Our most recommended things to do in Ouarzazate

From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

1. From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Sleep beneath the desert stars at a Berber campsite on an unforgettable dunes experience from Marrakech. Visit UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses, and Tinghir. Stop at traditional Berber villages around the Todra Gorge and trek with a camel through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco Day 1: Marrakech - TinghirYour shared 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning. Head to Ait Benhaddou through the Tizi Ntichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains. Make many stops along the way. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which also served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters. Continue to Ouarzazate and Kasbah Taourirte before lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Tinghir via the Valley of the Roses before you reach your hotel located in Tinghir. Dinner and overnight.  Day 2: Tinghir – MerzougaAfter breakfast at your hotel in Tinghir, your journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbah to the Oasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to Todra canyons After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café (at your leisure), continue early in the afternoon to Erfoud, famous for its date market, and a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tombouctou. Continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape. Upon arrival at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes, meet your camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing dunes with the sunset on the horizon as a backdrop. Reach your Sahara Desert camp, nestled in the middle of nowhere just before darkness. After some time to admire the dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a campfire. Late at night, enjoy Berber music with the local hosts playing drums Day 3: Merzouga – MarrakechAfter an early breakfast and a camel ride back to the main road, meet your driver and head back to Marrakech. Enjoy lunch on the road as you pass the Valley of Roses, and continue through the high atlas mountains to Marrakech. Finish your desert tour in Marrakech around 8 PM.

From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

2. From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a three-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ouarzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel and sleep at a desert camp under the stars.  Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Dades Begin your journey by crossing the High Atlas Mountains past one Berber village after another to the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou. This village is famous for its kasbah and fortified village and has been used as a set for some famous Hollywood epics and magazine photo shoots. After some leisure time, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara. Continue to Boumalne Dades, admiring the scenic drive along the Dades Valley, where you can enjoy dinner and rest for the night at Kasbah Amazigh or Hotel Chems.  Day 2: Dades - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga Following breakfast, depart your hotel and drive to Tinghir and its dramatic Todgha Gorges, pausing for some free time to explore the canyons. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe and continue to Merzouga to meet your camel caravan. Experience the Erg Chebbi dunes on camelback and watch the sunset set. Reach your desert camp before nightfall and enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars. Local nomads will provide entertainment and show you how to play the traditional Tam Tam drums. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.  Day 3: Merzouga Ouarzazate - Marrakech Following an early wake-up to watch the sunrise before breakfast (optional), a driver will be waiting to pick you up for the transfer back to Marrakech. Stop halfway for lunch at a local restaurant. Get dropped off at your original departure point or Djemaa El Fna around 8 PM. You can also book upgrades for the night in the Bedouin camp such as the deluxe desert camp with a luxury private tent complete with an ensuite shower, bathroom facilities, and 5-star amenities. These upgrades need to be booked per person.

From Marrakech: Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou

3. From Marrakech: Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou

Discover local village, natural landscapes, and Kasbah Ait Benhaddou fortress on this day trip from Marrakech. Travel in an airconditioned van or car and stay connected with wi-fi access as you drive. Uncover movie-magic with a stop at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate.  Start your day trip with pickup from your Marrakech accommodation from 7-8 AM. Hop inside a spacious and comfortable vehicle and soak up the scenery as you travel into the Atlas Mountains. Immerse yourself in local culture with a stop at the small village ofAit Ben Barka near the hilly countryside of Toufliht. Explore the area with your driver and learn about the schedule sights for your trip. Have some free time for a break before crossing the the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Stop to capture pictures of mountain peaks on the pass from 7,415 feet above sea level (2,260 meters). Continue on to the Atlas Film Studios at Ouarzazate, the largest film studio in the world which famously featured in the TV series Game of Thrones. Spend some free time to visit the studios or to explore on your own. Take some pictures of the unique rugged local landscapes in the area. After the studio, you purchase lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area, with excellent prices and stunning panoramic views.  Finally, head to the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which is recognized as a UNESCO site and one of the most extraordinary kasbahs (fortresses) in Morocco. End your day of scenic views and memories by relaxing in your comfortable air-conditioned vehicle on your drive back to your hotel in Marrakech.

