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PRIVATE TOUR — 7 Day Ouarzazate to Marrakech Sahara Trip
OVERVIEW
This private three-day tour starts in Ouarzazate — the gateway to the Sahara and the Hollywood of Africa — and works its way east to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, with a night in a desert camp. From there you can finish in either Marrakech or Fes, making it a flexible way to combine the southern kasbahs and gorges with a night in the dunes.
The route takes in Ait Ben Haddou, the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, and the Todra and Dades gorges before reaching the desert, so the scenery builds steadily towards the sand.
Every itinerary is fully customisable to suit your preferences and pace.
DURATION: 3 DAYS / 2 NIGHT
START: OUARZAZATE
END: MARRAKECH OR FES
TOUR STYLE: PRIVATE
HIGHLIGHTS
– The UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
– The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
– A walk through the Todra Gorge
– Camel trekking across the Erg Chebbi dunes
– A night in a desert camp under the stars
– Sunrise over the Sahara
– The Ziz Valley and Ifrane (Fes ending)
DAY 1: OUARZAZATE -> AIT BEN HADDOU -> DADES GORGE
We pick you up in Ouarzazate and drive to the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site used as a filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones, among others. After lunch in the village, we continue to the Dades Gorge via Ouarzazate along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, arriving in the evening for a night in a hotel or riad in the gorge.
DAY 2: DADES GORGE -> TODRA GORGE -> MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast, we leave for the Todra Gorge, where you can walk beneath cliffs rising around 300 metres. The route continues to Merzouga, where an experienced camel man and camels are waiting to carry you across the dunes — around half an hour — to camp. Spend the night with locals under the stars.
DAY 3: FULL DAY EXPLORING THE MERZOUGA DESERT
After breakfast at camp and a camel trek back to Merzouga, a full day exploring the desert by 4×4 begins. There’s a chance to visit a nomad family living near the Morocco-Algeria border, and to reach the village of Khamlia, whose Gnawa community traces its roots to Sub-Saharan Africa — you’ll hear their music and learn about their way of life. Overnight in a hotel.
DAY 4: MERZOUGA -> ZIZ VALLEY -> MIDELT -> AZROU -> IFRANE -> FES
After breakfast, we set off for Fes around 8:30am, travelling along the Ziz Valley with a stop at a panoramic viewpoint. Lunch is in Midelt, then we continue north, with a chance of glimpsing Barbary macaques in the cedar forest at Azrou. The next stop is Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco, before we head to Fes for the night.
DAY 5: GUIDED DAY IN FES
After breakfast at your riad, a full day exploring Fes — the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. Most of the day is spent in the medina, walking its narrow streets. You’ll see the golden gate of the Royal Palace and Al-Qarawiyyin University, one of the oldest in the world. After lunch in a traditional restaurant in the medina, you’ll visit the famous tanneries and the Jewish quarter before returning to your riad for the night.
DAY 6: FES -> CHEFCHAOUEN
After breakfast, we drive to Chefchaouen via the town of Ouazzane, arriving around noon. The afternoon is for exploring the blue city — a favourite with photographers for its blue-and-white washed walls — with a walk through the medina. Overnight in Chefchaouen.
DAY 7: CHEFCHAOUEN -> CASABLANCA -> MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we head to Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. After lunch near the coast, we continue to Marrakech, with drop-off at the airport or your hotel marking the end of the tour.
IMPORTANT NOTES
– This itinerary can be customised — the route and stops can be adjusted to suit you.
– Standard or luxury accommodation is available; pricing depends on the number of travellers.
– A local guide can be arranged for the Fes medina day.
– Dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) can be accommodated — please mention this at booking.
– Prefer not to ride a camel? A 4×4 can take you to the camp instead.
– Pricing varies by group size, accommodation, and season.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SECTION 1: BOOKING & PAYMENT
Q: How far in advance should I book my tour?
A: We recommend securing your reservation as early as possible to guarantee availability, particularly during peak travel seasons. Early booking also gives you maximum flexibility when selecting accommodation options and customising your itinerary.
Q: How do I pay for my tour?
A: Our payment process is straightforward. To confirm your booking, a small deposit is required upfront, payable via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The remaining balance is settled in cash on the first day of your tour, paid directly to your driver-guide. We accept euros, US dollars, or an equivalent amount in Moroccan dirhams.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Full details of our cancellation terms are available on the dedicated cancellation policy page of our website. We encourage all travellers to review these conditions before confirming their reservation.
Q: Can I customise my itinerary?
A: Absolutely. All of our private tours are fully tailorable. You are welcome to request changes to the route, adjust the duration, add or remove destinations, and select accommodations that suit your budget and preferences. Simply contact us and we will design a trip around your requirements.
SECTION 2: TRANSPORT
Q: What vehicles are used on tours?
A: The vehicle provided depends on the size of your group. We typically use Toyota Prado Land Cruiser TX 4x4s for smaller parties, Ford Tourneo Custom vans, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses for groups of eight or more. All vehicles are air-conditioned and maintained to a high standard of comfort.
Q: Are airport transfers included?
A: Yes. Every private tour we operate can include a pick-up at your arrival airport and a drop-off at the end of your trip, if you require it. Your driver-guide will be waiting for you upon arrival. Please note that flights are not included in the tour price.
