Experience the majestic Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains on this 5-day adventure
Experience the best of the Sahara desert’s stunning scenery and historic culture on the Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour. You’ll enjoy driving through the Atlas Mountains to reach the gateway town of Merzouga and the Sahara Desert.
Along the way, visit the beautiful Todra Gorge canyon, and hike through an oasis full of date palms. Then take a camel ride through the desert at sunset and spend the night in a traditional Berber camp. Wake up to a memorable sunrise in the Sahara.
Explore ancient kasbahs, fortified dwellings where families and livestock were protected within strong walls. You’ll also visit the walled city of Ait Benhaddou, which you may recognize as the featured scenery in several Hollywood movies. This incredible tour of the Sahara Desert is the adventure of a lifetime, so book your tour today!
Highlights of the Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour
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Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Marrakesh
Arrival day in Morocco! Enjoy at transfer from Marrakesh Menara International Airport to your hotel. If you arrive early, you can explore Marrakesh on your own and marvel at this incredible city. Remember to get a good night’s rest to prepare you for your desert adventure!
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Explore the Atlas Mountains while Transferring to Dades Valley
Meet your guide and your vehicle at your hotel at 9:00 AM and drive into the Atlas Mountains. You’ll cross the amazing Tizi n’Tichka pass then drive through a series of Berber villages as you head out into the desert. Notice the striking riverside oases that you pass, and the Kasbahs (fortified buildings that were protective homes for families and livestock) that dot the otherwise barren hillsides. As you travel, choose between a desert hike or a visit to the Ouarzazate Film Studios. When you come to Dades Gorge, there is time to take a hike or to simply relax in your hotel.
Overnight Location: Dar Essayaha, Dades
Distance: 7 hrs driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 Sunset Camel Ride and Sleep in the Desert
Leave the Dades Valley and drive to Todra Gorge. This massive fault divides the High Atlas Mountains and rises up 300 m in a beautiful canyon. There are a number of Berber villages and palmeries here where large date palms are grown. Walk around and explore this palm-filled oasis. After lunch, continue driving farther into the desert, stopping in Merzouga to get supplies for your overnight desert tour.
The highlight today is the camel trekking. To start, you’ll transfer to a nearby kasbah where you will meet your camel. Take a 90-minute camel trek through the desert as the sun sets, then spend a memorable night in a traditional Berber camp. For dinner, enjoy a delicious Moroccan meal in the Berber camp.
Overnight Location: Desert camping
Distance: 6 hrs driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Finish Camel Trek then transfer to Ait Benhaddou
Get up early this morning to watch the remarkable desert sunrise, then take a camel ride back to the kasbah. Eat breakfast here and take the opportunity to freshen up. As you drive back toward civilization, stop at the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou. Here you’ll see abundant kasbahs, and incredible scenery that has made this city a popular place to film Hollywood movies, such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, and Alexander. Explore this amazing area with the help of your guide, then spend the night in a nearby hotel.
Overnight Location: La Rose du Sable, Ait Benhaddou
Distance: 5-6 hrs driving
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Visit Telouet en route to Marrakesh
On this last day of your tour, travel through the Ounilla Valley to reach the well-known Telouet Kasbah. Take time to explore the ruins of this kasbah, that used to be an important stop along a trade route. After lunch, return to Marrakesh via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. If you have the energy, explore the night market in Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: 4 hrs driving
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Departure
Sadly, your adventure in Marrakesh just came to an end. After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour Dates and Prices
This partially-guided trekking tour of Moroccan Kasbahs and the Merzouga desert is always run as a private tour for your group only and the pricing always depend on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Group of 4: from $575 USD per person
Please note that the pricing might change depending on the size of your group and your travelling dates.
Book NowAccommodation on the Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert tour
Accommodation along your trek will be in hotels except for a night camping in the desert.
Before your trek, stay in a 3-star Riad (bed and breakfast) in Marrakesh. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room as a solo traveler. In some cases, there may be other solo travelers, and we can match you with participants of the same sex.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
Dar Essayaha, Dades
This beautiful hotel, surrounded by beautiful views from all around, is a true gem. The service here is great and the building itself is full of atmosphere and historic touches.
Desert camping, Merzouga
Camp in nomadic tent under the starry sky for the most authentic Saharan experience!
Rose Du Sable, Ait Benhaddou (Bed and Breakfast)
This guesthouse is basic, but the rooms are big and clean. The location is great – right next to the Kasbah!
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
What’s included in the Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included. Lunches are not included, and you can buy them at restaurants along the drive each day.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included as described. Three of these nights are in hotels or bed and breakfasts. One night is spent camping in the desert.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation as described in the itinerary is included. Vehicles are either 4x4 or mini buses. Transfers to and from the airport are also included.
Also Included
- Camel rides on the dunes
- Camping equipment
- Airport Transfers to and from the Marrakesh airport
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakesh
- Lunches and other meals not listed in the itinerary
- Entrance fee for Monuments visits
- Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Extra night in Marrakesh
Frequently Asked Questions about Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour
Aztat Treks (also known at Atlas Trek Shop) is a trekking holiday specialist based in Morocco. Learn about the incredible history, culture and food of Morocco with brothers Mohamed and Ibrahim and their handpicked team of guides, drivers, cooks and muleteers. Aztat has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Radio, Lonely Planet and the Sunday Times.
Learn MoreKasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour Map
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