Camel Ride Trips8-Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech: Sahara, Kasbahs & Essaouira
The best of southern Morocco in eight days, starting and ending in Marrakech. Cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, walk into the Todra Gorge, and spend two nights by the Erg Chebbi dunes with a sunset camel trek and a desert camp. Return through the palm groves of the Draa Valley, enjoy a free afternoon in Marrakech, then finish by the ocean in Essaouira.
Can you combine the Sahara desert and Essaouira in one trip from Marrakech?
Yes, and 8 days is the right length for it. This private tour from Marrakech gives you two nights in the Merzouga dunes, the kasbahs and gorges of the south, a different road back through the Draa Valley so you never repeat the same route, and a night in Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. It suits travelers who fly in and out of Marrakech and want both the desert and the sea. For a shorter desert trip, see the 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour; to add Fes and the north, see the 9-day Imperial Cities tour from Marrakech.
- 2 nights Marrakech
- 1 night Dades Valley
- 1 night desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- 1 night Merzouga hotel or second camp night
- 1 night Ouarzazate
- 1 night Essaouira
🏜 Local desert team
We are based in Rissani, next to Merzouga, so the camels and camp are run by our own people.
🚙 Private vehicle
Air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan with your own English-speaking driver-guide.
🌊 Desert and ocean
Two nights in the Sahara, then the fresh Atlantic air of Essaouira.
🛏 Three comfort levels
Basic, Mid-Range or Luxury riads, hotels and desert tents.
8-Day Sahara, Kasbahs & Essaouira Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! Your private driver meets you at Marrakech Menara airport or your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, explore the historic medina, Jemaa el-Fna square and the colorful souks, and enjoy dinner at a traditional Moroccan restaurant.
🛏 Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 2
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Skoura → Dades Valley
Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and visit Ait Ben Haddou, the famous fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue through Ouarzazate, known for its film studios, and the Skoura palm oasis with its historic kasbahs, then through the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley.
🛏 Overnight: Hotel or kasbah in the Dades Valley, dinner included
- Day 3
Dades Valley → Todra Gorge → Erfoud → Rissani → Merzouga
After breakfast, drive the winding roads and rock formations of the Dades Valley, then continue to Tinghir to walk into the Todra Gorge, famous for its towering canyon walls. Pass through Erfoud and Rissani to Merzouga.
In the late afternoon, ride a camel across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, watch the sunset from the sand, and arrive at your desert camp for dinner, Berber music and a night under the stars.
🛏 Overnight: Desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes, dinner included
- Day 4
A day in the Merzouga desert
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes, then have breakfast. Discover the Merzouga region on an optional 4x4 excursion: the Gnawa village of Khamlia and its traditional music, desert landscapes, oases and nomadic heritage.
The afternoon is free to relax, try sandboarding or walk among the dunes, and end the day with another desert sunset.
🛏 Overnight: Hotel in Merzouga or a second night in the desert camp, dinner included
- Day 5
Merzouga → Alnif → N'Kob → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate
Leave the Sahara after breakfast and follow the old caravan routes west through Alnif and N'Kob, a village of earthen kasbahs, with scenic stops on the way. Continue along the Draa Valley, Morocco's longest river valley, with its palm groves, ancient villages and kasbahs, and arrive in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon.
🛏 Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate
- Day 6
Ouarzazate → High Atlas → Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas again to Marrakech, stopping for photographs along the way. Spend the afternoon at your leisure: visit the Bahia Palace, explore the medina, or relax at your riad.
🛏 Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech
- Day 7
Marrakech → argan country → Essaouira
Drive west through the argan tree region to Essaouira, with an optional stop at a women's argan cooperative. Explore the UNESCO-listed medina, the art galleries, the blue fishing boats in the harbor and the Skala ramparts above the ocean.
Enjoy freshly grilled seafood by the port, stroll along the beach and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this Atlantic town.
🛏 Overnight: Riad or hotel in Essaouira
- Day 8
Essaouira → Marrakech and departure
After breakfast, enjoy some free time for a last walk on the beach or in the medina, then drive back to Marrakech for your airport transfer or onward plans.
🏁 Drop-off at Marrakech airport or your hotel
From the dunes to the ocean
Choose Your Comfort Level
Choose the level that suits you. The route and guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change.
Basic
- Clean 2–3 star hotels and guesthouses
- Simple traditional riads
- Standard tent in a desert camp
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Mid-Range
- Selected 3–4 star hotels
- Traditional riads with character
- Comfort desert tent with private bathroom
- Private rooms, breakfast included
Luxury
- Premium 4–5 star hotels and boutique riads
- Suites available on request
- Luxury desert tent with en-suite bathroom
- Breakfast included, selected dinners
Included & Not Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
- 7 nights in riads, hotels and a desert camp
- Camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- Breakfast every day
- Dinners in the Dades Valley and both nights in Merzouga
Not included
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
- Optional 4x4 excursion and sandboarding in Merzouga
Questions About the 8-Day Sahara, Kasbahs & Essaouira Tour
Can I visit the Sahara and Essaouira in one trip?
Yes. This 8-day tour from Marrakech combines two nights in the Merzouga dunes with a night in Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.
Do we drive the same road twice?
No. You go to the desert through the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge, and come back through Alnif, N'Kob and the Draa Valley.
How many nights are in the Sahara?
Two nights in Merzouga: one in a desert camp after the camel trek, and one in a hotel or a second night at the camp, as you prefer.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day, plus dinners in the Dades Valley and both nights in Merzouga. Other meals and drinks are extra.
Is the 4x4 excursion in Merzouga included?
It is optional. Your driver can arrange it on day four, along with sandboarding.
Can we spend more time in Essaouira?
Yes. Every tour is private, so we can add a night in Essaouira or Marrakech.
Can I choose a different hotel level?
Yes. This tour is available in Basic, Mid-Range and Luxury. The route, driver-guide and local guides stay the same; only the hotels, riads and desert camp change, along with the price.
Related tours: 5-day Marrakech to Merzouga, 10-day Marrakech to Casablanca and the Essaouira day trip.
Your Journey, Your Pace, Your Morocco
Tell us your dates and we'll prepare this private tour around you, with clear pricing and no obligation.