Taste of the Desert

Marrakech > Ouarzazate > Dades Valley > Merzouga > Rissani > Marrakech

3 days/2 nights Morocco Holiday

Day 1 Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Valley

We will make an early morning departure from Marrakech to cross the Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains with a short stop for coffee and a visit the argan oil cooperative. We will stop for lunch at UNESCO World Heritage site, Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous Kasbah in Morocco. After lunch we will continue through the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient Kasbahs stand amongst the palm trees. From here, the route takes us through Kela’a M’gouna, the Valley of Roses, with a stop to see cosmetics locally made from the valley’s abundant roses. We will continue to the Dades Gorge where we will stay in a hotel by the river for the night.

Day 2 Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga

After breakfast, we will have time to walk by the river before continuing to Todra Gorge for lunch. We will drive via the Ziz Valley, and the towns of Erfoud to arrive at Erg Chebbi hotel around 3pm, to prepare for departure on the camel into the desert to see the sunset on top of the dunes. After a traditional tagine dinner, delicious mint tea, watching the stars and the rising moon we will spend the night in a bivouac (traditional nomad tent).

Day 3 Merzouga – Rissani - Alnif - N’Kob - Agdez - Ouarzazate - Marrakech

We will rise early to see the spectacle of the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara before making our way back to the hotel for breakfast and a shower. We will pass through Rissani, the ancient capital of Morocco. The drive will take us through the Berber villages of Alnif and N’Kob and through the Dra’a Valley to Agdez. We will continue to Ouarzazate, where we will have lunch and visit the Taourirt Kasbah. We will return to Marrakech over the High Atlas mountains to arrive in the early evening.

1. Total travel starting and ending in Marrakech is approximately 1400 km/870 miles.
   

2. If more time is available, we suggest a 4 day/3 night itinerary for a more enjoyable tour.
   

Do you want to relax in the Sahara? Add another night in the dunes.

You are welcome to take another day (or more) to explore and enjoy.