A Tour through the Sahara, Draa Valley, Morocco shows you the mysterious and magical landscape of this African country. The desert of Morocco generates a feeling of going back in time, making you forget and disconnect from the rest of the world. Here, you will find a world of fortifications, small houses, Berber and Kasbah castles, forts abandoned by foreign legions… These were, some time ago, part of the camel routes between Marrakech and the great trading capitals in the Sahara desert.
The trip here is a beautiful experience. The road from Marrakech goes to the highest part of the Atlas forests, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, in the area known as Col de Tichka. Then comes the spectacular descent to Ouarzazate and its beautiful surroundings.
Things to do
The Draa River Valley
A breathtaking place of burnished sand and scorching desert, surrounded by a sea of green palms on both banks of the river. The Draa Valley is the most beautiful road in Morocco since ancient times, bright green and filled with date palms. The valley of the Draa River extends for over more than 100 kilometers, between Ouarzazate and the gates of the desert.
Caïd’s Kasbah
Formerly, this 170-year-old kasbah belonged to the local chief (qaid) of Agdz; today, it is run by his descendants. To get into the mud-brick building, go to the reception of Kasbah Caïd Ali next door. Inside, you can explore a maze of rooms in each of its three floors. Head to the rooftop to get the most breathtaking views over the nearby oasis.
Amezrou
A highlight on the village of Amezrou is the mellah (Jewish quarter), another mud-brick structure, and an important part of Morocco’s history. The mellah once comprised around 400 Jewish households. Today, part of the building is restored, but another part is crumbling; be careful around this area. Walk along its maze-like alleyways and you will surely find artisans working on good-luck charms. These metal charms come in African, Jewish, Muslim and Amazigh designs.
Musée des Arts et Traditions
This small museum is located in Zagora and exhibits the Draa Valley’s traditional life in its three stories. You will be fascinated with the tribal jewelry and wedding garments displayed. Besides, some small tea glasses are said to shatter only by touching poison.
All exhibits in the museum have perfect descriptions in English and French; however, you can take a tour with a local guide.
Erg Lihoudi
Erg Lihoudi is 100 meters high, and stands 8km northeast of M’Hamid, with the most easily accessible dunes. Since it is close to the Draa River, the dunes here have white river sand. There are usually many day-trippers in these dunes.
Erg Chigaga
Last but definitely not least, this incredible stretch of sand is the highlight of the Draa Valley tour. The dunes of Erg Chigaga extend for 40 km, making it the largest sand sea in Morocco. There are small camps hidden between the sand crescents; and thanks to this, the experience makes you feel isolated. Besides, when the sun sets, the stars shine one by one, until the Milky Way is almost completely visible.
How to get there
Different airlines fly daily to Marrakech Menara Airport, and from Marrakech, there are two CTM buses a day, along with three local buses. To get to Agdz and therefore the Draa Valley, you have to take the winding road from Ouarzazate to Zagora, possibly the most beautiful of all Morocco.
Although the Draa River begins in Ouarzazate, it remains invisible for 60 km, cutting its way through the earth’s crust. It is from Agdz where the river is discovered and the palm trees begin. This town marks the true beginning of the Draa Valley.
When to go
All year long, Morocco’s hot and dry weather seems to never go away. However, from March to May, and from September to November, the temperatures are more bearable, ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 32ºC (89ºF).
How long do I go for
Stay for at least 2 days to enjoy the highlights of the Draa Valley route and explore the Saharan Morocco.
Opening and Closing Hours
Caïd’s Kasbah
The Kasbah is open 24 hours all year long.
Musée des Arts et Traditions
From Tuesday to Saturday, the museum is opened from 9AM to 12PM, and then from 2PM to 6PM. On Sundays, however, it only opens in the afternoon, from 3PM to 6PM.
Closed on Mondays.
Planning
In Zagora, the Hotel la Palmeraie Oasis is located opposite the central bus station Gare routiere de Zagora. They offer rooms for 100 dirhams.
