7 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech
7 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech Overview:
- 7 Days/ 6 Nights
- Start in Marrakech
- Ends in Marrakech
This 7 day tour from Marrakech is a great way to see a lot of Morocco in just one week. We start in Marrakech, a lively city, and then we go across the High Atlas Mountains. You will see old villages and huge mountains that are very beautiful. This trip takes you from the busy city to the quiet, big Sahara desert.
The adventure includes a visit to Ait Benhaddou, a famous old village. Then we drive through deep canyons, called Gorges, like Dades and Todra Gorges. The best part is the Sahara Desert where you will ride a camel at sunset and sleep in a nice desert camp under the stars.
We also visit Ouarzazate, the city where they make many films, before we drive back to Marrakech. It is a full trip, starting and ending in Marrakech, so you don’t miss anything. This Morocco tour is easy, relaxed, and shows you many different landscapes.
Highlights of The 7 Days Tour From Marrakech:
- Crossing the big High Atlas Mountains and the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
- Visiting Ait Benhaddou, a famous old earthen village from many movies.
- Riding camels on the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara desert.
- Sleeping one night in a nice desert camp under the stars.
- Exploring the deep canyons of Dades and Todra Gorges.
- Seeing the big main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and the Souks of Marrakech.
- Visiting Ouarzazate, the place people call the ‘Hollywood of Africa’.
Why Choose The Private Marrakech Desert Tour 7 Days With Us?
We offer a private tour for your trip, this means you travel only with your people, your family or friends. A private tour means you can stop when you like, for photos or just for a break. This is really important when you drive a long distance and you want to feel relaxed and you want to stop when you see something interesting. Our drivers speak good English and they know the roads and the history very well.
This 7 Days Marrakech Desert Tour is a safe and good choice. We know Morocco very well because we are a local agency. We make sure your hotels and desert camp are very comfortable and clean. You will see the best parts of Morocco and feel very well looked after all the time. Booking with us means you choose a safe trip and a very good experience.
7 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech Itinerary:
You can read the plan for each day below. We made this a good plan, but remember, this is your private trip. If you see something you want to change, like spending more time here or stopping there, please just ask us. Send us a message and we can make a custom plan that is perfect for you, we want you to be happy.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH - VISIT TO JEMAA EL-FNAA & MARRAKECH SOUKS
When you arrive at the Marrakech airport, our driver will be there waiting for you. He will take you straight to your hotel or Riad, which is a traditional Moroccan house. After you check in and have some time to rest a little bit.
In the afternoon, we will go out to see the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. This place is full of life and people, it is a UNESCO site. You will see storytellers, musicians, people selling juice, and lots of food sellers, a lot of different people. It is loud and colorful and very unique at night.
Right next to the square are the Souks of Marrakech. These are the small, small markets where you can find everything. Spices, leather, beautiful lamps, nice carpets, things like that. It is easy to get lost there but it is fun to look around and you can buy some gifts.
A FULL DAY MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING
We start the day by exploring the beautiful Dades Gorge a little more. You will see some strange and amazing rock formations like “monkey fingers” that look very funny. We drive through the valley, enjoying the view of the green area next to the red rock walls. It is a very peaceful place before we go to the next canyon.
Next stop is the Todra Gorge. This is a very narrow canyon, the cliffs go up almost 300 meters high. It feels very small when you stand below the big rock walls. We will take a short walk here next to the cool river water. It is a popular spot for rock climbers, you might see some people climbing up the huge rocks. This part of the day is a good chance to stretch your legs before the long drive to the desert.
In the afternoon, we drive towards the real Sahara desert. We pass through towns like Erfoud, which is famous for fossils, and Rissani, which is known for its traditional market. When we arrive in Merzouga, we meet our camels. We start a wonderful camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes. The sunset over the dunes is truly unforgettable. We arrive at the desert camp, which will be our home for the night. You will have a traditional dinner, listen to Berber music around the fire, and sleep in your tent under a sky full of many stars.
