5-Day Desert Adventure from Marrakech – Uncover the Wonders of the “Great Hidden South”: Ouzina, Merzouga, and Beyond.
- Duration: 5 days
- From: Marrakech
- Arrival: Marrakech
This tour invites you on an exciting 5-day desert journey starting from Marrakech. While this vibrant city is a top destination in its own right, it also serves as the perfect gateway to Morocco’s most remote and awe-inspiring regions. That’s why we’ve named this route “The Great Hidden South”—a land of breathtaking scenery, from sweeping sand dunes and lush palm-filled oases to striking rock formations found nowhere else. Ready to explore it with us?
Services included
- Pick-up in Marrakech, at your hotel or at the agreed location
- 4x4 route, with a Spanish-speaking driver/guide
- Assistance and accompaniment throughout the excursion
- Camel ride to the tent camp
- Dinner at the tent camp
- Accommodation in a Berber tent
- Assistance at destination
Services not included
- Arrival and return flights
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tickets to monuments
- Tips
- Schedule
Day 1
Our 5-day desert adventure begins in Marrakech, with pick-up from the international airport or any location of your choice, such as your hotel. There, our English-speaking driver/guide will greet you and accompany you throughout the journey.
We’ll head toward the desert, crossing the majestic High Atlas Mountains and passing through picturesque Berber villages along the way. After this scenic drive, we’ll arrive near Ouarzazate, where one of the region’s iconic landmarks awaits the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. This impressive adobe fortress, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has served as the backdrop for famous productions like Game of Thrones. We’ll take time to explore and fully enjoy this historic site.
Our visit continues in Ouarzazate with a stop at the Film Museum, which highlights the city’s deep ties to the international film industry. Before leaving, we’ll also tour the Taourirt Kasbah, another remarkable example of southern Moroccan architecture.
We’ll then set off toward Agdz, entering the lush Draa Valley home to the largest palm grove in North Africa. In Agdz, you’ll be welcomed at a charming riad, where dinner and an overnight stay await
Summary of the day
- Pick up in Marrakech and departure by vehicle
- High Atlas Pass
- Visit of Ait Ben Haddou, the Cinema Museum and the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate
- Lunch on the road
- Tour of the Draa Valley
- Dinner and overnight stay in Agdz
Day 2
A delicious breakfast at our riad in Agdz marks the start of the second day of this 5-day desert tour from Marrakech. From there, we’ll continue our journey alongside the vast palm groves that stretch along the Draa River. But today’s adventure goes beyond paved roads, we’ll take a thrilling detour onto a sandy track once used by the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally, offering a rare and exciting experience.
Our route then leads us across the expansive Oumjrane plateaus, passing through remote Berber villages where time seems to have paused. Eventually, we’ll reach our destination for the day: the captivating dunes of the Ouzina Desert, also known as Erg Ouzina. From the top of the dunes, we’ll witness a magical sunset before continuing to our desert lodge.
Nestled deep in the heart of the dunes, this peaceful retreat will be our resting place for the night. Here, we’ll enjoy a traditional dinner and sleep under a dazzling canopy of stars, an unforgettable end to a truly special day.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast at a riad in Agdz
- Road trip through the Draa Valley and the Oumjrane plateau
- Paris-Dakar Rally track route
- Erg Ouzina Dunes: Sunset
- Dinner and overnight stay in a desert lodge
Day 3
Waking up in the heart of the desert is a deeply touching experience, and on this third day of our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech, you’ll enjoy it for the first time. After breakfast at this extraordinary desert lodge, we’ll visit the nearby village of Ouzina, a tiny settlement with just over a dozen residents. Here, we’ll get a glimpse into the lifestyle of desert nomads who live in traditional adobe homes. Our visit will be guided by the Ouzina Neighborhood Association, who will warmly welcome us with tea in a friendly, communal atmosphere.
