Marrakech to the Sahara Desert & Essaouira

9 days, 8 nights

Unlock Morocco's wonders with this 9-day journey through majestic Marrakesh, the sweeping Sahara Desert, and coastal Essaouira!

Overview

Ready for adventure? Take an unforgettable 9-day journey to Morocco, exploring breathtaking scenery from Marrakesh's bustling markets all the way out through the majestic Sahara Desert and along the picturesque coast of Essaouira. Turn your travel dreams into reality with this amazing bucket list experience!

The Bridge to Ait Ben Haddou

Highlights & Options

Visit Kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou - a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Travel through the Atlas Mountains
Experience the gorges of Dades Valley
Visit The Valley of The Roses
Ride a Camel in the Chegaga & Merzouga Dunes
Visit the nomads of the Sahara Desert
Spend the night in a Desert Camp
Take a guided tour of the souks and Medina of Marrakech
Visit the coastal city of Essaouira

Add on a Quad Bike Ride in the Desert*

Guided Tour at Telouet Kasbah*

Tour the Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate

Visit the Movie Studio Museum in Ouarzazate

Guided Tour at Taourirt Kasbah*

Please notify us of any options or add-ons you would like to be included in your experience on the booking form.

*Included in Royal Booking Option

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Contact Us for More Information

Itinerary

Start: Marrakech

Pick up at or near your Riad/hotel.

End: Marrakech

Drop off at or near your Riad/hotel.

Explore the exotic beauty and culture of Morocco...

...with this incredible 9-day journey! Begin in magnetic Marrakesh, then make your way to the majestic Sahara Desert. Finish off at picturesque Essaouira - a charming coastal city located near breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views. Book now and add some Moroccan magic to your travel memories!

Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Gorges

Driving Time: 5 hours 40 minutes

Experience the beauty and splendor of Southern Morocco with us! Our adventure begins at 8:00 am in Marrakech, heading towards Ouarzazate. We'll take a breathtaking journey over Tizi N'Tichka Pass (2260m) before stopping to explore Kasbah Telouat, Ounila Valley's famous Ait Ben Haddo UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate. From there we will venture into the desert for more captivating sights including Skoura palm grove and Rose Valley - home to many splendid Kasbahs surrounded by majestic landscapes. At night you can relax in Boumalne Dades' hotel with dinner included!

Boumalne Dades - Todra Gorges - Arfoud - Dunes of Merzouga

Driving Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Start your adventure to the majestic desert of Merzouga and get ready for an unforgettable journey! Explore traditional Tinghir palm groves, where you can marvel at its lush beauty. Descend into breathtaking gorges with a lunch stop by the river. Afterward make sure not to miss Tinjedad's oases with their serene atmosphere before arriving in Erfoud - famous for its fossils and astonishing craftsman skills. Finally take a camel ride as you witness one of nature's most amazing spectacles - sunset among golden dunes! Finish off this magical day camping beneath starry skies at an authentic Berber camp.

Merzouga Excursion to Visit Nomads

Come join us for an unforgettable experience at the majestic Erg Chebbi dunes! We will journey to Merzouga on camelback and then explore these stunning desert landscapes in a 4X4. Get ready to be wowed as we visit nomadic families tending their herds of goats, camels and other creatures that thrive in this harsh environment. Afterward, it's off to Khamlia village where you can enjoy some traditional Berber tea with dinner while listening to beautiful Gnaoua music performances. Before returning back our campfire-lit campsite there is time enough left for a night of star gazing under the vast Saharan sky - don't forget your camera!

Merzouga - Rissani - Nkob - Tamnougalt - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

Driving Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

Experience the majestic beauty of Morocco by taking a journey across its desert landscapes, acacia trees and villages. Start off in Merzouga before heading to Marrakech via the Draa Valley! See stunning panoramic views at Tizi N'Tinififft (1660m) while passing through Nkob village for lunch along your way - all culminating with an evening arrival back into bustling Marrakech.

Map

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Inclusions

Pick up at your Hotel or Riad at around 07:30.

Transportation by 4 × 4 or Minibus.

Fuel, tolls and all associated expenses.

Knowledgeable local driver accompanying you throughout the route.

Guided tour with licensed guide in multiple destinations.

Nightly accommodations with breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Two nights in the desert camp.

Not Included

Drinks or Beverages.

Tips and Gratuities for Drivers and Guides.

