Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour itinerary 6 days

The highlights of a 6-day trip from Marrakech to the desert town of Merzouga are as follows:

Marrakech:

This 6-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert travel begins with a visit to the Red City. Marrakech, Morocco is known as the “City of Light” because to its constant activity. It’s the most popular destination in all of Morocco, so it’s safe to assume that every traveler to the country will eventually make their way here. As the Berber people were the first to settle in Morocco and North Africa, it stands to reason that the Imazighen farmers who founded the city gave it its current name, which means “land of god” in their language. 

In reality, the name of the country itself comes from the name of this city; in fact, certain nations, such as Iran, continue to refer to Morocco as Marrakech. In 1062, Abu Bakr ibn Umar, the cousin of the monarch of the Berber Almoravids dynasty, discovered Marrakech. The city evolved rapidly to become Morocco’s capital, and it essentially constructed itself. It is now the country’s fourth-largest city, and it offers tourists a wide variety of stunning attractions.

 There’s Jamaa el Fna Square, which you’ve probably heard of. Without a doubt, it is one of the largest squares in all of Morocco, drawing in tens of thousands of visitors every day. The bright lights, narrow souk alleyways, and assortment of individuals sharing tales and displaying their talents make this place seem otherworldly as night falls. Immediately next to this plaza is the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Additionally, Marrakech has a number of lovely gardens that visitors often enjoy. Mellah neighborhoods, Saadian tombs, and many more.

Tizi Ntichka and the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for the six-day journey from Marrakech to the desert town of Merzouga. Located in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, these mountains are sometimes cited as Africa’s longest. They are not continuous chains of mountains, as some have suggested; rather, they are separated by enormous expanses known as plateaus. The Atlas Mountains include three distinct sections: the High, the Middle, and the Anti. The High is the chain or range that extends to include the nations of Algeria and Tunisia, whereas the Middle and anti are confined to Morocco.

 Among the three types of mountains, the High Atlas range is the longest, and its highest peak, Toubkal, stands at an elevation of 4,167 meters (13,671 ft). The journey begins with a walk by this former. It was difficult to construct a route to the desert since it passes through a number of mountains. Tizi Ntichka, which translates to “the cole of being lost,” is one of the world’s longest and most unusual curving roads, jointly built by Morocco and France. 

You may get the greatest views of the whole curving pass from the summit, which is located at an elevation of around 2,260 meters. On Imider, we only see a little portion of the Anti, which is not often included in this trip. On the other side, on the way to Fes, we pass past the Middle Atlas Mountains. This later region is home to the cool city of Ifrane and some of the greatest weather in all of Morocco. There are several stunning Berber communities and kasbahs in the Atlas Mountains.

The Desert of Merzouga

It’s safe to say that the Merzouga region of Morocco’s Sahara Desert has emerged as the country’s top tourist attraction in recent years. You’ll find this region in southeastern Morocco, close to the country’s border with Algeria. The desert region, known variously as Merzouga or Erg Chebbi, is home to a large number of scattered settlements and a centrally located but somewhat unremarkable town. The name “Merzouga” comes from the Merzoug people, a Berber tribe that has lived in the desert for generations. 

Erg Chebbi, the name for the desert as a whole, spans around 30 kilometers. Many additional deserts, like the distant Ramlia desert, with its distinctive mountain vistas, are located close to this latter. The Merzouga desert in Morocco has a wide variety of exciting things to do, making it seem like the Magic Kingdom of the country. The first and only must-do activity is a camel ride on the golden sands. There is nothing more breathtaking than riding a camel in the desert as the sun sets and the night begins. The trip to the sunrises and sunsets only adds to their beauty. 

On the other side, there is sleeping beneath the stars in traditional Berber tents. In addition, there is the exploration tour of the desert, which will take you to several locations where you may learn more about the desert’s history and culture. You start out by meeting the Berbers, Morocco’s original inhabitants. As they lived in tents and were somewhat secluded, they may have played a significant role in preserving some of the world’s oldest languages. Second, you’ll meet the Gnaoua people of Khmlia hamlet; they’re a nomadic tribe originating from Mali and Gabon. 

They relocated to the desert of Merzouga, where they immersed themselves in Berber culture and eventually made it their native tongue. Excursions on quads and buggies are among the additional things to do in Merzouga.

The Works of Erfoud and Rissani

Undeniably, Erfoud and Rissani are the two most important desert cities in southeastern Morocco. The first is Rissani, the Tafilalt region’s capital. It is said that this city marks the beginning of the Alawite dynasty. Sijilmasa was a significant location in the kingdom’s history in the past. More significantly, it served as a hub for camel caravan trade and as a resting place for travelers before they continued on to Europe with their wares. 

