7 Days in Morocco: Marrakech to the Sahara
A one-week route combining Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and an overnight Sahara desert camp: a realistic pace for a first trip to Morocco without feeling rushed.
Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech. Check into a riad and ease into the medina around Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening, when the square is at its liveliest. Arrange your airport pick-up in advance if your riad is deep in the medina; see our Marrakech Menara Airport guide.
Day 2: Marrakech medina. Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and Jardin Majorelle, with time in the souks. Our Marrakech guide covers how to pace the medina.
Day 3: Over the Atlas. Drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at the fortified village of Aït Ben Haddou, and continue to the Dades Valley or Todra Gorge for the night.
Day 4: To the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Reach Merzouga in the afternoon, ride out at sunset and spend the night in a desert camp. See our Merzouga and the Sahara dunes guide.
Day 5: Sunrise, then start the return. Watch the sunrise over the dunes, then drive back west and break the journey with a night in the Dades Valley or near Ouarzazate.
Day 6: Back to Marrakech. Recross the Atlas and arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon for a last evening in the medina.
Day 7: Departure. Final souk shopping before your flight. Alternatively, finish in Fes instead of Marrakech by taking the northern route back from the desert.
Before You Go
- Expect long drives. Marrakech to Merzouga and back is the core of this route, with several full days on the road; a driver or an organised tour is the usual way to do it, and self-driving the Tizi n'Tichka pass needs care.
- Pack for big temperature swings. Desert nights can be cold even when days are hot, and the Atlas passes can see snow in winter. Check our best time to visit Morocco guide before choosing dates.
- Book riads and desert camps ahead in spring and autumn, the most popular seasons.
- Carry cash in dirhams for small purchases, tips and rural stops; card acceptance is limited outside cities.
- Use our Trip Budget Calculator and Packing Checklist to prepare, and read our Morocco guide for entry rules and practical tips.
Featured on This Route
Sources & Last Reviewed
Route planning draws on FANOUSS's own Marrakech, Merzouga and Sahara dunes and Morocco guides. Driving times depend on road conditions, weather and stops, so confirm the plan and timings with your driver, tour operator or accommodation before you go.
Facts last reviewed: October 2026.