This 8-day expedition offers an immersive journey into Morocco’s dramatic southern landscapes and Saharan wonders. Beginning in Marrakech, you’ll cross the High Atlas Mountains to explore ancient kasbahs, traverse the breathtaking Dades and Todra gorges, and spend two nights under the desert stars—first in the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) and then in the stark, palm-fringed expanse of the Zagora desert. The tour blends adventure, cultural encounters with nomadic communities, and scenic drives through ever-changing terrain before returning to the vibrant energy of Marrakech.
Welcome to Morocco! Upon your arrival at Marrakech Menara Airport (or Casablanca Mohammed V Airport), our team will greet you and provide a comfortable transfer to your riad or hotel in Marrakech. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Marrakech.
Depart Marrakech after breakfast. Cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with photo stops of Berber villages. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, an iconic clay fortress. After lunch, pass through Ouarzazate and travel along the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, arriving at your hotel in the Dades Valley by evening.
Accommodation: Hotel/Riad in Boumalne Dades (Dinner included).
After breakfast, visit the impressive Todra Gorge for a walk between its towering cliffs. Continue via Erfoud to the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga. Here, you’ll mount camels for a peaceful trek into the desert to watch the sunset. Arrive at your desert camp for a traditional dinner and a night of Berber music under the stars.
Accommodation: Private tent at a desert camp (Dinner included).
After breakfast at the camp, explore the Merzouga region by 4×4. Visit a nomadic family near the Algerian border, see the M’ifis mines, and enjoy a traditional “Berber pizza” lunch in Khamlia village with a live Gnawa music performance. Explore a desert oasis before returning to the village. In the late afternoon, embark on another camel ride to a different desert camp for sunset, dinner, and stargazing.
Accommodation: Private tent at a desert camp (Dinner included).
Wake for sunrise, have breakfast, and return to Merzouga. Drive to Rissani to explore its famous traditional market. Then, journey through a stark, beautiful landscape via Alnif and Tazzarine (part of the old Paris-Dakar route) to reach the Zagora desert, characterized by its vast palm oases and distant dunes.
Accommodation: Hotel/Riad in Zagora (Dinner included).
Depart Zagora and drive through the magnificent Draa Valley, a long oasis of palm groves. Pass through Ouarzazate and visit the Telouet Kasbah, the former palace of the Glaoui lords. After lunch, re-cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, arriving back in Marrakech by late afternoon.
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Marrakech.
With a local guide, explore Marrakech’s key sights: the opulent Bahia Palace, the historic Saadian Tombs, and the bustling souks. Find tranquility in the beautiful Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and see the iconic Koutoubia Mosque. The day culminates in the vibrant spectacle of Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Accommodation: Riad/Hotel in Marrakech.
After breakfast, enjoy some free time. Our team will transfer you to Marrakech Menara Airrpot or Casablanca Mohammed V Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your deep desert adventure.
Please note: The itinerary can be adapted to start or end in Casablanca upon request.