DAY 3: MARRAKECH ⇢ DADES GORGES
We leave Marrakech quite early this morning for a long, beautiful drive. The first part of the trip takes us up and over the High Atlas Mountains. We drive through the Tizi n’Tichka pass, this is the highest road pass in North Africa, the views from the top are amazing and you can see far.
The next important stop is the famous Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. This old fortified village is also a UNESCO site. It looks like it is made from the earth and it has been the location for many famous movies, many Hollywood movies you might know, like Gladiator. We will stop to walk around there and see the old architecture.
Then we drive through Ouarzazate, which people call the ‘Gateway to the Sahara’ and also the ‘Hollywood of Africa’. We pass through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, this is a road with many old buildings, before we arrive at the Dades Gorges. We sleep here for the night, surrounded by high rock walls and mountains.
DAY 4: DADES VALLEY ⇢ MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast in Dades Valley, our day starts by driving towards the Sahara desert, what a day. First stop is the Todra Gorges, which are huge, huge canyons with cliffs almost 300 meters high. The river runs through a small, small space at the bottom. We take a walk there and see the impressive rock walls.
We drive past many Berber villages and palm tree oases. We stop for lunch in a place like Erfoud, which is known for its dates and for finding very old fossils from when this area was a sea many, many years ago.
In the late afternoon, we reach Merzouga. This is where the big Erg Chebbi sand dunes start. We get on our camels and ride into the beautiful golden dunes. We watch the sun go down over the desert, a truly magical moment. We reach our desert camp, have a nice dinner, and sleep in a tent camp under the millions of stars, truly a special night.
DAY 5: A FULL DAY EXPLORING MERZOUGA DESERT
You can wake up early this day, before the sun, to see a spectacular sunrise over the sand dunes. It is quiet and beautiful. After breakfast in the camp, we return on the camels or by 4×4 car back to the village near Merzouga.
Today is about seeing the area around the big dunes. We drive around the area, sometimes called the Black Desert because of the rocks and stones, and visit some small, small villages. We will visit Khamila village, a small community of Gnawa people who have a very unique style of music. We will listen to their music, this is very interesting and fun.
We will see Mefes town, an old abandoned place that used to be for mining lead and other minerals. We drive back to our Riad or hotel near the dunes, or maybe to the camp again if you choose. We relax and have dinner after a long day of desert exploring, a good day for sure.
DAY 6: MERZOUGA TO OUARZAZATE VIA RISSANI
We say goodbye to the desert and start our way back today. Our direction is Ouarzazate, but we take a long route. Our first stop is in Rissani, this town was once a very important capital of the Tafilalet region. We visit the local souk, the market, especially if it is a market day, which is very lively and traditional, selling spices and animals.
The journey continues through other small desert towns like Alnif and Nkob. You will see the landscapes change a lot from the dry desert to more green areas. We then enter the huge Draa Valley. This valley is famous for its massive palm groves and the old Kasbahs lining the river. We stop at Agdz, a town at the start of the valley, to see the views.
We keep driving until we arrive in Ouarzazate in the evening. We check into the hotel or Riad here. You can relax after this long, but very scenic, day of travel and prepare for the final drive tomorrow.
DAY 7: OUARZAZATE TO MARRAKECH
This is our last day of the tour. After breakfast in Ouarzazate, we will make one important stop before heading to Marrakech. We visit the famous Atlas Film Studios, this is where many international movies have been filmed, like big historical films. It is sometimes called the “Hollywood of Africa”, you can walk around the sets.
After the film studios visit, we start the final drive back to Marrakech. We drive through the High Atlas Mountains again. The views are still great, maybe different now that you are going the other direction. We go over the Tizi n’Tichka pass again, for one last time.
We plan to arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, maybe around 6 PM, depending on the drive and traffic. Our driver will take you to your hotel or Riad in the city, or to the airport if you have your flight today. This finishes your 7 days of touring Morocco with us.
Tour Includes & Excludes
Includes:
- Private transport with AC car and fuel for all 7 days.
- A friendly English-speaking driver and guide for the whole trip.
- Pick up from your hotel in Marrakech, and drop off there too.
- Accommodation for 6 nights, including hotels, Riads, and the desert camp.
