8-Day Sahara Desert Excursion from Marrakech
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Overview
8-Day Sahara Desert Excursion from Marrakech
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime Sahara Desert Excursion from Marrakech, where culture, adventure, and natural beauty come together for an unforgettable Moroccan experience. This 8-day private tour takes you from the lively streets of Marrakech to the peaceful blue alleys of Chefchaouen, ending in the modern city of Casablanca — with the majestic Sahara Desert as the soul of the journey.
Travel through the High Atlas Mountains, explore the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and ride a camel through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Spend a magical night under the stars in a traditional desert camp, then continue through Morocco’s imperial cities, ancient ruins, and breathtaking landscapes.
With guided city tours in Fes, stops at Roman ruins in Volubilis, and a visit to the capital Rabat, this tour is perfect for travelers who want a complete and authentic taste of Morocco.
Why Choose This Tour?
- All-in-One Experience – Desert, mountains, cities, Roman ruins, and coastal charm.
- Private Tour with Local Experts – Enjoy personalized service with local guides and drivers.
- Comfortable Accommodation – Stay in handpicked riads, boutique hotels, and a luxury desert camp.
- Cultural Immersion – Meet Berber nomads, explore medinas, and enjoy Moroccan music and cuisine.
- Hassle-Free – We handle everything, including airport pickup and drop-off.
Tour Highlights:
- Start your Sahara Desert Excursion from Marrakech with a scenic drive through the Atlas Mountains
- Explore Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, and the stunning Dades Valley
- Ride camels and sleep in a desert camp in the middle of the Sahara
- Visit nomads, old mines, and listen to Gnaoua music in Khamlia village
- Discover Fes with a local guide, including Al Quaraouiyine University & the tanneries
- Wander the blue-painted medina of Chefchaouen
- Explore Rabat’s main sights and finish in Casablanca with airport drop-off
🎁 Free Moroccan Gift with Your Tour
Book your Morocco tour for September, October, November, or December, and receive a special handcrafted Moroccan gift on arrival — our way of saying thank you and sharing the warmth of Moroccan hospitality.
👉 Offer valid for a limited time — book now before it endsTHIS WEEK ONLY
TOUR MAP
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation or airport
- Private 4×4 vehicle, van, or minibus (depending on your group size)
- Experienced English and Spanish speaking Driver/Guide
- Breakfast
- Overnight at private tent in Desert Camp
- Camel trekking (camel per person)
- 6 Nights at private room at Hotel or Riad
- Dinners at your Desert Camp, hotel in the desert and hotel in Dades Gorge.
- Local guided tours in Fes
- Car fuel
- Special Moroccan Gift
Excluded
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fees
- Tips and personal expenses
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech – The Red City’s Warm Welcome
Your trip starts in Marrakech, a city full of history, culture, and modern life. Marrakech is called the "Red City" because many buildings are made of red stone. Start your trip in the busy Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Here, you will see snake charmers, street performers, and many food stalls. Visit the beautiful Koutoubia Mosque and the Bahia Palace to learn about the city’s history. Finish your day by eating a traditional Moroccan dinner at your riad, a special Moroccan house with a courtyard.
Overnight: Marrakech ( Hotel : Riad Nesma or similar).
Day 2: Marrakech - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades Valley
After a good breakfast, get ready for an exciting day in the High Atlas Mountains. The drive is fun, with curvy roads and beautiful views all around.
Your first stop is Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a famous old village made of clay. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been in movies like “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones.” Don’t forget your camera!
Next, you will go to Ouarzazate, called the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Here, you can visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios, where many movies were made.
Finally, visit Dades Valley, a place with tall cliffs and deep valleys that look like a picture.
Overnight: ( Hotel : Riad Dades Paradise or similar).
Travel distance : Around 330 km
Travel time : Around 5 hr 30 min
Day 3: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Merzouga
Get ready for an exciting day! After breakfast, take a 4×4 car and drive to Merzouga, the door to the Sahara Desert. You will feel the excitement as the big sand dunes get closer.
See the Dunes: When you arrive, you will see the beautiful golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. You can climb a dune to enjoy a wonderful view, especially when the sun starts to set.
Camel Ride: Ride a camel like the desert people do! Traveling by camel in the desert is a special adventure and very Moroccan.
At night, sit by a campfire under the stars. Enjoy music, stories from locals, and a tasty Moroccan dinner. This night will be one you never forget.
Overnight: Luxury Desert Camp
Travel distance : Around 265 km
Travel time : Around 4 hr 5 min
Day 4: Exploring Merzouga – The Magic of the Sahara
Wake up early to see the amazing desert sunrise. It is a special moment that shows the magic of the Sahara. After breakfast, ride a camel back to Merzouga where your car will be waiting.
