3 Days Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga

Nicknamed “The Hollywood of Africa,” Ouarzazate is a striking desert city located at the meeting point of the High Atlas Mountains and the vast Sahara. Historically, a crossroads for African traders traveling to northern Morocco and Europe, it is today known for its unique architecture, film industry, and dramatic desert landscapes.

One of Morocco’s most impressive kasbahs, Kasbah Taourirt, was once the home of the powerful Glaoui family. It features more than 300 rooms and is built with traditional pisé (rammed earth). As you walk through its maze of courtyards, towers, and decorated ceilings, you’ll get a real feel for how Berber nobility lived in the 19th century.

Ouarzazate is home to two major film studios: Atlas Studios and CLA Studios. These have been used as backdrops for countless international productions, including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Game of Thrones, and Kingdom of Heaven.

The desert light, expansive landscapes, and traditional kasbahs make it a perfect location for historical and epic films. You can take a guided tour through the studios and see sets, costumes, and props.

Despite its fame in the film industry, Ouarzazate maintains a laid-back and authentic feel. Stroll through the quiet streets, sip mint tea at rooftop cafés, or visit the local artisan cooperatives to find carpets, pottery, and Berber jewelry.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Ouarzazate has a desert climate. It’s a pleasant place to stop and rest before heading deeper into the desert.

High Atlas Mountains & Tizi n’Tichka Pass

“The roof of North Africa” — that’s how many refer to the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco’s highest mountain range. Stretching over 700 km across the country, these mountains serve as a dramatic natural barrier between the fertile plains of the north and the arid Sahara desert in the south.

The High Atlas is home to traditional Amazigh (Berber) villages, lush valleys, terraced farms, and snow-capped peaks, including Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa at 4,167 meters.

Tizi n’Tichka, meaning “difficult mountain pass” in Tamazight, reaches an altitude of 2,260 meters (7,415 ft), making it one of the highest paved roads in Africa. This winding mountain pass connects Marrakech to Ouarzazate and offers jaw-dropping panoramas at every turn.

Dades Valley, The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs

Tucked between the rugged peaks of the High Atlas and the Jbel Saghro mountains, the Dades Valley is one of Morocco’s most breathtaking landscapes. Often called “The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” it stretches from Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades, winding through dramatic red rock canyons, lush palm groves, and ancient fortified villages.

This area is famous for its mix of natural beauty and cultural richness — a place where earth-toned kasbahs rise from green oases, and Berber families still live as they have for generations.

The Dades River has shaped the valley over millions of years, carving out stunning gorges, bizarre rock formations, and deep canyons. One of the most famous sights here is the Dades Gorge, where the road twists and climbs in a spectacular serpentine pattern, a favorite photo stop for travelers.

Along the way, you’ll see: Towering red cliffs dotted with kasbahs and ksars, “Monkey fingers” rock formations near Tamlalt village, Terraced fields of figs, almonds, and olives, Locals riding donkeys along narrow mountain trails, Traditional homes built from mud and straw, blending into the landscape.

The Dades Valley is home to Amazigh (Berber) communities known for their warmth, hospitality, and unique crafts. Many locals still practice farming, weaving, and pottery, offering travelers a genuine window into rural Moroccan life.

You might even be invited in for mint tea in a Berber house, or get a chance to learn how to bake traditional bread in an earthen oven!

Todra Gorge: Morocco’s Grand Canyon

Hidden in the eastern part of the High Atlas near Tinghir, Todra Gorge (also spelled Todgha) is one of Morocco’s most dramatic natural wonders. Carved over centuries by the Todra River, the gorge is a spectacular canyon made of towering limestone cliffs that rise to 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet) on either side, so narrow in places that only a sliver of sky is visible above.

Todra Gorge is a world-famous rock climbing destination, attracting climbers from around the globe. With more than 150 climbing routes, it offers everything from beginner-friendly walls to intense vertical challenges.

But even if you’re not climbing, walking through the gorge is an unforgettable experience:

A paved path follows the riverbed, where locals lead donkeys and children splash in the water. The temperature inside the gorge is refreshingly cool, especially during the summer heat. Along the edges, you’ll see palm groves, Berber homes built into the cliffs, and goats grazing above.

The Tinghir Oasis, just before the gorge, is a lush area full of date palms, pomegranate trees, and ancient irrigation systems. Many Berber families live in this region, and visitors are often welcomed with warm hospitality and a glass of sweet mint tea.

In this area, you can also: Visit local cooperatives that sell handmade carpets and woven goods, and hear stories of nomadic life in the surrounding mountains.

Merzouga & Erg Chebbi Dunes

At the edge of the vast Sahara Desert, Merzouga is a small desert village that opens the door to one of Morocco’s most iconic landscapes: the Erg Chebbi dunes. These golden, sweeping dunes rise to 150 meters high, stretching over 30 kilometers, a sea of sand sculpted by the wind and glowing under the changing light of day.

The dunes of Erg Chebbi are among the highest and most picturesque in Morocco. These dunes are a true Saharan landscape of soft, wind-blown sand, perfect for: Camel trekking at sunrise or sunset, when the light turns the dunes deep orange and pink, Sandboarding down the slopes for a bit of desert fun, and Stargazing with zero light pollution, the stars here feel close enough to touch.

This is the Morocco from dreams: endless dunes, star-filled skies, and the rhythmic sound of camel footsteps over soft sand. For many travelers, spending a night under the stars in a traditional luxury desert camp is the highlight of the entire trip.