- Dinner and breakfast for all days of the trip.
- Camel ride in the Sahara desert for sunset and sunrise.
- Visits to all main places mentioned in the programme.
Excludes:
- Lunches and drinks/beverages during the trip.
- Entrance fees for museums or specific attractions like the Majorelle Gardens.
- Tips for the driver, guides, or restaurant staff. (Optional)
- Tips for the driver and guides, this is not needed but very nice.
Desert Tour From Marrakech 7 Days Price:
The price for this tour changes depending on some things. The price changes based on how many people are traveling with you, because when more people join, the price for the car and driver is shared, so it is cheaper for everyone. Also, if you choose a standard hotel or a luxury one, this makes the price different. And the season you travel, like if it is a busy time of the year or a quiet time, this also affects the final price. Please contact us and tell us when you want to travel and your group size, and we will tell you the exact price.
Book Now
If you think this 7 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech is the right trip for you, please fill out the simple form below. Tell us when you want to travel, how many people are in your group, and if you have any special requests. We will reply to you very fast with the full plan and the best price. We look forward to helping you plan your trip.
The Tour Map
Available Tour Options
Luxury Tour Pack
- Luxury Hotels / Riads
- Luxury Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Mixed Tour Pack
- Standard Hotels / Riads
- Luxury Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Standard Tour Pack
- Standard Hotels / Riads
- Standard Desert Camp
- Private Transportation
Know Before You Go:
- Tell us about your health: If you have any allergies, like to certain foods, or if you have any special diet you need, please tell us when you book. We want to make sure your meals are safe and good for you and we can talk to the hotels.
- Money in Morocco: You will need cash, the local money is Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Many small places, like market stalls or small cafes in the small villages, they do not take credit cards. It is good to have small notes for little purchases and tips.
- Take small bags for the desert: When we go into the desert for the camel ride, you cannot take your big suitcase on the camel. Bring a small backpack with the things you need for one night, like water, a camera, and warm clothes. The rest of your luggage stays safe in the car or hotel.
- Dress Modestly: When you are in the cities and villages, outside the Riad, it is better to dress simply. This means covering your shoulders and knees. This shows respect for the local culture, especially in the smaller desert towns, and makes interaction easier.
- Be ready for driving time: This tour covers a lot of distance, and sometimes the drive is long, a very long drive. The roads in the mountains are sometimes twisty. If you easily get car sick, please bring medicine for that, just to be safe. It is a long journey but with many beautiful stops.
- Water is important: Please drink a lot of water every day. The weather can be very hot, especially in the south and the desert. Staying hydrated will help you enjoy the tour more and feel better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, the camel rides are very safe. The camels are used to people, and the guides walk with them the whole time. If you have a serious problem with your back or your knees, we can also drive you to the desert camp by a 4×4 car instead of riding the camel.
Yes, it can be very cold, especially in the winter months (November to February). The desert is hot during the day, but the temperature drops a lot when the sun goes down. We recommend you bring warm layers, like a thick jacket or a sweater, and good socks for the night in the camp.
Yes, you have a choice. We offer a standard option which is nice and comfortable, and also a luxury option, which is more upscale and special, especially the desert camp. and mixed option as you see in the table above. Just tell us which one you want when you book your tour.
Most of the Riads and hotels we use in the cities have good Wi-Fi. But when you are in the deep mountains or the Sahara desert, the signal is weak, very weak, or there is no signal at all. This is a good chance to disconnect and enjoy the nature.
Most of the Riads and hotels we use in the cities have good Wi-Fi. But when you are in the deep mountains or the Sahara desert, the signal is weak, very weak, or there is no signal at all. This is a good chance to disconnect and enjoy the nature.
Lunch is not too expensive. In the towns we stop in, you can find a good, simple Moroccan lunch, like a Tagine or sandwich, for about 5 to 10 Euros per person. Your driver will know good, clean places for you to eat.
Yes, we stop often. Because this is a private tour, you can ask your driver to stop when you need to. We always stop at clean cafes or gas stations for rest and bathroom breaks during the longer travel days, no problem with that.
