Day 1: Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges
Departure is at 8:30 a.m. toward the Dades Gorges, with the first stop in the Skoura Oasis. Here, many grand kasbahs stand among the palm groves, some abandoned over time due to recurring droughts in the region.
You will visit the beautifully restored Kasbah Amredhil, an outstanding example of traditional adobe architecture. Built entirely from earth, its thick walls naturally regulate the temperature, keeping interiors cool in summer and warm in winter.
The journey continues to Kela’a M’Gouna in the Valley of Roses, where numerous shops display locally produced cosmetics made from the valley’s fragrant blossoms. While these rose-based products are popular throughout Morocco, the finest quality is found right here in the valley’s villages.
After lunch, an off-road drive offers a deeper appreciation of the surrounding landscapes and an opportunity to share tea with Berber nomads. You will also have time to explore the Dades Valley and its dramatic gorges on foot if you wish. The night is spent in a hotel or traditional kasbah, with the option of hiking into the hills to stay with a Berber family for a more immersive experience.
Day 2: Dades Gorges – Merzouga
Following breakfast, you travel to Tinghir and the impressive Todgha Gorges. A short walk through the canyon reveals towering vertical cliffs that rise steeply on either side, leaving only a narrow strip of sky above.
Your journey then heads southeast toward the dunes of Erg Chebbi, passing through Tinjdad and the Tafilalet Oasis near Erfoud—known for its annual Date Festival—and Rissani, historic home of the Alaouite dynasty, to which Morocco’s current king belongs.
Between Tinjdad and Erfoud, you may visit the remarkable underground irrigation channels, or “khettaras,” which carry cool water beneath the surface to reduce evaporation. In Erfoud, there is also an opportunity to see workshops where ancient fossils are crafted into decorative and artistic pieces.
Continuing east, you arrive in Merzouga, where the golden dunes signal the gateway to the Sahara. At the edge of the sands, you mount camels for the trek to your desert camp, where you are welcomed with mint tea and biscuits.
Dinner is served at the camp, followed by traditional nomad music and drumming around the fire. The luxury camp features private tents with en-suite bathrooms, providing comfort amid the vast desert landscape.
Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate
An early start rewards you with a spectacular sunrise over the dunes, as shifting light and shadows create a breathtaking display. You will have time to walk through the sands and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before breakfast.
The return journey to Ouarzazate follows the scenic Draa Valley, passing through Rissani, Alnif, Tazarine (featured in the film Babel), and N’Qob, where you will stop for lunch.
At Tansikht, you cross the Draa River and follow part of the ancient caravan route, exploring the authentic Draa Valley with its dense palm groves and centuries-old villages. Near Agdez, you can visit Kasbah Tamnougalte, the valley’s oldest kasbah, still home to several families who maintain traditional ways of life.
Rejoining the main road in Agdz, you cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tinfifite pass (1,660 m) before arriving back in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon. Your 3-day desert adventure concludes as your driver drops you off at your riad.
