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Desert dunes day trip from Ouarzazate – overview
Once in Ouarzazate, visiting the sand dunes is one of the most exciting and unforgettable experiences. This desert day trip takes you from Ouarzazate to the Tinfou dunes outside Zagora, travelling along the scenic Dra’a Valley. Once a route for caravans from the Sahara, the valley is dotted with lush oases and traditional houses. Look out for the caravan watch towers.
At the Tinfou Dunes, you will have an unforgettable camel ride. Lunch will be served in an authentic nomad tent, followed by a relaxing glass of mint tea and Moroccan biscuits. Other highlights of this trip include visiting the Quranic Library with its exquisite manuscripts and exploring the local green-glaze pottery cooperatives in Tamegroute, south of the dunes.
Zagora Desert and Dra’a Valley day trip from Ouarzazate – highlights
- Journeying through the breathtaking Anti Atlas Mountains and the scenic Tizi-n-Tinfifte mountain pass
- Discovering the historic Kasbah Tamnougalte and the Dra’a Valley with its charming villages and palm groves
- Experiencing a sunset camel ride across the stunning Tinfou Dunes, sandboarding, capturing epic photos
- A delightful lunch in an authentic nomad tent, followed by a refreshing traditional Moroccan tea and biscuits
- Exploring the historic Quranic Library and the unique craftsmanship at the local pottery cooperatives in Tamgroute
What is included in this day trip from Ouarzazate to Zagora
- Transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle; 4×4 Toyota Prado TX or deluxe van and fuel
- Pick up from and drop-off at your hotel in Ouarzazate
- Experienced local English/ French/ Spanish/ Italian speaking driver-guide
- Lunch in a nomad tent or pleasant local restaurant in Zagora
- A camel ride with a guide. And if you wish to do some sandboarding, just let us know
- Free time to explore sites, the valley, Berber villages, and for walks
- Entrance fees and local guide
- The opportunity to ask the driver to stop for breaks or visits whenever you wish
What is not included:
- Drinks
- Tips
- Extras
Good to know about this Ouarzazate day tour:
- This day trip from Ouarzazate can be customised to be more individual and special
- If you wish to visit the Sahara Desert with the big dunes, please visit Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga Desert Tour 2 days
- Here is a downloadable packing list to help plan for your desert day trip
- We offer a 25% discount for all children under 12, while, in any one family, one child below 3 can travel free of charge
- We require a 30% deposit of the total price to book the car, while the balance is payable to the driver or to us in the office in Ouarzazate
- We accept payment through PayPal, bank transfers in Europe, by credit card, or cash (USD, Euro, GBP, or MAD)
- These prices are liable to fluctuation according to the current exchange rate
- Our prices can be subject to an increase over the busy season, and, in particular, the Christmas and New Year’s Eve period
The Ouarzazate dunes tour – itinerary
You will be making a morning departure from your riad or hotel in Ouarzazate at 8.30. You will travel to Agdz, the northern end of the Dra’a Valley passing over the Tizi-n-Tinfifite mountain pass (1660m). As you descend the mountains, you will be captivated by the breathtaking views of expansive green oases and countless palm trees, marking the beginning of the stunning Dra’a Valley.
After a pause for a glass of tea or morning coffee, you go off-road a short way. This permits a clearer insight into the way of life here in the valley. On the way, you pass the gardens, oases, and kasbahs between the Dra’a River and the mountains. We continue to Zagora, the largest oasis in the Dra’a Valley, especially famous for its dates.
When you reach the Tinfou Dunes, you will be welcomed with a glass of traditional tea and Moroccan biscuits. Experience a camel ride and, if desired, try your hand at sandboarding. In the afternoon, enjoy a delightful lunch and unwind in a nomad tent, giving you an insight into the nomadic lifestyle of the Sahara Desert.
The return to Ouarzazate is first via Tamegroute with a visit to the fascinating Quranic library with an astounding display of exquisite Arabic manuscripts. A visit to local potteries is interesting to learn how local clay is worked. The green pottery produced here can be found all over the south, and even in the medina in Marrakech or Rabat.
On the way back to Ouarzazate, you will stop at Kasbah Tamnougalte for tea/coffee. This kasbah is the oldest in the Dra’a Valley and is still partly inhabited. Some parts are now crumbling as the Jewish inhabitants left to live in Israel. You could wander around and explore the Kasbah with a guide if you wish.
You will reach Ouarzazate at the end of the afternoon. Your desert day trip from Ouarzazate comes to an end around 18:00.
Map of Zagora desert day trip from Ouarzazate
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