6 Days Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Desert and Erg Chebbi
- What it is:
A private, round-trip 6-day/5-night desert tour from Marrakech combining both Zagora and Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi, with Skoura Oasis, a free day in Merzouga, and a split return drive — the most complete version of our Marrakech desert tours. - Highlights:
Two camel treks (Zagora and Merzouga), Aït Benhaddou, Skoura Oasis, the Todra and Dades Gorges, Khamlia’s Gnawa musicians, and three total nights across two desert regions. - Group type:
Private vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide for the full 6 days — not a shared group tour. - How it compares:
The 4-day tour covers both deserts but at a fast pace; the 5-day tour is relaxed but covers Merzouga only. This 6-day tour is both — two deserts, at a relaxed pace. - Price:
[PRICE] per person — varies by group size, season and camp category. Contact us for a live quote.
This is the tour we’d recommend if you’re not sure which of our shorter Marrakech desert tours to pick[cite: 9]. It doesn’t force a choice between breadth and pace — you get both Sahara regions our 4-day tour visits, plus the relaxed schedule and extra stops that make our 5-day tour easier on you, in a single 6-day loop[cite: 9].
The extra days go into things the shorter tours skip or rush: a stop at Skoura’s palm-grove oasis, a genuine free day to explore Merzouga rather than just passing through, and a return drive split across two easier days instead of one long push back to Marrakech[cite: 9].
Why Book This 6-Day Complete Sahara Circuit
Two distinct Sahara regions — Zagora’s quieter dunes and Merzouga’s iconic Erg Chebbi — with two separate camel treks[cite: 9].
A stop at Skoura Oasis, a palm grove dotted with historic kasbahs[cite: 9].
An evening with the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, a village known for its spiritual music tradition[cite: 9].
Visit the Aït Benhaddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar and film location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones[cite: 9].
Cross the Todra and Dades Gorges, two of Morocco’s most dramatic canyon landscapes[cite: 9].
The long return drive is split across two easier days instead of one exhausting one[cite: 9].
Day-by-Day Itinerary: 6 Days From Marrakech to Merzouga
Early pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech[cite: 9]. The route climbs the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass before reaching Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified ksar used as a backdrop for numerous major film productions[cite: 9]. After Ouarzazate, the route continues south through the Draa Valley to Zagora, where a camel trek carries you into the desert for sunset, dinner, and a first night in a traditional camp[cite: 9].
Sunrise over the Zagora dunes and a camel ride back, then the route turns north through N’Kob[cite: 9]. A relaxed stop at Skoura, a palm oasis dotted with historic kasbahs, breaks up the drive before reaching the Dades Valley, known for its dramatic folded rock formations, for the second overnight[cite: 9].
A stop at the Todra Gorge, a 300-metre-high limestone canyon, before continuing east to Merzouga[cite: 9]. A second camel trek carries you into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, a Berber dinner, live music, and a night in your second desert camp[cite: 9].
Sunrise over the dunes and a camel ride back, followed by a full free day exploring the wider Merzouga area — a stop in Khamlia to hear its Gnawa musicians, and time for optional sandboarding or a 4×4 dune excursion[cite: 9]. A night at a hotel in Merzouga follows, giving genuine downtime after three travel-heavy days[cite: 9].
The return journey begins with a stop in Rissani, once a key trans-Saharan caravan trading post, before retracing the route west to Ouarzazate for the fifth overnight — splitting the long drive back into two manageable days[cite: 9].
A shorter final drive back over the Tizi n’Tichka pass into Marrakech[cite: 9]. You’re dropped back at your hotel or riad in the afternoon, tour complete[cite: 9].
What’s Included & What’s Not
✅ Included
- Private transport in an A/C 4×4 or minivan for all 6 days
- English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Hotel/riad pickup and drop-off anywhere in Marrakech
- 1 night desert camp near Zagora — breakfast & dinner
- 1 night hotel in the Dades Valley — breakfast & dinner
- 1 night in a traditional Erg Chebbi desert camp — breakfast & dinner
- 1 night hotel in Merzouga — breakfast & dinner
- 1 night hotel in Ouarzazate — breakfast & dinner
- 2 camel treks (Zagora and Merzouga)
- Khamlia Gnawa music visit
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
❌ Not Included
- Lunches en route (restaurant of your choice, own expense)
- Entrance fees to kasbahs, gorges and monuments
- Drinks and personal purchases
- Travel/health insurance
- Sandboarding and 4×4 dune excursion (available locally as optional add-ons)
- Tips for your driver-guide (customary but optional)
Pricing & What Affects the Cost
Private desert tours priced per person typically scale down as group size increases, since vehicle and driver cost is shared across the group. Expect the final rate to depend on:
Starting price: [PRICE] per person. Contact Over Morocco Tours for a live, no-obligation quote based on your travel dates and group size.
