8 days / 7 nights · Desert Tours
Kasbahs & Gorges
An 8-day loop from Marrakech through earthen kasbahs, palm groves and red gorges to a night in the Sahara, at a relaxed pace.
- Duration8 days / 7 nights
- Start & endMarrakech (hotel pickup)
- Tour typePrivate or small group
- Activity levelEasy to moderate, with optional hikes
- Best seasonAll year, best from October to May
- AccommodationKasbah guesthouses, desert camp, riad
- Meals7 breakfasts, 6 dinners
- Local team in MarrakechWe plan and run your trip ourselves
- Free, no-obligation quoteNothing to pay to ask
- Reply within 24 hoursBy WhatsApp or email
- Fully adjustableChange any day of this itinerary
Overview
This journey is for travelers who want time: time to watch the sunset over Aït Ben Haddou, to walk in the Dades and Todra gorges with a local guide, and to enjoy the Sahara without rushing.
You follow the old caravan road through Telouet, sleep in family-run kasbah guesthouses, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and return through the palm groves of the Draa Valley, before a guided walk in the medina of Marrakech.
Highlights
- The Glaoui kasbah of Telouet and the Ounila Valley
- Sunset over the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- A guided hike among the Monkey Fingers of the Dades Gorges
- A walk between the walls of the Todra Gorge
- Camel trek and a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Earthen kasbahs of N'Kob and the Draa Valley
Route
- Marrakech Day 1
- Telouet Day 1
- Aït Ben Haddou Day 1
- Skoura Day 2
- Dades Gorges Day 2
- Todra Gorge Day 4
- Merzouga Day 4
- N'Kob Day 6
- Draa Valley Day 6
- Marrakech Day 7
Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary. Every day can be adjusted to your pace and interests.
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou via Telouet | Kasbah guesthouse in Aït Ben Haddou |
| 2 | Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses | Guesthouse in the Dades Gorges |
| 3 | Hiking in the Dades Gorges | Guesthouse near the Todra Gorge |
| 4 | Todra Gorge to the Sahara | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 5 | Sahara day: Khamlia and Rissani | Hotel at the foot of the dunes |
| 6 | Through N'Kob to the Draa Valley | Kasbah hotel in the Draa Valley (Agdz) |
| 7 | Back to Marrakech | Riad in Marrakech |
| 8 | Marrakech guided walk and departure | End of the tour |
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Day1
Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou via Telouet
Leave Marrakech in the morning and cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Take the old caravan road to the Glaoui kasbah of Telouet, then follow the Ounila Valley to Aït Ben Haddou. Watch the sunset over the ksar from your guesthouse terrace.
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Day2
Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses
Explore Aït Ben Haddou in the morning light, then drive through Ouarzazate to the palm grove of Skoura and the Amridil kasbah. Continue along the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna to the Dades Valley.
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Day3
Hiking in the Dades Gorges
A morning walk with a local guide among the red rock formations known as the Monkey Fingers. In the afternoon, drive to Tinghir and the entrance of the Todra Gorge.
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Day4
Todra Gorge to the Sahara
Walk between the high walls of the Todra Gorge and through the palm groves of Tinghir. Continue via Erfoud to Merzouga and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset to your desert camp.
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Day5
Sahara day: Khamlia and Rissani
Sunrise over the dunes, then visit Khamlia village and its Gnawa musicians, and the old ksour and market town of Rissani. Free time in the afternoon for sandboarding or an optional quad ride.
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Day6
Through N'Kob to the Draa Valley
Drive west across the desert landscapes of Alnif to N'Kob, a village of earthen kasbahs, and on to the long palm grove of the Draa Valley.
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Day7
Back to Marrakech
Visit the kasbah of Tamnougalt, then drive through Ouarzazate and over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Marrakech. Free evening to discover Jemaa el-Fna square.
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Day8
Marrakech guided walk and departure
A guided walk through the medina: the Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, the souks and the Ben Youssef area. Transfer to the airport or your next hotel.
What's Included
Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Marrakech
- 7 nights' accommodation: kasbah guesthouses, desert camp, dune-side hotel and a riad in Marrakech
- 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
- Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Local guides for the Dades hike and the Marrakech walk
- Fuel and parking
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (kasbahs, Bahia Palace)
- Optional activities such as quad or sandboarding
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Tips for drivers and guides
Accommodation
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Night 1
Kasbah guesthouse, Aït Ben Haddou
An earthen guesthouse facing the ksar, with a terrace for sunset.
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Nights 2–3Guesthouses in the Dades and Todra gorges
Family-run stays with views over the gorges and home-cooked dinners.
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Nights 4–5Desert camp and dune-side hotel, Merzouga
One night among the dunes, one night in a hotel at their foot.
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Nights 6–7Kasbah in the Draa Valley, riad in Marrakech
A kasbah hotel in the palm grove, then a traditional riad in the medina.
Good to Know
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Best time to go
From October to May. In summer we start early to avoid the heat of the day.
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Hikes
The walks in the Dades and Todra gorges are easy to moderate and can be shortened or skipped.
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What to bring
Walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf and a warm layer for the evenings.
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Desert night
Bring a small bag for the camp; your main luggage stays in the vehicle.
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Money
Bring cash in dirhams for lunches, drinks, entrance fees and tips.
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On the road
Driving days include frequent stops for photos, tea and short visits.
FAQ
Can I skip the hikes?
Yes. The walks are optional and your driver can take you to viewpoints instead.
Is this tour suitable for seniors?
Yes. The pace is relaxed, the drives are shorter than on most desert tours and the hikes are optional.
Can the tour end in Fes instead of Marrakech?
Yes. From Merzouga we can drive north through the Middle Atlas to Fes instead of returning through the Draa Valley.
Is the desert camp comfortable?
Yes. You sleep in tents with real beds and access to toilets and showers. A luxury camp with private bathrooms is possible.
Can this tour be private?
Yes. It can be private for your group, or you can join a small group on set dates.
