5-Day Marrakech Desert Loop via the Draa Valley and Merzouga

Highlights

• The Glaoui kasbah at Telouet and the old caravan route of the Ounila Valley
• Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The Draa Valley and the kasbahs of N'kob
• Remote desert tracks via M'harech, Ramlia and Ouzina
• Rock engravings near Taouz and Gnawa music in Khamlia
• A night in a bivouac in the Erg Chebbi dunes
• Todra Gorge, Dades Valley and the Skoura palm groves

Photo gallery

1. Day 1

   Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Agdz

   Morning departure towards the High Atlas and the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m). We visit the Glaoui kasbah at Telouet and follow the old caravan route through the Ounila Valley to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crossing the Anti-Atlas, we reach Agdz at the head of the Draa Valley and its great palm groves for dinner and the night.

   Overnight:

   Hotel in Agdz

2. Day 2

   Agdz – Draa Valley – N'kob – Tazarine – Alnif – M'harech

   After breakfast we follow the Draa Valley to Tansikht and on towards Alnif, passing the palm grove of N'kob with its kasbahs, with lunch on the way. In the afternoon we head into the deep south to the M'harech canyons for dinner and a night in a traditional riad.

   Overnight:

   Traditional riad in M'harech

3. Day 3

   M'harech – Ramlia – Ouzina – Taouz – Khamlia – Merzouga

   We set off across the sandy region of the Oued Ghris, through the desert villages of Ramlia and Ouzina, with lunch on the way. Near Taouz we stop to see rock engravings, then visit Khamlia, a village known for its Gnawa music, before reaching Erg Chebbi. Dinner and a night in a bivouac among the dunes.

   Overnight:

   Bivouac in the Erg Chebbi dunes

4. Day 4

   Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Tinejdad – Todra Gorge – Dades Valley

   Rise early for sunrise, then return by camel to your vehicle and have breakfast. We drive through the Tafilalet palm groves and Rissani to Erfoud, then west to the Todra Gorge and its canyons, with lunch in Tinghir. Passing the palm groves of Tinejdad, we continue to Boumalne Dades and the Dades Valley for dinner and the night.

   Overnight:

   Hotel in the Dades Valley

5. Day 5

   Dades Valley – Kelaat M'Gouna – Skoura – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech

   After breakfast we leave the Dades Valley via Kelaat M'Gouna and the palm groves of Skoura. In the afternoon we cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech, where we take you to your hotel or directly to the airport, depending on your flight time.

Practical information

Tour type

Private tour with your own driver and vehicle

Starts and ends

Marrakech

Driver/guide

English- or Spanish-speaking

Frequently asked questions