The sun setting over the stony desert near Zagora, between low hills
5 days from Marrakech

Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley

A shorter road to the desert: over the High Atlas, through Aït Benhaddou and the palm groves of the Draa Valley, with two nights at a camp near Zagora.

Zagora desert
  • Duration5 days, 4 nights
  • Starts and endsMarrakech
  • How it runsPrivate car and driver
  • PriceOn request
The route

Where the road goes

Map of the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley route on satellite imagery of Morocco, with each stop marked
Each stop sits where it really is. The line shows the order of the stops, not the exact road.
Stop by stop
  1. Marrakech UNESCO World Heritage: Medina of Marrakesh (opens in a new tab)
  2. Tizi n'Tichka
  3. Aït Benhaddou UNESCO World Heritage: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ouarzazate
  5. Draa Valley
  6. Zagora
  7. Agdz
  8. Marrakech
Day by day

The plan

Driving times are approximate and include short stops.

  1. Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazate

    4 to 5 hours, with stopsOuarzazate

    You cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping for the views, then spend the afternoon at Aït Benhaddou with a local guide. The earthen village is on UNESCO's list, and people still live in it.

  2. Day 2: Ouarzazate to Zagora

    About 4 hoursDesert camp near Zagora

    The road follows the Draa Valley, a long ribbon of date palms and earthen villages. You walk through an oasis, stop for tea in a village and reach the desert camp by late afternoon.

  3. Day 3: A full day in the desert

    Little or no drivingDesert camp near Zagora

    A slow day at camp. Sandboarding, a camel ride at sunset, dinner by the fire with Berber music, and then the stars.

  4. Day 4: Zagora to Marrakech via Agdz

    About 5 hoursMarrakech

    You head back by a different road through Agdz, where rocky desert meets the mountains, with stops for photographs before crossing the Atlas to Marrakech.

  5. Day 5: Marrakech

    No drivingTour ends in Marrakech

    Your last day is free. Tell us if you'd like a balloon flight, a cooking class or a quad bike ride arranged.

The details

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights' accommodation, 2 of them at the desert camp
  • Breakfast every day
  • Dinner both nights at the camp
  • Private air-conditioned car with driver
  • Local guide at Aït Benhaddou
  • Camel ride and sandboarding
  • Evening by the fire with Berber music
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
  • Bottled water in the car

Not included

  • Flights
  • Lunches, and dinners outside the desert camp
  • Entrance fees not listed above
  • Optional activities such as quad bikes or buggies
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses
Questions

Before you book

How long is the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour, and where does it start?

The Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour lasts 5 days and 4 nights. It starts and ends in Marrakech, and the route passes through Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Draa Valley, Zagora and Agdz. Morocco My Trip runs it with a private car and driver, so your group sets the pace.

Where do you sleep on the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour?

On the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour you spend 4 nights on the road: night 1 in Ouarzazate, nights 2 and 3 at a desert camp near Zagora and night 4 in Marrakech.

How much driving is there on the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour?

Driving on the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour day by day: day 1, 4 to 5 hours, with stops; day 2, about 4 hours; day 3, little or no driving; day 4, about 5 hours; day 5, no driving. The longest drive is day 1, Marrakech to Ouarzazate. Times are approximate and include short stops.

What is included in the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour?

The Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour includes 4 nights' accommodation, 2 of them at the desert camp, breakfast every day, dinner both nights at the camp, private air-conditioned car with driver, local guide at Aït Benhaddou, camel ride and sandboarding, evening by the fire with Berber music, hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech and bottled water in the car.

What is not included in the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour?

Not included on the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour: flights, lunches, and dinners outside the desert camp, entrance fees not listed above, optional activities such as quad bikes or buggies, travel insurance and tips and personal expenses. Ask us if you would like any of these arranged.

When is the best time to do the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour?

The best months for the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour are March, April, October and November. The toughest months are January, February, June, July, August and December. In January: snow on the high passes; Tizi n'Tichka can close for a few hours.

How much does the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour cost?

The Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour is priced on request: Morocco My Trip quotes for your dates and your group. Send the enquiry form or a message on WhatsApp and we reply with a price, usually within a few hours and always within 24. A 30% deposit confirms the booking, and the rest is paid on the first day.

Can I change the Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour itinerary?

Yes. The Zagora Desert and the Draa Valley tour is a ready-made route, but you can add a night, skip a stop, start on another date or join it to another route. Tell Morocco My Trip what you would like and we send back the adjusted plan with its price before you confirm.

Make it yours

Change anything

Another night somewhere, a different start date or a stop you'd rather skip. Tell us and we'll adjust the route and send you a price.

Ask about this tour
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