Things to do in

Ouarzazate

Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a 3-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ourzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel, and sleep at a desert camp surrounded by high sand dunes. Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Tinghir After an early departure from the Marrakech hotel, your journey begins by crossing the High Atlas Mountains past one Berber village after another to the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, famous for its Kasbah and fortified village, and previously used as a set for some famous Hollywood epics as well as a backdrop for some fashion magazines photo shoots. After some leisure time to explore the village with its Kasbah, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara and onto Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the road to Tinghir, where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.  Day 2: Tinghir - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to the dramatic Todgha Gorges, pausing for some free time to explore the canyons and enjoy lunch at a local café. Continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Then, experience the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and watch the sunset change the color of the sand. Reach your desert camp before nightfall and enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars. Local nomads will provide the entertainment and show you how to play the Tam Tam drums. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stop. Day 3: Merzouga Ouarzazate - Marrakech Following an early wake up to watch the sunrise before breakfast (optional), a driver will be waiting to pick you up for the transfer back to Marrakech. Stop half-way for lunch in Ouarzazate. You can also book upgrades for the night in the Bedouin camp as an optional extra. Upgrade to the deluxe desert camp with a luxury private tent complete with ensuite shower, bathroom facilities, and 5* amenities. These upgrades need to be booked per person.

Spending a night in the Sahara Desert is an unforgettable experience for visitors to Morocco and this three-day tour lets you travel further and explore more along the way. Visit UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses, and Tinghir ; stop at traditional Berber villages around the Todra Gorge; then take a camel trek through the Erg Chebbi dunes the highest in Morocco and sleep beneath the desert stars at Berber campsite. Day 1 : Marrakech - Tinghir Your shared 3 day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning. Depart from Marrakech around 7:30 AM to ait ben haddou through tizi Ntichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains. Many stops will be made along the way. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah ait ben haddou, which was also served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters. Continue to Ouazazate and Kasbah Taourirte before lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Tinghir via the valley of the roses before you reach your hotel located in Tinghir. Dinner and overnight. Day 2 : Tinghir – Merzouga After breakfast at your hotel in Tinghir, your journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbah to Ouasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to todra canyons. After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the hugecliffs, and lunch at a local café (at your leisure), continue early in the afternoon to Rissani , famous for its date market, and being a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the sahara desert to Tomboctou. After a quick stop, continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape. Upon arrival at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes, meet your camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing sand dunes with the sunset in the horizon as a backdrop. Reach your Sahara Desert camp, nestled in the middle of nowhere just before darkness. After some time to admire the sand dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a camp fire. Late at night, enjoy berber music with the local hosts playing drums. Day 3 : Merzouga – Marrakech After an early breakfast and a camel ride back to the main road, meet your driver and drive back to Ouarzazte. After some time at leisure for lunch, carry on in the afternoon to Marrakech through the high atlas mountains. Your shared 3 day desert tour will end in Marrakech around 7:00 PM.

An example of the itinerary you will follow: Day 1: Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley Your driver will pick you up from your accommodation and you will set off on your 4 day adventure. Pass through the Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas mountains and from Marrakech to Ouarzazate you can enjoy the scenic route, the landscapes with changing colors and terrain and the Berber villages along the way. You will have free time to visit the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate and have lunch on site. Then, on to the green valley of Dadès and the valley of roses by the palm grove of Skoura. You will have dinner and stay overnight at a charming guest house in the valley. Day 2: Dades Valley, Todra Gorges, Dunes of Merzouga After breakfast, you will set off on the road to the 1000 Kasbahs, then check check out Tinghr with its magnificent palm groves. At Todra Gorge, the bravest explorers can trek along the canyon, 300 metres above the ground. Then continue towards Merzouga and the erg Chebbi dune in the Sahara desert. In the largest desert in the world, you can experience the sunset on the back of a camel as you ride towards the oasis where the camp is located. You may spend the night in the nomadic tents or under the stars and play music or sing along with the locals and become immersed in true nomadic culture. Day 3: Merzouga, Tazarine, Agdz, Ouarzazate Watch the sunrise over the dunes of erg Chebbi, followed by breakfast in the camp. Return to a hostel via camel trek for a quick shower then drive to Rissani, a small town in southern Saharan Morocco where you can stop to visit a fossil workshop, before continuing to the junction of the Drâa and Agdz valley. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and hotel stay in Ouarzazate. Day 4: Ouarzazate, Aït ben Haddou, Telouet, Marrakech Go on a tour of the movie sets and studios located in Ouarzazate: the "Hollywood of Africa". Visit the Ksar of Aït ben Haddou, a world heritage site. Aït ben Haddou has been used to date as a backdrop for more than twenty films, including "Gladiator", "Indiana Jones "and" Lawrence of Arabia ". Take advantage of this walk through the area to admire the traditional architecture of the kasbahs. Continue on home to Marrakech through the mountains.

