Marrakech to Merzouga and Back Again: The Desert Tour
Winding roads of the Tizin Tichka, that will show you some amazing sites, from Telouet’s ruins, UNESCO world heritage site Ait Benhaddou, Todgha Gorge and the Valley of Roses, lush palmaries, a sunset view from the camel’s back through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, to a luxurious experience of wishing upon a million stars in the Sahara desert, some fossils left over from time gone by, arts and crafts, and a view of the world as is once was.
Day 1 : Marrakech – Ouarzazate
The Desert Tour will start in Marrakech, where we will cross the High Atlas mountains in a dizzying highway and the pass of Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m).
Our first stop will be the Kasbah Telouet, at one time was the home of Kings of the powerful Glaoui tribe. From here, we will take a little road that will take us to the Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.
Have some lunch under the gaze of the Ksar and relax before you take an afternoon walk to visit the Ksar. Upon completing your visit, we will head to Ouarzazate for the evening.
Day 2 : Ouarzazate – Todra gorges
This morning we head to the Gorges of Todgha Gorge. We will pass through the little town of Skoura and follow the route of a “thousand kasbahs”.
Next, the Valley of the Roses! The infamous Moroccan rose or the Damascus rose hails from this region. Here, in Kela’a M’gouna, you will find many little cooperatives and shops that sell rose water, perfume, soaps and other rose products. After this visit, you will move on to the Dades Gorges. We will stop for lunch and a break, and you will walk a little in this beautiful area under the magnificent red rocks, before we continue on to Todgha Gorge for your stay.
Day 3 : Todra gorges – Merzouga desert
This morning, take a little time to enjoy the Palmarie area before before driving to the Merzouga dunes via the Ziz Valley, stopping in Erfoud or Rissani on the way for lunch. Having arrived in Merzouga, in the course of the afternoon there is time to take a camel ride for a couple of hours and ascend the Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sunset from the summit (250m). After sunset, the night will be spent in a nomad tent, which is also the venue for dinner.
Day 4 : Merzouga desert – Agdez
If you wake up early enough, you can watch the spectacle of the sunrise, when the color of the dunes and the play of shadows are an awesome sight. The return to Merzouga on camel back takes about two hours. Once there, it is possible to freshen up under a shower at a local hotel. The itinerary of your Merzouga Desert Tour continues to the draa valley via the village of Tazzarine (featured in the film ‘Babel’), and on the N’Qob for lunch. In the afternoon the journey takes us to Tanasikht, to drive along the ancient caravan route to discover the real Draa Valley, with its huge palm trees and ancient villages. At the end of the afternoon, the Kasbah of Tamnougalte offers dinner and a night’s rest.
Day 5 : Agdez – Marrakech
After breakfast there will be a visit to the Kasbah itself before returning to Ouarzazate, via the mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tinfifte (1660m). Once in Ouarzazate, we visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, originally the residence of the Pasha of Marrakech and a symbol of the feudal period of the lords of Atlas. Afterwards, an unpaved track to the Fint Oasis nestling among the mountains, which once served as the crossroads of caravans, provides a hidden delight. The return to Marrakech will complete your Merzouga Desert Tour at the end of the afternoon.
