Day 1 · Arrive≈6 km · about 15–20 min
Arrival in Marrakech
Pick-up from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) and private transfer to your hostel in the medina. The rest of the day is free to explore Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the surrounding souks.
Group Tour · 8 Days
8-Day Marrakech Adventure & Sahara Desert Tour
- Ourika
- Agafay
- Ouzoud
- Dades Gorges
- Merzouga Desert Camp
- Marrakech
Duration8 days
RouteRound-trip from Marrakech
GroupMax 16 travelers
DepartsFixed weekly departures
From€420
Trip Overview
Marrakech's excursions, plus a night in the dunes
This is our 5-Day Shared Marrakech Adventure Tour extended with a full 3-day Sahara desert loop — the Ourika Valley, the Agafay Desert (camel ride and ATV), and the Ouzoud Waterfalls as round-trip day excursions from Marrakech, followed by a classic Sahara run via the Dades Gorges to a camel trek and desert camp night at Merzouga, then back to Marrakech.
Transport runs in a shared minivan throughout, and accommodation is shared — the same combination that keeps our other tours well below private-tour pricing for the same ground covered.
Round-trip from Marrakech≈1,480 km total7 nightsFixed weekly departures
Day by Day
The journey, day by day
Day 2 · Ourika≈84 km round trip · about 2 hrs total driving
Ourika Valley Excursion
Round-trip drive into the Atlas Mountains foothills — Berber villages, terraced fields, an argan oil cooperative, and an optional short hike toward the Setti Fatma waterfalls. Return to Marrakech by early evening.
Day 3 · Agafay≈70 km round trip · about 1–1.5 hrs total driving
Agafay Desert: Camel Ride & ATV/Quad Biking
Short drive to the rocky Agafay Desert for a camel ride and an ATV/quad biking session, with views back toward the Atlas Mountains. Return to Marrakech.
Day 4 · Ouzoud≈300–310 km round trip · about 5–6 hrs total driving
Ouzoud Waterfalls Excursion
Full-day round trip to Ouzoud, North Africa's tallest waterfall (~110m) — viewpoints, a walk to the base, Barbary macaques, and an optional boat ride. Return to Marrakech in the evening.
Day 5 · Depart≈210 km · about 3.5 hrs driving
Marrakech → Dades Gorges
Leave Marrakech and cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou kasbah, before continuing to an overnight stay in the Dades Valley. Pack a small overnight bag for this leg — your main luggage stays safely stored at the Marrakech hostel.
Day 6 · Desert≈235 km total · about 4.5 hrs driving
Dades → Merzouga via Todra Gorge
Morning walk through the Dades Gorge, then on to the towering Todra Gorge (≈55 km/1 hr) for a short hike, continuing to Merzouga (≈180 km/3.5 hrs). Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes for a night at a shared desert camp — dinner around the fire, live music, and a night under the stars.
Day 7 · Return≈560 km total · about 8.5 hrs driving with stops
Merzouga → back to Marrakech
Optional sunrise over the dunes before camels carry the group back to Merzouga. Scenic drive back across the Atlas (≈350 km/5.5 hrs), with a stop in Ouarzazate, then a final ≈210 km/3.5 hrs to Marrakech by evening — back to the same hostel for your last night.
Day 8 · Depart≈6 km · about 15–20 min
Departure
Free morning depending on flight time, then private transfer from your hostel to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for departure. Trip ends.
Where You'll Stay
Accommodation on this route
Seven nights, shared throughout. Marrakech nights use the same hostel from the 5-Day Marrakech Adventure Tour.
Nights 1–4 & 7 · Marrakech
Riad Dia, immediately next to Jemaa el-Fnaa — 9.3/10 on Hostelworld, rooftop pool, free breakfast and WiFi. Backup: Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge, 2 minutes from the square.
Night 5 · Dades Gorges
Luxury Dades Riad or Auberge Tissadrin, half board (HB) — a kasbah-style riad with mudbrick rooms and terrace gorge views, dinner included.
Night 6 · Merzouga desert camp
Ideal Desert Camp, half board (HB) — a Berber-style camp at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes with dinner and breakfast included, campfire music, and a night under the stars.
Confirm current nightly rates and availability directly before booking — hostel pricing shifts seasonally.
What's included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- 7 nights' accommodation (shared twin/dorm/tent)
- Shared minivan transport for all excursions and the desert loop
- Driver-guide throughout
- Camel ride and ATV/quad rental (Agafay, Day 3)
- Camel trek and 1 night at the Sahara desert camp
- Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
Not included
- Flights and travel insurance
- Ourika & Ouzoud site entrance fees
- Lunches and remaining dinners
- Tips for driver and guide
- Private rooms (available on request, extra cost)
Good to Know
Two trips in one, at a bundled price
This route combines our 5-Day Shared Marrakech Adventure Tour with our 4-Day Sahara Desert Group Tour into one continuous booking, priced below what the two would cost separately.
Prefer just the Marrakech excursions without the desert? See the 5-Day Shared Marrakech Adventure Tour. Want the Sahara loop on its own? See the 4-Day Sahara Desert Group Tour.
Booking terms: Send an enquiry first; we confirm the departure, final price, and payment instructions by email. No payment is taken through this website.
FAQs
8-Day Marrakech & Sahara Questions
What does this tour cost?
The 8-day Marrakech Adventure & Sahara Desert tour is 420 EUR per person, based on shared/group transport and shared accommodation throughout.
Is this the same as booking the 5-day tour and the 4-day Sahara tour separately?
It covers the same ground as both, but as one combined itinerary at a bundled price lower than booking each separately, with a single continuous booking rather than two.
Do I need to pack differently for the desert days?
Yes — pack a small overnight bag for Days 5–7 and leave your main luggage securely stored at the Marrakech hostel, which keeps the desert loop light and simple.
How many nights are in the Sahara desert camp?
One night, on Day 6, after the camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga.
Is the return drive from Merzouga to Marrakech a long day?
Yes — at around 560 km and 8.5 hours with stops, Day 7 is the longest single driving day of the tour, broken up by a stop in Ouarzazate.
Can I do the desert loop first and the Marrakech excursions after?
The order can be adjusted on request, subject to availability on both legs — ask us when booking if you'd prefer to start with the Sahara.
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