4 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga with Hotel & Glamping

Departure from Marrakech and a tour through the High Atlas Mountains

At 8:00 AM, your guide will pick you up at your lodging in Marrakech, and you’ll begin your journey by private vehicle toward southern Morocco.

You’ll leave the city behind and head into the High Atlas, traveling along mountain roads and through small Berber villages until you reach the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Along the way, you’ll make several stops to rest, take in the scenery, and snap some photos before continuing on to Ait Ben Haddou.

Visit to Ait Ben Haddou

After crossing the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most iconic sites along the route. You’ll have about 1 hour to explore this adobe ksar, stroll through its narrow streets, and enjoy the views of the surrounding area.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ait Ben Haddou is also known for having served as a filming location for productions such as Game of Thrones and Gladiator. After the visit, you’ll continue the tour toward Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate and Atlas Studios

You’ll continue on to Ouarzazate, known for its close ties to the film industry and for being home to some of Morocco’s most important film studios. Here, you’ll stop for lunch and have the opportunity to visit Atlas Studios, time permitting.

Please note that lunch is not included in the tour, so you can bring a picnic lunch from Marrakech or ask your guide for recommendations on where to eat at one of the local restaurants.

You’ll then continue on to the Dades Valley, passing through some of the iconic landscapes of southern Morocco.

Monkey Toes and Arrival in the Dades Valley

You’ll continue the route through Skoura and Kalaat M’Gouna, the gateway to the Valley of Roses—an area known for its rose cultivation and the scenic landscapes along the way to the Dades.

Before the day ends, you’ll stop to admire the curious rock formations known as Monkey Toes, shaped by erosion and characteristic of this area.

Finally, you’ll arrive in the Dades Valley, where you’ll check into your lodging and enjoy dinner before turning in for the night.

Todra Gorges

After breakfast, you’ll leave the Dades Valley behind and continue your journey toward Tinghir and the breathtaking Todra Gorges.

Upon arrival, you’ll stop to walk among the rocky cliffs—which reach heights of up to 300 meters—and take in the scenery. After the visit, you’ll stop for lunch before continuing on to the desert. Although lunch isn’t included in the tour, your guide can recommend local restaurants where you can enjoy the local cuisine.

Camel Ride Through the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Upon arriving in Merzouga, you’ll set out on a camel ride lasting about 40 minutes to venture into the Erg Chebbi dunes and reach the campsite.

Once there, you’ll settle into your glamping tent and enjoy a welcome tea. Afterward, you’ll have time to walk through the dunes and watch the sunset over the desert.

Berber dinner and overnight stay at the glamping site

As night falls, you’ll enjoy dinner at the camp, followed by Berber music around the campfire. Afterward, you’ll have time to gaze at the starry sky over the Erg Chebbi dunes before returning to your tent and spending the night at the glamping site.

Sunrise and Activities in the Merzouga Dunes

You’ll start the day with the chance to watch the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes—one of the most special moments of your desert experience.

In the morning, you can go sandboarding, using the boards available at the camp to glide down the dunes on your own and at your own pace.

If you’d like to add a little more adventure, you can book a guided ATV tour through the desert, available as an optional activity when you make your reservation. You can combine it with sandboarding, as both activities can be done on the same morning.

Once the activities are over, you’ll return to the camp for your included breakfast, pick up your luggage, and continue the journey to Rissani.

Rissani and a tour of the Draa Valley

You’ll leave Merzouga behind and arrive in Rissani, where—if it happens to be one of the days the market is open—you’ll visit its traditional market. Afterward, you’ll continue on your way through Alnif and N’Kob, a Berber village surrounded by palm groves.

The journey will continue through the Draa Valley, among vast palm groves and ancient ksars, before crossing the Ait Saouen Mountains and arriving in Ouarzazate. There, you’ll have dinner and spend the night in a riad.

The visit to the Rissani market is subject to its opening days. If it is closed, the itinerary will continue so you can enjoy more time in Merzouga.

💙 Howlanders Tip: If your visit coincides with market day in Rissani, bring some cash in dirhams. The souk is organized into different sections with stalls selling local products, spices, dates, and handicrafts, and many of them only accept cash.

Return to Marrakech through the High Atlas

After breakfast in Ouarzazate, you’ll begin the return trip to Marrakech. You’ll cross the High Atlas and the Tizi n’Tichka Pass once again, enjoying the mountain scenery one last time along the way.

Arrival in Marrakech is scheduled for around 3:00 PM, although this time is approximate and may be adjusted based on the travelers’ preferences and the day’s itinerary. During the trip, you can stop to rest and have lunch if you’d like. Remember that lunch is not included in the tour, but your guide will help you arrange this stop and can recommend places to eat on the last day of the excursion.

Once in Marrakech, your guide will drop you off at your accommodation, bringing the 4 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga to a close.

If you’d prefer to end your trip in Fez instead of returning to Marrakech, check out our 4 Days Tour from Marrakech to Fes.