5-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY AND DESERT TOUR
A 5-day trip in Morocco that combines the charm of Marrakech with an authentic desert tour. Over these 5 days and 4 nights you will discover the vibrant heart of Marrakech and cross the High Atlas mountains to reach the historic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley. You will then continue to the striking Todra Canyon and the Sahara Desert at Merzouga, where you will go on a camel trek, watch the sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, try sandboarding and spend the night in a luxury desert camp under the stars. The tour then returns to Marrakech through the Draa Valley and Agdez, ending with a day dedicated to discovering the city’s monuments and gardens. This itinerary starts and ends in Marrakech.
TOUR INFORMATION
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Departure: Marrakech
Arrival: Marrakech (departure also possible from Casablanca or Fes)
Tour style: Private
ITINERARY: 5 DAYS IN MARRAKECH
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
Let the warm welcome of Morocco embrace you: your 5 days in Marrakech begin with a welcome at Marrakech Menara airport. Our local guide will take you to your Riad, where you can check in and settle in comfortably. With the rest of the day at your disposal, you can explore the lively atmosphere of the city. A visit to the iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of Marrakech, will give you a first taste of its lively soul. You can have dinner at one of the restaurants on the square before returning to your lovely Riad for a restful night.
DAY 2: MARRAKECH – HIGH ATLAS – AIT BEN HADDOU – OUARZAZATE – DADES VALLEY
After breakfast, the desert expedition begins with pick-up directly from your Riad. Leaving the bustle of the city behind, we will travel south-east across the scenic High Atlas mountains, passing charming Berber villages and striking viewpoints ideal for beautiful photos.
We will stop for lunch in the village of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure famous for its ancient Kasbah. This historic “fortified village” has been the set of iconic films such as Prince of Persia, Gladiator and the famous TV series Game of Thrones. After a short stop in Ouarzazate, home to the largest film studio in Africa (optional visit), we will continue to the Dades Gorge through the enchanting Valley of Roses. In the Dades Valley we will admire the curious rock formations called “monkey fingers” and a splendid panoramic view of the gorges, before reaching the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Total driving distance: about 353 km
Total driving time: about 6 hours 30 minutes
DAY 3: DADES VALLEY – TODRA CANYON – MERZOUGA DESERT
After a tasty breakfast to recharge your batteries, we will cross the splendid landscapes along the Dades and Todra rivers, adorned with lush palm groves and authentic Berber settlements. The first stop is the majestic Todra Gorge in Tinghir, famous all over the world for its extraordinary beauty.
On the way to the Merzouga desert, our expert driver/guide may suggest a stop at a traditional Berber shop, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture by wearing traditional clothes and taking memorable photos, at no extra cost and with no obligation to buy. On arrival in Merzouga, you will climb onto the camels to head into the heart of the desert, watch an enchanting sunset over the dunes and enjoy the thrill of sandboarding. As night falls, a luxury desert camp awaits you with a tasty traditional dinner and the magic of the desert under a sky full of stars. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Total driving distance: about 310 km
Total driving time: about 5 hours
DAY 4: MERZOUGA DESERT – AGDEZ – HIGH ATLAS – MARRAKECH
After breakfast at the desert camp, we will set off on the return journey to Marrakech. This time the route takes us through the scenic Draa Valley, known as the longest valley in Morocco. Along the way we will stop in Agdez, which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the valley lined with lush palm trees.
During the journey we will stop in Ouarzazate for a delicious lunch, to recharge for the rest of the trip. We will then cross the majestic High Atlas mountains once again to return to Marrakech, where we will take you safely to your Riad.
Total driving distance: about 560 km
Total driving time: about 9 hours
DAY 5: EXPLORING MARRAKECH
Start the last day of this fascinating itinerary with a delicious breakfast at your Riad. Our friendly local guide will show you the best sights of the city, telling you curiosities and anecdotes about iconic places such as Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Koutoubia Mosque.
After a pleasant lunch, take a stroll through the modern part of Marrakech and explore the splendid Majorelle Garden, an oasis of serenity in the heart of the city. If your departure flight is today, we will arrange a comfortable airport transfer to round off your 5 days full of experiences.
IMPORTANT!
Please note that this is a suggested itinerary. If it does not exactly match your needs, do not hesitate to contact us. We will organise a tailor-made itinerary based on your preferences and the length of your stay in Morocco. This itinerary can also start from Casablanca or Fes.