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Luxury from

€1027

/person

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Private, Double Occupancy Accommodations

Private Bathroom in Tent at Desert Camp

All Private Tour Inclusions

Image Gallery

Boats in Essaouira

Ait Ben Haddou from the River Bed

Ait Ben Haddou

Souk in Marrakech

Donkeys in Merzouga Desert

Fortress Walls in Essaouira

Majorelle Garden in Marrakech

Cafe in the Atlas Mountains

Fortress In Essaouira

Bridge to Ksar Ait Ben Haddou

Sunset over Essaouira

Shops at Tizi N’Tichka

Beach of Essaouira

Vendors in Jemaa el Fna Square

Tea in Ait Ben Haddou

Road into the Atlas Mountains

Looking out over the Atlas Mountains

Winding Road in the Atlas Mountains

Inside Ait Ben Haddou

4×4 in Erg Chebbi

Berber Village in the Atlas Mountains

Atlas Mountains beyond Marrakech

Asif Ounila

Ait Ben Haddou

Erg Chebbi Dunes at Sunrise

Essaouira: City on the Water

Shops at Tizi N’Tichka

Atlas Mountains with Snow

Jemaa el Fna Square

Mineral Shop at Tizi N’Tichka

Camel Ride in Erg Chebbi

Incense & Spice Shop in Marrakech

Luxury Desert Camp at Night

Why Travel with Discover Sahara Tours?

Our People

Looking for a truly unique and immersive tour experience? Meet our exceptional full-time local drivers and guides, who don't just show you around - they become your well-connected friend. Accompanying you on each day of the tour, they share their lifelong connections to the region, offering fascinating anecdotes about its history and culture. With their insider knowledge and friendly personalities, you'll feel like a local in no time.

Custom Experience

Experience adventure like never before with our private tours! We are passionate about creating a customized travel experience that is tailored to your preferences. Imagine immersing yourself in the daily life of a nomadic family in the desert or cruising through the Sahara on a quad bike. We'll work with you to build an itinerary that meets your every desire, making sure that your journey is nothing short of amazing.

Local Cuisine

Experience the flavors, stories, and warmth of a place through its cuisine - that's our promise to you. Whether it's a cozy family-owned restaurant or indulging in a gourmet meal in our Sahara desert camps, these expertly curated meals will tantalize your taste buds and give you a glimpse into the heart and soul of the locals. Come travel with us and discover the magic of local Moroccan food traditions.

Sustainable Travel

Indulge in sustainable travel that nurtures the communities you visit. Invest in the local livelihoods by putting your money where your heart is. Discover the magic of authentic and immersive travel experiences that take you beyond the surface level. Our unique personal touch preserves and supports the cultures and traditions of the places you explore. It's a travel experience that will satisfy your curiosity and leave a positive impact on the world.

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Customer Reviews

Desert experience - It was an amazing experience! Very nice staff. The conditions (rooms, wc) were very clean and adequated for the desert experience

André R
March 4, 2024

Good trip - Overall a good trip, special shout out to Houssine, the tour guide. It was very cool seeing the sand dunes. Sahara desert is a bucket list destination for sure!

Safari431552
December 23, 2024

Girl’s trip - We went on a 2 days tour from Marrakech to Zagora desert, and it was an amazing experience! Really recommend it. It should be in your bucket list.
Ismail is... read more

Navigator51451049337
January 3, 2023
It was really Nice, Ismail was the perfect driver ! I RECOMMAND Him et the angecy for your trip !!!!

597yaminam
January 29, 2023

I booked the three day two night trip to the desert with Discover Sahara Tours. The communication with them via WhatsApp was great, they were very attentive checking in with... read more

williamcB3121HW
February 9, 2023

Well organised, good value for money - We had a good, well organised tour. Ismael was brilliant fun, picked us up on time and communicated well with how the day would work! Thank you!

amyh87
December 9, 2022
It was an amazing tour where we got to ride camels, drive an atv, visited a Bereber village and other great activities. Our guide was great, always really helpful and... read more kind! I highly recommend this!

ROCIO P
June 17, 2023

An unforgettable trip to the Zagora desert with Ismael! - Ismael was more than just a driver for our trip from Marrakech to the Zagora desert - he was a fantastic guide! He was incredibly friendly and informative throughout... read more

luisapb97
April 10, 2024

Our tour to Sahara was amazing.
Our guide and the people in the camp were extremely nice and took really good care of us. The dinner was really tasty and... read more

Inês L
March 4, 2024