Agadir to Marrakech in 5 Days via Merzouga, Draa Valley and the Atlas Mountains
Tours From Agadir
Duration: 5 Days
2 Person Minimum
Overview
This 5-day desert tour from Agadir or Taghazout to Marrakech offers a perfect mix of culture, desert adventure, and breathtaking landscapes across southern Morocco.
Begin your journey with a scenic drive through Taliouine and Taznakht, famous for saffron and traditional Berber carpets, before visiting the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert.
Travel along the stunning Draa Valley, lined with palm groves and ancient kasbahs, before reaching Merzouga and the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Experience camel trekking across the Sahara, enjoy a magical night in a desert camp with traditional music, and witness unforgettable sunsets and sunrises over the dunes.
Discover local culture with visits to nomadic families, Gnawa music in Khamlia, and the historic town of Rissani.
Continue through the dramatic Todra Gorge and scenic Dades Valley before crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the famous Tizi n'Tichka Pass, ending your journey in vibrant Marrakech.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a deeper Sahara experience with more time to explore the desert and local culture.
Tour Plan
Today we will meet you at around 8 am at your accommodation in Agadir Agadir with an early drive to Ouarzazate. On the way, we will pass by the charming town of Taznakht, renowned for its traditional Berber rugs and vibrant crafts . After that we will get to the historic Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning kasbahs and appearances in iconic films.You will explore its ancient architecture and quaint alleyways. After that we will get Ouarzazate where you will spend the night at nice riad
After breakfast we´ll depart towards the Draa Valley where you can see one of the longest rivers in Morocco. On the way we make some stops to take pictures and enjoy the view of the spectacular kasbahs and berber villages that dot the road as well as the beauties of the Draa valley. You'll have some free time for lunch in Nkob or Alnif, and then, after two hours driving we´ll reach the wonderful Merzouga dunes. “Desert of powdery sand dunes”. Here , you will start your guided camel ride, led by an experienced camel man to explore within the sand sea of Merzouga and see the sunset. Overnight at our desert camp where you will have your dinner, campfire and drums party. The camp is equipped with a flush toilet and hot shower inside your private tent.
You will wake up to see the sunrise, appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses; After breakfast at the camp you’ll start your explorative journey of the area, starting by a walk in the Oasis in the desert then visiting the gnawa peaple in Khamlia village originally from Sudan, Mali and Senegal to experience their music and lifestyle. Later , we will drive in the desert area to meet nomad families-living under Berber tents- to explore their way of life . Today our lunch will be a traditional Berber meal (Berber pizza) with a local family. You will have the option also to visit the old city of Rissani - the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty - the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Rissani is surrounded by about 360 ksar (a fortified village with many towers) and has a big souk (an open market), held three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Tombouctou in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, selling spices, vegetables and cloths . After that we Drive back to Merzouga village and have some free time for relaxing and swimming at a nice riad beside the sand dunes
Today you can also get up to see the sunrise from the terrace of the riad ( because the riad is not far from the sand dunes ) then after breakfast you’ll leave for Tinghir, and Todra gorges - the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as "monkey toes". Overnight accommodation will be in a hotel or riad.
After breakfast in the hotel or riad, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazat. The route through Dades Valley is the way of the thousand Kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaat Mgouna, "the rose city", to purchase rosewater, which will make your linen smell good a long time after your trip is over. Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech.
Included
- Travel in a private tour with a comfortable AC SUV or Van
- Fuel
- English speaking driver
- One night at a nice riad in Ouarzazate with dinner and breakfast
- One night at a nice riad in Dades valley with dinner and breakfast
- One night at a nice riad in Merzouga village with dinner and breakfast
- One night at the desert camp with dinner and breakfast.
- The camel ride to spend the night in the desert
Exclude
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Tips
Extra Info
🔹 Extra Information
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Departure City: Agadir or Taghazout
Ending City: Marrakech
Tour Type: Private One-Way Desert Tour
Transportation: Air-conditioned 4x4 or Minivan
Accommodation: Riads + Desert Camp
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Best Time to Travel: March to May, September to November
Languages Available: English
🔹 Good to Know
Pickup from Agadir or Taghazout is included
Long driving distances on Day 1 and Day 2
Camel trekking takes about 1–1.5 hours each way
One night in a desert camp + one night in a Merzouga riad
Sandboarding may be available at the camp
Dinner included except lunches
Comfortable clothing and walking shoes recommended
Temperature varies between desert and mountains
Luggage transported separately during camel trek
🔹 Highlights
Scenic drive from Agadir through Anti-Atlas landscapes
Visit Ait Benhaddou (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Explore Ouarzazate – “Hollywood of Africa”
Discover the lush Draa Valley
Camel trekking in Erg Chebbi
Overnight in Sahara desert camp with dinner & music
Visit Gnawa village of Khamlia
Explore Rissani traditional market
Walk through Todra Gorge
Discover Dades Valley
Cross Tizi n'Tichka Pass
End in vibrant Marrakech
🔹 Optional Add-ons
Quad biking in Merzouga desert
Sandboarding experience
Upgrade to luxury desert camp
Private guided tour in Marrakech
Hot air balloon experience in Marrakech
Currency:
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). On average, 1 Euro (EUR) equals approximately 10 to 11 dirhams, 1 US Dollar (USD) equals around 9 to 10 dirhams, and 1 British Pound (GBP) equals approximately 12 to 13 dirhams, depending on current exchange rates. In all major cities, you can withdraw cash using international Visa, MasterCard, and other widely accepted bank cards. There are also numerous exchange offices available at airports, city centers, and tourist areas. Please note that exporting Moroccan dirhams outside the country is prohibited, so it is recommended to exchange or withdraw only the amount you need.
Local Time:
Morocco generally operates on GMT+1, with slight adjustments during certain times of the year, particularly during Ramadan. Compared to countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, or Spain, there may be a one to two-hour time difference depending on the season. For travelers from the United Kingdom, Morocco often shares the same time zone or differs by one hour. Visitors from the United States or Canada should expect a larger time difference depending on their departure city.
Passport and Visa:
Citizens of many countries including France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and several other European nations are required to hold a valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the date of entry into Morocco. For short-term tourist stays, a visa is generally not required for these nationalities. However, entry requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, so it is strongly recommended to check with your local Moroccan embassy or consulate before traveling.
Health:
No specific vaccinations are required for most international travelers visiting Morocco. However, it is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations. The best precaution remains prevention: drink bottled water, avoid poorly preserved food, and consider purchasing travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Morocco’s major cities offer good healthcare facilities, and pharmacies are widely available throughout the country.
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