Yes, Ouarzazate is a popular starting point for desert tours. From there, the route passes through the Dades Valley, Todra Gorges, and Erfoud before reaching the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, typically in 1-2 days of driving.
Overview
Journey Through Time on a Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip
If you are based in Fes, taking a Meknes and Volubilis day trip is an absolute must. This excursion allows you to explore two incredibly distinct eras of Moroccan history in a single day: the ancient Roman Empire and the grandeur of the 17th-century Alaouite dynasty. It is a culturally rich journey through rolling olive groves and monumental architecture.
The Roman Ruins of Volubilis
The day begins by traveling back to the 3rd century BC. Volubilis is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through the ruins of this ancient Berber-Roman city, you will marvel at the remarkably intact floor mosaics, the towering Basilica, and the Triumphal Arch. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the reach and influence of the Roman Empire in North Africa. Afterwards, the Meknes and Volubilis day trip makes a quick stop at the nearby hilltop town of Moulay Idriss, one of the country’s holiest sites.
The Imperial City of Meknes
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Meknes, the imperial capital built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Often less crowded than Fes or Marrakech, Meknes boasts a more relaxed atmosphere. During the Meknes and Volubilis day trip, you will admire the magnificent Bab Mansour, widely considered the most beautiful gate in Morocco. You will also explore the Royal Stables and the massive underground granaries, learning about the immense scale of the sultan’s architectural ambitions.
Dades Valley
1 nightsDay 1: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Kasbah Amridil - Dades Valley
Our Desert trip from Ouarzazate starts at 8 AM to pick you up from your accommodation, or from the agreed location in Ouarzazate. The tour will begin by visiting the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou, a 13th-century fortified village declared World Heritage by UNESCO.an area of nice beauty as well, as we tend to stroll through its slender streets, as a curious truth, this place has been recorded in movies such as Gladiator and The Kingdom of Heaven. Afterward, we will continue our journey to the oasis of Skoura, where we will visit the kasbah of Amridil, a kasbah in perfect condition, where we will learn the meaning and use of these buildings. The next site to visit is the Rose Valley, going through the big Skoura palm grove, a beautiful place to contemplate more than 700.000 palms and numerous kasbahs that are built in the surrounding area. In this Valley, roses are raised for cosmetic use, such as the valued rosewater. The Rose Festival is held here annually in May; it is an important event for Moroccan culture. Finally, we reach the Dades valley, where we´ll spend the night.
Merzouga
1 nightsDay 2: Boumalne Dades - Todra Gorges - Jorf - Erfoud - Merzouga
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast in the hotel, drive back through the valley to see the amazing rock formation “the monkey toes”, and the still-standing 19thcentury Kasbah of Ait Yul. Leaving the Dades valley towards Tinrghir and after some stops on the way, we´ll reach the Todra Gorges. The scenery is spectacular. At the Gorge, you’ll walk under the 300m high red cliff, where many rock-climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport. Local people live in the area and can be seen in their adobe villages. After a short walk in the Todra gorges continue our trip to Erfoud and Rissani where we’ll have lunch and afterward we’ll leave for the village of Merzouga. overnight in the hotel next to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
(Camel Ride & Night in Sahara)
1 nightsDay 3: Merzouga - Hassi Labied - Khamlia - Nomad family - Fossil Site - Tour of the dunes - (Camel Ride & Night in Sahara)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, you will have a tour of the dunes on 4×4 allowing you to visit the black volcanic rocks of fossils, visit a nomad family living in a tent, visit Khamlia village, and entertainment of their spiritual music of Gnawa. Visit the lake Dayte Sarji that forms in springtime which attracts pink flamingos and wildlife. Then you will have a break for lunch in Merzouga or Hassi Labied. After lunch, you will see the canal irrigation system and have a walk on the oasis located on the foot of the dunes. In the afternoon get ready for a camel trek for an hour and a half to enjoy the sunset. While on the back of your dromedary, you will continue to the camp for an overnight in a traditional nomad tent. Dinner and spend the night in a bivouac in the middle of the dunes.
Ouarzazate
Day 4: Merzouga - Rissani - Nkob - Draa Valley - Ouarzazate
Breakfast, Lunch
Today the first risers are going to be ready to get pleasure from a spectacular sunrise within the desert. when breakfast, we are going to begin the way back to Ouarzazate through Rissani, the origin of the Alaouite the royal family that reigns Morocco, then we are going to undergo the Berber villages of Alnif and N’Kob and thru the Draa valley to Agdez, wherever we are going to have lunch. Then we are going to end the four days excursion from Ouarzazate to Merzouga desert. we are going to arrive in Ouarzazate late afternoon .the driver will drop you off in your accommodation or in any other location in Ouarzazate and it’s the end of our services.
Details
Departure Time 8 AM
Price Includes
- Private transportation during the excursion with 4×4 air-conditioning car or minibus
- 3 Nights Hotel Accomodation
- Professional English-speaking driver
- dinner and breakfast
- Camel Trip in the Sahara Desert and camel guide
Price Excludes
- Drinks and lunches
- Tickets to the sites
- Any Private Expenses
- Travel insurance
FAQ
The route features some of Morocco’s most spectacular scenery, including the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, the dramatic Dades Gorges, the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorges, and the palm groves of the Tafilalet region.
Ouarzazate is home to Africa’s largest film studios, Atlas Studios and CLA Studios, where major productions like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Game of Thrones were filmed. The surrounding desert landscapes provide a natural film set.
A 3 to 4-day trip is recommended to fully enjoy the route from Ouarzazate to the Sahara desert and back. This allows time for sightseeing at the gorges, a camel ride, an overnight desert camp, and the return journey without rushing.
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