7 Days from Agadir – Merzouga Desert Tour

you’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide to explore Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Founded in 1070 by the Almoravid Empire, Marrakech is known as the Red City due to its buildings constructed with red sandstone.

Your guide will take you through the old medina, where you’ll visit Bahia Palace, a historical monument and former residence of the grand vizier of Alaouite leaders. You’ll also see the ruined El Badi Palace, commissioned by Sultan Ahmad Al Mansour. The journey continues with a visit to the Saadian Tombs, a historic royal necropolis, and a walk through the narrow streets of the second oldest medina in Morocco.

In the medina and souk, you’ll explore the Tanneries of Marrakech and witness the craftsmanship of leatherworkers and metalworkers. The sightseeing tour of the old city concludes with a lunch in Djemma El Fna Square, known for its local food stalls and vibrant atmosphere. Afterward, you’ll explore the new parts of Marrakech by car, visiting the Majorelle Garden, designed by Yves Saint Laurent and featuring a diverse range of plant species. The tour ends with a visit to Kutubiyya Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech and a prominent landmark.

A private tour in the Merzouga Desert from Agadir will begin after breakfast at the residence hotel/riad, then depart from Marrakech, which is considered the fourth largest city in Morocco. It is one of the imperial cities and was the capital of the Kingdom.

The Almoravid Empire, known as the Red City, we will drive through the High Atlas Mountains, and it is also the first place we explore on our first 7 days private tour of the Merzouga Desert from Agadir, via Tizi-In Pass. Tochka is known as the second highest area in Morocco (2260 meters), where we can stop to take a break and enjoy the landscape of the towering Atlas Mountains.

We then continue our journey to the next place called Telouet, famous for its mud-brick Kasbah, which has a history of extravagance and treacherous ships. The Kasbah was built by Thami El Glaoui in 1860. He was one of the most famous pashas of the twentieth century and the master of the Atlas because he controlled the Kasbah by imposing taxes and keeping order.

For those caravans that wanted to cross the High Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech, the Kasbah is sometimes called Glaoui Palace, and today the Kasbah is a place for anyone who wants to visit it.

We continue our journey to the next Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou by driving through a huge Berber village until we reach Ait Ben Haddou. The Kasbah is a site that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The Kasbah is located on the top of the hill and offers a view of the Ounila River. Its houses are connected to each other within a great fortification wall. It also includes corner towers, a gate, and houses decorated with geometric motifs. The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is considered A stopover for caravans coming from Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as free time for lunch in the city.

After that, we will head to Ouarzazate, where we have identified the gateway to the Sahara Desert, which is also a city belonging to the Draa-Tafilalet region. It is an Amazigh city whose majority of residents speak “Berber” Berber, from its name in the Berber language, which means “city.” No noise.” Moreover, Ouarzazate is called the “Hollywood of Africa” because it is a prime tourist destination and one of the favorite places for filmmakers around the world, and if you are very interested we can visit the largest film studios in the region that attract international companies to work in.

The films that were filmed are “The Man Who Would Be King” in 1975, “The Last Temptation of Christ (1988),” “The Mummy (1999),” “The Gladiator” (2000), “Hannah 2011,” and others. In addition, our next site in Ouarzazate that we will visit is the Kasbah of Taourirt which was built in the 17th by a dominant local family, it is good to know that the Kasbah has an important location controlling the intersection of many river valleys because it was considered the desert trade routes in the 90s. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site historical attraction.

Continuing our journey, we head to the Valley of the Roses after driving through the picturesque palm grove of Skoura, which is home to over 700,000 palm trees and numerous kasbahs. The Valley of the Roses, also known as Kalaat M’gouna, is a central district with many villages and hosts a local market. On Tuesdays, the market focuses on livestock trade, while Wednesdays are dedicated to food and other goods. Kalaat M’gouna is renowned for its rose products, which are used in beauty, Moroccan cuisine, and the perfume industry.

The city also holds a festival in early May, celebrating the rose harvest, featuring traditional Berber music, dancing, and the selection of Ms. Roses. In the afternoon, we proceed to Boumaln Dades, famous for its enchanting valley situated on a desert plateau at an altitude of 1500 meters. Known as the Figs Valley, it is a historic route for transhumance. We’ll take a short walk to explore the valley’s charm and visit Monkey Fingers, unique rock formations. 

we will begins with a drive back through the Dades Valley towards Tinghir and the Todra Valley. After approximately 1.5 hours, we arrive at Todra Gorge, a famous spot in the High Atlas known for its canyons and a large river.

