About
Deep Desert
It is a highly scenic and atmospheric region with breathtaking sights such as gorges, stony desert, stunning earth architecture and peaceful palmeries, as well as the spectacular Saharan sand dunes.
The Moroccan Sahara offers far more than sand dunes. For visitors who find the time to travel to this area of great beauty and peace - we suggest a minimum of 5 days - the reward is an exciting mix of scenic gorges and valleys, dunes, beautiful oasis towns and a culture distinct from that in the north of Morocco. Many areas have a stunning backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, which you need to cross to access the desert from Marrakech, Taroudant and Fez.
The Sahara, the largest arid desert in the world, starts in Morocco with a mixture of sand and rock. It is a vast area, but one that is readily accessible from other parts of Morocco if a visitor has sufficient time to travel the vast distances involved.
The climate of this area varies a great deal due to its vast size and variations in altitude – much of it is mountainous - but a safe rule is that the deep desert is too hot for most visitors in June-September though cooler areas such as Skoura are more comfortable. The climate becomes more extreme as you go inland and further south.
Explore Deep Desert
Ait Benhaddou
Ait Benhaddou is 19 miles northwest of Ouarzazate on the west bank of the Wadi Mellah and the Ouarzazate river.
Erg Lihoudi/Erg Chigaga Desert Dunes
Erg Lihoudi dunes located 1.5 hours south from Zagora & Erg Chigaga 3 hours south of Zagora.
M'Hamid
M'Hamid lies 100 km south east of Zagora is the point beyond which there are no paved roads, and is of interest primarily for the moderate sized dunes of Erg Lihoudi and good quality desert camps in the dunes.
Merzouga
Merzouga is effectively the end of the road in Morocco's south east corner and is of interest primarily for the Erg Chebbi dunes, the most accessible large (160 metre high) sand dunes in the country.
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is the biggest town in the region and an ideal stopping off point midway from Marrakech or Taroudant en route to the Saharan Dunes at either M’Hamid or at Merzouga.
Skoura
The Skoura is an oasis town set just south of the High Atlas Mountains.
Todra Gorge
The Todra gorge is a highly rewarding diversion off the main Ouarzazate to Merzouga road; it is a narrow and spectacular gorge with a thrilling approach as the walls of the gorge close in around you.
Zagora
Zagora is reached via the magical Draa valley, a string of palmeries in a scenic mountain setting, stretching from Ouarzazate south east for around 125 kmLocation
The Deep Desert is a vast area that lies to the south east of the High Atlas Mountains.
The area is one of the most remote in Morocco and is a significant journey from any of the normal access points:
- Marrakech, the bustling centre of Morocco more than 5 hours to the north west;
- Fez, the fascinating Imperial city more than 7 hours to the north; and
- Taroudant, the medina town in the heart of the Moroccan south more than 5 hours to the west.
The main desert sand dunes are even further from these named places.
Places in the Region - Closer/ More Easily Accessible Parts:
- Ait Benhaddou (a UNESCO World Heritage site) - a striking fortified settlement (Ksar) under half an hour?s drive from Ouarzazate (off the Marrakech road). It houses some of the best conserved Kasbahs in Morocco and has been the backdrop to many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator (the film studios nearby are well worth a visit).
- Skoura - an oasis and peaceful palmeraie with many superb ruined Kasbahs around 45 minutes' drive to the northeast of Ouarzazate, and a good base from which to visit the Dades Valley.
- The Todra Gorge - east of the Dades Valley and Gorge and the "Valley of the Roses" and "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" - with stunning, varied and colourful landscapes with superb Kasbahs.
Places in the Region - Further/Remoter Parts:
- Merzouga - a village due east of Ouarzazate about 6 hours by road; it enjoys a fantastic setting on the edge of the impressive reddish gold Erg Chebbi sand dunes which rise to heights of around 160 metres.
- Zagora - the gateway to the desert about 3.5 hours' drive south of Ouarzazate along the dramatic Draa Valley; there are some lovely places to stay in the attractive palmeraie just to the south of the town. Nearby are small sand dunes at Tinfou and the larger dunes at M'Hamid are a further 80 minutes' drive.
- M'Hamid - the end of the road and close to the Erg Lihoudi dunes on the edge of the Sahara, accessible by picturesque routes through the mountains from Marrakech (about 9 hrs) or Taroudant (7 hrs)and Ouarzazate (about 5 hrs).
Things to do or see
The region has a wide range of interesting settlements - the oasis towns of the desert were historically the arteries for much trade in Morocco, providing routes into the rest of central Africa - beautiful oases and stunning desert landscapes to explore, with a number of opportunities to see dunes, trek or ride camels.
Places in the Closer/ More Easily Accessible Parts:
- Ouarzazate - the largest town of the desert and less than 5 hours from Marrakech. We recommend that you stay in the countryside or other towns nearby, such as near Skoura or Ait Benhaddou.
- Ait Benhaddou - a striking fortified settlement (ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage site) under half an hour?s drive from Ouarzazate (off the Marrakech road). It houses some of the best conserved kasbahs in Morocco and has been the backdrop to many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator (the film studios nearby are well worth a visit).
- Skoura - an oasis and peaceful palmery with many superb ruined kasbahs around 45 minutes' drive to the northeast of Ouarzazate, and a good base from which to visit the Dades Valley.
- The Dades Valley and Gorge - starting east of Skoura, including the famous "Valley of the Roses" and "Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs", with stunning, varied and colourful landscapes with superb kasbahs. The dramatic Todra Gorge lies further east.
- Agdz - a small town with an attractive palmery, situated under 2 hours' drive south of Ouarzazate or may be reached by a lovely drive via a relatively low mountain pass 4 hours' drive east from Taroudant.
Places in the Further/Remoter Parts:
- Merzouga (6 hours from Ouarzazate) enjoys a fantastic setting on the edge of the impressive reddish gold Erg Chebbi, sand dunes which rise to heights of around 160 metres.
- Zagora - the gateway to the desert (3.5 hours from Ouarzazate) along the dramatic Draa Valley; there are some lovely places to stay in the attractive palmery, small sand dunes at Tinfou and larger dunes at M'Hamid (80 minutes' drive).
- M'Hamid - the end of the road and close to the Erg Lehoudi dunes on the edge of the Sahara, (9 hours from Marrakech, 7 hours from Taroudant and 5 hours from Ouarzazate).
Itinerary Inspiration featuring Deep Desert
09 Medinas, Gorges & Desert
10 Marrakech, Desert & Fez
13 Grand Tour of Morocco
14 A Kingdom of Kasbahs
17 Ancient Cities, Desert & Mountains
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