Celebrate The New Year’s Eve with Us in Morocco’s Charm Desert

Dates: December 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Highlight: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the heart of the Sahara Desert with a magical night under the stars, traditional music, and a festive dinner.

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1 (Dec 28): Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

• Departure: 8:00 AM from Marrakech.
• Journey through the scenic High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’Tichka Pass, the highest road in Morocco.
• Stop for tea at a traditional Berber village.
• Explore the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a backdrop for many films.
• Lunch near the Kasbah.
• Continue through Kalaat M’Gouna (renowned for its rose products) and the Skoura Oasis to reach the Dades Valley.
• Overnight in a traditional riad or hotel in the Dades Valley with dinner.

Day 2 (Dec 29): Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Desert)

• Morning drive through the Dades Gorges, known for the unique rock formations called “Monkey Toes.”
• Continue to the stunning Todra Gorges for a walk along the river, surrounded by towering red cliffs.
• Lunch stop in Erfoud or Rissani, towns famous for fossils and dates.
• Arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon and ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunes to catch the sunset.
• Dinner and overnight in a traditional desert camp, with live Amazigh music and a starlit atmosphere.

Day 3 (Dec 30): Merzouga – Sahara Exploration – Berber Villages – Desert Camp

• Begin the day with a desert breakfast and a 4×4 adventure to explore the Sahara:
• Visit Khamlia Village to enjoy Gnawa music and learn about its rich culture.
• Meet nomadic Berber families and gain insight into their way of life.
• Discover fascinating landscapes, including volcanic rocks and the seasonal Yasmina Lake.
• Return to the desert camp by afternoon for dinner, relaxation, and a second night under the stars.

Day 4 (Dec 31): Merzouga (New Year’s Eve Celebration)

• Start the day with a peaceful morning in the dunes and breakfast at the camp.
• Spend the day immersed in the desert: enjoy sandboarding, camel trekking, or relaxing in a serene environment.
• As the sun sets, the New Year’s Eve celebration begins:
• A festive dinner featuring traditional Moroccan dishes.
• Live Amazigh music, drumming, and dancing around a campfire.
• Stargazing and welcoming the New Year under the spectacular Sahara sky.
• Overnight in the desert camp.

Day 5 (Jan 1, 2025): Merzouga – Alnif – Agdz – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

• Early morning camel ride or walk to watch the sunrise over the dunes.
• Breakfast at the camp before departing Merzouga.
• Travel through Rissani, Alnif, and the Draa Valley, with its lush palm groves.
• Stop for lunch en route and continue through Ouarzazate and the Tizi N’Tichka Pass.
• Arrive in Marrakech by early evening, concluding the tour.

New Year’s Eve 5 days desert tour from Marrakech detailed itinerary

Day 1 (Dec 28): Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

You leave Marrakech, the ancient city referred to as the “Land of God,” around 8:00 AM to start your journey. You will drive across Morocco’s highest pass, Tizi N’Tichka, which offers stunning panoramic views of valleys, terraced crops, and traditional Berber settlements as you pass into the High Atlas Mountains. The first destination is a quaint Amazigh village where you can enjoy coffee or mint tea while taking in the peace of the mountains. As you go, you will arrive at the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a famous castle that has been used as the setting for several movies, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Here, you can eat a delectable regional lunch while exploring the building’s historic mud-brick structure. The path goes on past the verdant Skoura Oasis and the energetic town of Kalaat M’Gouna, which is well-known for its yearly Rose Festival and fragrant rose farms. You will reach the charming Dades Valley by dusk, where you will stay and eat in a traditional riad encircled by lush scenery and stunning gorges.

Day 2 (Dec 29): Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Desert)

Following a filling breakfast, the trip continues with a picturesque drive through the Dades Gorges, which are home to remarkable rock formations including the well-known “Monkey Toes.” You’ll see charming Kasbahs tucked away in the valley along the route, including the 19th-century historic Kasbah of Ait Yul. When you get to the Todra Gorges, you may enjoy a cool stroll beside the river, which is surrounded by 300-meter-tall red cliffs that are a popular destination for rock climbers. The road then leads to the oases of Rissani and Erfoud, which are well-known for their fossilized riches and date palms. You will eat lunch here before continuing to Merzouga’s golden sands. Experience the ever-changing colors of the sands as you ride a camel through the tall Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun sets. After being greeted with mint tea at the desert camp, you will be treated to a traditional meal outside while listening to live Amazigh music. In the peaceful Sahara Desert, spend the night in a comfortable tent.

