5-Day Dakar Track and Merzouga Private Desert Trip

Private Trip Details

Day 1: Marrakesh - Aït Benhaddou -  Ouarzazate

On the first day, we'll leave behind Marrakech in the morning to hit the road towards Ouarzazate. On the way we cross the striking Atlas Mountains, crossing through the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, 2,260 metres high.

Shortly after crossing the Atlas, we turn down a road towards Telouet Kasbah. Cross numerous Amazigh hamlets until we get to Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, the most impressive 800-year fortified city in all Morocco, and backdrop to movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.

At the end of the visit, we'll head to Ouzarzazate, home to the well-known Atlas Studios. We'll spend the first night here.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Agdz – Draa Valley – Tazarine – El Mharech Oasis

After a healthy breakfast and visiting the splendid Taourirt Kasbah, we'll make our way to Zagora by crossing the Anti-Altas mountain through the Tizi n-Tinifift mountain pass, 1,600 meters high.

Delve into the magnificent Draa Valley along a dirt road and admire various Amazigh villages and kasbahs flanking the narrow waterway. Leave charming villages behind like N’kob, Tarazine and Alnif and drive to Mharech Gorges. The original Dakar Rally track normally runs past these beautiful landscapes. 

Complete the day by spending the night in a typical riad in the middle of the desert.

Day 3: Mharech - Ramlia Oasis - Ouzina Dunes - Merzouga

On the third day, we'll pursue the tracks of the Dakar Rally and marvel at tiny villages, crossing wadis, oasis and the Ouzina Dunes.

Visit the well-known village of Khamlia, founded by the descents of African slaves and enjoy typical folklore music from this area.

From Khamlia, we'll drive to Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco. Upon arrival, hop on a camel, which will take you to the camp situated in the middle of the large sea of dunes. It'll take approximately one and a half hours. You'll sleep in an authentic Amazigh camp.

Day 4: Merzourga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley

After witnessing a breathtaking sunrise in the dunes, ride your camel back to the jeep. We'll stop at a hotel to refresh and shower (depending on the type of camp, breakfast and the shower might be before the camel ride). 

Feeling refreshed, the driver will head to the town of Rissani, where the Alawi Dynasty is originally from. Rissani was also the first imperial capital of Morocco.

Take the road to Erfoud, famous for its marble quarries until you arrive at the palm grove of Tafilat.

Visit the Todgha Gorges and then make your way to the Dades Valley, where you'll spend the fourth night in a camp next to the dunes.

Day 5: Dades Valley – Valley of the Roses – Skoura – Marrakech

Leave Dades Valley behind along the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs and drive past the Valley of the Roses until you get to the palm grove of Skoura, where the most famous kasbah of the area is situated.

From here, we'll head back to Marrakech.

Accommodation

Standard hotels:

• Ouarzazate: Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate / Hotel La Perle Du Sud / Hotel Saghro or similar
• Mharech: Riad Nomad / Riad Les Jardins de Tafraoute / Kasbah Ramlia
• Merzouga: Standard Haima Tent Camp
• Dades / Valle del Roses: Dar Essyaha / Hotel Babylon / Kasbah Tifawen or similar

Luxury hotels:

• Ouarzazate: Kasbah Dar Chamaa / Hotel la Perle du Sud / Le Petit Riad or similar
• Mharech: Riad Nomad / Riad Les Jardins de Tafraoute / Kasbah Ramlia
• Merzouga: Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or similar
• Dades: Xaluca Dades / La Perle du Dades / Auberge Chez Pierre / Dar Rihana / Ksar Sultan or similar

Both in the hotels and in the desert camps, single rooms are not available, they are always doubles. Triple and family rooms are also available if preferred.

Standard haimas can accommodate up to 4 people and include a private bathroom. Luxury haimas can accommodate up to 5 people and also have a private bathroom. The standard and superior camps are completely separate, with differences in the meals and the interior decoration of the haimas.

Please note that during peak seasons, such as Easter or Christmas, standard-category camps may sometimes use shared bathrooms. Also keep in mind that air conditioning in the luxury camps carries an additional cost of € 30 (US$ 35.47) per person.

For solo bookings, a supplement will apply.

You can view photos of both camps at the links below:

• Standard Camp: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
• Luxury Camp: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Discount

Children between 5 and 10 years old have 50% off. Please contact us if you would like to book this activity with children up to 10 years old.

Closure of The Taourirt Kasbah

Due to the recent earthquake in Morocco, the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate is currently closed. However, you can still take pictures from the outside.