9 Day Tour from Marrakech: Sahara, Gorges & High Atlas
Desert and mountains, both done properly: two nights in the dunes of Merzouga, the canyons of the Dades and Todra, and two days walking between Berber villages below Toubkal.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 9 day tour from Marrakech
Our 9 day tour from Marrakech gives you two nights in the Sahara and two in the High Atlas. It is a loop for travellers who like to move.
First, you ride a horse at Aït Benhaddou and cycle in the Skoura oasis. Then you hike in the Dades canyons and try rock climbing in the Todra Gorge. After that, camels take you to a desert camp for two nights, with quad and sandboarding. Next, you drive back west and over the mountains to Imlil. Finally, a full day of walking between Berber villages ends the trip. As a result, this 9 day tour from Marrakech mixes desert and mountains. It is private and runs on your dates.
Highlights of this 9 day tour from Marrakech
- Horse ride at Aït Benhaddou
- Cycling in Skoura
- Dades canyon hike
- Rock climbing in Todra
- Two nights in a desert camp
- Quad & sandboarding
- Two nights in Imlil
- High Atlas hike
9 day tour from Marrakech: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Telouet & Aït Benhaddou
Over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to the kasbah of Telouet, then a horse ride around Aït Benhaddou at sunset.
- 2dayDay 2
Skoura by bike & the Dades
Cycle through the palm groves of Skoura, then on along the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 3dayDay 3
Dades hike & Todra climbing
A morning hike through the red canyons of the Dades, then rock climbing in the Todra Gorge.
- 4dayDay 4
Camels into Erg Chebbi
Drive to Merzouga and ride camels across the dunes at sunset to the desert camp.
- 5dayDay 5
A second day in the dunes
Sunrise, quad and sandboarding, a nomad family and Gnawa music in Khamlia, then a second night in camp.
- 6dayDay 6
West to Ouarzazate
Through Rissani, Tinghir and the Valley of Roses to Ouarzazate.
- 7dayDay 7
Over the Atlas to Imlil
Back across the Tizi n’Tichka and round to Imlil, at the foot of Toubkal.
- 8dayDay 8
High Atlas hike
A full day on mule paths between Berber villages and terraced fields, with lunch in a Berber home.
- 9dayDay 9
Back to Marrakech
An easy morning walk and the drive down to Marrakech, with a stop at the Asni market on Saturdays.
What’s included in this 9 day tour from Marrakech
Included
- 8 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 2Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 3Guesthouse in Todra Gorge
- Night 4Desert camp
- Night 5Desert camp
- Night 6Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 7Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 8Guesthouse in Imlil
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
April to May and September to October are best: warm days in the desert, cool nights in camp and Atlas paths free of snow. Summer is too hot in the dunes, and winter brings snow to the mountains.
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarGood
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGood
- DecPossible
What to bring for this trip
- Broken-in walking shoes
- Comfortable clothes for cycling and climbing
- Long trousers for the horse ride
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm jacket for two desert nights and the Atlas
- Headtorch for the camp
- Closed shoes for the quad
- Small daypack
- Sun hat and sun cream
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
9 Day Tour from Marrakech: your questions
What makes this 9 day tour from Marrakech different?
It joins two nights in the Sahara with two nights in the High Atlas, so you have time for camels and quads in the dunes and a full day walking in the mountains.
Is the 9 day tour from Marrakech very active?
Yes: a horse ride, cycling, a canyon hike, rock climbing, a camel ride, quad, sandboarding and a full-day hike. Each one can be made easier or skipped.
Do I need experience for the climbing in Todra?
No. Our climbing guide chooses beginner routes and brings the equipment.
When is the best time for the 9 day tour from Marrakech?
April to May and September to October, when the desert is warm and the Atlas paths are free of snow.
How long is the drive from the desert back west?
Merzouga to Ouarzazate is about 7 to 8 hours with stops; the next day to Imlil is about 5 to 6 hours.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 5 – A second day in the dunesDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 1 – Telouet & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 4 – Camels into Erg ChebbiDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 2 – Skoura by bike & the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 3 – Dades hike & Todra climbingDetails →
Cultural explorationDay 1 – Telouet & Aït BenhaddouDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 9-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Optional · extraHelicopter tourScenic flight over Marrakech and the AtlasSee the activity →Request this 9-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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