2-Day Private tour Marrakech to Zagora desert

Tour highlight:

1- Begin your journey with a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’Tichka Pass (2,260m), offering stunning views of Berber villages and dramatic peaks. Explore the iconic UNESCO-listed kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its ancient mud-brick architecture and Hollywood film appearances. Continue through the lush Draa Valley, Morocco’s largest palm grove, before enjoying a sunset camel ride into the Zagora desert, where a magical night awaits under the stars in a luxury Berber camp with traditional music and dinner.

2- After a peaceful morning in Zagora, visit Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara and Morocco’s cinematic hub. Explore the grand Taourirt Kasbah, once the home of the powerful Pasha of Marrakech, and walk through the legendary Atlas Studios, where blockbusters like Gladiator and Game of Thrones were filmed. This day blends rich Moroccan history with the magic of world cinema, before you journey back through the breathtaking landscapes to Marrakech.


Full itinerary:

Day 1:
Marrakech - Tizi N’tichka - Ait Ben Haddou - Draa Valley - Zagora
        
Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel or Riad in Marrakech at 8:00 AM. Before we embark on the ascent of the famous Tichka Pass, we will make a relaxing stop for a drink or a traditional breakfast (if you haven't already had one) at a local café. This is a perfect moment to stretch, enjoy the view, and get ready for the exciting journey ahead.

Once refreshed, we continue our journey through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tichka Pass (2,260m), the highest mountain pass in Morocco. This dramatic route offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the northern landscape. The towering peaks are dotted with traditional Berber villages, where life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. We’ll pause to take photos and fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings.

Next, we arrive at the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. This ancient fortified village is an iconic example of Berber architecture and has served as the backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, including Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Jewel of the Nile, and more. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll have time to explore the kasbah’s winding pathways, admire its towering mud-brick walls, and discover the intricate architecture that tells the story of a bygone era.

Our journey continues through the Draa Valley, one of the most scenic and fertile areas in southern Morocco. Famous for its ksour (fortified villages) and kasbahs, the valley is home to Morocco’s largest and most impressive palm groves, stretching endlessly across the landscape. The sight of the valley’s date palms against the backdrop of rugged mountains is a truly unforgettable experience.

As the day draws to a close, we arrive in Zagora, the gateway to the desert. Here, you’ll enjoy a one-hour camel ride into the vast desert dunes, where you can witness the magic of a Moroccan desert sunset. As the sun sets over the sand dunes, the desert transforms into a sea of golden hues, creating a mesmerizing scene. Afterward, we’ll head to your luxury desert campsite, where a traditional Moroccan dinner will be served under the stars. Enjoy the warmth of Berber hospitality, and listen to the rhythmic beats of Berber drumming as you relax beneath the starry sky.

Overnight at the luxury desert campsite in Zagora.


Day 2:
Zagora - Agz - Ouarzazate - Marrakech.

Your second day begins with a traditional Berber breakfast in Zagora, where you’ll enjoy fresh local specialties as the town awakens. After breakfast, you’ll embark on a camel ride back to meet your driver, who will be waiting to take you on the next leg of the journey to Ouarzazate, a city renowned for both its historical significance and thriving film industry.

Our first stop will be the Kasbah of Taourirt, a magnificent fortress that once served as the residence of Thami El Glaoui, the powerful Pasha of Marrakech during the French colonial era. The kasbah is a masterpiece of adobe architecture, and its labyrinthine layout is perfect for exploration. Your local guide will lead you through the maze of passageways, courtyards, and intricately decorated rooms, shedding light on the fascinating history of the kasbah and its former inhabitants. This site provides a rare glimpse into the lifestyle and wealth of one of Morocco's most influential figures.

Afterward, we’ll take the same scenic route directly to the Atlas Cinema Studios, also known as Ouarzazate Studios, where you’ll tour some of the impressive film sets used for some of the world’s most famous productions. Ouarzazate, often called the “Hollywood of the Desert,” has hosted the filming of iconic movies such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Game of Thrones, Babel, Prince of Persia, and The Sheltering Sky. The studios have become a major destination for filmmakers looking for striking desert landscapes, dramatic architecture, and a location that transports audiences to another world. As you walk through these grand sets, you’ll get an inside look at how Morocco’s dramatic landscapes have been used to bring epic stories to life.

Once you’ve explored the film studios, we’ll return to the road to Marrakech, passing through picturesque Berber villages and stunning desert landscapes. During the drive back, you’ll have time to reflect on the unforgettable experiences of the past two days before we return to Marrakech around 6 or 7pm.

End of the trip.

Included in your package:
 Private luxury vehicle.
 Professional English speaking driver.
 Mini bottled water in van throughout tour.
 Wet & dry wipes in your van.
 1 Night accommodation at your luxury camp.
 Dinner and breakfast at your luxury camp. 
 Overnights' taxes.
 Camel ride to your Camp and back in the morning.
 Admissions to monuments.
 Guided visits to Berber Kasbahs including entrance fee.
 Guided visit to Cinema studio including entrance fee.
 Hotel pick-up & Drop-off.  

Not included:
 Drinks during dinner at the camp.
 Lunches.
 Gratuities.

What else can be included? (Let us know)
 Official Guide to assist you during the whole trip.
 4x4 car to your camp instead of camels.
 Accommodation or city tour in Marrakech before or after your trip.