Marrakech to Dades Valley
Cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, visit Aït Benhaddou, then stop in the palm groves of Skoura. Dinner and night in a hotel in the Dades valley.
Desert
4 Day Sahara Desert Tour: Merzouga, Draa Valley and Telouet
Four days through the Atlas, the Dades and Todra gorges, a night in the dunes of Erg Chebbi and a different road home through the Draa valley and Telouet.
The experience
This trip gives the Sahara a little more time than the three day classic. You still cross the High Atlas, see Aït Benhaddou and sleep in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, but the return is slower and you do not drive the same road twice.
The journey is a loop. You go south by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and the Dades valley, reach the dunes on day 2, then come back through the Draa valley, Ouarzazate and the old kasbah of Telouet. Nights are in a hotel in Dades, a desert camp and a hotel in Ouarzazate.
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before
Pay on the dayEuro or dirham, no prepayment
4 days, 3 nightsPickup at 7:00 on day 1
Live guideEnglish, French, Arabic
Hotel pickupFrom your hotel or riad
Small groupup to 14 people
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Distance
- About 1,300 km in total, 5 to 8 hours of driving each day
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate, long drives
- Best season
- October to April. Hot in summer, cold at night in winter.
- Transport
- Air conditioned minibus
- Meals
- 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
- Languages
- English, French and Arabic
- Group size
- Small group, up to 14 people
Highlights
Ride a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and sleep in a desert camp
Cross the Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and visit Aït Benhaddou
Walk in the Todra gorge and drive through the Draa valley
Come home by a new road through Telouet, with no road repeated
Itinerary
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
Walk in the Todra gorge, then continue through the palm groves to Merzouga. Ride a camel into the dunes at sunset. Dinner, drums and night in the desert camp.
Sunrise and the Draa valley
Climb a dune for sunrise, then drive west through Alnif, Tazzarine and the Draa valley to Ouarzazate. Dinner and night in a hotel in Ouarzazate.
Telouet and Marrakech
Take the Ounila valley road to the kasbah of Telouet, then cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass back to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop off in Marrakech
- Transport in an air conditioned minibus
- 2 nights in hotels (Dades and Ouarzazate)
- 1 night in a desert camp
- 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts
- Camel trek at sunset and sunrise
- Local guide in the Todra gorge
Excluded
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Entry tickets and local guides at monuments
- Private tent with bathroom (on request)
- Tips
Where you will go
The pin shows the area, not an exact meeting point. We confirm your pickup by email. Open in Google Maps
Weather and best time
Days are warm from spring to autumn and very hot in July and August. Desert nights are cold from October to April, so bring a warm layer for the camp.
What to bring
- A warm jacket for the desert night
- Closed shoes and a scarf for the dunes
- A small bag for the camp
- Cash for lunches and tips
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Cash in dirham or euro for tips and drinks
- Phone or camera
Pickup
Pickup from all hotels and riads in Marrakech on the morning of day 1. We confirm the exact time and place by email.
Know before you go
- Long drives every day, about 5 to 8 hours
- Bring a warm jacket, desert nights are cold most of the year
- Bring a small bag for the camp; big luggage stays in the bus
- Private tour available for families and friends
Gallery
Questions about this tour
What time is pickup?
Pickup at 7:00 on day 1. We confirm the exact time by email once you book.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 days, 3 nights, including transfers.
Where do you collect me?
Pickup from all hotels and riads in Marrakech on the morning of day 1. We confirm the exact time and place by email.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
When do I pay?
Reserve now and pay on the day, in euro or dirham. No online payment.
What is included?
Hotel pickup and drop off in Marrakech; Transport in an air conditioned minibus; 2 nights in hotels (Dades and Ouarzazate); 1 night in a desert camp; 3 dinners and 3 breakfasts; Camel trek at sunset and sunrise.
Which languages do the guides speak?
Guides speak English, French and Arabic.