From Fes: 3 Days and 2 Nights Desert Trip to Marrakech

4. From Fes: 3 Days and 2 Nights Desert Trip to Marrakech

Take a multi-day trip through the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara desert departing from Fes. Admire the beautiful scenery, enjoy traditional Berber culture and cuisine, and visit a variety of charming villages across 3 days. Drive through a cedar forest and see the resident monkeys, before descending to the Sahara Desert. Arrive at the traditional kasbah at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Enjoy the beauty of the sunset on a camel ride across the dunes. At the Berber camp, dinner, gaze at the stars and spend the night in a tent. On the second day visit Merzouga, Tinghir and Ouarzazate. Head out on the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs along the ancient caravan route. This area has been a popular location for Hollywood films, such as The Last Temptation of Christ and Jewel of the Nile. Stop for lunch and a walk in Todgha Gorges and then travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in the Gorges or in Ouarzazate. On the third day, visit the town of Ouarzazate, including the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios – the largest and most famous movie studios in Africa.

3 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakesh with Luxury Camp

5. 3 days Sahara desert tour from Marrakesh with Luxury Camp

Day 1 : Marrakech – Ait ben haddou - Ouarzazate - Gorges of Dades pick you up from your Hotel in Marrakech at 7:30, and departure to Ait Benhaddou over the high Atlas Mountains; passing through the Tizi N’tichka pass (2260m), visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the Afternoon we will drive to Ouarzazate and stop near the atlas film studios for a photo then continue to the city center for a panoramic view of the kasbah of Taourirt. After that you will head to Boumalne du Dades for a night.Dinner and overnight in the Hotel Day 2 : Gorges of Dades - Merzouga Desert - Berber camp Departure in the morning to go even further in the desert to Merzouga, on the road you will visit the valley of the thousand Kasbah, Tinghir, Gorges de Todra, Erfoud, Rissani and the magnificent oasis of Tifilalte, to finally reach erg Chabi in Merzouga. You will take a camel ride to admire the sunset and then join the bivouac where you will spend the night under the clear sky and full of stars. DAY-3 Merzouga Desert - Ouarzazate - Marrakesh Today, get ready for an early Erg Chebbi sunrise camel ride before you meet your guide. Drive back to Marrakech through the Volcanic landscapes of the Anti Atlas Mountains to the village of Nkob. Once in Ouarzazate, feel free to ask your driver to stop at the film Studios if you wish. You can have lunch at leisure in the city center. Early in the afternoon, continue your drive crossing the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi Ntichka pass. Your Private 3 days desert trip from merzouga to Marrakech will end at Marrakech City mid afternoon. 8h Drive

From Marrakech: Ait Ben Haddou and Telouat Day Tour

6. From Marrakech: Ait Ben Haddou and Telouat Day Tour

Travel across the High Atlas Mountains to dramatic stone and mud-built fortresses known as kasbahs and fortified villages known as ksars on a tour from Marrakech. Travel with a local guide and driver to Telouet and Taourirt Kasbah as well as Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar. After a breathtaking drive through the High Atlas Mountains and over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 meters), your first sightseeing of the day is in Telouet. Telouet has one of the most grand kasbahs in Morocco. The site was once the palatial residence and headquarters of the powerful Glaoui tribe. Next, taking a secluded backroad, arrive at Ait Benhaddou. Inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco. The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. See the houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Join a guided tour of the ancient settlement, and be sure to walk up to the high point on the hill above the ksar for special views. Your final stop is in Ouarzazate at the Taourirt Kasbah, a former Glaoui palace and the main attraction of the desert oasis city. This 300-room fortress, in part restored, marks the junction of 3 rivers – Dadès, Draâ, and Ziz – as well as numerous caravan routes. Explore the palace and stroll around the kasbah's irregular streets before taking a final transfer back to Marrakech for drop-off.

From Marrakech: Zagora 2-Day Desert Safari with Food & Camp

7. From Marrakech: Zagora 2-Day Desert Safari with Food & Camp

Live the life of a Berber on a 2-day desert safari to Zagora and the Draa Valley from Marrakech. Experience the shifting sand dunes on the back of a camel, sleep under a canopy of stars, and follow in the footsteps of Hollywood royalty on a visit to the world heritage village of Ait Ben Haddou. Day 1: Marrakech - Zagora Following an early morning pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, drive across the High Atlas Mountains en route to Ouarzazate, where you will stop for lunch at your leisure. Continue to the oasis of Agdez, before driving through the date and palm trees of the Draa Valley. Marvel at the fortified Kasbahs along the way. Upon arrival at Zagora, meet your camel caravan and ride a camel over the sand dunes as you watch the sunset paint the desert sands. Then, transfer to your Sahara Desert camp just before dark. Settle into your private tent, and enjoy some free time to explore the surrounding desert scenery. Dinner will be served under the stars while your nomad hosts entertain you around a campfire with the beat of their tamtam drums. Day 2: Zagora - Marrakech Wake early to experience the magic of a desert sunrise (optional). Then, enjoy breakfast before climbing back into the saddle of your camel for the ride back to the main road. Here, your minibus will be waiting to take you on a scenic drive to the world heritage village of Ait Ben Haddou. Instantly recognizable as the setting of various Hollywood epics, it’s also a popular backdrop for photo shoots with international fashion magazines and agencies. Explore the Kasbah at leisure, with some free time for lunch, before the picturesque drive back to Marrakech.