Q: Which airports serve Morocco?
A: The majority of international flights arrive into Marrakech and Casablanca. Additional options include Fes, Tangier, Agadir, Ouarzazate, and Errachidia. We can arrange a meet-and-greet at any of these airports.
SECTION 3: GUIDES
Q: Who are the driver-guides?
A: We handpick each of our driver-guides for their knowledge, professionalism, and genuine passion for Morocco. Beyond navigating the country safely, they serve as cultural interpreters — sharing local history, traditions, and stories throughout the journey. Many of our guests mention their guides by name in reviews, which reflects the lasting impression they make.
Q: Are guides English-speaking?
A: Yes. All standard tours are conducted in English. If you prefer a guide who speaks French, Spanish, or another language, please inform us at the time of booking and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
SECTION 4: ACCOMMODATION
Q: What types of accommodation are offered?
A: We offer a range of options to suit different budgets and tastes, from characterful riads and boutique guesthouses in medina settings to luxury desert camps in Merzouga. We do not offer standard desert camps with shared facilities. All camps in our portfolio feature private tents with en-suite bathrooms and showers.
Q: Do the desert camps have private bathrooms?
A: Yes. Every camp we work with is classified as a luxury camp. Each tent includes a private en-suite bathroom with a shower, ensuring comfort throughout your desert stay.
Q: Can I choose my own accommodation?
A: Yes. We present a selection of pre-vetted accommodation options at each price point for you to choose from. You may mix and match across the options provided. If you have a specific property in mind, let us know and we will do our best to arrange it.
SECTION 5: DESERT & ACTIVITIES
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Marrakech?
A: Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes, is approximately 560 kilometres (348 miles) from Marrakech. Given this distance, our 3-day tours from Marrakech include an overnight stop in the Dades Valley en route, rather than attempting to cover the journey in a single day.
Q: How far is the Sahara desert from Fes?
A: The journey from Fes to the Merzouga desert covers roughly 500 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 310 miles.
Q: How far is Casablanca from the desert?
A: Casablanca sits approximately 660 kilometres (around 410 miles) from the Merzouga desert. A tour of five days or more is recommended when departing from Casablanca in order to allow adequate time in the desert without excessive driving pressure.
Q: Is the camel ride compulsory?
A: Not at all. If you prefer not to ride a camel, we are happy to transfer you to the desert camp by 4×4 vehicle at no additional charge. Just let us know your preference in advance.
Q: What activities are available in the desert?
A: Beyond the camel trek and overnight camp experience, a range of optional activities can be arranged in and around Merzouga, including quad biking, buggy driving, sandboarding, and horseback riding. A professional photographer can also be booked to accompany your desert experience. Romantic dinners and desert proposal setups can be arranged upon request.
Q: What additional activities can be added to a tour?
A: Before your main tour, we can arrange transfers from the airport, a guided city tour, or day excursions to destinations such as Essaouira, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, or the Ourika Valley. During the tour, optional extras include the activities listed above. After the tour, hot air balloon rides over Marrakech, guided Fes tours, and day trips to Chefchaouen or Volubilis and Meknes can be arranged.
SECTION 6: TOUR STRUCTURE & EXPERIENCE
Q: What is the difference between a private tour and a shared group tour?
A: On a private tour, your vehicle, guide, and complete itinerary are reserved exclusively for your group. On a shared tour, you travel alongside a small number of other guests — typically no more than ten in total — sharing the vehicle and stops but retaining a private room at the hotel and a private tent at the desert camp. Shared tours offer a more cost-effective option while still maintaining a high level of comfort and service.
Q: Are 7 days enough to see Morocco?
A: Yes, a well-structured 7-day itinerary provides enough time to visit several of Morocco’s key destinations, including Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara Desert, Ait Ben Haddou, and the Atlas Mountains. It is a comfortable pace for most travellers and allows genuine engagement with each place rather than a rushed overview.
Q: What can I see in Morocco in 7 days?
A: In one week, a typical itinerary covers Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, Rabat, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the ancient medina of Fes, a night in the Sahara Desert with a camel trek, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, and the High Atlas Mountains en route to Marrakech.
Q: What is the best 7-day itinerary for Morocco?
A: The ideal route depends on your starting point. Travellers beginning in Tangier typically follow the Tangier-to-Marrakech route via Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains. Those starting in Casablanca can follow the Casablanca-to-Marrakech circuit. We are happy to advise based on your arrival and departure airports.
Q: Where can I book a Morocco tour?
A: Tours can be booked directly through Morocco Fabulous Travel. As a locally based operator with in-depth knowledge of the country, we offer personalised service, expert guidance, and competitive pricing. You can contact us via our website, email, phone, or WhatsApp.
Q: Are meals included?
A: On desert tours, two dinners and two breakfasts are typically included — dinner and breakfast at the desert camp, and breakfast at the hotel in the Dades Valley. Lunches are generally not included, as guests often prefer to explore independently during midday stops. Full details of meal inclusions are listed on each individual tour page.
Q: Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
A: Yes. Please inform us of any dietary preferences — including vegetarian or vegan requirements — at the time of booking, and we will ensure appropriate meals are arranged throughout the tour.
