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To fully experience and discover the wonders of the Moroccan Sahara, the Morocco SM Tours organize his most popular three days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert. Different valleys of tourist fame, breathtaking canyon gorges and spectacular landscapes decorate the route. From Marrakech to Merzouga, passing by the road of the Thousand and one Kasbah and the Valley of the Roses, discover also several Palm groves.
These three days will take you to the dunes of Erg Chebbi. A night under the stars at the foot of the desert dunes will remain an incredible experience of your journey in Morocco.
Marrakech – Dades Gorges
Here are the milestones places you will visit during your three days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert.
This journey indeed, will focus more on the history and traditions of Morocco and will focus more on the discovery of different Kasbahs, and make you discover the Sahara experience.
An early departure from Marrakech by the National Road, this first day will be intense in discovery, in colors and in thrills.
The Tizi N’Tichka Pass
This pass peaking at 2260 m of altitude in the Moroccan High Atlas is the mandatory point to connect Marrakech to the Valleys of the South. Located at 100 km from Marrakech, this pass does count more than 800 turns.
The summits surrounding the pass rise to 3000 m and more, including the famous Mount Toubkal (4167 m), the highest peak in the Atlas and in North Africa. Closed in case of bad weather and snow.
The Valley of Ounila
Facing south on the foothills of the High Atlas, this pretty valley extends from Telouet to Ait Ben Haddou.
The Kasbah of Telouet, built between the 17th and 19th centuries, is composed of huge buildings. It was the former Palace of Thami El Glaoui (was the Pasha of Marrakesh from 1912 to 1956). Today it is abandoned, but open to visitors because the interior rooms still reflect the glamour of Moroccan craftsmanship of this palace.
The Troglodyte Caves of Tazleft, used by man as a shelter and storage of goods and salt from the region.
The Kasbah of Tamdaght with its gardens and its fortress, opens its doors to the visitores of this former residence of the Glaoui. It is also famous because it was used as a prison.
Kasbah of Ait Ben-Haddou
Ait Ben-Haddou is a World Heritage site since 1987 it’s an ancient fortress. Surrounded by walls, it is the typical example of a Ksar. Throned at the top of a hill, many houses built in red mud distinguish it. As well as its corner towers of protection. Unlike many other Ksour of the region, the one of Aïd Ben-Haddou is very well maintained.
Many films and feature films have been shot there such as: Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, The Nile Diamonds, and most recently Games of Thrones.
Ouarzazate
Considered as the “Gateway to the desert”, this city at the junction of the Dades and Draa Valleys.
The Kasbah of Taourirt, leaning against the Medina, was built in the 17th century. Restored and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the residence of the Pasha. It shows the luxury and the wealth of this lord of the past.
Fint Oasis, located 15 km from Zagora, is a palm oasis stretching over a few kilometres. Fint means “hidden” in Berber, hence the difficulty to access and discover it. Surrounded by small hills of black rock, the striking contrast is the reason for its choice by many film directors.
From Marrakech to Merzouga, the famous road of 1000 Kasbahs. It stretches from Skoura to Goulmima, 230 kilometres long. It is strewn with Ksars, old Douars, and authentic traditional Kasbahs. It follows the Dades and Todra Valleys, and the Valley of the Roses.
Skoura – Kelaat M’Gouna
The small village Skoura was built by Yacoub Al Mansour in the 12th century, surrounded by a palm grove in which many Kasbahs exist including the famous Kasbah of Amerhidil.
Built at the end of the 18th century is an ancient Zaouïa, a religious building in which the principles of Islam were taught. For the record, it appears on the old 50-dirham bills. Very well-preserved, both in terms of facade and interior, it contains a small museum on gold coins, manuscripts and traditional Berber costumes.
Kelaat M’Gouna, is a city famous for its Moussem (festival) of Roses (in May) and its production of cosmetic products based on roses (essential oil, water). At the crossroads of the rivers Dades and M’Goun, the Kasbah M’Goun overlooks the valley of the Roses. As far as the eye can see during the flowering season, roses, poppies, almond trees and oleanders cover the valley floor.
At the exit of the city, the Douar of Azlag sheltered the small Jewish community (left in the Sixties) has the origin of the famous Daggers of Azlag. Traditional manufacture still perpetuated nowadays – often bought by tourists throughout the Kingdom.
The Valley of Dades Gorges
In the your three days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert you will also visiting long of 30 kilometers, between the cities of Boulmane Dades and M’semrir, the valley of Dades Gorges which is in fact a chain. It spreads over 4 levels of gorges with different depths.
