Experience the ultimate Moroccan adventure on this 9-day tour from Marrakech to Chegaga and Merzouga deserts, where majestic mountains meet vast golden dunes and timeless oases. Beginning in the vibrant city of Marrakech, you will journey across the High Atlas Mountains, passing traditional Berber villages, panoramic valleys, and winding mountain passes that reveal Morocco’s diverse landscapes. Explore the historic town of Ouarzazate, the striking Dades and Todra Gorges, and the fertile Draa Valley lined with palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Spend unforgettable nights in the remote Chegaga Desert and the iconic Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes, riding camels, visiting nomad settlements, and experiencing desert life firsthand. Along the way, discover the local culture, meet Berber families, explore fossil-rich areas, and witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the Sahara. This journey combines adventure, natural beauty, and cultural immersion, offering travelers an authentic and memorable experience of southern Morocco’s deserts, mountains, and valleys.
Highlights 9 Days Marrakech – Chegaga & Merzouga Desert Tour
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Explore Ouarzazate, Chegaga, and Merzouga deserts
- Camel trek and overnight stays in Chegaga and Erg Chebbi
- Visit Rissani, nomad settlements, oases, and fossil sites
- Scenic drives through Draa Valley, Dades Gorges, and Todra Gorges
- Experience Berber culture and traditional desert life
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Ouarzazate
Your journey begins early in Marrakech with a pickup from your hotel or riad. Drive across the majestic High Atlas Mountains, crossing the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which rises to 2,260 meters above sea level. Stop along the way to admire panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, valleys, and traditional Berber villages. Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the “Gateway to the Desert,” where you can visit the historic Kasbah Taourirt, a beautiful example of Moroccan architecture. In the afternoon, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner while reflecting on the start of your desert adventure.
Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Foum Zguid – Chegaga Desert
After breakfast, depart Ouarzazate heading south toward Foum Zguid, passing through arid plains, remote villages, and scenic landscapes. Continue to Chegaga Desert, one of Morocco’s most remote and pristine deserts. On the way, you will pass Lake Iriki, a vast dry salt lake surrounded by desert plains. Arrive at your desert camp in the late afternoon, enjoy refreshments, and watch a stunning sunset over the dunes. Dinner is served under the stars, accompanied by traditional Berber music, for a true Sahara experience.
Overnight: Desert camp in Chegaga
Day 3: Chegaga Desert – Camel Trek & Exploration
Wake up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Chegaga dunes. Spend the day exploring the desert by camel or 4×4, visiting hidden oases, photographing endless dunes, and learning about nomadic life from local Berber families. Enjoy the quiet and serenity of the Sahara as you explore one of Morocco’s most remote regions. In the evening, return to your desert camp for dinner, music, and another unforgettable night under the stars.
Overnight: Desert camp in Chegaga
Day 4: Chegaga – Zagora
After sunrise and breakfast, depart Chegaga for Zagora, traveling along scenic desert tracks and through the fertile Draa Valley. The valley is lined with lush palm groves, kasbahs, and small Berber villages, offering insight into traditional Moroccan life. Along the way, stop to take photos and enjoy the stunning landscapes. Arrive in Zagora in the afternoon and check into your hotel or riad. Spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the tranquil desert oasis atmosphere.
Overnight: Hotel or riad in Zagora
Day 5: Zagora – Dades Gorges
After breakfast, continue your journey toward the Dades Valley, passing through the scenic Anti-Atlas Mountains. Travel along winding roads that reveal dramatic landscapes of red rock formations, canyons, and palm-lined valleys. Stop at Taliouine if time permits, a town famous for its saffron production. Arrive in Dades Valley in the afternoon and check into your hotel, taking in the breathtaking scenery of dramatic gorges, cliffs, and desert landscapes. Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by nature.
Overnight: Hotel in Dades Valley
Day 6: Dades Gorges – Todra Gorges – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)
After breakfast, depart Dades Valley for Todra Gorges, a stunning canyon with cliffs reaching up to 300 meters. Walk along the gorge floor and admire the dramatic rock formations. Continue to Merzouga, located at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Upon arrival, check into your hotel or riad and enjoy some free time to rest. In the late afternoon, embark on a camel trek into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes, arriving at your desert camp for dinner and an overnight stay under a canopy of stars.
Overnight: Desert camp in Merzouga
Day 7: Merzouga Desert – Nomads, Oases & Fossils
Wake up early to witness a magical sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. Spend the day exploring the desert landscape, visiting nomad settlements, natural oases, and fossil-rich areas. Meet Berber families and learn about their traditional way of life. Enjoy camel trekking, sand dune climbing, and the serene desert atmosphere. Return to your desert camp for dinner and an evening under the star-filled sky.
Overnight: Desert camp in Merzouga
Day 8: Merzouga – Rissani – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate
After sunrise and breakfast, depart Merzouga for Ouarzazate. Pass through Rissani, an ancient town known for its markets and historical significance. Travel along the scenic Draa Valley, lined with palm groves and traditional kasbahs. Stop in villages to observe local life and photograph the breathtaking landscapes. Arrive in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon, check into your hotel, and enjoy dinner, reflecting on the unforgettable desert adventure.
Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
Day 9: Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech (Airport or Hotel Drop-off)
After breakfast, depart Ouarzazate for Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains once again via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Stop for photos and enjoy the panoramic views of valleys, mountains, and Berber villages. Depending on your schedule, you will be dropped off at Marrakech airport for departure or at your hotel/riad for an extended stay. This concludes your 9-day adventure, blending the majesty of the Atlas Mountains with the serenity and vastness of Chegaga and Merzouga deserts, leaving you with lifelong memories of Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich culture.
Overnight: Optional hotel in Marrakech
✔ Included
- Private air-conditioned transport & experienced driver-guide
- Accommodation for 8 nights (hotels, riads, desert camps)
- Breakfasts and dinners as per itinerary
- Camel trek in Chegaga and Merzouga deserts
- Desert exploration with guided visits
- Fuel, road taxes, and driver expenses
✘ Excluded
- Lunches and drinks
- Entry fees to monuments or attractions
- Optional activities (quad biking, sandboarding, etc.)
- Personal expenses and tips
Book This Tour
