View On Map
EDEN EXPEDITIONS
4-Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour with Carpet Workshop
Travel from Marrakech to the Sahara through the High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley, meet women artisans from Atlas mountain communities at our carpet workshop in Kelaa M’Gouna, weave your own mini carpet, enjoy an optional local adventure, and spend a night in a luxury desert camp in Merzouga.
4 Days / 3 Nights
Marrakech → Merzouga
Carpet Workshop
Atlas Women Artisans
Luxury Desert Camp
Private or Shared
Overview
Discover southern Morocco on a four-day journey from Marrakech to the Sahara and back. Cross the dramatic High Atlas Mountains, explore the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou, travel through the Valley of Roses and spend your first night at Xaluca Dades.
The highlight of this journey is a special cultural experience in Kelaa M’Gouna. Visit our carpet workshop and meet our local female guide, available in your selected language, as well as women artisans who come from Atlas Mountain communities to work with traditional Moroccan carpets.
Learn about the symbols, colours and stories woven into Moroccan carpets and discover different carpet traditions from across Morocco. At the end of the workshop, create and weave your own mini carpet to take home as a personal memory of your journey.
After lunch at our workshop, relax by the pool before choosing an optional local adventure: a quad-bike experience or a mule ride to visit a nearby Berber village. Return to Xaluca Dades for dinner before continuing the following day towards the Sahara and the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Trip Details
Duration
4 Days / 3 Nights
Departure
Marrakech
Destination
Merzouga / Erg Chebbi
Travel Style
Private or Shared
Night 1
Xaluca Dades
Night 2
Xaluca Dades
Night 3
Luxury Desert Camp
Experience
Desert, Culture & Carpet Weaving
Meeting Point & Pickup
Pickup in Marrakech
Pickup is available from your hotel, riad or accommodation in Marrakech.
If your accommodation is located in a pedestrian-only area or a place inaccessible to the vehicle, we will arrange a convenient nearby meeting point.
Return to Marrakech
On the final day, return transportation takes you back to Marrakech after crossing the southern landscapes and High Atlas Mountains.
Drop-off can be arranged at your accommodation or another convenient accessible location in Marrakech.
Itinerary
Leave Marrakech behind and cross the High Atlas Mountains towards southern Morocco. Discover the historic Aït Ben Haddou, continue through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses, then arrive in the Dades Valley for your first night at Xaluca Dades.
Marrakech Pickup
Approximately 15–30 minutes
Meet your driver at your Marrakech accommodation and begin your private or shared journey towards the High Atlas Mountains.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains
Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Travel through the spectacular mountain landscapes of the High Atlas, passing traditional villages, valleys and panoramic viewpoints along the route.
Tizi n’Tichka Mountain Pass
Approximately 20–30 minutes
Stop at a scenic viewpoint around the famous mountain pass and enjoy panoramic views across the High Atlas landscape.
Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah
Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Explore the historic fortified ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, walking through its traditional earthen buildings and narrow passages while learning about the history and architecture of southern Morocco.
Traditional Moroccan Lunch
Approximately 1 hour
Stop for lunch in the Aït Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate area and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal before continuing east towards the Dades Valley.
Ouarzazate
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Continue through Ouarzazate, known as one of the gateways to the Sahara, with time for a short scenic stop before continuing along the road towards the Valley of Roses.
Valley of Roses & Kelaa M’Gouna
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Travel through the landscapes surrounding Kelaa M’Gouna, famous for its rose-growing traditions, local products and connection to the wider Dades and Rose Valley region.
Dades Valley
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Continue into the Dades Valley and enjoy the changing landscapes of red cliffs, palm groves and traditional villages before reaching your accommodation.
Overnight at Xaluca Dades
Evening experience
Check in at Xaluca Dades, relax at the property and enjoy dinner before your first night in the Dades Valley.
Wake up in the Dades Valley and enjoy a special cultural experience at our carpet workshop in Kelaa M’Gouna. Meet our local female guide, discover the stories behind Moroccan carpet symbols and traditions, meet women artisans from Atlas Mountain communities and create your own mini carpet. After lunch and relaxation by the pool, choose between a quad-bike adventure or mule ride to a nearby Berber village before returning to Xaluca Dades for dinner.
Breakfast at Xaluca Dades
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before continuing towards Kelaa M’Gouna for your private cultural workshop experience.
Arrival at Our Carpet Workshop
Approximately 15–20 minutes
Arrive at our workshop in Kelaa M’Gouna and meet our local female guide. Your guide can communicate in your selected language and will introduce you to the workshop, the artisans and the traditions behind Moroccan carpets.
