Home > Tours > From Agadir > 4 Days desert tour from Agadir to Merzouga Sahara

4 Days desert tour from Agadir to Merzouga Sahara

Tour Ref :	4DAM
Duration :	4 Days – 3 Nights
Tour type :	Private Tour, Family, Desert, Sahara
Tour start :	Agadir
Tour end :	Agadir
Highlights :	Anti Atlas Mountains, valley of the roses, Dades, Todra, Draa Valleys Oasis, Berber Villages, Kasbahs, Atlantic Ocean
Price :	Prices according to number of people travelling in vehicle.

Overview

This 4-day desert tour from Agadir to Merzouga connects the Atlantic coast with the Sahara and returns to Agadir, using the inland Souss valley route that most tours from Marrakech never see. It is the practical choice for travellers based in Agadir or Taghazout who want to reach Erg Chebbi without relocating to Marrakech first.

Day one crosses the Souss plain to Taroudant, then climbs through Taliouine, Morocco’s saffron capital, and Taznakht, known for its Berber carpets, before reaching Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Day two follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Skoura, the valley of the roses, the Dades valley and the Todra gorges to Merzouga, with a camel trek to a desert camp at Erg Chebbi. The return runs through Rissani, Tazzarine, N’Qob and the Draa valley to Agdez, then back over the Tizi n’Tighatine pass to Agadir. For a longer southern circuit from the same starting point, see our 8-day authentic south tour from Agadir.

Day tour itinerary

Day 1: Agadir – Taroudant – Taznakht – Taliouine– kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

Morning departure from Agadir to Ouarzazate passing by Taroudant, known as “the little Marrakesh”, Taliouine and Taznakht. From here the road continues to the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which we visit after lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to the Atlas Film Studios (where scores of these films were shot and the sets are still intact: Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Asterix and Obelix, Game of Thrones….) is scheduled, before continuing to Ouarzazate where you spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – oasis of Skoura– valley of the roses – Dades valley – Todra gorges – Dunes of Merzouga

The morning departure takes us from Ouarzazate to the Todra gorges via the oasis of Skoura, to see all the Kasbahs, some sadly in a state of disrepair but idyllically placed amongst the palm trees. The main road passes through the valley of the roses and the Dades valley to the Todra gorges where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, our trip continues to the dunes of Merzouga for an hour camel ride to reach the dunes of Erg Chebbi (250m). From the top of the dunes the sunset is spectacular. Here, at Erg Chebbi, we will have dinner and spend the night in a campsite.

Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Tazzarine – N’Qob – Draa valley – Agdez

If you wake up early enough, you can watch the spectacle of the sunrise, when the colour of the dunes and the play of shadows are an awesome sight. The return to the hotel in Merzouga for having a shower is on camel back again and, after having breakfast, the itinerary continues to the valley of Draa via the villages of Rissani, Alnif, Tazzarine and N’Qob where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, the journey takes us to Tanasikht from where we drive off-road along the ancient caravan route in the Draa valley, with its huge palm trees and ancient villages. At the end of the afternoon, Agdez offers dinner and a night’s rest.

Day 4: Agdez – Taznakht – Tizi-n-Tighatine – Taliouine – Agadir

After breakfast, we drive north from Agdez to Taznakht, famous for its Berber gelims and carpets. Later, we continue to Agadir crossing the Tizi-n-Ikhsane and Tizi-n-Tighatine passes. We stop to have lunch in Taliouine (the heart of the saffron growing area of Morocco). In the afternoon, the road takes us on to Taroudant and then to Agadir which we reach by the end of the afternoon.

Trip Highlights

Departs and returns to Agadir, with no need to transfer to Marrakech first.
Taroudant, the walled town of the Souss valley, sometimes called little Marrakech for its ramparts and souks.
Taliouine, the centre of Moroccan saffron growing, and Taznakht, known for handwoven Berber carpets.
Night at Erg Chebbi in a desert camp, reached by camel trek across the dunes at Merzouga.
Ait Ben Haddou, the UNESCO-listed kasbah, plus the Todra gorges and valley of the roses.
Tizi n’Tighatine pass through the Anti-Atlas on the return leg to the coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reach the Sahara from Agadir without going to Marrakech?
Yes. This tour takes the inland route through Taroudant and Taliouine directly toward Ouarzazate, so you never pass through Marrakech. It is designed for travellers staying on the Agadir and Taghazout coast.

Is 4 days enough from Agadir?
Four days is the minimum for a comfortable round trip from Agadir to Erg Chebbi. Agadir is further from the dunes than Marrakech, so shorter tours would mean very long driving days. For more time in the south, consider the 8-day tour.

Do we return by the same road?
No. The outbound route runs via Taroudant and Taliouine, and the return follows the Draa valley through Agdez and Taznakht, so the scenery differs in each direction.

When is the best time for this tour?
The best time to visit the Sahara desert is from September to May. Agadir stays mild year round, but the desert is very hot in July and August. See our best time to visit Morocco guide.

Can you collect me from my hotel?
Yes. Pickup is included from hotels in Agadir and Taghazout. Browse other options in our tours from Agadir.