Start your day trip with pickup from your Marrakech accommodation from 7-8 AM. Hop inside your air-conditioned car and soak up the scenery as you travel into the Atlas Mountains. Your first stop will be at a small village called Ait Ben Barka near the amazing natural areas surrounding Toufliht. Explore the area with your driver and learn about the schedule for your trip, and the sights that you will see on your trip. You'll take a little break to enjoy the beauty of this natural landscape and get excited for the next part of your journey. The second stop on your tour will be the Tizi n'Tichka pass, 7,415 feet above sea level (2,260 meters).  Your third stop will be at Atlas Film Studios at Ouarzazate. This is the largest film studio in the world, famously featured in the TV series Game of Thrones. You will have the opportunity to visit the studios to explore on your own. You'll be able to learn more bout the actors and films that have been filmed here, and take some pictures of the unique Moroccan scenery in the area. After the studio, you will go for lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area, with excellent prices and stunning panoramic views. The next and last visit after lunch will be at the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, recognized as a UNESCO site and one of the most extraordinary kasbahs in Morocco. You'll end your day of scenic views and memories by relaxing in your comfortable air-conditioned vehicle on your drive back to Marrakech. You'll be dropped off at your accommodation in Marrakech between 8-8:30 PM.

Day 1: Marrakech — Ouarzazate — Zagora This program will begin at 7:00 AM from Marrakech. First, take the road to Zagora city via Ouarzazate. Your first stop is the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, where you will be able to visit impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The second stop is in the Draa Valley, well-known for its amazing ksour and kasbah.  Zagora is six hours away from Marrakech. The trip is long, but you will have you the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of Morocco along the way. At the end of the day, reach Zagora and enjoy the sunset on a one-hour camel ride. To finish, enjoy an excellent dinner at a campsite in the Zagora dunes.  Day 2: Zagora — Marrakech In the early morning, enjoy a typical Berber breakfast in Zagora. Then watch the sunrise from a camel ride in the dunes before taking the road back to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

Day 1: Atlas Mountains, Kasbahs, and Zagora Following pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakesh, begin by crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi N’ Tichka Pass en route to Ouarzazate. Stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou for a guided tour, then head to Ouarzazate to visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the Atlas Cinema Studio.  Take a break for lunch before continuing to Zagora via Agdz and the Draa Valley. Upon arrival to Zagora, enjoy the sunset on a camel ride as you travel to the nomadic camp in the Nekhla Dunes. Dinner is later served at the camp, before you spend the night in a private tent.   Day 2: Zagora, Draa Valley, and Ouarzazate On the second day, wake up early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise followed by breakfast. You can then opt to take part in a camel trek journey back to meet your driver. Drive back along the Draa Valley with a break for lunch, before finally returning to Marrakesh via Ouarzazate.

Drive through a cedar forest and see the resident monkeys, before descending to the Sahara Desert. Arrive at the traditional kasbah at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Enjoy the beauty of the sunset on a camel ride across the dunes. At the Berber camp, enjoy mint tea and dinner, gaze at the stars and spend the night in a tent. On the second day visit Merzouga, Tinghir and Ouarzazate. Head out on the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs along the ancient caravan route. This area has been a popular location for Hollywood films, such as The Last Temptation of Christ and Jewel of the Nile. Stop for lunch and a walk in Todgha Gorges and then travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in the Gorges or in Ouarzazate. On the third day, visit the town of Ouarzazate, including the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios – the largest and most famous movie studios in Africa.