Discover the Symbols & Stories of Moroccan Carpets
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Learn how Moroccan carpets tell stories through symbols, geometric patterns and colours. Discover the meanings traditionally associated with different motifs and learn how carpet designs can reflect the identity, environment and experiences of the women who create them.
Discover Different Moroccan Carpet Traditions
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Explore different styles and weaving traditions from across Morocco. Discover variations in materials, techniques, colours, patterns and designs used by different communities.
Meet the Women Artisans from the Atlas Mountains
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Meet women artisans who come from Atlas Mountain communities to work at the workshop. Learn directly from them about their weaving traditions, techniques and the role of carpet making in their communities.
Learn the Traditional Weaving Technique
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Sit at the loom and learn the basics of traditional Moroccan carpet weaving. Your artisan host will guide you through the technique and show you how different threads and patterns are created.
Weave Your Own Mini Carpet
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Put what you have learned into practice and weave your own small Moroccan carpet. Choose your preferred colours and create a personal pattern with the guidance of the artisans. Your mini carpet becomes a unique handmade souvenir from the experience.
Lunch at Our Workshop
Approximately 1 hour
Enjoy a Moroccan lunch at our workshop in a relaxed setting overlooking the pool. Take time to enjoy local food and continue conversations with your hosts.
Relax by the Pool
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Slow down after the workshop and lunch. Relax beside the pool, enjoy the surrounding landscape and take a break before the afternoon adventure.
Choose Your Afternoon Adventure
Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Choose the activity that best suits you: an exciting quad-bike adventure through the surrounding landscapes, or a more traditional mule ride towards a nearby Berber village.
Option A — Quad Bike Adventure
Ride through the landscapes surrounding the Dades area by quad bike and discover rural tracks, valleys and traditional villages from a different perspective.
Option B — Mule Ride to a Berber Village
Enjoy a traditional mule ride through the surrounding countryside and visit a Berber village to discover local architecture, landscapes and everyday village life.
Return to Xaluca Dades
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Return to Xaluca Dades after the afternoon activity. Take some time to relax and enjoy the hotel before dinner.
Dinner & Overnight at Xaluca Dades
Evening experience
Enjoy dinner at Xaluca Dades and spend your second night in the Dades Valley before continuing towards Merzouga and the Sahara the following day.
Leave the Dades Valley behind and travel deeper into southern Morocco. Discover the spectacular Todra Gorge, continue through Tinghir, Tinjdad and Erfoud, then reach the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Finish the day with a desert experience and overnight stay in a luxury desert camp.
Breakfast at Xaluca Dades
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before starting the journey east towards the Todra Valley and the Sahara.
Dades Valley Scenic Route
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Continue through the dramatic Dades landscapes, passing red cliffs, palm groves and traditional villages as the scenery gradually changes towards the Todra region.
Todra Gorge
Approximately 1–1.5 hours
Walk through the spectacular Todra Gorge and admire the enormous rock walls surrounding the river valley. Enjoy time for photographs and a short walk through one of southern Morocco’s most impressive natural landscapes.
Tinghir & Todra Valley
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Continue through the palm-filled landscapes around Tinghir and discover the contrast between the green oasis and the surrounding rocky mountains.
Tinjdad & Southern Landscapes
Approximately 30 minutes
Continue east through the changing landscapes of the pre-Sahara and traditional villages along the route towards Erfoud.
Erfoud
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Pass through Erfoud, known for its date palms and fossil-rich region, before continuing towards the Tafilalet oasis and Merzouga.
Rissani
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Continue through Rissani, an important historic town and gateway to the Merzouga region, with an opportunity for a short local stop depending on the route and operating conditions.
Arrival in Merzouga & Erg Chebbi Dunes
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Reach the edge of the Sahara and take in your first views of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes.
Desert Transfer & Dune Experience
Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Continue into the desert towards your luxury camp. Depending on the selected camp and operating conditions, the transfer can include a camel ride or desert vehicle transfer across the dunes.
Sunset Over the Erg Chebbi Dunes
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Stop among the dunes to watch the changing colours of the Sahara as the sun disappears behind the horizon.
Luxury Desert Camp
Overnight experience
Arrive at your luxury desert camp, settle into your private tent and enjoy dinner followed by traditional desert hospitality and an evening beneath the stars.
