops for panoramic views, photos, Berber villages, palm groves, kasbahs, valleys, and local markets
Luggage assistance during the tour
Local support before and during your Morocco trip

Excluded Services

International flights to and from Morocco
Travel insurance
Lunches and drinks unless clearly mentioned in the final itinerary
Dinners not clearly mentioned as included
Entrance fees to monuments, museums, kasbahs, film studios, gardens, Volubilis, Hassan II Mosque, and historical sites
Optional activities such as quad biking, sandboarding, hammam, spa treatments, cooking class, extra guided visits, or special excursions
Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, telephone calls, minibar charges, and room service
Tips for driver, local guides, hotel staff, camel handlers, 4×4 drivers, restaurant staff, and luggage porters
Extra hotel nights before or after the tour
Any service not clearly mentioned in the included services

Price

Hotel / riad category	2 people	4 people	6 people
4-star riads / hotels / desert camp	$1,650 – $2,050	$1,300 – $1,650	$1,150 – $1,450
5-star / luxury riads, hotels & desert camp	$2,450 – $3,100	$2,050 – $2,550	$1,850 – $2,250