Marrakesh: 3-Day Tour to Fez with Overnight Desert Camping

8. Marrakesh: 3-Day Tour to Fez with Overnight Desert Camping

Dive deep into the Sahara Desert on a 3-day trip from Marrakesh to Fes with accommodation included. Immerse yourself in the local culture and scenery as you visit quaint villages, spend a night in the desert, and embark on a camel trek through the dunes. Day 1: Marrakech - Tizi n'Tichka - Ait Ben haddou - Ouarzazate - Rose Valley - Tinghir Begin early in the morning with a pickup from your Marrakech hotel or the nearest meeting point. Drive east past quaint villages to reach the High Atlas Mountains. As you drive through the mountains, occasionally stop for scenic photos, stretch your legs, and have a quick cup of coffee. After driving through the famous Tizi Ntichka pass, stop at the Berber fortified village, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. See the filming locations of the Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and the Kingdom of Heaven as you spend about 2.5 hours exploring this famous UNESCO sight with a local guide (guide fees not included). Purchase a delicious lunch before continuing to Tinghir, driving past Ouarzazate, Skoura Oasis, Klaa Mgouna, and Dades. Reach your hotel late in the afternoon. Relax with dinner in Tinghir before retiring for the night. Day 2: Tenghir - Todra Gorges - Tinjdad - Erfoud - Merzouga DunesAfter breakfast, depart for the Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert in Merzouga. Pass through the many Berber villages scattered along the way, including Todra Gorges, Tenghir, Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud. Relax in Merzouga, then pack a small overnight bag to take on your camel trek across the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Arrive at a traditional Berber camp, leave the camels and walk to the highest dunes to watch the sunset. Spend the night in Berber nomad tents under the stars, listening to drum music in the middle of the Sahara.  Day 3: Camel trek - Sunrise -Errachidia - Medilt- Atlas Mountains - Ifran- Fes Get up bright and early to see the stunning sunrise over the desert. Enjoy breakfast before hopping back on your camel. Once your reach Merzouga, begin your drive to Fes crossing the Ziz Valley through Errachidia. Around midday, stop in Midelt to buy lunch. Continue to Fes via Ifran Imouzzar with its Cedar Forests and Berber towns, which are both famous as winter ski resorts for Moroccans. Your driver might spot some Barbary apes on the way and seize the opportunity to take some pictures. Arrive at Fes late in the afternoon and end your tour with a drop-off at your accommodation

3-Day Desert Tour to Fes Fraom Marrakech

9. 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes Fraom Marrakech

Explore Morocco's royal capitals of Fez and Marrakech on a 3-day guided tour. First day: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Dades (his 1st night at Kasbah Amajig) Start your tour with an early pick-up. Meet your driver at your hotel or riad in the morning before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. After a guided walk through the village, enjoy a leisurely lunch at Ait Ben Haddou. In the early afternoon, travel northeast to Boumalne Dades via Ouarzazate. Embark on a cruise along the Dades River against a spectacular sunset backdrop. Arrive in the Dades Valley and make a pit stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel, eat and stay overnight at Kasbah Amazy. The 2nd day: Dades-Merzouga Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Take the journey to Tingir along the 1001 Kasbah Road. It is an oasis where he has the opportunity to take an hour's walk along the river to Togga Gorge. Here you will have some free time to enjoy the scenery before lunch. In the early afternoon, hike to Merzouga, where a camel caravan awaits you. From here, take a camel ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes and enjoy a mesmerizing sunset. Arrive at a Sahara desert camp among the dunes before dark and enjoy a Moroccan dinner under the stars while listening to local nomads playing drums around a campfire. After the campfire, relax in your choice of standard or deluxe tent. Standard tents are basic accommodation, while private tents are subject to availability. Toilets are right in front of the door and you can freshen up in the common room. If you choose a luxury tent, you are guaranteed a private tent, located in a more secluded and scenic area that not only offers you extra comfort, but also a private tent with flushable western toilets, hot showers, and a sumptuous dinner and breakfast. Third day: Merzouga – Fes If you want to see the sunrise, have your host wake you up in the desert. After breakfast drive to Midelt, a small town in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, along the Ziz river with its stunning palm-lined oasis and fortified ksur (castle). This is my lunch break for the day. In the afternoon we continue over the Central Atlas Mountains to Fes. Notice the dramatic change in scenery. Snow-capped mountains, cedar forests, and lush vegetation contrast with the dry, rocky landscape of the rest of the tour. Marrakech to Fez desert tour ends in the evening and your driver will drop you off at your Riad or hotel in Fez.

