4-Day Tour Marrakech To Merzouga

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Overview

Embark on a 4-day adventure from Marrakech to the majestic Merzouga, a stunning Sahara desert region where the golden sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. Feel the thrill of dune bashing and camel trekking, explore the ancient Kasbahs, discover the lush oases and canyons, and enjoy the hospitality of the nomads.

The highlight of your Marrakech to Merzouga 4-day desert trip will be the moment you witness the breathtaking beauty of Erg Chebbi, where the sun sets behind the towering Erg Chebbi dunes. End your day with a cozy stay at your Sahara desert camp (luxury and normal standard camp) nestled in the heart of the desert.

Highlights

4 Days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Tour Highlights

4-Day Tour Marrakech To Merzouga

Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ait ben Haddou - Boumalne Dades

Stop 1: Tizi N’tichka Pass and the High Atlas Mountains

You are about to embark on a thrilling 4 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour. We will meet you at your hotel or riad at around 08h00 AM and start our journey.

Our first destination will be Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, but to get there we will be driving through Tizi N’tichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains past adobe Berber villages. Tizi N’tichka pass is the highest road pass in Morocco, reaching an altitude of 2260 meters.

It offers stunning views of the mountains and valleys, as well as a glimpse of the traditional Berber life. You will see many women wearing colorful dresses and men riding donkeys or mules along the road.

We will be making several stops along the way to take scenery photos, stretch your legs, or have a cup of coffee.

Stop 2: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

After about four hours of driving, we will arrive at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive fortified villages in Morocco. It was built in the 17th century by the Glaoui tribe, who controlled the caravan trade routes between Marrakech and the Sahara.

The kasbah is made of mud bricks and has a distinctive architecture with towers, crenelated walls, and decorated doors. It has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, such as Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. You will have a guided tour of the kasbah and learn about its history and culture.

Enjoy a guided walk of the kasbah and learn about its history and architecture. You will also have some free time to explore the narrow alleys and admire the views from the top of the hill. We will have lunch at a local restaurant near the kasbah.

Stop 3: Valley of the Roses and Boumalne Dades

After lunch, we will drive to Boumalne Dades town or Dades Gorge through the valley of The Roses, famous for its Damascus rose plantations and local ladies cooperatives distilling rose water and making some local rose-based cosmetic goods.

The Valley of The Roses is a sight to behold especially in spring when the roses are in full bloom and fill the air with their fragrance.

We will have a chance to visit one of the cooperatives and see how the rose water is made, as well as buy some of the products, such as soap, lotion, and perfume. You will also see some of the traditional crafts of the region, such as carpets, pottery, and jewelry.

Our final destination for the day will be the Boumalne Dades, a charming town surrounded by the Dades Valley and the Dades Gorge.

We will spend the night in a cozy riad or hotel in the valley and also enjoy a delicious dinner. This will be the end of the first day of our 4 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert.

Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Merzouga desert

Stop 1: Dades Gorge

On the second day of your 4 days private Marrakech tour, you will explore some of the most stunning natural landscapes and cultural attractions in the country. We will start the day with a delicious breakfast in Boumalne Dades.

Then we continue our second day of our Marrakech to Merzouga 4-day tour towards the impressive Todra Gorge (called locally Toudgha Gorge), a natural oasis created by the River Todra carving its way through limestone for many centuries.

The canyon walls of the gorge are reminiscent of a prehistoric era, towering over 300 meters in height – a height surpassing that of the Empire State Building in New York. It is one of the most beautiful places in Morocco to go for a hike, with its crystal-clear river, steep cliffs, lush palm groves, and stunning rock formations such as the famous Monkey Fingers.

You will have the opportunity to take some amazing photos and enjoy the fresh air and the scenic views. We will also stop for lunch in one of the Berber villages along the way and get to taste some of the typical dishes of the region, such as couscous, tagine, and harira soup.

Stop 2: Merzouga desert

After lunch, we will take the road to the Merzouga desert, the gateway to the Sahara. You will cross the palm grove of Tafilalet, where the best date fruits grow. You will also visit Erfoud, a nice town where you can see marble workshops and fossils.

Erfoud is known as the fossil capital of Morocco, as it has a rich geological history and many fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. You can buy some souvenirs or learn more about the fossils from the local experts.

In the afternoon, we will reach Merzouga, a small village at the edge of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. These are the largest and highest sand dunes in Morocco, reaching up to 150 meters high and covering an area of 35 km by 5 to 8 km. The dunes have a golden color and change their shape and hue depending on the time of day and the season.

You will start your camel trekking adventure from Merzouga and ride your camel over the sand dunes to your desert camp. You will get to enjoy the sunset over the dunes and the silence and serenity of the desert.