Its very winding road is its center of interest, by its many panoramic points of view on the Valley. Also, by its kasbahs hung on the mountainside. In starting points of many hikes, a guide is highly recommended. That for the discovery of these famous canyons of millennial formation.
From Marrakech to Merzouga, don’t forget to stop in front of the famous “Tamlat cliff”. Amazing geological creation at 9 km from Boulmane. According to your own perception, multiple forms will be offered to you. From monkey fingers to phalluses, passing by hat shapes.
Dades Gorges – Merzouga
- Tinghir
Starting with the city of Tinghir, a huge oasis of 30 kilometers in length, known for its palm grove. The three days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert will let you discover the city which contains the following treasures:
- The old district of Mellah located in the current district of Ait el Haj Ali near the souk Focani. It breathes the traditions of the past with its high houses in pise and its many craftsmen.
- The Kasbah Glaoui, built on the rocky promontory of the city, cannot be visited. However, the panoramic view overlooking the city from its ramparts is striking.
- The small museum of the Kasbah of Sheikh Basou Ou-Ali is full of past photographs of the Ksours along the caravan trade routes.
- Todra Gorge: the Grand Canyon of Morocco, 15 kilometers north of Tinghir, a road goes up this long gorge with steep red walls falling steeply into the wadi 300 meters high. It is necessary to arrive until the Source with the Sacred Fishes, so that the spectacle of this throat of reveals. According to a legend, a sacred source of hot water of the oued Toudra was formed following the striking of a rock of a thirsty man. From this water, fishes sprang up (nobody could sin them) and any infertile woman drinking it would be fertilized.
Paradise for hikers and climbers, with its 300 meters – beware however to be accompanied by a professional guide.
- Tinejdad : the Museums of the Oases and the Springs of Lalla Mimouna
Before leaving the road of the Thousand Kasbahs, the Ksar Tinejdad awaits us for the visit of its 2 museums:
- The Museum of the Oases: it aims to bring together a panel of elements on the Culture in the South of Morocco. Maps, photos, paintings and other antiques cover the themes of architecture, war, nomadic life, Islamic and Judaic worship, and the tribal system.
- The Art Museum of the Sources of Lalla Mimouna, is a set of 9 small private museums in an enclosure 10 km from Tinejdad. Gathering various objects and tools on the themes of the life of the desert, the Berber culture, the water, the calligraphy, etc.
Merzouga: Rissani, Gates of the Desert
35 kilometers from Erg Chebbi on the banks of the river Ziz, Risanni is often called the city Desert gates. Cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, still in power, this holy city offers several places to visit:
Visit Risanni
The Mausoleum Moulay Ali Cherif: funerary chamber created in 1666 for the founder of the dynasty who is the 7th descendant Hassan Addakhil, eldest son of Ali Talib and Fatima Zahra, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed.
Attention, the sacred enclosure and the mosque are prohibited to the non-Muslims, only the patio and its gangways are accessible to them. This patio is divided into 4 gardens representing the 4 seasons.
The Ksar El Fida, is an imposing Kasbah from the middle of the 19th century, housing since 2005 a museum with Berber carpets and other handicrafts from the daily life of the time. Note the set of portraits of the Alaouite dynasty in all the rooms.
At the entrance of the city, in the direction of Errachidia, consider stopping at the Ruins of Sijilmassa. Archaeological site on one of the cities founded in the 8th century, former capital of Tafilalet in the Middle Ages. Only two decorated doors remain of this city, a crossing point for the exchange of Sudanese gold with Europe since the 12th century.
Do not miss the splendid Palmeraie of Tafilatet which literally surrounds the city of Rissani.
Merzouga: Gateway to the Sahara Desert
After 4 hours of driving from the Dades Gorges, here rise like a mirage the Dunes of the Sahara. Located 50 kilometers from the border with Algeria, Merzouga is famous for its dunes, the highest in Morocco. Opening on the Erg Chebbi, an immense dune cordon of 27km long and 7km wide, Merzouga is designated as “the Door of the Sahara”.
How to discover theses dunes?
A camel ride of 1 to 2 hours, from the inns of Merzouga, with or without bivouac in Berber tent at the foot of the dunes. Enjoy a magnificent sunset, take a sand bath, taste a delicious Berber meal, celebrate. Get up at dawn with the sun and come back with beautiful images in your head.
On a hike or trek, with the help of a guide.
End of the three days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert.
The return to Marrakech. A long road of 9 hours passes essentially by the same sites Rissani, Tinghir- and Ouarzazate.