South of the Atlas Mountains, head off to discover the many faces of the desert! Along oueds and palm grove you’ll cross regs of dark rocks scorched by the sun. Further, travellers penetrate into the heart of a universe of golden sand and dunes. The desert extends as far as the eye can see, an ocean of light. For beginners or experts, a range of treks will bring you through the Moroccan desert’s most beautiful places!
“The person who travels without meeting others is not travelling, he is simply moving around”. Staying in a bivouac in the Sahara is an unforgettable experience…You will walk in the footsteps of the nomadic Sahraouis, the blue men of the desert, who divulge the secrets of their culture and their traditions to travellers eager to understand the desert and its inhabitants. During your stay with them, you will enjoy their hospitality, but also their cuisine: you’ll taste for example the famous bread that is cooked in the sand. The liveliness and convivial evenings in the desert give way to the silence of the night to be enjoyed under a tent or under the stars…
Discover our sample itineraries that will allow you to explore Morocco on a unique trip, depending on the time you have available…
From Marrakech, cross the Tizi N’Tichka to get to the Ouarzazate plateau whose atmosphere already announces the Great Moroccan South. Next head towards Zagora and M’Hamid along the Draa. Once the valley is behind you, you’ll enter the Hamada of the Draa where the desert of sand meets the desert of rock: the Sahara welcomes you! Around the ancient Iriki Lake, you’ll cross a mind boggling lunar landscape. Head to Saredrar, where you can take the caravan roads to the Berghwa plateau. After six hours of walking between oued and acacia, you will be at the foot of the great Ikhwa N’Blafaida dune where your bivouac awaits…
Next, take the trail that leads to Tazzarine. Off the usual tourist roads, the marvellous Skoura oasis is sure to enchant. Wander off into the dunes and immerse yourself in the daily life of the Berber villagers around you. For anyone dreaming of going on a camel safari, this is the perfect opportunity to test out your balance on the back of one of these peaceful creatures!
At last, make for the Tafilalet valley, between the rocky plateaus of the Hamada and the tall dunes of the Chebbi erg. In this ochre desert, the monumental dunes dance and change form at the whims of the wind in a spectacle of colourful light. The landscapes become wilder and wilder as you head further and further east.
A stone’s throw away from the Algerian border, M’Hamid and Merzouga are the best base camps for discovering the tremendous variety of landscapes that encompass the Moroccan Sahara. From Ouarzazate its will take about five hours of driving to get there.
Continue your discovery of our country and the preparation of your trip by exploring other articles in our travel guide dedicated to Morocco!
