Merzouga is located in the east of Morocco close to the algerian border. From there you can enter the Sahara desert to the stunning, 150m high dunes called Erg Chebbi. Definetly something you shouldn’t miss during your journey in Morocco.
To travel to Merzouga the easiest way is to start from Marrakesh or Fès.
The tour while at east take 3 days, yet we recommend to take 4 or 5 days to really enjoy it. The drive there is very long and the different landscapes between Marrakesh and Merzouga worth a visit. Driving from Marrakesh you cross the Atlas Mountains on it’s highest point – Tizi n’Tichka. The road passes by beautiful berber villages living a complete different life up there. Right after the mountains lays the old Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. Known from different movies (as “The prince of Persia” or “Game of Thrones”) the old castle will put oneself a millennium back in time. The location, next to the stream, provided water for its inhabitants and a great defence in case of attacks.
Located shortly after Ait Ben Haddou is the city Ouarzazate, host of the world largest film studio. It has a museum to visit different stage settings. The road from Ouarzazate further to the desert is called the road of 1000 Kasbah as you find a lot of old ruins on the site of the street. Another highlight on the way is Roses Valley. The best place to get rose oil, which is used primarily for cosmetic products.
Your first stop of the trip will likely be in Dades Gorges. Located along the Dades river are a lot of small berber villages where hotels will over you tipaccly berber heartwarming hospitality and amazing home cooked food. The river turns the area in an oasis and for you into the perfect place to take a deep breath. Forget the world around you and get in touch with nature. Also an great place to start hiking trips from, as visiting nomads in their caves.
After at least one night in Dades you will make your way further to the city Tinghir. It is also located next to a river, which has its spring up in the mountains and turns the so called Todra Gorge into a meeting point for all people from the area. Small shops with moroccan artefacts and sweet mint tea will give you power for the last drive to the desert.
Arriving there you can choose your mean of transport (living or not) and make your way into the big dunes. Traditional tents are awaiting you to have an one in a lifetime experience spending the night under the stars. Listening to live music sitting next to a fire you can get in touch with the berber culture.
The drive back from there is possible in one day, therefore a time of at least 3 days is necessary. Yet we recommend to take your time in Dades and Merzouga to enjoy these stunning sites of Morocco. You can combine this trip with traveling further to Fès, making a trip all around Morocco or hike through the Atlas Mountains. Contact us for more informations and let us know what your perfect trip would look like.
PLEASE NOTE: Camels used for transportation are treated very well, which is checked regularly.
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Hiking Nomads Morocco 