Tizi n'Tichka Mountain Pass
The highest paved mountain pass in North Africa at 2,260 metres — a breathtaking drive through dramatic Atlas scenery, with Berber villages clinging to every ridge and snow-capped peaks in winter.
Signature Private Tour · 9 Days · 8 Nights
Marrakech, the Atlas & the Sahara —
Morocco at full volume.
Cross the High Atlas at Tizi n'Tichka. Walk a UNESCO kasbah straight out of Gladiator. Trek a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and sleep under three thousand stars in a luxury Berber camp. Then back across the Atlas to Marrakech.
9
Days
8
Nights
2,260
m Atlas
pass
pass
2
UNESCO
sites
sites
✦ Free 48-hour proposal. No deposit until your itinerary is exactly right.
Duration9 days · 8 nights
PaceAdventure · 1 free day
GroupPrivate · 1–8 guests
SeasonYear-round · any month
FromUSD $2,385 / pp
The journey
Some journeys change the way you see the world.
This is one of them. In nine days, you'll cross the High Atlas on roads that cling to cliff faces, walk through a UNESCO kasbah that has appeared in dozens of Hollywood films, ride a camel into a sea of golden dunes as the sun melts into the horizon, and wake to a Sahara sunrise in absolute silence.
Between these headline moments are the quieter ones that stay with you longest: the scent of rose water in the Dades Valley, a glass of mint tea poured from arm's height by a Berber family in the mountains, the sound of drums by a desert firepit under three thousand stars. This tour was designed to deliver both the spectacle and the soul of Morocco — without the long-haul cross-country drives that come with the multi-region itineraries.
Start and finish in Marrakech. The route below is a circular Marrakech round-trip — the most efficient way to experience the High Atlas, the Sahara and the Red City in one private journey. Your driver and SUV are with you the whole way; every stop is yours alone.
Erg Chebbi · the golden hourSix unmissable moments
Tour Highlights
From a 2,260-metre Atlas pass to the silence of the Sahara at dawn — six experiences you'll tell stories about for years.
Aït Ben Haddou — UNESCO Kasbah
A thousand-year-old mud-brick fortress village, UNESCO World Heritage-listed, and the filming location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia.
Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
Drive the legendary Rose Road through Skoura's palm oasis, the Dades Valley's sculpted red rock formations and the dramatic 300-metre walls of the Todra Gorge.
Camel Trek & Luxury Desert Camp
Trek by camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at golden hour, then dine under the stars in a luxury Berber camp with private en-suite tents — the most magical night of the tour.
Sahara Sunrise
Rise before dawn, climb the highest dune near camp and watch the Sahara transform from silver to copper to gold as the first light sweeps across the sand. Utterly unforgettable.
Marrakech Medina
Two days in the Red City — ancient palaces, 11th-century tanneries, souk alleyways overflowing with saffron and lanterns, and the world-famous circus of Djemaa el-Fna at dusk.
Suggested route · fully flexible
The Route
A round-trip from Marrakech across the High Atlas to the edge of the Sahara and back. Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorge → Todra → Erg Chebbi → Ouarzazate → Marrakech. Every stop is private; every day is paced for you.
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades → Todra → Erg Chebbi → Ouarzazate → Marrakech · approximately 1,400 km · all transfers in private SUV
✦ Itinerary fully flexible — extensions to Erg Chigaga or extra Sahara nights welcome
Nine days, the spectacle and the soul
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Below is the suggested 9-day sequence — a Marrakech round-trip across the Atlas to the Sahara and back. Every day is private, paced for enjoyment, and fully adjustable.
01Day
Marrakech arrival
Welcome to the Red City
Your private driver meets you at Marrakech Menara Airport and takes you directly to your riad — a traditional Moroccan courtyard home typically hidden behind an unmarked door in the medina. Once inside, the noise of the city melts away. Spend the afternoon resting in the courtyard by a fountain, or take a gentle stroll through the neighbourhood to get your bearings.
- Private airport transfer
- Riad check-in
- Medina neighbourhood stroll
- Marrakech overnight
02Day
Full day in Marrakech
Palaces, Souks & the Grand Square
Your licensed Marrakech guide takes you through the city's greatest treasures. Begin at the Saadian Tombs — hidden for three centuries, rediscovered in 1917 — where 16th-century sultans rest in chambers of carved cedar, Italian marble and zellige tilework. Walk through the ruins of El Badi Palace, then the opulent halls of Bahia Palace. Wind through the colour-coded souks — spice vendors, lantern makers, leather workers, silk weavers — guided by someone who knows every corner. As the sun lowers, gather at Djemaa el-Fna as the square awakens: storytellers, Gnawa musicians, snake charmers and the rising smoke of a hundred food stalls.