Day 1: At 8 AM, depart from your riad or hotel in Marrakech and set off for your first stop, the Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah. Take a scenic drive through the Tizi'n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas mountains and admire the breathtaking views along the way. When you arrive at the Kasbah take a stroll through this centuries-old site where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed. Enjoy lunch at your leisure here before continuing on to Ouarzazate. When you arrive, check-in at the guesthouse and enjoy some free time before dinner. At 8 PM, head over to watch a Berber music show at dinner featuring performances from the blue men of the Desert. Day 2: After breakfast, set off into the Draa Valley until you reach M'hamid El Rhizlane, the biggest oasis in the world which is 220 km long. At 10 AM, stop for a tea break in Tamnougalt, a traditional village with beautiful houses made out of mud, clay, and straw. Arrive in M'hamid El Rhizlane in time for lunch. Then, embark on an off-road journey through the wild desert until you reach the camp in Erg Chegaga. Arrive at the camp by about 4 PM and enjoy the silence of the desert and the magic atmosphere of the place. Take a romantic camel trek through the sand dunes at sunset. At 8 PM sit down to enjoy a Berber music show and dinner around the campfire.  Day 3:  Enjoy another early breakfast at 8 AM, before setting off deeper into the desert to reach the road from the other side of Erg Chegaga. Marvel at the incredible lunar landscapes that will leave you speechless. Savor a delicious lunch on the road between Foum Zguid and Taznakht. Cross the Anti Atlas Mountains and the High Atlas Mountains until you finally reach Marrakesh to end your beautiful adventure. Get dropped off back at your hotel between 6 - 7 PM.

Spend two days exploring mountainous and desert scenery, as well as traditional Moroccan cities and towns with an experienced guide.   Day 1: Depart from Marrakesh at 9:00 AM in a modern, air-conditioned minibus and head to the Atlas Mountains. Drive through the range, taking in magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and snow-capped mountains. You’ll soon arrive at the Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village that exemplifies Morocco’s traditional earthen clay architecture.   Afterwards, continue to Ouarzazate for lunch at a local café or restaurant. Continue on along the Drâa Valley to reach the town of Zagora. Here, you’ll meet your camels, who will take you on a 1.5-hour trek into the dunes. From atop these tall, sometimes graceful animals, you’ll get amazing views of the desert on your way to your camp in the dunes.   Day 2:  After a traditional Berber breakfast, head out just before sunrise on another 1.5-hour camel ride to get the best views of the changing colors of the sky. Head back to Zagora by camel and say goodbye to your traveling companion.   From Zagora, head back to the Atlas Mountains by minivan, with plenty of stops for photos and lunch. You’ll arrive at Marrakesh between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM and be taken to your hotel.

Travel between the 2 imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech with a Moroccan desert tour. On this 3-day guided excursion, discover the secrets of the Sahara desert. Day 1: Fes – Midelt – Merzouga You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Fes and head first to the fertile plains of Sais and to the cedar forests in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, then continue along the majestic Ziz River, where palms stand in fortified kasbahs. Drive to Erfoud through the oasis and continue on to Merzouga, where you’ll climb onto your camel and follow your guide for a stunning ride through the orange dunes. From the back of these animals, you’ll watch the sun set over the dunes. You’ll then spend the night in a desert camp, to experience the nomad life. If you select the upgrade on checkout, you’ll spend the night in a luxurious en suite camping set-up. Day 2: Merzouga – Tinghir, Dades Wake up early in the morning to watch the sun rising over the desert before breakfast. Your first stop of the day will be to Rissani, known for being the location of the mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco. Then, head to Tinghir on the route of the 1000 kasbahs, exploring the kasours and oases in the High Atlas mountain range. Take an hour to explore the Todgha River and admire this beautiful site and the canyons. Before lunch, visit the Berber village of Azrou with your guide to discover their traditional lifestyle. In the afternoon, you’ll drive to the Dades Valley to visit one of the oldest kasbahs in the region. You’ll then be dropped off at your guest house or hotel in Dades. Day 3: Dades – Kelaa Mgouna – Ouarzazate – Ait ben Haddou – Marrakech After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Kelaa Mgouna in the Rose Valley, a famous rose plantation. Visit one of the rose growers’ cooperatives and discover how the workers mix distilled rose water to create scents. Continue along the kasbahs to Ouarzazate, known as the “door of the Sahara”, often used as a filming location. Next you’re off to Kasbah Ait ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village. Explore this beautiful site with your guide and learn more about its Moroccan earthen clay architecture. In the afternoon, take the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the Atlas Mountains, where Berbers have been living for centuries. You’ll arrive back in Marrakech in the late afternoon.