Stop 3: Desert camp

We will arrive at the desert camp before nightfall and settle in your comfortable tent. You can choose between a luxury or a normal comfort camp, depending on your preference and budget. Both camps have a western bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room.

You will be welcomed with a cup of mint tea and some snacks, and then have a delicious tagine for dinner. Tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish that consists of meat, vegetables, and spices cooked in a clay pot over a fire. It is very flavorful and satisfying.

After dinner, you will enjoy some Berber music and entertainment around the fire. Your Berber guide will play some traditional drums and sing some songs. You can join them and learn some of their rhythms and lyrics.

You will see thousands of stars twinkling and maybe even spot some shooting stars or constellations. After this enchanting view, settle in for a luxurious overnight stay.

Day 3: Erg Chebbi – Rissani – Alnif – Anti Atlas Mountains

To kick off the day, we will be treated to the breathtaking sunrise over the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. You will be captivated by the stunning views, offering a perfect opportunity for stunning photographs and a serene experience in the heart of the desert.

If you choose the standard option, you will have breakfast and shower in a guest house in Merzouga. However, if you choose the luxury option, you will begin the day by having breakfast and showering in the camp.

After that, we will ride the camels back to Merzouga, where you will meet your driver and prepare for an exciting day of sightseeing and adventure.

Stop 1: Rissani

Our first stop will be Rissani, a historic town that was once the capital of Tafilalet and a major caravan center. You will visit the lively souk, where you can find leather goods, spices, fossils, and jewelry. You will also see the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, and the Ksar Abbar, a fortified palace that dates back to the 17th century.

Stop 2: Alnif

We will continue our journey to Alnif through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, a small town known for its significant paleontological discoveries. Alnif is situated in the region of the Alnif Basin, which has been the site of numerous fossils of dinosaurs, marine reptiles, and other prehistoric creatures.

You can visit some of the local fossil shops and see the amazing specimens on display. You can also arrange a tour of the fossil beds and try your hand at prospecting. Alnif is a great place to learn about the history of life on Earth and admire the natural beauty of the area.

After that, we continue to Tazarine, a charming oasis town surrounded by palm trees and almond groves. You will also see some of the rock art that adorns the nearby hills, depicting animals, humans, and geometric patterns.

We will have lunch here and enjoy the traditional Berber cuisine.

Stop 3: Ouarzazate

Then we follow the course of the Draa River, the longest river in Morocco, which flows from the High Atlas to the Atlantic Ocean. At the back of the car, you will get to see the valley’s stunning green contrast to the arid desert, with thousands of palm trees, orchards, and kasbahs.

We will reach Ouarzazate in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel. Ouarzazate is a city at the edge of the desert, nicknamed the door of the desert. It is also known as the Hollywood of Morocco, as it has been the location of many movies and TV shows.

Day 4: Ouarzazate – Telouet – Marrakech

Stop 1: Ouarzazate

After having breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and visit Atlas Films Studio. Taourirt Kasbah is a historic fortified residence complex or kasbah that was the seat of the El Glaoui family’s power in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The kasbah features impressive mud-brick architecture decorated with geometric motifs, niches, and balconies. Explore the labyrinth of passages and rooms inside the kasbah, some of which have rich decoration and tataoui ceilings made of woven reed. You will also enjoy the views of the oasis and the city from the roof of the Kasbah.

Then we continue to the Atlas Films Studio which is the world’s largest film studio by acreage, covering more than 322,000 square feet of desert. The studio was founded in 1983 by Moroccan entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi and has hosted many famous film sets such as Gladiator, Star Wars, Aladdin, and Game of Thrones.

Tour the decaying sets that litter the harsh desert environment and discover the secrets behind the movie magic. You will also see a prop jet plane that was used in the Jewel of the Nile and the Colosseum where Russell Crowe fought in Gladiator.

Stop 2: Telouet to Marrakech

After enjoying the guided walk before we continue to Telouet, another Kasbah located in the former route of the caravans crossing the High Atlas Mountains from Marrakech to the Sahara desert.

It was built by the El Glaoui family in 1860. The kasbah was expanded and embellished over the years with the help of 300 craftsmen from different parts of Morocco. It features stunning Moorish architecture, ornate windows, painted ceilings, and narrow corridors.

You will visit the reception room, the dining room, and the private apartments of the former Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, who collaborated with the French colonialists and was later declared a traitor after Morocco’s independence. Get to learn more about the history and culture of the Berber people who live in the region

From here we will proceed across the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, where you will be transported to your hotel or the airport. This marks the end of your 4 days private Marrakech tour.