6 Days Sahara Desert Retreat
Overview
The 6-Day Sahara Desert Retreat Tour is designed for travelers who want to savor Morocco’s beauty at a slower, more immersive pace. From Marrakech to the desert and back, this journey combines cultural encounters, breathtaking scenery, and moments of pure relaxation. Each stage unfolds gradually, allowing you to connect deeply with Morocco’s landscapes and traditions.
The retreat begins with a drive across the High Atlas Mountains, where the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass opens onto panoramic views of valleys and snow-dusted peaks. En route, you stop at Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed ksar famed for its ancient earthen architecture and role in countless films. From there, you continue into the Dades Valley, known as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” where Berber villages dot the rugged terrain and dramatic rock formations rise from fertile fields.
After two nights in the Dades Valley, the road leads east toward the Sahara. The journey passes through the Todra Gorge, a canyon with sheer cliffs that tower over a tranquil riverbed, before reaching the golden Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. A sunset camel trek carries you into the heart of the desert, where a luxury camp awaits. Under the vast starlit sky, enjoy traditional Berber hospitality, music, and the serenity of a world untouched by time.
The experience deepens with a full day in Merzouga, where you can ride camels, meet nomadic families, or simply relax in the calm of the desert camp. This slower pace lets you truly absorb the silence and grandeur of the Sahara.
As the retreat continues west, you follow old caravan routes through small Berber towns like Alnif, arriving in the oasis of Agdz in the lush Draa Valley. Here, surrounded by palm groves and ancient kasbahs, you’ll enjoy a night of peace and reflection.
The final leg of the tour brings you back toward Marrakech, with a stop in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood,” home to film studios and the Kasbah Taourirt. By late afternoon, you return to Marrakech carrying lasting memories of desert sunsets, kasbahs, and the warm rhythm of Moroccan life.
Included/Exclude
- Air-conditioned 4×4 or minivan
- English-speaking driver
- Pick-up & drop-off at accommodation
- 2 nights in Dades Valley guesthouse
- 2 nights in luxury Sahara camp (ensuite)
- 1 night in Agdz guesthouse
- Daily dinner & breakfast
- Camel trek in Erg Chebbi
- Local guides
- Lunches & drinks
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips & gratuities
- Optional activities (quad, sandboarding, etc.)
Tour Plan
Your journey begins with a scenic drive across the High Atlas via the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Along the way, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage ksar of Aït Ben Haddou to explore its fortified alleyways. Continue into the Dades Valley, the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” where you’ll settle into a welcoming guesthouse for two nights.
Dedicate a full day to exploring the Dades Valley. Discover the unique rock formations of the Monkey Fingers Canyon, hike through traditional Berber villages, and take in panoramic vistas of the valley. This day allows for a slower rhythm, ideal for connecting with the landscape and its people.
After breakfast, travel through the dramatic Todra Gorge, with its towering cliffs carved by centuries of water flow. Continue east to the Sahara Desert, reaching the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. A camel trek at sunset carries you into the dunes to your luxury desert camp, where dinner, music, and a starlit sky complete the experience.
Immerse yourself in the stillness of the desert with a day dedicated to Merzouga. Options include camel rides across the dunes, a visit to nomadic families, or time to relax at the camp. As night falls, gather around the campfire for music and stories under one of the clearest skies in Morocco.
Leave the dunes behind and travel along caravan routes through the small Berber town of Alnif. By afternoon, arrive in Agdz, an oasis town in the Draa Valley surrounded by lush palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Spend the evening at a cozy guesthouse, enjoying the tranquility of this hidden gem.
On your final day, journey through Ouarzazate, where you can visit the Kasbah Taourirt or the city’s renowned film studios. Continue across the High Atlas Mountains, arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon, where your 6-day Sahara retreat concludes.
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