8 Day Marrakech Ouzina desert tour

Your 8 Day Marrakech Ouzina desert tour begins with a scenic drive from Marrakech across the majestic High Atlas Mountains. The road winds through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, offering views of snow-capped peaks, traditional Berber villages, and valleys dotted with terraced farmland. Midway, stop at the iconic ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its ancient mudbrick architecture and famous appearances in films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Wander through its narrow alleyways and climb to the top for sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Continue toward the lush Draa Valley, a green oasis lined with endless palm groves, fortified villages, and historic kasbahs. Arrive in Agdz by evening for dinner and an overnight stay in a charming kasbah-style riad.

• Overnight: Agdez
• Meals: Dinner

After breakfast, continue your journey deeper into the Draa Valley, following the river that nourishes one of Morocco’s longest and most scenic oases. Along the way, visit historic kasbahs showcasing traditional desert architecture and pause at breathtaking viewpoints. By midday, arrive in Zagora, once a bustling caravan town and the legendary starting point for camel caravans bound for Timbuktu.

Enjoy a short camel ride on the nearby dunes before heading further south to M’hamid, where the paved road ends and the true Sahara begins. This remote desert settlement, known as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” is still home to nomadic families. Spend the night in a desert riad or camp in M’hamid, with dinner served beneath the starlit sky.

• Overnight: Mhamid
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

On the third day of your 8 Day Marrakech Ouzina desert tour, set off in your 4×4 and leave the paved roads behind. The route takes you across rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds, and sandy tracks, as you journey through part of the untamed Erg Chigaga dunes an endless sea of golden sand stretching to the horizon. Along the way, stop for tea with nomadic families and gain insight into their timeless way of life.

Continue driving through remote desert landscapes, passing fossil fields and vast, silent plains. By late afternoon, arrive in Ouzina, a tranquil and untouched corner of the Sahara rarely visited by tourists. Spend the night in a desert kasbah lodge, savoring traditional cuisine and the serene beauty of the desert.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Overnight: Ouzina

Wake up to the serene silence of the Sahara and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before exploring all that Ouzina has to offer. Discover the customs, hospitality, and survival skills of nomadic families who still live in traditional tents. Afterward, continue your journey across empty plains and rocky terrain until you reach the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga. Upon arrival, camels await to take you on a sunset trek across the golden dunes, which glow and shift colors as the sun sets. Ride to your luxurious desert camp, where you can enjoy mint tea, live Berber music, and a candlelit dinner. Spend the night in a private tent beneath a sky blanketed with stars.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Overnight: Merzouga (Camp)

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then enjoy breakfast at your desert camp. After a short camel ride back to the village, depart Merzouga and head through Erfoud, renowned for its fossil workshops and bustling date markets. Continue through palm groves and small Berber villages until you reach Tinghir and the spectacular Todra Gorge. Here, towering limestone cliffs rise up to 300 meters, forming a breathtaking canyon perfect for a short hike. After exploring, follow the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Boumalne Dades, passing walled villages and verdant valleys along the way. Spend the night in a charming riad overlooking the dramatic Dades Gorge.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Overnight: Boumalne Dades

Continue the 8 Day Marrakech Ouzina desert tour by exploring the Dades Valley, famous for its striking rock formations and historic fortified kasbahs. Continue to Kalaat M’Gouna, known as the Valley of Roses, where rose products are traditionally crafted each spring. Before reaching Ait Ben Haddou, stop at Skoura, a lush palm oasis dotted with ancient kasbahs. Arrive at the iconic ksar of Ait Ben Haddou in the late afternoon. As the mudbrick walls glow golden in the evening light, take a stroll through its winding streets. Spend the night in a charming kasbah-style guesthouse and enjoy dinner with views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Overnight: Ait Ben Haddou

After breakfast, depart Ait Ben Haddou and make a brief stop in Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” for its famous Atlas Film Studios. You can visit the well-preserved Taourirt Kasbah or simply admire the town’s unique desert architecture. Then, journey back across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, pausing frequently to capture the breathtaking scenery. Arrive in Marrakech by evening and spend your final night in your riad or hotel. Enjoy dinner and free time to stroll around the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna square at your own pace.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Overnight: Marrakech

Have breakfast at your riad on your last day. If your travel schedule allows, you might have some free time to see the best parts of Marrakech, like the souks, Bahia Palace, and Koutoubia Mosque. When the time comes, you’ll be taken to the airport. This is the end of your 8 Day Marrakech Ouzina desert tour.

• Meals: Breakfast