Marrakech: Overnight Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou

10. Marrakech: Overnight Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou

Discover Ouarzazate and Zagora on this 2-day trip from Marrakech. Visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou fortress and admire stunning views of the Atlas mountains. Ride camel through the Sahara during the sunset. Savor a local dinner and breakfast and stay overnight in a tent at the Zagora dunes.  Day 1: Begin with early-morning pickup from Marrakech. Travel through the dessert sandstone city of Ouarzazate. Stop at the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, where you will have free time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the verdant Draa Valley, which is well-known for its amazing ksour and kasbah. Head to Zagora and make your way to the windswept dunes for a sunset camel ride. Make camp at a campsite in the Zagora dunes and enjoy a hearty dinner of local flavors. Day 2: Wake early morning for a typical Berber breakfast before watching the sunrise from the back of your camel in the dunes. Board the bus and take the road back to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

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Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 8,585 reviews

Beautiful experience! Travel by comfortable and clean minivan, with the kind and very nice driver Nourdine who makes stops for breakfast / lunch and toilet. Visit to the Kassar Ait Ben Haddou, a small town which has been the setting for some famous films. Last stop just outside Zagora to get on the dromedaries for the sunset walk of more than an hour accompanied by the Berbers. Once you arrive at the super-equipped camp with electricity, clean toilets and showers, tea will be served with Moroccan sweets. Abundant typical Moroccan dinner and after all together around the fire to sing, play and dance with the Berbers. You will sleep in an equipped and comfortable tent. Wake up early, have a hearty breakfast and walk to see the sunrise over the desert dunes. Return by dromedary (shorter) and then we leave for Marrakech with several stops during the journey. Thanks to the organization for the experience. Ps: in the winter period technical clothing is recommended

Perfect trip for first time travelers to Morocco, ideal to get a taste of the country outside the main cities. The trip will take you from the Atlas Mountains, through inner valleys and gorges to the very far desert. You will see a great variety of climates and landscapes changing before your eyes as you head toward Merzouga. Personally, we especially enjoyed Ait Ben Haddou, Todra and the magical experience of the camel ride at sunset and sunrise in the desert - a highlight of the experience, highly recommended! Our guide Ali was exceptionally friendly, kind and so insightful on all the aspects of the lifestyle, traditions and culture of the Berber communities. He helped us navigating through the souks and gave great recommendations along the way for future trips to Morocco. We were delighted to meet him and have him as our guide and friend for journey. We loved every stop along the way and wish it could have lasted longer. Until next time!

It’s a 3days trip, with one hotel stop before entering Sahara desert and one hotel stop more and less inside the desert, that also means, in winter (Feb. 2023) 2 nights without heating (but with warm water!) at freezing cold temperature. But the view over the endless red golden Sarah sand, long hour camel trekking as well as sand boarding reward all the trees we had, and made this trip an unique one, especially for those who didn’t do any desert trip before. The whole organization of the trip is perfect (picking up, transport, hotel, restaurants) and the guid (Houcine) is very nice and always helpful, he is at the same time also the driver during the whole trip. With his positive energy and his knowledge about his country, Houcine made this trip for us an unforgettable Morocco journey.

Great experience travelling through the High Atlas Mountains and to the desert. Our driver Ibrahim was a great guide, and we always felt that we got good guides at the stop offs and also decent spots for breaks and food on the drive. There is a lot of driving, but it is worth it for the views. Felt like we had plenty of time at Ait Benhaddou, which was one of the main things I was hoping to see, and the desert experience was incredible. We booked the luxury option, so got a tent of our own, and that was also such a unique special experience. The last day back to Marrakech was very long 10 hours, but with a good amount of stops, and it is necessary to see the desert within the 3 days.

Well organized and for a very reasonable price, highly recommend! It was 12 of us and we were driving in a spacious van, the guide was really friendly, be prepared that you will spend a lot of time in the car but its surely worth it, we stopped several times to enjoy the views, take nice pics, for food etc. Sahara was definitely the highlight of the tour but if you are travelling during the cold months, it can get pretty cold there. The tent though was really luxurious with a private toilet, shower and many blankets.