Practical Information
Best Time to Go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures across both deserts and the mountain crossings[cite: 9]. Summer (June–August) can push both Zagora and Merzouga daytime temperatures above 40°C[cite: 9]. Winter can bring snow to the Tizi n’Tichka pass and near-freezing nights at both desert camps — pack layers regardless of season[cite: 9].
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels, and one of our more comfortably paced longer itineraries thanks to the split return drive and the free day in Merzouga[cite: 9]. Both camel treks are gentle and require no prior experience[cite: 9].
What to Pack
- Layered clothing — warm layers for both desert-camp nights, breathable clothing for daytime
- A scarf or turban to protect against sand and sun (often provided at camp)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Swimwear if your Merzouga hotel has a pool
- Cash (dirhams) for lunches, entrance fees, optional add-ons and tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book Your 6-Day Complete Sahara Circuit From Marrakech?
Check availability for your travel dates or ask us any question before booking.
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Overview :
6 Days Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Desert and Erg Chebbi : Our Morocco 6 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is full of adventures and treasures. Further, the Marrakech to Merzouga itinerary is among the greatest desert trips we offer. Yet you always customize it to fit your needs. Besides, in case you want to start your 6 days tour of Morocco from Fes, we have customized another itinerary for that. Check it out here. In general, the tour starts with your arrival at the airport, where we will meet and take you to your accommodation.
The abundant time on these 6 days from Marrakech to Merzouga permits you to have an amazing tour through the high Atlas Mountains across authentic Berber villages, canyons, palm groves, green valleys, old centuries kasbahs, and without a doubt the Sahara desert of Erg Chebbi, where you’ll experience camel trekking. Also, The perfect 6 days tour in Marrakech will give you the chance to visit the Berber nomad families, have a glass of mint tea, and learn about their way of living under their tent for those who want to discover the real Morocco
Highlights :
- Marrakech the red city.
- Todgha Canyons and Valley.
- Camping at Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Camel ridding in the Desert.
- Ziz, Rose Valley
- Merzouga desert tour.
- Ait Benhaddou.
- Nomads
- Ouarzazate atlas Studio.
- Tichca pass at High Atlas mountains.
- Camel trek and camp in the middle of the dunes
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Destination
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DepartureMarrakech
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Departure TimePlease arrive by 07:30 AM for a prompt departure at 08:00 AM.
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Return TimeApproximately 07:30 PM.
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Dress CodeCasual, comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket.
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Included6 Days Tour From Marrakech To Merzouga Desert and Erg Chebbi
Day 1 : Arrival & pick up service to your accommodation
Day 2 : Visiting Marrakech attractions
Day 3 : From Marrakech to Boumalne Dades
Day 4 : Boumalne Dades to Merzouga desert
Day 5 : Erg Chebbi 4WD tour
Day 6: From Ourzazate to Marrakech
TOUR LOCATION
TOUR REVIEW SCORES AND SCORE BREAKDOWN
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Comments:
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Cancellation policy
- If cancellations are made 15 days before the travel date, 50% of the total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- For cancellations made 7 to 15 days before the travel date, 75% of the total tour cost will be charged.
- If cancellations are made within 0 to 7 days before the travel date, 100% of the total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
Confirmation Policy
- We require a deposit of 20% of the total amount to secure your spot.
- Serving as confirmation of your booking with Over Morocco Tours.
- A confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours of a successful booking.
- If the preferred slots are unavailable, we will arrange an alternate schedule based on your preferences and send a new confirmation email.
Refund Policy
- The applicable refund amount will be processed within 10 business days
- All applicable refunds will be done by the same method that we receive deposit.
Important
- This is just a suggested tour plan.
- If it doesn’t meet your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out.
- We’ll create the perfect plan based on your preferences and the duration of your stay.
- We specialize in custom-made tours and trips around Morocco.
What to bring on
- Personal all risk insurance
- Don’t forget to bring your ID
- You’ll definitely want a camera
- A jacket (unless it’s the middle of summer)
- Sunglasses & sun screen.
Francisco Javie
Awesome 6 days!
This was such an amazing trip. The desert, the sky, the camels, the canyon, the people, the AMAZING, AWESOME guides. The hotel and glamping far-exceed expectations – and the value for the price paid is unreal. Don’t think twice. Book this now.
Madeline S
Amazing trip to the desert
We did a 6-day trip to Merzouga to enjoy a camel tour with an amazing driver. All were good, we did many stops to see oasis canyons and other things. I recommend this tour. You will enjoy it a lot and can book quads to drive through the desert.