In Amezrou, La Fibule du Draa is a kasbah-style hotel standing on a date palm oasis. Room prices are around 500 dirhams per night. The hotel also organizes overnight and day excursions to the desert, either by camel or SUV.
Inside Information
Observing the immensity of the Moroccan desert is a unique experience. Many excursions offer you the possibility of visiting this arid area and even sleep one night in a tent. These are traditional nomadic shop tents where you can enjoy complete luxury and comfort. The buses that take you to Ouarzazate can be delayed en-route; besides, they take a long lunch break. Remember this to avoid arriving too late.
Entry Requirements
If you are from a country that needs a visa to enter Morocco, the Moroccan Embassy is usually the first port of call. They charge what would be UK £17 ($22) for a single entry, and £26 ($33) for double or multiple entries. Visas are valid for 3 months and can take from 5 to 6 working days to process.
Source by Gorden Cheng – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Local Laws and Customs
Since Morocco is a Muslim country, locals follow Islamic laws and customs. When you are here, avoid public displays of affection, especially outside main tourist areas and religious places. Besides, sexual relations outside marriage are punishable by law. If you travel with your partner, don’t be weirded out if your hotel asks you to show evidence of marriage.
Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and bars; however, drinking alcohol in the street and outside a licensed restaurant or bar can lead to arrest. Last but not least, homosexuality is a criminal offense in Morocco; avoid public displays of affection to stay safe.
Money
The local currency is the Moroccan dirham, divided in centimes (c). There are 10, 5, 2 and 1 dirham coins, along with 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c coins. However, the 10c and 5c coins are rare lately. Some hotels might accept euros and US dollars. Buses from Marrakech to Ouarzazate are 80 dirhams.
What to Buy
In Ouarzazate, you can find things cheaper than in Marrakech; here, you can also go souk shopping just like you would in Marrakech. At the town’s center, there are two western-like shops with fixed prices, although they can be pretty high. You can buy alcohol, including Judeo-Berber vodka and wine.
Source by Stefano Annovazzi Lodi on Flickr – Under Creative Commons license
Safety and Security
Crime
Ouarzazate is very safe but stay away from weird corners at night. There is almost no crime throughout the Moroccan south, but you can never be too safe.
Sexual Assaults
If you’re a woman traveling alone, be especially careful and take all precautions to avoid harassment and any unwanted attention from men. Draw less attention to yourself by dressing properly; always cover your shoulders and wear full-length skirts, and don’t even think of packing transparent fabrics.
Terrorism
Areas in which tourists gather the most have a higher risk of an attack; follow any advice from the local authorities to stay safe. Security personnel is often located in hotels and popular tourist spots.
Health
Check Morocco’s specific health advice on TravelHealthPro at least 8 weeks before your trip.
Natural Disasters
Minor earthquakes often hit Morocco; for safety purposes, make sure you know what to do before, during and after an earthquake
History
The history of the Draa Valley goes back thousands of years, as can be seen through rock art engravings and petroglyphs in its surroundings. But, above all, it is evidenced by Venus of Tan-Tan, a statue discovered in the Draa Valley back in 1999. Venus of Tan-Tan could possibly be the oldest human figurine ever found, dating back more than 300,000 years.
However, the origin of the Draa Valley’s inhabitants has not been investigated closely yet. The first reference to the Draa River found in historical times comes from Hanno, a navigator from Carthage, who lived around 550 B.C.
Websites
Other Nearby Attractions
Midelt, Errachidia and Merzouga
The cities of Midelt and Errachidia are your introduction to the mountainous terrain created by the Middle Atlas range. This fascinating landscape is the most beautiful part of eastern Morocco.
Merzouga, on the other hand, is a small village hidden in the sand, and it is one of the gateways to the Sahara. Explore the desert and its sea of dunes and palm trees on the set of trails that pass through Erg Chebbi. Here, in the middle of the desert, you will find one of the richest ecosystems in Morocco.
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