THE PRICE
varies according to the number of participants: the more people join the tour, the lower the price per person. The cost of transport is fixed and is shared among the travellers. The price also depends on the category of accommodation chosen (standard, luxury, etc.). Contact us for an exact quote.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 5-DAY MARRAKECH ITINERARY
Are five days enough in Marrakech? Yes, 5 days can give you enough time to explore Marrakech and also enjoy a desert tour.
Is the 5-day tour private or shared? The 5-day tour is a completely private experience. You will travel only with the members of your own group, with no other tourists joining. This guarantees maximum flexibility and a personalised service.
How long is the camel ride? What is the alternative to camels? The camel ride usually takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours to reach the camp. For those who prefer not to ride a camel, the transfer to the camp can be made free of charge in a 4×4 vehicle. Quad or buggy tours are also available on request at an extra cost.
Is the tent private? Does it have a private bathroom and shower? Yes, the tents in our luxury desert camp are private and have an en-suite private bathroom with a shower and running hot water.
What happens to the luggage during the camel ride? During the camel ride you will only carry a small backpack with what you need for the night. All the main luggage will be transported comfortably by the camp’s 4×4 vehicle and you will find it directly in your tent.
What is the best time to visit Morocco? The best times to visit Morocco are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are mild throughout the country. Winter is also an excellent time, especially for the southern desert regions.
What kind of vehicles are used? The vehicles are recent and air-conditioned:
4×4 SUV (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or similar) for up to 4 people
Minivan (Mercedes Vito Tourer, Ford Tourneo or similar) for up to 8 people
Minibus (Mercedes Sprinter or similar) for groups of more than 8 people.
Dietary preferences We can cater for any dietary requirement (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.). Please let us know when booking so that we can best organise the included meals and the stops along the way.
Suitable age This tour is suitable for travellers of all ages. Please note that some days involve several hours of driving to cover the distances between the different regions. Our vehicles are comfortable and regular stops are made along the way.
Pick-up and drop-off details Pick-up is directly from Menara airport or your accommodation in Marrakech on the first day. The final drop-off is at the airport or your hotel in Marrakech on the last day.
Expenses and extra costs Currency exchange: euros and dollars can easily be exchanged for Moroccan dirhams (MAD) at banks, airports and exchange offices. ATMs are widely available. Cost of meals: lunches not included cost on average between 5 EUR and 20 EUR per person depending on the restaurant. Bargaining: negotiating the price in the souks and traditional markets is a normal, cultural practice in Morocco.
BOOKING PROCESS:
Contact us through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, telling us the number of travellers, your approximate departure date and the accommodation category you would like.
Booking: we ask for a small deposit to confirm the booking (via PayPal, Wise or bank transfer). The remaining balance can be paid in cash (in EUR, USD or MAD) directly to the driver on arrival.
WHY CHOOSE PRIVATE TOURS IN MOROCCO?
A private tour lets you travel at your own pace, with maximum flexibility in timings, stops and choice of accommodation. You will have an expert driver and vehicles for your exclusive use at your complete disposal, for a trip in total comfort and safety.
The tour lasts 5 days / 4 nights. It departs from Marrakech and ends in Marrakech (departure also possible from Casablanca or Fes).
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech. Day 2: Marrakech – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley. Day 3: Dades Valley – Todra Canyon – Merzouga Desert. Day 4: Merzouga Desert – Agdez – High Atlas – Marrakech. Day 5: Exploring Marrakech.
Airport transfers; Private transport in an air-conditioned 4×4, van or minibus (depending on the number of participants); Experienced driver, or English-speaking driver and tour guide (other languages on request); Local guide for the visit of Marrakech; Accommodation for 4 nights with breakfast included; Dinner at the hotel in the Dades Valley and dinner at the desert camp; Camel trek in the Merzouga desert; Sandboarding equipment at the camp.
Lunches and drinks; Entrance tickets to monuments/studios (when required); Tips.
The price depends on the number of travellers, the time of year and the accommodation category you choose. As it is a private tour, you only pay for your own group. Contact us with your dates and group size for a free, no-obligation quote.
Yes, the tour style is: Private. You travel only with your own group, with a dedicated driver/guide. The itinerary is a suggested route: we can adjust it or create a tailor-made trip to suit you.
You will then continue to the striking Todra Canyon and the Sahara Desert at Merzouga, where you will go on a camel trek, watch the sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, try sandboarding and spend the night in a luxury desert camp under the stars.
