The complete southern loop: the High Atlas and Berber valleys, Aït Ben Haddou, the Dadès and Todra gorges, a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and the Draa palm groves on the way back. A 5-day Sahara desert and Atlas tour from Marrakech.
Day by day
Your 5-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Atlas crossing to the Dadès
Over the Tizi n'Tichka through the High Atlas, with Berber village and argan stops, to Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then the Valley of the Roses and an overnight in the Dadès Gorges.
- Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Skoura palm oasis
- Dadès Gorges
- 2
Day 2
Todra Gorge & on to Merzouga
Hike a stretch of the Dadès, then the soaring Todra Gorge near Tinghir, before continuing through Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga for a sunset camel trek and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Todra Gorge
- Rissani souk
- Camel trek
- Erg Chebbi camp
- 3
Day 3
A full day in the dunes
No long drive today — sunrise over Erg Chebbi, then time to explore Merzouga: the nomad families, the Khamlia Gnaoua musicians, the dark Lake Dayet Srji, and a sandboard or a second night in the sand.
- Erg Chebbi sunrise
- Khamlia Gnaoua music
- Lake Dayet Srji
- Sandboarding
- 4
Day 4
Draa Valley to the Atlas foothills
Head west along the desert and the Draa Valley's palm groves and kasbahs, with a stop at Zagora's 'Timbuktu' sign, overnighting in a kasbah toward Ouarzazate.
- Draa Valley palmeraie
- Zagora
- Agdz kasbahs
- 5
Day 5
Return to Marrakech over the Atlas
A final crossing of the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka, with mountain photo stops and lunch, arriving back in Marrakech in the afternoon.
- High Atlas panoramas
- Berber village lunch
Good to know
Practical notes
- Five days lets you spend a full day in the dunes rather than just an overnight — the big advantage over shorter tours.
- A private 4x4 with driver-guide is the comfortable way to do the loop and lets you set the pace.
- Layer up: you'll go from snow-tipped Atlas passes to hot dunes and cold desert nights.
Frequently asked
What does a 5-day desert and Atlas tour from Marrakech cover?
The High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou, the Dadès and Todra gorges, a full day and night (or two) in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, and the Draa Valley palm groves on the return. We tailor the route and quote it on request.
Is 5 days better than a 3-day Sahara tour?
If you want to slow down, yes — five days adds a full day in the dunes and the Draa Valley, so you experience the desert rather than just passing through. Three days is the minimum for an overnight in the sand.
Private & tailored
Want this Merzouga trip priced for you?
Every itinerary is private and fully adjustable — change the dates, pace, riads or length. Tell us your group and travel window and we'll send a written plan and an itemised quote within 24 hours.
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