Morocco Itinerary 12 Days Marrakech to Sahara
This Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara takes it slowly: two nights in the Dades, a camel trek with two camp nights and buggy in the dunes.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara
This Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara is made for people who want real time in the desert. The road is slower and the nights in the dunes are longer.
First, you take the quiet road past Telouet to Aït Benhaddou. Then you spend two nights in the Dades, with a full day of hiking. After that, you walk in the Todra Gorge and visit the Rissani market. Next, a two-day camel trek takes you deep into Erg Chebbi. A buggy ride follows. Finally, you return to Marrakech for a balloon and a cooking class. In short, our Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara is private and on your dates.
Highlights of this Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara
- Kasbah of Telouet
- Aït Benhaddou
- Full-day Dades hike
- Todra Gorge walk
- Rissani market
- Two-day camel trek
- Two nights in desert camps
- Buggy & sandboarding
Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport; the evening is free for the souks and Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Telouet & Aït Benhaddou
Over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, then the quiet Ounila valley road past the kasbah of Telouet to Aït Benhaddou.
- 3dayDay 3
Skoura oasis to the Dades
Cycle in the palm grove of Skoura, then on to the Dades Valley along the road of the kasbahs.
- 4dayDay 4
Full-day hike in the Dades
A day on foot with a local guide among the red rock formations and the Berber villages above the valley.
- 5dayDay 5
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
Walk between the high walls of the Todra Gorge, then drive east to the edge of the dunes.
- 6dayDay 6
Rissani market & into the dunes
The old market town of Rissani and the Gnawa music of Khamlia, then set out with the camels for the first desert camp.
- 7dayDay 7
Camel trek across Erg Chebbi
Walk or ride with the camels deeper into the dunes, with tea at a nomad tent and a second night far from the villages.
- 8dayDay 8
Buggy, sandboarding & rest
Sunrise from a high dune, back to Merzouga for a shower, then a buggy ride and sandboarding in the afternoon.
- 9dayDay 9
West to Ouarzazate
A long road day back through Tinghir and the valley of the kasbahs, with stops on the way.
- 10dayDay 10
Back over the High Atlas
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech in the early afternoon.
- 11dayDay 11
Balloon & guided Marrakech
A hot air balloon at sunrise, then a guided walk to the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia and the souks.
- 12dayDay 12
Cooking class & departure
Cook a tagine with a local cook before your flight.
What’s included in this Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara
Included
- 11 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
- Local guide for the guided visits
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 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 3Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 5Riad in Merzouga
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Desert camp
- Night 8Riad in Merzouga
- Night 9Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 10Riad in Marrakech
- Night 11Riad in Marrakech
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
October to April is best for walking in the dunes, with mild days and cool nights. From June to August the Sahara is too hot for a camel trek.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayPossible
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepPossible
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Light walking shoes or trail sandals for sand
- Socks or gaiters to keep sand out
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- High-factor sun cream and lip balm
- Warm jacket for two camp nights
- Headtorch
- Overnight bag for the trek
- Wet wipes and hand gel
- 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.
Morocco Itinerary 12 Days Marrakech to Sahara: your questions
Why choose this Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara?
It is for people who want time in the desert rather than a quick visit: two nights in camps on a camel trek, a buggy day and a slower road with two nights in the Dades.
How much do we walk on the camel trek?
A few hours each day, in the morning and late afternoon. You can ride the camels whenever you like.
Is the Morocco itinerary 12 days Marrakech to Sahara good in summer?
June to August is very hot in the dunes, so we do not recommend the trek then. Spring and autumn are best.
What is Rissani known for?
Rissani is the old market town of the Tafilalet oasis, with a lively souk for spices, dates and livestock. It is a short drive from Merzouga.
Can we add Fes to this route?
Yes – instead of driving back west, you can go north from Merzouga to Fes. Ask us and we rebuild the second half of the trip.
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 8 – Buggy, sandboarding & restDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Rissani market & into the dunesDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – Rissani market & into the dunesDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 11 – Balloon & guided MarrakechDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 3 – Skoura oasis to the DadesDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 4 – Full-day hike in the DadesDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 12-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 · 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 12-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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