- Saadian Tombs
- El Badi Palace
- Bahia Palace
- Medina souks
- Djemaa el-Fna at dusk
03Day
Marrakech → Tizi n'Tichka → Aït Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate
Over the Mountains to the Kasbah
The adventure begins in earnest. After breakfast, your SUV climbs the serpentine road over Tizi n'Tichka Pass — the highest paved mountain road in North Africa, passing Berber villages, walnut groves and saffron fields. Stop at the 19th-century Telouet Kasbah, once the palace of a feared mountain lord, now crumbling gloriously in the desert heat. Continue to Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO ksar of honey-coloured mud towers rising from the riverbank. Your guide leads you through the winding alleys past centuries-old granaries and resident craftspeople still living inside this ancient fortress. You may recognise its towers from Gladiator or Game of Thrones. Overnight in Ouarzazate — Morocco's "Hollywood of the south."
- Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m)
- Telouet Kasbah
- Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO)
- Ouarzazate film studios
- Ouarzazate overnight
04Day
Ouarzazate → Roses Valley → Dades Gorge → Todra
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
This is one of Morocco's most breathtaking driving days — and it never feels like a long journey. The road east from Ouarzazate follows what traders once called the Silk Road of the South. Stop in the Roses Valley around Kelaat M'Gouna, where in spring (April–May) the entire landscape turns pink with the harvest of Damask roses used in Morocco's famous rose water. Drive through Skoura's dense palm oasis, then into the dramatic Dades Gorge where the valley narrows between red cliffs. Continue to Todra Gorge, where sheer canyon walls rise 300 metres from a narrow river bed just 10 metres wide in places. Walk the gorge floor and feel the rock cool the air around you. Overnight in a mountain lodge in the gorge.
- Roses Valley · Kelaat M'Gouna
- Skoura palm oasis
- Dades Gorge red cliffs
- Todra Gorge (300m walls)
05Day
Todra → Tinghir → Merzouga → Erg Chebbi camp
Into the Sahara
Drive through palm-fringed valleys past the oasis town of Tinghir, and into the vast open desert as the landscape flattens and the horizon begins to shimmer. As you approach Merzouga, the first dune appears — a single ridge of sand rising improbably from the flat desert floor. Then the whole of Erg Chebbi comes into view: 50 kilometres of rolling Saharan dunes, some rising 160 metres, glowing burnt orange in the late afternoon sun. Your camel guide meets you at the edge for a 45-minute trek to your desert camp. Watch the shadows lengthen, the sky shift through every shade of red and purple, and the first stars appear. At camp, your Berber hosts serve a slow-cooked dinner around a fire while a musician plays under the open sky.
- Tinghir oasis
- Merzouga village
- Sunset camel trek
- Luxury Berber camp dinner
- Stargazing
06Day
Erg Chebbi sunrise → Draa Valley → Ouarzazate
Sunrise Over the Dunes
Wake before sunrise, climb the nearest dune and watch Morocco's greatest natural spectacle unfold. The Sahara at dawn is a study in silence and slow colour: silver becoming gold becoming deep amber as the sun clears the horizon. After breakfast at camp, ride your camel back or take a 4x4 to Merzouga, then begin the long scenic return west via the remote Draa Valley. This ancient caravan route passes abandoned kasbahs, date palm oases, and villages so remote they feel untouched by the 21st century — Nakob, Tamnougalte. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
- Sahara sunrise dune climb
- Camel or 4x4 return
- Remote Draa Valley
- Nakob & Tamnougalte villages
- Ouarzazate overnight
07Day
Ouarzazate → Ounila Valley → Marrakech
Back Over the Atlas
Return to Marrakech through the Ounila Valley — a quieter, equally beautiful route through Berber villages, fig orchards and almond groves. Stop again at the Telouet Kasbah to explore any parts you missed on Day 3. Enjoy a traditional fig tagine lunch at a roadside restaurant before crossing back over the High Atlas to descend into the red dust haze of Marrakech by evening — back to your riad and the rooftop pool.
- Ounila Valley scenic drive
- Berber villages
- Telouet Kasbah revisit
- Fig tagine lunch
- Marrakech return
08Day
Marrakech free day
Your Marrakech, Your Way
A fully free day in one of the world's most vibrant cities. Sleep in, revisit a favourite souk, or choose one of the optional experiences below — a sunrise balloon flight over the palm groves, a morning cooking class, the extraordinary Majorelle Gardens and YSL Museum, or a long restorative hammam treatment. Your driver remains on call for anything you need.
- Optional: hot-air balloon
- Optional: cooking class
- Optional: hammam & spa
- Optional: Majorelle Gardens
- Free time at your riad
09Day
Marrakech departure
Until Morocco Calls You Back
A final breakfast on the riad rooftop before your private transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport. You leave carrying something Morocco gives every traveller who takes the time to look — a deep, indelible sense of wonder, and the colours of the Sahara at sunrise that you'll see every time you close your eyes.
- Riad rooftop breakfast
- Private departure transfer
- Menara Airport
Where you'll stay
Hand-picked riads, kasbahs & desert camps
Every property selected for character, comfort, and location. Choose your tier — we'll match you to the right rooms in every stop.
