Marrakech - Dades Gorges - Merziuga
Dunnes – Ouarzazate - Marrakech

Marrakech – Dades Gorges – Merziuga Dunnes – Ouarzazate – Marrakech 

Desert Tour

4 Days & 3 Nights

Itinerary

1st day: Marrakesh – Dades gorges
Morning departure at 8 o’clock from your hotel or riad in Marrakesh to cross the High Atlas Mountains. From these mountains, the views over the valleys and the Berber villages perched on the mountain sides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the mountains themselves, are spectacular.

Having crossed the pass, we continue to descend until we finally reach Ouarzazate where we stop for lunch.
The road then continues to the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient Kasbahs, some sadly in ruins, stand amongst the palm trees. From here, the route takes us through Kelaa M’gouna, the Valley of Roses, with a stop to see cosmetic articles locally-made from the valley’s abundant roses.
The evening is spent in comfortable accommodation in the Dades gorge for the night.

2nd day: Dades gorges – Merzouga
After breakfast, there is time to walk by the river before continuing to Toudgha Gorge; one of the most spectacular canyons in the world. Here you can walk by the river and observe the changing colours that run through the canyon walls as it has been etched by the river over time.
Lunch will either be here in the gorges or later at the bivouac at the Erg Chebbi dunes.
From Toudgha Gorge we drive there via the Ziz Valley, through the towns of Erfoud and Rissani. In the afternoon you can take a one to two hour camel ride in the Sahara. The sunset from the top of the 250 m dunes is breath taking. Afterwards there is dinner and the night in a traditional nomad tent at the foot of the dunes.

3rd day: Merzouga – Ouarzazate
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. Our itinerary this morning take us to the Dra’a Valley via the village of Tazzarine (featured in the film ‘Babel’), and on to N’Qob for lunch. Afterwards, we drive along the Dra’a Valley towards Agdez, passing oases and Kasbahs, beside the river. The oldest kasbah, Kasbah Tamnougalte, in the Dra’a Valley is situated near Agdez, and you will have some time to visit it.
Some parts lie in ruins and some parts are still fully occupied. The last part of the day’s journey is across the Tizi-n-Tinfifite pass to Ouarzazate; our final destination for the day.

4th day: Ouarzazate – Marrakesh
After breakfast we visit Kasbah Taourirt in the town and which belonged to the Glaoui family, the Pashas of Marrakesh. Driving north, you leave the main road and take a side road to Ait Benhaddou, which also belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family. This is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also well-known as being the backdrop to many Hollywood blockbusters. The road then continues along the Ounila valley with beautiful and prosperous villages, stunning mountains and views to Telouet, where you will stop to visit the Kasbah and perhaps have lunch. Alternatively lunch will be in the mountains! We reach Marrakesh at the end of the afternoon.

Please Note: Prices for all of our tours include accommodation and access to historical sites.  Unless otherwise stated in the details of the specific tour, breakfast and dinner are included, however lunch and alcohol are not