Day 1
Marrakech and the desert
from the Atlas to the Erg Chebbi dunes
Five days are enough to cross Morocco: from the bustle of Marrakech to the silence of Erg Chebbi, with the Atlas and the kasbahs in between.
Designed by Sergio GarcíaTeam UKIYO
Group trip from430 € / person
Per person in a double room, excluding international flights
Adaptable route
The character of the trip
From Marrakech to the desert
Five days are enough to cross Morocco from the inside: from the bustle of Marrakech to the silence of Erg Chebbi, with the Atlas and the kasbahs in between.
The route from Marrakech to the desert takes five days, and there is time for more than you might think. You leave the red city, cross the High Atlas over the Tichka pass — at 2,260 metres — and head south, where the green of the palm groves gives way to the ochre of the mud-brick kasbahs. Along the way come Aït Ben Haddou, the Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley, until you reach the Erg Chebbi dunes to spend a night in a camp.
It is a small-group trip, with a Spanish-speaking guide and an air-conditioned minibus. The first day is for arriving and getting a feel for Marrakech; the main part of the route begins early the next morning, to make the most of the light and the stops.
This is not a trip about racking up kilometres for the sake of it: each stretch ends where it should — a valley, a gorge, a dune — and the highlight, the night in the desert, is enjoyed calmly: a camel ride at sunset, a Berber dinner and the stars.
This trip is for you if…
- You have only a few days and want to really see the desert.
- You prefer a small group and a Spanish-speaking guide.
- You want to sleep in a tent among the dunes.
- You value staying in riads inside the medina.
5 days / 4 nights5 stages
Group departure4–10 travellers
Activity: suave
March — May · Sep — NovBest time to go
Characterful riads · desert campAccommodation
How to book
Two ways to do this route.
Private, on request
Ask on WhatsApp No commitment. First we talk to you and check the route is a good fit.
For your group
Tell us your dates and we adapt the route within its options: pace, accommodation level and experiences.
Private trip priceOn request
DatesOn your dates, on request
I want to plan this trip
Ask on WhatsApp No commitment. First we talk to you and check the route is a good fit.What can change the price
The final price is confirmed in writing once we know your dates and preferences. These are the factors that move it most:
- SeasonPeak dates make accommodation and transfers more expensive.
- Accommodation levelStandard, Superior or Premium, depending on how you like to stay.
- Number of travellersWith more people, some costs are shared.
- Changes to the routeIf you want destinations or stays beyond the planned options, we design it from scratch.
Flights and travel to Marrakech are not included.
4–10 travellers
With a small group
Chosen departure4–8 Feb 2027
Price per person430 €
Booking deposit70 €
Ask about this departure
We confirm places and conditions in writing before you pay.How a departure works
Planned departure for a group of at least 4 travellers. We will confirm in writing whether the group is formed, places and terms before any payment. Wait for that confirmation before buying international flights.
Itinerary
Marrakech → Dades → Merzouga.
Tap any day to see it on the map. Lines show road, boat and flight. This is an indicative diagram, not exact routes or confirmed connections.
4 stops, from Marrakech to Merzouga.
The full routeTap a day to see it on the map.Tap a point to see each base.
RoadBoatFlight
The trip in five stages
Marrakech
A route designed to be travelled without hurry. We send you the full day-by-day with the proposal.
Day 2
Dades
Day 3
Sáhara
Day 4
Atlas
Day 5
Marrakech
Where you’ll stay
Places to stay chosen with care.
Characterful, well-located places. We adapt them to your budget and style.
Final accommodation depends on availability. If one changes, we propose an equivalent alternative before confirming.
What’s included
What’s in and what’s not.
Includes
- Arrival and departure transfers in Marrakech (airport or station).
- Air-conditioned minibus for the group.
- Fuel, tolls and all transport costs.
- Spanish-speaking tour guide throughout the route.
- 4 nights of accommodation with 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners.
- Camel ride to the camp (one per person).
- One night in a desert tent camp.
- Berber party in the dunes and a private room in each place you stay.
Not included
- Flights
- Dinners in Marrakech.
- All drinks.
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Lunches
- Personal expenses not specified
Before you decide
Frequently asked questions.
Is it a group or a private trip?
It is a small-group trip of 4 to 10 travellers with a Spanish-speaking guide. Departures are guaranteed from 4 travellers. If you would rather travel with just your group or on other dates, we can arrange it privately on request.
Is there a single-room supplement?
Yes. The price is per person in a double room; if you are travelling alone, write to us and we will confirm the supplement for your departure.
Where does the route start and finish?
It starts and finishes in Marrakech. We pick you up on the first day at the airport — or wherever you are in the city — and take you back on the last day. It is a circular route: you head down to the desert and return by a different road.
What time do I need to arrive on the first day?
Whenever you like. The first day is only for arriving and transferring to the riad, with no activities. The tour starts on day 2 at 8:00 with the rest of the group, so any flight time on the first day works.
What is the night in the desert like?
You ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes by camel at sunset and sleep in a tent camp. There is a Berber dinner to the rhythm of drums and, at sunrise, the dunes are almost empty. One night, the most special of the trip.
Which meals are included?
All four breakfasts and two dinners: one in the Dades Valley and one at the desert camp. Dinners in Marrakech and all lunches are extra, so you can choose where and what to eat.
Does the price include flights?
No. The price is from €430 per person in a double room and includes the route, accommodation and everything listed. Flights and travel to Marrakech are extra; if you travel alone, there is a single supplement.
What documents do I need?
Spanish citizens and those of most EU countries can enter Morocco with a valid passport and no visa for short tourist stays. A minimum validity of six months is recommended. Always check the requirements for your nationality before travelling.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best seasons: mild days and bearable nights in the desert. Summer is very hot in the south and winter makes nights in the Sahara very cold, although the days are still pleasant.
Do you visit any World Heritage sites?
Yes. The main stop is the mud-brick ksar of Aït Ben Haddou ( https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/444/ ), a World Heritage site and the setting for films such as “Gladiator”. A fortified adobe village that you cross on foot up to the top.
Can I add nights or excursions?
Yes. You can add extra nights in Marrakech (riad with breakfast and airport transfer) and activities such as quad bikes, buggies or day trips to Ouzoud, Ourika or Essaouira. Let us know and we will arrange it.
Explore the destination
Plan the trip with more context.
Blog guides to the places and experiences on this route.
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Shall we make this route fit you?
Tell us your dates, your pace and what you’d like to find. We review the route with you and prepare a clear proposal.