We’ll then continue to the nearby village of Hamlia (also spelled Khamlia), known as the “Black Village” due to the heritage of its inhabitants. Here, we’ll be immersed in the vibrant rhythms of African percussion and have the chance to engage with local residents. For lunch, you’ll have the choice between a picnic in the desert or sampling an authentic Berber pizza at a traditional restaurant.
In the afternoon, we’ll head toward the famous Merzouga dunes, or Erg Chebbi, another highlight of this desert journey. To reach the heart of the dunes and catch another stunning sunset, we’ll trade our 4×4 vehicle for a more traditional mode of transport: camels, the “8x8s” of the desert, used by nomads for generations.
As night falls, you’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night in a new desert camp, where traditional Berber tents meet modern comfort. The brilliance of the star-filled sky above will be your natural canopy, offering a truly magical end to the day.
Summary of the day
- Sunrise and breakfast at the desert tent camp
- Visit to the village of Ouzina
- Visit to the village of Hamlia
- Erg Chebbi dunes in the Merzouga desert
- Dinner and overnight stay in a tent camp in the Merzouga desert.
Day 4
If one desert sunrise wasn’t enough, you’re in luck, this morning offers another breathtaking spectacle, this time over the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes, where our tent camp is nestled. After enjoying the view, you’ll have time to freshen up, either at the camp or at a hotel, depending on your chosen package, and then take a camel ride back to Merzouga.
From there, we’ll continue on to Rissani, one of the most culturally rich towns in the region. Its medina offers a sensory journey through stalls filled with vibrant colors, exotic spices, and local flavors. You’ll also experience scenes frozen in time, like the traditional donkey parking area that reflects the town’s heritage.
We’ll then set off toward the dramatic Todra Gorges, known for their towering rock cliffs shaped over centuries by the Todra River. Some of these natural walls reach heights of over 200 meters. We’ll explore this stunning site by vehicle and on foot, following scenic trails along the gorge.
Later in the day, we’ll travel through the Dades Valley and make our way back to Ouarzazate, where a charming riad awaits. Here, you’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and spend a peaceful final night on this unforgettable 5-day desert tour from Marrakech.
Summary of the day
- Sunrise and breakfast in the dunes of the Merzouga desert (Erg Chebbi)
- Refreshing shower (at the camp or in a hotel, depending on the package purchased)
- Return by dromedary to the town of Merzouga
- Visit of Rissani
- Road route to the Todra Gorges
- Road trip through the Dades Valley
- Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in Ouarzazate
Day 5
The final day of our 5-day desert tour from Marrakech begins with breakfast at the riad in Ouarzazate, followed by the journey back to the city. We’ll once again cross the scenic High Atlas Mountains, traveling along winding roads that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes.
Upon arrival in Marrakech, our driver will drop you off at the location of your choice—whether it’s the airport, your hotel, or another agreed-upon spot. With that, we’ll bid you farewell, hoping you’ve thoroughly enjoyed this unforgettable adventure—and looking forward to welcoming you again on a future journey through Morocco.
Summary of the day
- Breakfast at a riad in Ouarzazate
- Return route by road, crossing the High Atlas
- Transfer to the airport or to the agreed place for the end of the services
- Photos
- Map
- FAQ
Morocco Turism offers an extensive selection of tours, from explorations of the imperial cities to thrilling journeys through the Sahara Desert. For more information, check out our tours page.
Tour durations vary, ranging from quick weekend escapes to extended trips of over a week. You can select the option that best fits your schedule and interests.
The cities you’ll visit depend on the tour you select, but options often include Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, and more. Each tour features a detailed itinerary available on our website.
Definitely. Your safety is our highest priority. We partner with professional guides and skilled drivers to provide you with a secure and unforgettable travel experience.
Our tours feature a variety of accommodations, including boutique hotels and traditional riads. Each option is thoughtfully chosen to provide both comfort and an authentic Moroccan experience.
Yes, at Morocco Turism, we recognize that every traveler is different. Reach out to us to tailor your tour according to your preferences and specific interests.
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