Marrakech to Merzouga: The Route, the Stops and How Many Days
Tizi n'Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, the road of the kasbahs, Dades and Todra: what to see on the way to the Sahara and how to plan your days.
The road from Marrakech to Merzouga is about 560 km long and crosses some of the most beautiful landscapes of Morocco. Here is what you see on the way.
The High Atlas and Tizi n’Tichka
An hour after leaving Marrakech, the road climbs through Berber villages and walnut trees to the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 metres. In winter the peaks are covered in snow.
Ait Ben Haddou
The most famous ksar (fortified village) of Morocco, classified by UNESCO and used in films like Gladiator. Climb to the old granary at the top for the view over the valley.
Ouarzazate and Skoura
Ouarzazate is the ‘door of the desert’, with its film studios and the kasbah of Taourirt. Just after it, the palm grove of Skoura hides dozens of earth kasbahs.
The Valley of Roses and the Dades gorge
Kalaat M’Gouna is famous for its rose water. Then the Dades gorge, with red cliffs and the famous zigzag road, is the perfect place to sleep on the way.
The Todra gorge
Near Tinghir, the canyon narrows between walls of orange rock 300 metres high. A short walk inside is unforgettable.
Erfoud, Rissani and the dunes
The last part crosses the stony desert to Erfoud, the town of fossils, and Rissani, the old caravan capital, before the dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon.
How many days?
- 3 days: the classic, with one night in the Dades and one in our camp. See the 3-day tour.
- 4 days: more relaxed, with a full afternoon in Merzouga. See the 4-day tour.
- 5 or 6 days: two nights in the desert and the return through the Draa valley. See the 5-day tour.
If you continue to Fez after the desert, choose the 3-day Marrakech to Fez tour.
Ready for the Sahara?
Camel trek, a night in our camp or a private tour from any city: tell us what you dream of and we organise it.
