Marrakech to Merzouga: What You See on the Road

The road from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of the most popular journeys in Morocco. It crosses the High Atlas, runs through kasbah country and valleys of palm trees, and ends at the dunes of the Sahara.

It is a long way, so most travellers spend two days on it and stay one night on the road. Here are the main stops, in order.

Leaving Marrakech, the road climbs into the mountains and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass, one of the highest road passes in Morocco. The landscape changes quickly, from the plains to red rock and Amazigh (Berber) villages built into the slopes.

There are viewpoints on the way, and small cafes where you can stop for tea.

Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified village, or ksar, made of earth and set on a hillside by a river. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has appeared in many films. A walk up through the old lanes to the top gives a view over the valley.

Ouarzazate is often called the gateway to the desert. It has a large film studio area, and the Taourirt Kasbah in town is worth seeing for its decorated rooms. It is a practical stop for lunch or for the night.

Further east, the road passes the palm grove of Skoura and the Valley of Roses around Kelaat M’Gouna, where roses are grown and turned into rose water and cosmetics. The flowers bloom in spring, and that is the best time to see the valley at its freshest.

The two gorges are among the highlights of the road. The Dades Gorge has strange rock formations and a winding road, and the Todra Gorge has tall cliffs with a river at the bottom. Many travellers spend the night near one of them.

• Todra: a short walk between high rock walls.
• Dades: viewpoints and a dramatic road above the valley.
• Both are good places for a short walk before dinner.

After the gorges the landscape opens into a flat, stony desert. You pass the oasis town of Tinghir, then Erfoud and Rissani, a traditional market town on the edge of the sand.

The journey ends at Merzouga, where the Erg Chebbi dunes rise from the plain. Most travellers arrive in the afternoon, ride a camel to the camp for sunset and sleep in the desert. Sunrise on the dunes is the reward for an early start.

See our guide Before Your Sahara Trip for what to wear and bring.

• Start early each day. The drive is long and the mountain road is slow.
• Carry some cash for small purchases, as cards are not accepted in small places.
• Bring layers: it is cool in the mountains, hot in the valleys and cold in the desert at night.
• Do not rush the gorges. A short walk is worth more than another stop.
• Take motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to it, as the Atlas road has many curves.

We can build this route as a private tour, with the stops you prefer and the nights where you want to stay. Tell us your dates and we will suggest a programme and a price.