Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour
Experience the majestic Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains on this 5-day adventure
Partially Guided
Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour Overview
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!
Browse all guided Sahara Desert tours on 10Adventures to explore more camel treks, Atlas crossings and desert rides, kasbahs, the Atlas and the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. For all Africa tours, visit Africa tours.
Trip highlights
Hike through the scenic Todra Gorge and explore an oasis full of date palms.
Take a sunset camel tour in the Sahara Desert, and spend the night in a traditional Berber camp.
Drive over the stunning Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass in the Atlas Mountains.
Tour Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city that has been feature in many Hollywood films.
Day By Day Itinerary
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 5 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included. Lunches are not included, and you can buy them at restaurants along the drive each day.
- 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 as described in the itinerary is included. Vehicles are either 4x4 or mini buses. Transfers to and from the airport are 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
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 2 / 5. This trip is an active adventure, but no strenuous hiking is involved.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts and 4 dinners are included. Lunches and meals on your arrival day in Marrakesh are not included.
If you do not want the last night in Marrakesh, your tour will be discounted to reflect the reduced number of nights. Please note that the tours arrive late in the afternoon into Marrakesh and we can't guarantee arrival at a specific time.
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly to Marrakesh Menara International Airport.
Yes, the guides are English speaking.
The tour ends where it began, in Marrakesh. Airport transfer is included.
All personal lugggage will be with you in the car throughout the tour. For the camel trek and desert camping night, pack only what you need and leave the rest of your luggage in the car.
- sturdy shoes for valley treks
- personal first aid kit
- rain gear (jacket and pants)
- lightweight daypack
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- flashlight and batteries
- towel and personal toiletry items
Please respect the conservative religious culture of Morocco when choosing your clothing. Knees and shoulders should be covered, as well as the “private“ areas in between.
Yes! This tour can easily be combined with other adventure tours in Morocco!
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
This tour is available year-round, but the best time to travel to Morocco for this trek is during the warmer months from June – October, when camping is also an option.
Why book Moroccan Kasbahs and Merzouga Desert Tour with 10 Adventures?
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