2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga & Erg Chebbi Dunes – Camel Trekking & Sleep in a Moroccan Desert Camp under the Stars

At 8.30 in the morning, the trip departs for the Dades Gorge, passing through the Oasis of Skoura, a collection of several deserted kasbahs nestled among palm trees. A must-see is Kasbah Amredhil, which is situated between the gardens and meadows. It has been exquisitely renovated and provides a realistic picture of living in such housing. Because of the depth of the walls, it remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter because it is totally composed of adobe, a great building material.

You continue on your route to the Valley of Roses, or Kelaa Mgouna. It is worthwhile to pause here and view the locally produced cosmetic items crafted from the valley’s profusion of roses. These goods are highly regarded and well-known worldwide.

You make a lunch halt in the stunning and perpetually verdant Dades Gorges. Millions of years ago, this region, which now forms the Dades Gorges, was occupied by marine life. Massive coral reefs were surrounded by a lot of sediment, which eventually compacted into a variety of sedimentary rocks, including limestone and sandstone. The area gradually rose above the surface of the sea, giving rise to the Atlas Mountains and the surrounding terrain, as a result of the earth’s crust gradually moving upward.

The journey continues via the Ziz Valley, renowned for the annual Date Festival, Erfoud, renowned for the millions of fossils discovered there, and Rissani, the location where the River Ziz vanishes. This was the location of the renowned desert capital, Sijilmassa, between the 14th and the 18th centuries. Using Sahelian caravans, fortunes were gained in the slave and gold trade. You can ride a camel in the Sahara in the afternoon. The dunes’ peak (250 meters) offers breathtaking sunset views.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at an opulent camp featuring a personal bathroom, exquisite Moroccan décor, and lamps – an unexpected extravagance amidst the peaceful dunes.

A stunning desert sunrise is the prize for early risers; this is a special time of day when the colors of the shadows are incredibly captivating. The route continues through the village of Tazzarine, which is mentioned in the movie Babel, to the Draa Valley. You make a lunch stop in NQob a little later.

The trip leads us close to Tansikht, where we cross the Dra’a River. From there, we follow the historic caravan route north, where we can observe and learn about the way of life in the oases, which are home to historic communities and enormous palm trees. Ask your driver to pull over just after the turn so you may marvel at the dinosaur footprints in the rock beside the road.

The oldest kasbah in the valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte, is located in Agdez, at the head of the Draa Valley. This historic stronghold is still inhabited by about 13 families. The Tizi-n-Tinfifte mountain pass, with its breathtaking rock formations, is traversed by the road leading back to Ouarzazate (1660m). Around 18:00, your excursion from Ouarzazate to Merzouga dunes ends.