We’ll admire the panoramic views of old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley and have the opportunity for climbing and hiking in the canyons. After exploring the gorge, we’ll have lunch in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the river.

Then, we’ll continue our journey to Merzouga Sahara, visiting Erfoud along the way, a city known for its fossils and popular among filmmakers for its desert landscapes. In Merzouga, we’ll meet camels awaiting us for a desert excursion. Before starting the camel ride, we’ll take a break and enjoy a cup of traditional Berber tea. The camel ride will take us through the golden dunes of the Sahara, offering magnificent views.

As we approach the desert camp, we’ll stop to witness a breathtaking sunset from the top of a dune, creating one of the highlights of the trip. After a delicious dinner at the desert camp, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to and participate in local music around the campfire under the starry sky.

our first destination is Merzouga Lake, a seasonal lake that attracts migratory birds when it’s filled with water. We then proceed to Khamlia village, where we’ll visit a car museum along the way. In Khamlia, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the spiritual Gnawa music performed by local people from Sudan, Mali, and other Sub-Saharan countries.

Continuing our journey, we’ll reach Mifis Village, an old village established by the French during colonization and known for its mineral mines still in operation. We’ll venture into the black desert, characterized by volcanic stones, and make a stop at a mountain for a panoramic view. Next, we’ll visit a nomadic family living a traditional nomadic lifestyle and share a cup of tea with them.

Returning to Hassi Labied town, we’ll explore an oasis and a garden nestled beside the dunes. Here, we’ll witness the traditional irrigation system used by the villagers to bring water from the sand dunes to the oasis.

we begin by witnessing a breathtaking sunrise from a panoramic viewpoint. After enjoying breakfast at the camp, you’ll have the option to return to Merzouga Sahara either by camel or by a 4×4 Jeep. Having had an incredible experience in the Sahara Desert, we depart from Merzouga towards Rissani, the ancient capital of Tafilalet and the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty.

Rissani is a traditional Moroccan town, known for its veiled women and hooded men, and it was once a major caravan route and commercial center in the region, boasting a vibrant local market, or “souk.” Continuing our journey, we drive towards the Draa Valley, passing through Alnif for a coffee and restroom break before heading to N’Qob for lunch. We then proceed to Agdz, crossing the Draa Valley, which is famous for its extensive river stretching 1,100 kilometers and surrounded by stunning oases, Berber villages, impressive kasbahs, and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.

On the last day we start from your hotel in Ouarzazate and make our way to the first stop, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is perched on a hill and offers a stunning view of the Ounila River.

The kasbah consists of interconnected houses within a fortified wall, adorned with geometric motifs. It served as a stopping point for Caravan Serai from Sub-Saharan African countries. Continuing our journey, we visit Taznakht, known for its handwoven carpets and rugs made using traditional Moroccan methods.

These beautiful creations feature premium wool and Amazigh designs in earthy color palettes. Next, we reach Taliouine, renowned as the saffron-producing town of Morocco. We’ll visit a cooperative where you can buy saffron, the spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus. Our expedition then takes us to Taroudant, often referred to as the “Grandmother of Marrakech” due to its resemblance to a smaller version of the city.

Taroudant was once the capital of the Saadi dynasty and is known for its local crafts, jewelry, carpets, and leather goods. We’ll take a short walk through the town before heading back to Agadir.

It’s advisable to drink bottled water, avoid consuming unpeeled fruits or raw vegetables from street vendors, and ensure up-to-date routine vaccinations. Consult with a healthcare professional regarding specific travel health recommendations.

The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the official currency. While credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops, it’s advisable to carry cash, especially in more remote areas and markets where card acceptance may be limited.

Desert tours often include camel rides in the Sahara, overnight stays in desert camps, visits to traditional Berber villages, stops at iconic landmarks like Ait Benhaddou, and opportunities to witness stunning sunsets and sunrises amidst the dunes.

Imperial cities tours typically include visits to Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, and Meknes, each offering unique historical sites such as the Jardin Majorelle, the Medina of Fes, the Hassan Tower, and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.