4-day, 3-night excursion to the Merzouga Desert (Erg Chebbi) from Marrakech via the Ouzoud Waterfalls
Live a unique experience with our 4 day and 3 night excursion to the Sahara Desert From Marrakech, combining the beauty of the Ouzoud Waterfalls with the spectacular landscapes of southern Morocco. During this route, you will discover the High Atlas Mountains, the emblematic village and kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the route of a thousand kasbahs in Skoura, he Valley of the Rosesthe impressive Dades and Todra gorges, the city of Erfoudand finally the majestic Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi). On the way back, you will cross Rissani, Nkob, Draa Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountains.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to:
Also, if you’re planning a trip to Marrakech, we’ll give you recommendations and activities in the city so you can make the most of your stay before or after the excursion.
Dare to live this unique adventure Join our team and discover the magic of Morocco, from the mountains to the Sahara dunes.
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Departure from the pick-up point in Marrakech at 7:00 a.m. heading towards Ouzoud Waterfalls, with an approximate route of 3 hours. Along the way, you will pass through several Berber and Arab villages, enjoying a landscape that combines rural areas, mountains and desert panoramas typical of the interior of Morocco. The Ouzoud Waterfalls They are the highest in Morocco, with a waterfall of more than 100 meters In a spectacular setting inhabited by wild monkeys. There you will have free time to explore the area. You can hire a local guide for €10–15 for the whole group, or you can visit independently, as the route is easy to follow. You can descend approximately 700 stairs that lead to the base of the waterfall and, if you wish, take a boat trip on the river (€2 per person, not included). For lunch, there are several restaurants with views of the waterfall, with prices ranging between 7 and 10 €According to the establishment, it is also possible to eat on the way to the mountains. High Atlas, making a stop in a local town. After lunch, we will continue our route towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in North Africa with 2260 meters altitude. The name means "difficult mountain pass" in Tamazight. Stops will be made along the way to enjoy the scenery. breathtaking panoramic views, ideal for photographing the valleys and mountains of the High Atlas. Along the way, we will visit a Women's argan oil cooperativewhere you will learn about the artisanal production process and discover the many health and beauty benefits of argan. We will continue descending through the Ounila Valley until reaching the historical village of Ait Ben Haddouwhere we will spend the night. You will have time to enjoy the sunset and visit their famous KasbahDeclared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, this place has been the setting for numerous international films, including: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Game of Thrones (2011) and The Queen of the Desert (2015). Accommodation: Hotel in Ait Ben Haddou with dinner and breakfast included.
After breakfast, around 7:30 a.m., we will head towards Ouarzazate, known as the City of Cinema and considered the great gateway to the desert. The following stand out here: film studios and the imposing Kasbah of Taourirt. We will make a scenic stop for taking photographs; although you can visit the interior of the studios, it is not essential, as the exterior views are spectacular. We will continue the route along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs until reaching SkouraA valley filled with ancient kasbahs that transport us to bygone eras. Next, we will explore the Valley of the RosesFamous for its festivals in May, and for its rosewater cooperatives during the rest of the year, where you can learn about the extraction process or make purchases if you are interested. We will continue towards the Todra Valley (Tinghir)where we'll make a scenic stop to admire the views. Then we'll visit the Todra Gorges, an impressive canyon with vertical walls over 300 metersIdeal for exploring the interior and taking unique photos. The vehicle will drop you off at the entrance and pick you up at the exit, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience. Later, we will pass through several Berber villages such as Tinjdaduntil reaching Malaabwhere we will visit a shop run by Berber women. Here you will be able to: Wear traditional Berber costumes for photos next to the Berber flag. Buy souvenirs, gifts and turbans for the desert. Perform a henna tattoo (recommended tip: minimum €2). We will have lunch at Tourougenjoying the local cuisine, and we will continue towards Erfoud, famous for its artisanal production of marbles and fossils, where you can visit workshops if you wish. Finally, we will arrive at the Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi)where we will exchange the vehicle for camels (8x8) for a sunset stroll on the golden sands, enjoying the silence and magic of the desert. Upon arrival at the camp, you will settle into traditional tentsAnd after dinner you will enjoy a live Berber music performance around the bonfireUnder a breathtaking starry sky, creating a unique and unforgettable night. Dinner and accommodation: Berber tents in the Erg Chebbi desert, with an authentic experience under the stars.
We'll get up early to enjoy the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunesA magical moment to take photographs and contemplate the golden and orange hues of the desert. After breakfast, the more adventurous can practice sandboard on the dunes. Next, we'll return with the camels or in 4x4 to the meeting point with our driver, from where we will begin our route towards Nkob. For those who want more adrenaline, there is the option of doing quad bike or buggy excursions through the Erg Chebbi dunes (optional service and not included): Single Quad (1 hour): €40, Double Quad (1 hour): €60, Double Buggy (1 hour): €120 (includes guide and fuel). Along the way, we will pass through RissaniOne of Morocco's oldest cities, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty and former capital of the sultans. If our visit coincides with market days (Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday), we can explore the souk on footwhere you'll find spices, excellent quality dates, jewelry, handicrafts, and typical regional products. It's a unique opportunity to to learn about daily life and local traditions. After the visit, we will make a scenic stop on the outskirts of the city to photograph the famous Desert Gate. We will continue our journey through pre-desert landscapes and several villages until Alnif, where we will stop for lunch. After a short break, we will arrive at Nkob, a charming Berber village situated between the Ziz and Drâa valleys, known as the “City of 45 Kasbahs”. Surrounded by oases and palm groves, Nkob offers narrow streets full of history, traditional architecture, and spectacular sunset colors. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a Welcome tea by the pool and we'll have free time to stroll through the villageExplore its kasbahs or simply relax by the hotel pool. Accommodation: Hotel in Nkob with Dinner and breakfast included.
After breakfast, we left the hotel and headed to Draa ValleyA stunning place where the Draa River meanders through palm groves and oases. This is the Morocco's longest riverwhich crosses the country to Mauritania and partially reaches the white beach in Agdz. We will make a stop to Enjoy the panoramic views, take photographs and admire the scenery unique in the valley. We will continue our route through the Anti-Atlas (Ait Saouen, 1,660 meters above sea level), with its arid mountains and rock formations that offer spectacular landscapes. Later we will arrive at Ouarzazate, the famous gateway to the desert and film city, where you can see the kasbahs and film studios. From Ouarzazate we will cross the High Atlas through the port of Tizi n'Tichka, the highest mountain pass in North Africa, until reaching Marrakech. We will drop you off as close as possible to your accommodation and make sure that the hotel staff will meet you. You will have The afternoon is free to enjoy the atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna square and the medinaStroll through its streets and dine at one of the local restaurants. This concludes our 4 day and 3 night trip to the Merzouga desert and the Ouzoud waterfalls. We hope you enjoyed this unique experience with our team. Thank you so much for trusting us! We wish you a Have a safe trip home and until next time, inshallah!