4-Day Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga

Day 1: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Skoura, Kasbah Amridil – Valley of Roses – Dades Valley

We will start this route from the agreed location in Ouarzazate. Four days from Ouarzazate to the Sahara Desert. The first visit will be to the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a 13th-century fortified village declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A place of great beauty, as we will see when we stroll through its narrow streets. Interestingly, films such as Gladiator, Sahara, and Kingdom of Heaven have been shot here. We will continue our journey to the oasis of Skoura, where we will visit the Kasbah of Amridil, a perfectly preserved kasbah where we will learn about the meaning and use of these buildings. Now the route of the thousand kasbahs and the Valley of Roses will take us to the gorges of the Dades River with its spectacular terrain. Dinner and accommodation in a riad/hotel.

Day 2: Dades Gorges – Todra Gorges – Trafaoute – Ramlia – Ouzina Desert

After breakfast, we will leave the Dades Valley and head for the Todra Gorges. The Todra Gorges form a valley about 14 km long. At the end of the gorge, we will take a walk to enjoy its formations and steep walls.
We will now head south, joining the old Paris-Dakar Rally track until we reach the village of Ramlia and the Ouzina desert. Ouzina is a Berber village in a spectacular setting very close to the Algerian border. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3: Ouzina Desert – Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, we will visit the village of Ouzina, where we will see the communal oven, the village gardens, etc. Then we will try to locate an authentic nomadic family who travel across the desert in search of food for their animals. We will have tea with them and enjoy their way of life, which is so different from ours, and learn about the culture of the nomads and how they live in the desert. After this visit, we will head to Erg Chebbi in the Merzouga desert in our 4x4s, once again following the old Paris-Dakar Rally track.

Before arriving at the village of Merzouga, we will pass through the village of Khamlia, home to black people originally from southern Africa, where we will have lunch with “Berber Pizza” and listen to spiritual Gnawa music. Dromedaries will take us to our tented camp while we enjoy the impressive sunset over the great dunes of Erg Chebbi during the ride.

After a delicious dinner, you will have the opportunity to attend a traditional Berber music show while gazing at the starry sky in the breathtaking Sahara Desert. Overnight stay in a fully equipped traditional nomad tent.

Day 4: Merzouga – Rissani – Nkob – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate

Today, early risers will be able to enjoy a spectacular sunrise in the desert. We will get up early to watch the sunrise in the desert. After breakfast, we will begin our journey back to Ouarzazate via Rissani, the origin of the Alawite dynasty that rules Morocco. Next, we will pass through the Berber villages of Alnif and N’Kob and through the Draa Valley to Agdez, where we will have lunch. Afterwards, we will continue the excursion to Merzouga. We will arrive in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon, but it is also possible to arrive in time to catch your flight.