5 Days Marrakech Itinerary
Five days exploring Marrakech and the Sahara desert.
A desert immersion, not a drive-by.
TourA 5-day trip to Morocco is short but incredibly rewarding. You will discover the charm of Marrakech and head out on an unforgettable desert tour. This 5-day Marrakech itinerary both starts and finishes in Marrakech, making it the ideal foundation for your Moroccan adventure. Keep in mind that every itinerary we offer can be fully tailored to suit your personal travel preferences and needs.
What you'll remember.
Discovering Jemaa el-Fnaa square and other iconic Marrakech attractions
Driving across the High Atlas Mountains
Visiting the historic Aït Ben Haddou kasbah
Walking through the breathtaking Todra Canyon
Riding camels across the Merzouga Sahara desert
Spending a magical night under the stars in a luxury desert camp
Experiencing and learning about authentic Moroccan culture
Your full itinerary, hour by hour.
Fully customisable. If you'd like to stay longer somewhere, add an activity, or shift the pace — just tell us.
Arrive in Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco. Your 5-day Marrakech adventure kicks off with a warm reception at Marrakech Menara Airport where your local guide meets you and accompanies you to your riad to check in and settle. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy freely. Head to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square — the lively pulse of the city — to soak in the energy of Marrakech. Have dinner at one of the square's many restaurants before heading back to your riad for a comfortable night's sleep.
Marrakech → High Atlas Mountains → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Valley
Your desert journey begins with a morning pickup directly from your riad. Leaving the city behind, you travel south-east through the scenic High Atlas Mountains. Along the way you pass through charming Berber villages with plenty of stops at viewpoints for photographs. Lunch is in Aït Ben Haddou village — a UNESCO-listed fortified kasbah that has served as a filming location for Prince of Persia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones. A brief stop in Ouarzazate, which is home to Africa's largest film studio, before continuing through the Valley of Roses toward Dades Gorge. In Dades Valley, take in the extraordinary rock formations known as "monkey fingers" and enjoy a panoramic view of the gorge before retiring to your hotel for the night.
Dades Valley → Todra Canyon → Merzouga Desert
After breakfast, you travel through the stunning scenery along the Dades and Todra rivers — lined with palm groves and traditional Berber villages. Your first stop is the world-famous Todra Gorge in Tinghir, celebrated globally for its dramatic beauty. On the road to Merzouga, your driver-guide may suggest a stop at a traditional Berber shop where you can try on local outfits and take photographs for free. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Berber culture. There is no pressure to buy anything — just let your guide know if you would prefer to skip it. Arriving in Merzouga, an unforgettable camel ride into the desert awaits. Watch the captivating sunset over the dunes and try your hand at sandboarding. As night falls, retreat to a luxury desert camp for a delicious dinner and experience the timeless magic of the Sahara under a sky packed with stars.
Merzouga → Draa Valley → Agdez → Ouarzazate → Marrakech
After breakfast at the desert camp, the return journey to Marrakech begins. This time the route takes you through the Draa Valley — Morocco's longest valley. A stop in Agdez offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the valley's lush palm trees stretching to the horizon. Lunch in Ouarzazate before crossing the High Atlas Mountains once more and arriving safely back at your riad in Marrakech.
Discover Marrakech
Begin your final day with breakfast at your riad. Your local guide is ready to take you through Marrakech's greatest attractions, sharing the stories and history behind iconic landmarks including Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrassa, and the Koutoubia Mosque. After lunch, stroll through the modern side of Marrakech and visit the magnificent Majorelle Garden — a peaceful and colourful retreat in the heart of the city. If your flight departs today, a smooth airport transfer marks the end of your 5-day Marrakech itinerary.
No hidden costs. No surprises.