Day 3 (Dec 30): Merzouga – Sahara Exploration – Berber Villages – Desert Camp

After a traditional desert breakfast, you embark on a 4×4 adventure to discover the huge Sahara. You’ll travel to neighboring villages like Hassi Labied and Khamlia, where the friendly Gnawa people play live and share their rich musical history. You’ll come across nomadic Berber families along the route, taking care of their cattle and living in traditional tents, giving you an idea of their hardy way of life. The journey continues to the Black Desert’s edge, where you will be surrounded by tranquil scenery and have a picnic lunch beneath the shade of a single tree. More experiences await in the afternoon, such as trips to volcanic rock formations and, if the weather permits, the picturesque Yasmina Lake surrounded by golden dunes. For dinner and entertainment, head back to the desert camp for a second night beneath the stars.

Day 4 (Dec 31): Merzouga (New Year’s Eve Celebration)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the camp to start the day, followed by free time spent in the captivating Sahara Desert. The day is yours to enjoy, whether you decide to go on another camel ride, sandboard down the dunes, or just unwind in the peaceful atmosphere. Get ready for a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration in the middle of the desert as night falls. There will be live Amazigh drumming, music, and dancing around the campfire after a memorable supper with Moroccan specialties. In one of the most memorable places on earth, ring in the New Year beneath the sky. Surrounded by the enchantment of the Sahara, spend this memorable night in your desert camp.

Day 5 (January 1, 2025): Merzouga – Alnif – Agdz – Ouarzazate – and Marrakech 

Get up early to see the sunrise, which is a truly breathtaking sight as it casts golden hues over the dunes. After breakfast at the camp, return to Merzouga village on a camel ride and get ready to travel back to Marrakech. Pass via Alnif and the verdant Draa Valley, which is dotted with a limitless number of palm groves, as well as the historic town of Rissani, which was formerly the capital of the Tafilalt region. Before proceeding through the picturesque scenery of Ouarzazate and the twisting roads of the Tizi N’Tichka Pass, you will pause for lunch along the way. Your amazing five-day group desert excursion for New Year’s Eve will come to an end by early evening when you reach Marrakech.

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Map of the 5-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech for the New Year’s Eve Celebration

Questions you may ask about a desert tour from Marrakech!

Can you visit the desert from Marrakech?

Yes, you can visit the desert from Marrakech. Prime Morocco Tours offers 5-day desert tours from Marrakech, which will take you to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Morocco. You’ll get to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou, explore the High Atlas Mountains, admire the rocky formations in the Todra Valley, and enjoy a camel ride in Merzouga. You may even get to spend the night under the stars in the desert during your tour.

How long does it take to get to the desert from Marrakech?

It typically takes around 4-5 hours to drive to the desert from Marrakech, depending on the route your tour operator takes. You will be driving through the High Atlas Mountains and admiring the stunning landscapes and Amazigh villages on the way, so the journey may take a bit longer.

Can you do a day trip to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech?

Yes, you can do a day trip to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech. Prime Morocco Tours offers day tours to the Sahara Desert, which typically include a visit to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou, a drive through the High Atlas Mountains, a camel ride in Merzouga, and a chance to admire the breathtaking views of the Saharan landscape. However, since it is a full-day tour, you will not be able to spend the night under the stars in the desert.

Is the Sahara desert worth it?

The Sahara desert is definitely worth it if you have the time and money to visit. The landscape is stunning, and you can experience activities such as a camel ride in Merzouga, admiring the views of the desert from the High Atlas Mountains, and visiting the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou. Moreover, it’s an incredible experience to spend the night under the stars in the desert.