Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou, Dades Gorges and the Erg Chebbi dunes: the itinerary stage by stage.
Morocco's great classic journey is best done by car, at your own pace. Here is a five-day itinerary that starts and ends in Marrakech, with the details of the Marrakech–Merzouga route.
To book your car for this trip, see our 4x4 rental in Marrakech and diesel car rental in Marrakech pages.
Day 1: Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou
Cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass (see our Tichka guide). Stop at Telouet for its kasbah, then spend the night at the foot of the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou.
Day 2: Aït Ben Haddou → Dades Gorges
Go through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses before reaching the famous Dades hairpins.
Day 3: Dades → Merzouga
Make a detour via the Todra Gorges, then drive through Erfoud to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Night in a desert camp.
Day 4: Merzouga → Ouarzazate
A long return stage, broken up by stops in the palm groves.
Day 5: Ouarzazate → Marrakech
Back over the Tichka, with a lunch break in a mountain village.
Which vehicle for this tour?
Every stage is paved: an SUV such as the Dacia Duster is more than enough. A 4x4 is only useful for tracks in the dunes, which are usually covered by the desert camps themselves. Choose an offer with unlimited mileage: this tour is over 1,100 km.
Compare every offer on our Car rental Marrakech page, or collect your car on landing with our Marrakech airport car rental service.
