The epic 9 days deep south tour from Marrakech is a perfect choice to dive deep in the heart of the Sahara desert. Our promise to you is to go through an experience you have never imagined as it touches the heart and the soul. Discover the Kasbahs (fortresses) that form a striking example of the southern architecture, learn about the deep-seated heritage of the nomads by visiting them in their tents and interacting with them, overnight in the desert under the stars where peace of mind is to be found, and much more.
In case you are short on time, we invite you to take a look at the 5 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakech, the popular 4 days Marrakech desert tour, or the best-selling 3 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour.
You are always welcome to contact us in case you need assistance in customizing any tour itinerary as our travel experts are capable to meet your needs.
DAY 1 – Arrival at Marrakech Airport
Meet & greet upon arrival at the Marrakech international airport. Transfer to your hotel/Riad where you will spend your first night. You may want to include a soft walk to the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square that turns into a carnival filled with magicians, musicians, acrobats, fire eaters, and food stalls serving Moroccan dishes.
- Overnight accommodation in a comfortable hotel/Riad including bed & breakfast.
DAY 2 – Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou
Morning departure will occur in the direction of the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2260m elevation, then arriving at the Kasbah of Glaoui in Telouet.
We will have lunch on-site and directly after arrival, continuing our trek along the old Ounila Valley caravan route to arrive at Aït Benhaddou. Aït Benhaddou is an ancient, fortified Ksar under UNESCO World Heritage protection since 1987. Dinner and overnight accommodation will occur inside a kasbah of a ksar.
- Overnight accommodation in a comfortable hotel/Riad including dinner & breakfast.
DAY 3 – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Valley – Tinghir
The day will begin with an early departure towards Ouarzazate, to tour Cinema Studios and the Taourirt Kasbah. Next, we will follow the Oasis Skoura’s trail of 1000 Kasbahs with a quick visit to the Amredhyle Kasbah. Then, following the off-road trail inside the Rose Valley to its junction at Dades Valley, it is here you will marvel at the sight of an amazing landscape and the Ait Youl Kasbah.
Lunch will be held at Dades Gorges, before an afternoon departure towards Boumalne and, further along, the route, into Tinghir. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be arranged inside a kasbah or hotel.
- Overnight accommodation in a comfortable hotel/Riad including dinner & breakfast.
DAY 4 – Tinghir – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga
A morning departure, set off to discover the fabulous canyons! Passing through the Todra Gorges, there will be leisure time to stroll, enjoying the river and fabulous views surrounding. A midday lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will drive to the Tinjdad and Touroug palm grove, landing in Erfoud town for a tour of a local fossil craft workshop.
Continuing our voyage, we will arrive at the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, the famous Merzouga Dunes. Exchanging our 4X4 vehicle for camels, you will then embark on a camel trek across the dunes while enjoying the incredible desert sunset! Dinner and overnight accommodation will be held in Berber tents, in the middle of the dunes of Merzouga, on a true nomad camp.
- Overnight accommodation in a luxury desert camp including dinner & breakfast.
DAY 5 – Merzouga – Taouz – Ramlia – Mharech Valley
With an early-morning rise, we will enjoy the sight of an awe-inspiring desert sunrise before returning to the bottom of the dunes, by camel. After breakfast, we will depart for the village of Khamlia, or Gnawa, famous for its unique desert music.
After a brief stop for a mint tea in an authentic Gnawa home, we will depart for Taouz, to learn about its stone engravings, with a later descent into Ziz Wadi. Along the Paris-Dakar road, we will pass through many small villages lost in the Ouzina desert. Along the way, we will have lunch while you will anticipate the onset of having the opportunity to fully feel the ways of Southern Morocco, in Ramlia.
After Ramlia, we will follow a highly sandy route towards the Wadi Rheris. The road becoming rock along the foot of the mountain will lead us into the Mharech Valley where dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the fantastic Riad Nomad.
- Overnight accommodation in the amazing Riad Nomad including dinner & breakfast.
DAY 6 – Mharech Valley – Desert Expedition – Mharech Valley
After breakfast, we will depart for an unforgettable desert excursion by following a route to the ancient village of Tafraout Ait Atta. After exploring around the village a bit and meeting local artisans in their quaint workshops, lunch will be shared with a local tribe.
It is here where you will, most definitely, immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Berbers! Continuing onward, we will tour a fossil site, then follow the Sahara to a Nomad Camp where you will, again, be immersed in Berber tribal ways and understand how they have survived the severe desert climate for centuries. Returning from the camp, a second night will be accommodated by the Riad Nomad hotel.
- Overnight accommodation in the amazing Riad Nomad Hotel including dinner & breakfast.
DAY 7 – Mharech Valley – Lake Lmaider – Tissemoumine – Zagora
After breakfast, we will travel in the direction of Zagora via the Paris-Dakar trail, crossing desert plateaus, arid hamadas, and areas with nomadic tribes. Upon our arrival in Zagora, we will have lunch before driving to the Draa River valley and into Tamegroute. There, we will be able to visit: the Zaouïa old Koranic library, pottery craftsmen, and an underground Kasbah. Overnight accommodation will be provided by a hotel, in Zagora.
- Overnight accommodation in a comfortable hotel/Riad including dinner & breakfast
DAY 8 – Zagora – Draa Valley – Agdz – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
After breakfast, we start our journey passing the amazing Draa Valley with its millions of palm trees. This palm grove is considered the largest in Morocco. On the road to the Anti Atlas Mountains passing 1660m high and Ouarzazate. Driving towards the High Atlas and Tizi n’Tichka Pass, we lunch at a local restaurant. We get to Marrakech in the evening. Dinner and night in a riad or hotel.
- Overnight accommodation in a comfortable hotel/Riad including bed & breakfast.
DAY 9 – Marrakech Airport Transfer
The 9 days deep south tour from Marrakech will, unfortunately, come to the end and depending on your flight schedule, we will provide the airport transfer along with the assistance so that you can save yourselves the hassle.