What's included
- Airport pickup on arrival and transfer on departure
- Private local guide for Marrakech days
- Private air-conditioned 4x4, van, or minibus for desert days
- English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- 2 nights at a riad in Marrakech
- 1 night at a hotel in Dades Valley
- 1 night at a luxury desert camp
- 1 dinner at Dades Valley hotel and 1 dinner at desert camp
- 2 breakfasts
- Camel trekking at sunset
- Sandboarding on the dunes
- 24/7 support from Across Morocco Travel team
Not included
- Lunches
- Beverages
- Entrance fees to Marrakech monuments
- Tips (optional)
What it actually looks like.
Where this journey takes you.
Why travellers choose this one.
Flexibility
Shape the itinerary around what interests you. Spend extra time at the places that captivate you and move past the ones that do not appeal as much.
Personalization
Enjoy a fully personalised experience with a dedicated guide offering tailored recommendations based on your preferences. Choose accommodation that suits your needs and budget for a journey built entirely around you.
Authenticity
A private tour allows for deeper cultural immersion — genuine interactions with locals and a richer understanding of Moroccan culture and traditions. Explore lesser-known spots for a perspective on Morocco that most visitors never get.
Convenience
Forget about logistics and transport. A dedicated driver familiar with local routes and customs handles everything, leaving you free to relax and enjoy every moment of your trip.
Three options — pick your comfort.
Mix-and-match is encouraged. Want option 2 on night one and option 3 on night two? Done.
Standard
Traditional riad in the Marrakech medina.
Included in base price
Premium
Beautifully restored boutique riad with pool in the medina.
Small supplement applies
Luxury
One of the world's most celebrated hotels in the heart of Marrakech.
Contact us for pricing
Standard
Comfortable hotel with gorge views. Dinner and breakfast included.
Included in base price
Premium
Boutique guesthouse with terrace views over the rock formations.
Small supplement applies
Luxury
Elegant boutique hotel with pool and panoramic gorge views.
Contact us for pricing
5/5 · 489 verified reviews.
"Five days in Morocco was the perfect introduction. We spent the first day wandering Marrakech at our own pace and the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening was something we will never forget. The desert days were spectacular — the Todra Gorge took our breath away and the camel trek at sunset in Merzouga was the highlight of the whole trip. Coming back through the Draa Valley on day four was a beautiful way to say goodbye to the south. Day five with our Marrakech guide rounded it all off perfectly. Flawlessly organised."
"We only had 5 days and were amazed at how much this itinerary covered. The Aït Ben Haddou kasbah was extraordinary and the luxury desert camp far exceeded our expectations. Our guide was knowledgeable, warm, and completely flexible with our pace. The Bahia Palace and Majorelle Garden on the final day were the perfect way to end the journey. Across Morocco Travel took care of every detail and we could simply enjoy every moment. Highly recommended."
"This was my first time visiting Morocco and it was everything I hoped for. The itinerary was perfectly balanced — two days discovering Marrakech and two days in the desert with a smooth return. The Saharan sunset from the dunes and the night in the luxury camp were moments I will carry with me for a long time. The guide on our Marrakech day was fantastic and brought the city to life in a way I never expected. Already planning my return trip. "
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Questions, answered.
Can this itinerary start from another city?
Yes — this itinerary can start from other cities such as Casablanca or Fes. Just get in touch and we will adjust the routing and pricing accordingly.
What if I don't want to ride a camel?
No problem at all — we will transfer you directly to the desert camp by 4x4 at no extra charge. Your comfort always comes first.
What vehicle will we travel in?
Smaller groups travel in a Toyota Land Cruiser or similar 4x4. Larger groups use a Ford Tourneo Custom or Mercedes Sprinter minibus. All vehicles are private, air-conditioned, and maintained for comfort on long driving days.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead, especially during peak season from March to May and September to November. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible — just WhatsApp us to check availability.
How does payment work?
A small deposit confirms your booking, payable via PayPal, bank transfer, or Wise. The remaining balance is settled in cash on the first day of the tour in euros, US dollars, or Moroccan dirhams.
Let's make it real.
Fill in the form and we'll reply within 24 hours with availability, a personalised quote, and a detailed day-by-day plan.
Prefer a human voice? WhatsApp us directly — we're answering messages 7 days a week, morning to midnight, Morocco time.