4 Days Trip from Essaouira to Merzouga Desert

Overview

I’m not sure this product is for you, if you’re only looking for “exhausted and fast desert excursion”. But if you want to deeply escape, completely indulge and really explore a non-makeup Moroccan desert and live a local Berber lifestyle experience we’ll be here to guide you and to travel like a local with you.

While you are riding for this excursion you will pass through some most fabulous places and sites of the southern east of Morocco. first we’re going to stopover in Marrakech . Later you You will be driven via the spectacular piece of engineering Tizi n’Tichka and its pulse-racing series of switchbacks providing over more jaw-dropping views arriving to the hollywood of Africa.

The 2nd day will continue via a Thousands Kasbahs route to the gorgeous gorges of Dades and Todgha before arriving to the gateway into the golden dunes to discover the Berbers lifestyle in the Sahara desert where you’ll surely choose to drift off to sleep while watching the twinkling stars in mid of an awesome stretch of golden sand sea after dinner.

Wake by dawn to watch the sun starting its daily arc with a cool blue morning sky as it replaces the Sahara shadows just before becoming a glowing ball of fire. Leaving the desert to the struggling village of Taliouine and the African center of l’orrouge (red gold) or saffron, the most expensive spice via Alnif and the rambling Ksar of N’kob. Heading  back west to essaouira via Taroudant and Agadir.

Highlights

• Visit tree-climbing goats and explore Marrakech’s medina, Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa El-Fna, and Majorelle Garden. Drive through the Tizi N’Tichka pass to Ouarzazate, touring the Atlas Film Studio and Taourirt Kasbah.
• Travel through Rose Valley and Todgha Gorges to Erfoud, then ride camels into the Merzouga Desert for an overnight stay in a Bedouin-style tent.
• Witness a Sahara sunrise, visit N’kob and Agdez, and explore the UNESCO-protected Ait Benhaddou. Continue to Taliouine, known for saffron.
• Drive through the Jbel Siroua massif, visit historic Taroudant, and enjoy views from Agadir Oufla. Return to Essaouira via the Atlantic coast road.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Essaouira – Marrakech – Ouarzazate

Departing the brilliant whiteness of its lime-washed walls and the sight of women enveloped in voluminous Haiks. In about one hour drive we will jump out to enjoy a bizarre sight of tree goats’ phenomenon where you’ll be spellbound to snap some pictures  of cloven-hoofed goats onto the Argan trees. After that, we continue our journey to explore the rich history of Marrakesh that reflected in its various quarters. The medina, above which rises the minaret of Koutoubia Mosque, the emblem of the city, corresponds to the old town. Place Jemaa El-Fna, the hub of all activities, is its heart. Majorelle, The wonderful garden which is like a small paradise in the heart of the new town. At mid-day driving through the high atlas passing by the Tizi N’Tichka, which, at an altitude of 2260m (7417ft) this winding road runs through a landscape that is, by turn, arid, mineral-rich environments and fertile valleys. Pisé villages, in tons of red or grey, huddle at the foot of hillsides. Palm trees come into view, and a wide stony desert plain with tones of pink and beige leads to Hollywood of Africa (Ouarzazate) where we’ll explore the Atlas Film Studio where hundreds of films have been shot. On the other side of the town, Ouarzazate’s only historic building, the Taourirt Kasbah stands as a monument to Glaoui expansionism.

Day 2 : Ouarzazate – Dades gorges – Todgha Gorges – Arfoud – Merzouga Desert

From the noiseless city of Ouarzazate the road continues through the rose valley towards Kalaa M’Gouna in the heart of rose country. In the 10th century, pilgrims returning from Mecca brought ROSA DAMASCENA back with them to Morocco. These peppery-scented flowers have developed a resistance to the cold and dry conditions in which they are now grown.  Further into the interior of High Atlas some impressive gorges lead to the remote M’Goun valley which surrounded by fig, almond and walnut trees and poplars. About 15km from Boumalne stands the monkey finger mountain. The sweep of road taking us in sheer cliffs 300m (985ft) high rise up dramatically each side of the narrow corridor that forms the Todgha Gorges. After lunch, we take the road that bordered with many small craters- the tops of shafts down to Khettaras into Erfoud the land of fossils. The road leading to the Erg Chebbi Dunes, these photogenic dunes which rise up of the stony, sandy desert. You can store any baggage while packing an overnight bag to bring along. You’ll have the chance to ride your camel «ship of the desert» into the sandy seas. After hour-long camel ride you will be among the luckiest to watch the sun set over the Sahara dunes. Your stay for tonight will be a Bedouin style tent.

Day 3 : Merzouga Desert – N’koub – Agdz – Ait Benhadou – Taznakht –Taliouine

This Morning, you’ll rise with the sun to witness what we hope is a spectacular sunrise among the dunes, this is truly worthwhile and is what our Sahara tours are all about. After breakfast we head to Taliouine via Alnif and the rambling Ksar of N’kob with its prehistoric rock-carving sites and 45 mud-brick ksour make you stop by and stare. The name N’kob comes from a cave that once served as a lodging for nomads. Arriving to Agdez that means « place of rest » and it’s certainly worth taking a break here before continue our road to Ait Benhaddou, the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar that has formed the backdrop for many Hollywood movies production such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many others. Here you will also have time to explore the history of this amazing heritage. Later on, we drive towards the struggling village of Taliouine and the African center of l’orrouge (red gold) or saffron, the most expensive spice via southern Morocco’s capital of carpet and rugs.

Day 4 : Taliouine – Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira

From Taliouine back to Essaouira via Agadir, the road passes through a landscape of wild beauty. Plains covered with argan trees give way to the volcanic massif of Jbel Siroua, which bristles with peaks and where geological folds alternate with rocky plateaux. Arriving to Taroudant which is considered to be one of the most elegant purely Berber towns of Morocco with its majestic, tawny-brown and honey-gold circuit of 7km walls. While you stroll and linger around, note the distinctive, highly beautiful blue veils that many of older local ladies put on. Leaving the capital of Saadians to the hilltop ruins of the old Kasbah of Agadir Oufla that offer a stunning view of Agadir and the coast. Driving back to Essaouira via the Atlantic coast road.

Map