Wake up surrounded by the Sahara and experience the sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After breakfast, begin the long scenic return journey towards Marrakech, crossing the pre-Saharan landscapes, Ouarzazate and the High Atlas before finishing at your preferred drop-off point in Marrakech.
Sunrise Over the Sahara
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Wake up early and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara as the first light appears over the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Breakfast at the Desert Camp
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Enjoy breakfast at the camp before leaving the dunes and beginning the return journey towards Marrakech.
Return from the Desert to Merzouga
Approximately 30–60 minutes
Leave the desert camp and return towards Merzouga by the arranged desert transfer.
Scenic Return Through Southern Morocco
Approximately 5–6 hours with stops
Begin the long return journey west through the changing landscapes of southern Morocco, with opportunities for scenic viewpoints and refreshment stops along the route.
Ouarzazate Stop
Approximately 30–45 minutes
Pass through Ouarzazate and take a short break before continuing towards the High Atlas Mountains.
Lunch Stop
Approximately 45–60 minutes
Stop for lunch along the return route and enjoy a final taste of southern Moroccan cuisine before heading back towards Marrakech.
Cross the High Atlas Mountains
Approximately 1.5–2 hours
Cross the High Atlas once again, enjoying the dramatic mountain scenery as the landscape changes from the pre-Sahara back towards Marrakech.
Drop-Off in Marrakech
Approximately 15–30 minutes
Finish your four-day journey with drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation or another convenient accessible location agreed in advance.
EDEN CARPET EXPERIENCE
Meet the Women Behind Moroccan Carpets
This experience is designed to connect travelers directly with Moroccan craftsmanship. At our workshop in Kelaa M’Gouna, you meet a local female guide and women artisans from Atlas Mountain communities who continue traditional weaving practices.
01
Discover the Symbols
Learn how patterns, colours and traditional symbols can communicate stories and cultural identity.
02
Meet the Artisans
Meet women from Atlas Mountain communities and discover the traditions behind their weaving work.
03
Learn to Weave
Sit at the loom and learn the fundamentals of traditional Moroccan carpet weaving.
04
Create Your Mini Carpet
Weave your own mini carpet and take home a handmade memory created during your journey.
What’s Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Marrakech
- Private or shared transportation according to selected option
- Professional driver/guide
- Aït Ben Haddou visit
- Dades Valley experience
- Two nights at Xaluca Dades
- Breakfast and dinner at Xaluca Dades
- Kelaa M’Gouna carpet workshop experience
- Local female workshop guide
- Meet women carpet artisans
- Moroccan carpet culture and symbol introduction
- Traditional carpet weaving demonstration
- Hands-on mini carpet weaving experience
- Your handmade mini carpet
- Lunch at the workshop
- Pool relaxation at the workshop
- Todra Gorge visit
- Merzouga / Erg Chebbi experience
- One night in a luxury desert camp
- Desert dinner and breakfast
- Desert transfer according to selected camp arrangement
What’s Not Included
- Entrance fees not specifically mentioned
- Quad-bike activity unless selected
- Mule ride unless selected
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during meals unless specifically included
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not mentioned in the selected option
- Any service not specifically listed as included
YOUR CHOICE
Choose Your Afternoon Adventure
After your carpet workshop, lunch and pool relaxation, choose the experience that matches your travel style.
Quad Bike Adventure
Ride through the surrounding landscapes and rural tracks, enjoying an active adventure before returning to Xaluca Dades.
Mule Ride & Berber Village
Take a traditional mule ride through the countryside and visit a nearby Berber village to experience local landscapes and village life.
Important Information
- This is a multi-day journey involving long road sections between Marrakech, Dades, Merzouga and Marrakech.
- The itinerary may be adjusted according to road conditions, weather, local circumstances and operational requirements.
- The carpet workshop experience is a hands-on cultural activity. The exact weaving design and materials available may vary according to the workshop and artisans present.
- The women artisans participating in the workshop may vary according to their availability and working schedule.
- The language of the workshop guide depends on the selected language and availability.
- Quad-bike and mule activities are optional and should be selected when booking.
- Quad-bike activities are subject to the safety requirements of the local activity operator.
- Mule rides involve uneven terrain and travelers should wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear.
- Desert activities are weather dependent and may be modified when required for safety.
- The route involves walking at Aït Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge, the carpet workshop and desert areas.
- Please inform Eden Expeditions of any dietary requirements, mobility requirements or important travel needs before departure.
- Accommodation is Xaluca Dades for the first and second nights and a luxury desert camp in Merzouga for the third night, subject to availability and the selected booking option.
