Overview
A private round trip from Marrakech across the High Atlas to the kasbah town of Zagora and the palm-lined Draa Valley, camel trekking and a night under the stars in the Erg Chebbi dunes, the dramatic Todra Gorge and the rose-hued Dades Valley, before returning to Marrakech for a full guided day exploring the Red City.
This tour shares its dunes and desert camp with our complete guide to the Merzouga desert and its High Atlas crossing with our 5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour. Prefer a longer circuit that also reaches Fes and the north? See our 8-Day Morocco Tour: Sahara & Rif Mountains, or browse all our Morocco tours.
Trip Highlights
UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
Kasbahs and palm groves of the Draa Valley
Sunset camel trek & overnight camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes
Khamlia village and traditional Gnawa music
Dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge
Rose-hued Dades Valley and Skoura's palm oasis
Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the souks of Marrakech
Official local guide for an authentic, in-depth exploration of Marrakech
7-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Tour Route: Zagora, Sahara & the Dades Valley
A loop of roughly 1,250 km, from Marrakech south across the High Atlas to the Sahara dunes near Merzouga and back through the Dades Valley.
View Route on Google MapsDay by Day Itinerary
Click a day to expand the full route, details, and a photo from that stage of the trip.
01
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Zagora Desert
02
Zagora → Tazarine → Rissani → Merzouga Desert
03
Full Day Merzouga Desert Exploration
04
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Valley
05
Dades Valley → Ouarzazate → Ait Ben Haddou → Marrakech
06
Full Guided Day in Marrakech
07
Departure
Included / Excluded
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver
- 6 nights accommodation (riads & desert camp)
- Daily breakfast and dinner in the desert
- Camel trek and overnight desert camp in Merzouga
- Official local guided tour in Marrakech
- Free pickup and departure transfer in Marrakech
Not Included
- Lunches and personal expenses
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional quad biking or buggy rides in Merzouga
Accommodation Options
Choose the comfort level for your riads and desert camp, and let us know your preference when requesting a quote.
Standard Riads & Shared Desert Camp
Comfortable, well-located 3-star riads with en-suite bathrooms in each city, plus a traditional Berber desert camp with shared facilities in Merzouga, a great balance of comfort and authentic Berber culture.
- En-suite bathroom in every riad
- Traditional Berber tents with shared washroom facilities
- Central medina locations, close to main sights
Boutique Riads & Luxury Private Desert Camp
Upgrade to 4–5 star boutique riads with rooftop pools and spa access, plus a private luxury Berber desert camp with en-suite tents, hot showers, and a dedicated camp team.
- En-suite luxury tents with hot showers
- Rooftop pools and spa access at select riads
- Private camp setup, away from shared groups