Comfortable · 3–4★
Comfortable riads & tented camps
Authentic 3–4★ medina riads with rooftop terraces and traditional tilework, kasbah-style hotels in Ouarzazate and the Dades, and comfortable Berber tented camps in the Sahara with private bathrooms.
Examples: Riad Kheirredine (Marrakech), Berbère Palace (Ouarzazate), Xaluca Dades, Xaluca Sahara Camp
Boutique · 5★
Boutique heritage riads
Storied riads with plunge pools and award-winning restaurants, refined kasbah retreats with mountain views, and luxury glamping in the Sahara — private bath, Persian rugs, four-poster beds.
Examples: La Maison Arabe (Marrakech), Riad Kniza (Marrakech), Kasbah Tebi (Aït Ben Haddou), Erg Chebbi Luxury Camp
Elevated · ultra-luxury
Elevated palaces & private villas
Iconic palace hotels — La Mamounia, Royal Mansour, Villa des Orangers — with full butler service and private hammams, and the most refined Sahara glamping in Morocco at Dar Ahlam's Wandering Camp.
Examples: La Mamounia (Marrakech), Royal Mansour (Marrakech), Dar Ahlam (Skoura), Wandering Camp (Sahara)
Transparent · No surprises
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- 8 nights accommodation: riads, kasbah hotels & luxury desert camp (daily breakfast)
- 4 specialty dinners (Ouarzazate, Dades Gorge, Sahara camp, Draa Valley)
- Private luxury SUV with English-speaking driver throughout
- Licensed local guide in Marrakech (Day 2)
- Camel trekking into Erg Chebbi dunes
- All entrance fees for included sites (Aït Ben Haddou, palaces, tombs, gorges)
- Private airport transfers (Marrakech arrival & departure)
- All fuel and toll-road costs
- 24/7 concierge support during your trip
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Lunches and dinners beyond the 4 included
- Beverages
- Driver, guide & camp staff gratuities
- Optional experiences (balloon, cooking, hammam, Majorelle)
- Personal travel insurance
USD / per person
Tour Investment
Per-person pricing based on two travelers sharing. Solo and group rates available — request a custom quote for your exact dates and party size.
★★★ – ★★★★
Budget
$265
per person / day
From $2,385 total
Entry-level — comfortable 3–4★ hotels, authentic riads & classic Sahara camps. Excellent value without sacrificing the experience.
★★★★
Premium
$300
per person / day
From $2,700 total
Curated 4★ riads & boutique kasbahs — heritage charm with refined modern comforts.
★★★★★
Luxury
$350–$450
per person / day
From $3,150 total
5★ properties with a dedicated private guide & driver. Luxury Sahara glamping & signature riads.
★★★★★ ✦
Ultra Luxury
$650+
per person / day
From $5,850 total
Exclusive estates — fully bespoke VIP service. La Mamounia, Royal Mansour, Dar Ahlam & Wandering Camp.
Add to your free day
Optional Experiences
Quick answers
Frequently Asked
Your Sahara camp at Erg Chebbi features private en-suite tents with proper beds, Egyptian-cotton linens and solar lighting. Dinner is a slow-cooked Berber feast served around a communal fire, followed by live drumming. The camp is set deep enough into the dunes that there is zero light pollution — the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye.
Yes. The camels are gentle, the pace is relaxed and the handlers walk alongside the whole way. For guests who prefer not to ride, a comfortable 4x4 vehicle can take you to the camp and back across the dunes. We always offer an alternative — just let us know your preference.
Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a fortified village (ksar) built from sun-dried mud bricks on the bank of the Ounila River. It has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Film crews have used it for Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy and dozens of other productions. Walking through it is like stepping into a living film set — except it has been real life for the families who still live there.
The Sahara at Erg Chebbi is approximately a 9–10 hour drive from Marrakech in a straight line. On this tour we spread the journey over 3 days, stopping at Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, the Dades Gorge and the Todra Gorge along the way — so it never feels like a long drive, and every leg is part of the experience.
Absolutely. We can add a second night in the desert, an additional 4x4 excursion to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes, or a sunrise quad-bike session across the Merzouga dunes. Just let us know what interests you and we'll build it into the itinerary.
Gateway2Morocco operates this tour year-round and we build amazing trips every month. Spring (March–May) is glorious — the Roses Valley harvest peaks in April. Autumn (September–November) brings clear desert skies. Winter is mild in the lowlands and atmospheric in the Atlas. Summer is hot in the desert but easily managed with early starts and the cool of the dunes after sunset.
Nine days. The spectacle and the soul.
The Sahara is waiting. Send us your dates and group size and we'll send a personalised itinerary and quote within 48 hours — no obligation, no pressure.
100% private toursBPCPA Lic. #804604.9★ on TripAdvisor25+ years experience