2-Day Tour from Ouarzazate to Merzouga: Skoura, Dades & Todra Gorges
Photos: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India, CC BY 2.0 · Rodrigo Silva, CC BY 2.0 · Maureen from Buffalo, USA, CC BY 2.0 · gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0 · Jon Lean from Bristol, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0
Overview
- Duration
- 2 days
- Starts in
- Ouarzazate
- Ends in
- Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is the natural starting point for the Sahara: from here, the road of a thousand kasbahs runs east between the High Atlas and the Jebel Saghro, past oases, gorges and earthen villages, all the way to the dunes of Merzouga. This private two-day tour follows that road at an easy pace. On the first day you visit the palm grove of Skoura, pass through the Valley of Roses and climb into the Dades Gorge for the night. On the second day you walk in the Todra Gorge, cross the desert plains past Erfoud and Rissani and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi for sunset and a night in the desert. The tour ends in Merzouga, ready to continue your journey. AT A GLANCE • Duration: 2 days, 1 night (plus the desert night at the end) • Start: Ouarzazate – Finish: Merzouga • Distance: about 370 km • Nights: Dades Gorge hotel; Sahara camp (included as the end of day 2) • Type: private tour with driver • Activity level: easy WHY THIS TOUR WORKS If you arrive in Ouarzazate by bus, flight or from a Marrakech day trip, this is the easiest way to reach the desert with the best stops on the way. WHO WILL ENJOY IT Independent travellers, couples and families heading to the Sahara. WHO MIGHT PREFER ANOTHER TOUR For a longer loop back to Ouarzazate, see the [4-day Ouarzazate to Merzouga Sahara loop](/en-US/morocco/ouarzazate/tours/4-day-ouarzazate-to-merzouga-desert-tour-a-sahara-loop-via-dades-and-zagora/7c218caf46b760fcc098931b). To discover Ouarzazate itself first, book the [Ouarzazate day tour](/en-US/morocco/ouarzazate/tours/ouarzazate-day-tour-kasbah-taourirt-atlas-film-studios-ait-ben-haddou-skoura-oasis/3ef3b0ce0392e15b60d63b2c). PRACTICAL INFORMATION Pack a small bag for the desert night. Bring warm layers for the evenings.
Free cancellation
Full refund if canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the experience (local time)
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Included
Everything included in your package
Luxury · Private7
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Private premium vehicle for the whole trip
- Professional English or French-speaking driver
- Charming riads, boutique hotels and luxury desert camp
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water and snacks during the trip
- Flexible departure times
Luxury · Shared6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Comfortable premium vehicle
- Professional driver
- Premium hotels or riads
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Standard · Private6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole trip
- Professional English or French-speaking driver
- Comfortable hotels or riads with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Standard · Shared6
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional driver
- Standard hotels or riads
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water during the trip
Itinerary
Your route
Tap a day to see it on the map
1
Day 1: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Kelaat M'Gouna – Dades Gorge
A short scenic day along the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Gorge. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 09:00 – Pick-up in Ouarzazate. 09:45 – Skoura palm grove and Kasbah Amridil (about 1 hour). 11:15 – Kelaat M'Gouna and the Valley of Roses (about 45 min). 12:30 – Lunch (not included). 14:00 – Boumalne Dades and the drive up the gorge. 15:00 – Rock formations ('monkey fingers') and the hairpin road (about 1 hour). 16:30 – Hotel in the Dades Gorge; dinner. INCLUDED: vehicle and driver, hotel night with dinner and breakfast. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, entrance fees, tips. WHAT YOU'LL TASTE Rose water and rose products in Kelaat M'Gouna; tagine dinner at the hotel. PHOTO SPOTS • The hairpin road of the Dades Gorge from the café at the top. • Kasbahs in the Skoura palm grove. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: the oases and gorges of the south.
Skoura
Duration: About 1 hour
A large oasis with kasbahs, including the 17th-century Kasbah Amridil. Practical: entrance fee.
Kelaat M'Gouna
Duration: About 45 minutes
The town of roses, with a festival in May. Practical: genuine rose water is cheap.
Dades Gorge
Duration: Overnight
A gorge with strange rock formations and a famous hairpin road. Practical: cool nights.
2
Day 2: Dades – Todra Gorge – Erfoud – Merzouga
Through the Todra Gorge and across the desert plains to Merzouga for a camel ride and a night in the dunes. SCHEDULE (times are estimates) 08:30 – Depart. 09:45 – Todra Gorge walk (about 1 hour). 12:30 – Lunch (not included). 14:30 – Erfoud fossils (about 30 min). 16:30 – Merzouga: camel ride into the dunes. 18:30 – Desert camp. INCLUDED: vehicle and driver, camel ride, camp night with dinner and breakfast. NOT INCLUDED: lunch, tips. WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY: the arrival in the Sahara.
Todra Gorge
Duration: About 1 hour
A canyon with 300 m walls. Practical: flat walk.
Erg Chebbi
Duration: Evening
Camel ride to a desert camp among the dunes. Practical: small bag only.
Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Child seats or chairs available
Cancellation policy
To receive a full refund for the experience, you must cancel at least 24 hours before it starts.
- If you cancel the experience less than 24 hours before it starts, the amount paid will not be refunded.
Help
If you have any questions about this tour or need help making the reservation, we will be happy to help. Just call the following number and provide the product code: 110964P11
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- Most travelers can participate in the experience
- This tour or activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour end?
In Merzouga, after the night in the desert camp.
Is the desert night included?
Yes, with dinner and breakfast.
Is it private?
Yes.
Can I continue to Fes or Marrakech?
Yes, ask us about a transfer or a longer tour.
Which meals are included?
Dinner and breakfast each night.