Zagora Desert

Desert Tour

Zagora Desert – 2 Days, 1 Night

Tour Itinerary

1st day: Marrakesh – Zagora

8 o’clock departure in a 4×4 from your Marrakesh hotel or riad.

We travel across the High Atlas Mountains and over the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260m). Enjoy spectacular views over the valleys and the Berber villages perched on the mountain sides, sometimes barely distinguishable from the mountains themselves.

 Having crossed the pass, we descend until we reach Ouarzazate where we stop for lunch. Afterwards, enjoy a glass of tea in the centre of town. After tea we cross another smaller pass, Tizi-n-Tinfifite, before reaching the head of the Dra’a Valley at Agdez. Here we go off-road along the ancient caravan route between the mountains and the river, passing many villages and gardens so that you can gain a better idea of the way of life along the oases. Upon reaching Zagora partake in a camel ride to reach the dunes from where you can watch the sunset. Dinner is in the dunes at the bivouac of nomad tents where you spend the night.

2nd day: Zagora – Marrakesh

If you get up early enough to see the sunrise, you will be rewarded by the wonderful play of shadows across the sand. After breakfast we return north, taking another short off-road route. From Ouarzazate, we leave the main Marrakesh road to reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. This Kasbah, the most famous in Morocco, has been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters and was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan routes, where traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. From there, we continue along the new and truly magnificent road to Telouet Kasbah, which belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family, and which now stands in ruins after the last Pasha fled the country following the departure of the French. The return to Marrakesh is along the main road, passing many Berber villages along the river and through the mountains. At times you come down into the valleys to drive alongside the river bordered by oleander and fruit trees. The gardens are full of olives, walnuts, pomegranates, apples, pears and quinces. Berber women and children tend goats and sheep and climb even the steepest slopes in search of fodder and firewood. We reach Marrakesh at the end of the afternoon.

Please Note: Prices for all of our tours include accommodation and access to historical sites.  Unless otherwise stated in the details of the specific tour, breakfast and dinner are included, however lunch and alcohol are not