Spend the day exploring the area. You can drive off-road, visit old mines where people once got eyeliner, and meet Berber nomads in their tents for tea and stories.
Then, visit Khamlia, a village known for its lively Gnaoua music and dancing. After a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant, walk through peaceful palm trees and visit Merzouga Lake, also called Flamingo Lake, where many birds come to rest.
Finish your day by resting in a nice hotel nearby.
Overnight: Hotel Azawad or similar).
Travel distance : Around 60 km
Travel time : Around 1 hr 25 min
Day 5: Merzouga to Fes – From Desert to City
After breakfast at the hotel, drive from the desert to Fes, crossing the Ziz Valley near Errachidia, the capital of the Tafilalt region. Stop to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the valley.
Next, continue to Midelt, a city famous for its apples. Midelt is an important commercial center and also known for mining minerals.
After a lunch break, drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains, with its cedar forests and Berber towns like Imouzzer. Stop in the cedar forest to see monkeys living freely.
Visit Ifrane, also called the “Switzerland of Morocco.”
After Ifrane, continue through small Berber towns until you reach Fes. Spend the night in a riad.
Overnight: ( Hotel : Riad Dari or similar).
Travel distance : Around 466 km
Travel time : Around 7 hr 20 min
Day 6: Exploring Fes – Morocco’s Cultural Heart
Today, you will explore Fes, Morocco’s oldest imperial city, with your local tour guide. Begin your day by walking through Fes el-Bali, the old part of the city. Its narrow, twisting streets and ancient buildings feel like a living museum, showing life as it was hundreds of years ago.
You will visit Al Quaraouiyine University, which is the oldest university in the world still running today. Learn about its history and importance in education.
Next, head to the famous tanneries, where workers dye leather using traditional methods that have been used for centuries. You can watch the colorful dyeing process from nearby terraces.
After a day full of discovery, return to your riad to relax. Enjoy the peaceful garden and beautiful traditional Moroccan architecture, perfect for resting after a busy day.
Overnight: ( Hotel : Riad Dari or similar).
Day 7: Fes - Volubilis - Chefchaouen
After breakfast, we will depart from Fes and begin our journey toward the beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen. On the way, we’ll stop at Volubilis, a famous Roman archaeological site known for its impressive mosaics and well-preserved ruins. You'll have time to explore the ancient streets and learn about the rich Roman history of the region.
After visiting Volubilis, we continue our scenic drive through the Rif Mountains, passing by charming countryside and small villages.
By afternoon, we arrive in Chefchaouen, nestled in the mountains and known for its peaceful atmosphere and blue-painted streets. Take your time to explore the medina, visit the main square (Plaza Uta el-Hammam), and enjoy the stunning views.
Settle into your riad or hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in one of Morocco’s most picturesque towns.
Overnight: ( Hotel : Riad Hicham or similar).
Travel distance : Around 212 km
Travel time : Around 3 hr 40 min
Day 8 : Chefchaouen - Rabat - Casablanca
After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey toward Casablanca. Along the way, we’ll stop in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, to explore some of its key landmarks. Visit the impressive Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and take a stroll through the peaceful Kasbah of the Udayas, with its white-and-blue alleys and views over the river.
After the visit, we continue our drive to Casablanca. Depending on your flight time, we’ll take you directly to Casablanca Airport for your departure, ending your unforgettable journey through Morocco.
Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you again soon!
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Who is this tour for?
This tour is perfect for:
- Couples and friends seeking a romantic or cultural getaway
- Families looking for a safe and enriching experience
- Solo travelers wanting guided support with privacy
- Photography lovers and history enthusiasts
- Anyone looking for a real taste of Morocco in just over a week
5 Comments
5
We were amazed by how much we saw in just 8 days. From Chefchaouen’s blue streets to the ancient ruins of Volubilis, every stop was worth it. The Sahara Desert experience was simply magical
5
A perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation. We especially loved visiting the Berber villages and listening to Gnaoua music in Khamlia. The riads were charming and clean, and the desert camp was magical
5
Fantastic service, great attention to detail. We were picked up from the airport and taken care of until the very end. The team made sure we were comfortable, and we learned so much about Moroccan history and culture.
5
This was the trip of a lifetime! Every day brought a new surprise from the Atlas Mountains to the golden dunes of Merzouga. The camel ride at sunset and night under the stars were unforgettable. Our guide Ahmed was friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel safe and welcome the whole time
5
Very well organized and professional team. From Marrakech to Casablanca, everything was smooth. The visit to Ait Ben Haddou and the drive through Dades Valley were breathtaking. Highly recommend this tour if you want to see the real Morocco