As a result, Rissani today has one of the largest traditional souks in the desert region, catering to a wide variety of locals’ shopping requirements. On Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, locals from surrounding villages and towns ride their donkeys here to do business in the old-fashioned manner. Therefore, during the souks’ days, this little city has a spot named the donkeys’ park where around 60 of them may be found.

 To continue, between the desert of Merzouga and the city of Errachidia lies the city of Erfoud. If you’re into fossils or dates, you’ll find enough of both in this city. Being close to the Ziz valley, the primary source of dates in Morocco, makes the city a major beneficiary. Erfoud plans and performs a variety of festival dates every year. As was also said, the city is home to a number of workshops where fossils are created and then exported. Join our 6-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert trip and see these two desert towns, where the locals are predominantly Berbers, and learn about their culture.

This is the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah.

Morocco is well known as the location of a wide variety of impressive fortifications. Among these, Ait Benhaddou is the most well-known. This kasbah is the primary stop on the six-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert trek, located at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. The Thami el Glaoui family, already well-known, discovered Ait Benhaddou as a safe haven for their famed camel caravans. Thami el Glaoui became one of the wealthiest persons in the country’s history because to the taxes he collected from merchants at other sites and kasbahs. 

Benhaddou, a prominent member of his clan at the time, inspired the naming of the Ait Benhaddou kasbah. Ait Benhaddou was constructed with massive walls and lofty turrets, much like a fortified castle, to safeguard the residents who had made it their home. So they constructed a masterpiece, one of the finest clay buildings ever made, typical of Berber Morocco.

 Although numerous families formerly called this kasbah home, they have gradually left it over the years. About 40 people still call the area home today, with the rest having relocated across the “Maleh river.” Since 1987, Ait Benhaddou has been recognized as a site of international significance by UNESCO. As time went on, the stronghold underwent a number of renovations to keep it looking as good as new. Alternatively, Ait Benhaddou is a great location for filming; several movies have been filmed there. This 6 day itinerary from Marrakech to the desert town of Merzouga includes a stop at Ait Benhaddou so that you may learn more about it.

Ouarzazate

You will see one of the most significant towns in the southeast of Morocco on your 6-day trip from Marrakech to the Merzouga desert. Approximately 30 kilometers (km) from Ait Benhaddou’s fortress is the city of Ouarzazate. Due to its unique position as the only major international airport in the Southeast, it is often regarded as having excellent transportation links. Furthermore, another exists in Errachidia, but it is on a national scale. 

The name of the city, Ouar-Zazate, consists of two parts: the first, “Ouar,” meaning “without,” and the second, “Zazate,” means “noise.” Additionally, many Moroccans refer to it as the Ouallywood of Morocco since it is where the majority of films are shot in the nation. The Atlas Company has two studios in the city; the Cla and Oscar Studios are where most of their filming takes place. Scenes from the popular TV shows Prison Break and Game of Thrones were filmed here in recent years. 

The whole of Prison Break season five, set in Yemen, was shot at a modest secondary school in the city of Ouarzazate. One of the largest solar power plants in the world, providing about 510 MW, is located in Ouarzazate. In addition, there is the well-known Kasbah of Taourirt, a veritable labyrinth of around 300 chambers surrounded by enormous walls.

Valleys

The Marrakech to Merzouga desert journey is 6 days long and includes stops in some of Morocco’s most beautiful valleys. Beginning in Marrakech, the first valley you visit should be Ounila. It connects the town of Ait Benhaddou in the kasbah region to the Tizi Ntichka pass. Due to its low volume of tourists, Morocco has earned the nickname “the secret destination.” Since there was no alternative route for camel caravans, Thami EL Glaoui used to exercise authority over the valley and collect fees from its users. 

Second, close by the Moroccan rose capital of Klaat Mgouna lies the equally impressive Rose valley. An annual flower festival is held in the city to attract tourists and provide positive attention to the area. Over the last several years, the event has attracted a large number of visitors from all over the nation and the world; in 2015 alone, it drew an estimated 300,000. Without a doubt, the valley provides between 3000 and 4000T of roses annually, the vast majority of which are converted into a cosmetics product and sent to other nations. 

We often visit the Dades valley when driving to Boumalne Dades. An historical tale claims that a Berber tribe formerly controlled the valley and relied on it as their primary food supply. Meanwhile, there’s a guy who seems to have everything (save water) except grain and farming supplies. A bargain was struck with the locals, who agreed to provide him with goods from the valley in exchange for various grains and the means to cultivate them. Thus, this factored towards the rapid development of the valley. Last but not least, the nicest views can be seen in Erfoud’s largest valley, where dates are grown.