3 Days Tour from Marrakech to Zagora

Day 1: Marrakech to Zagora

Departure: Early Morning from Marrakech
Highlights: High Atlas Mountains, Tizi n’Tichka Pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Agdz, and Draa Valley

1. Tizi n’Tichka Pass

   • Depart early from Marrakech and begin the drive through the High Atlas Mountains, taking in the changing landscapes and beautiful Berber villages along the way.
   • Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest in North Africa at 2,260 meters, which offers breathtaking views and photo opportunities.

2. Ait Ben Haddou

   • Arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous ksar (fortified village) used as a film location for movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
   • Enjoy a guided tour through the ancient streets, exploring the mud-brick buildings and towers that make up this historic village.

3. Lunch near Ait Ben Haddou

   • Stop for lunch at a local restaurant with views of the kasbahs and the Ounila River, where you can try Moroccan cuisine.

4. Draa Valley and Agdz

   • Continue through Agdz and the Draa Valley, known for its impressive palm groves, kasbahs, and the winding Draa River. The valley is one of Morocco's most fertile and lush areas, creating a striking contrast to the surrounding desert.

5. Arrival in Zagora (Evening)

   • Arrive in Zagora, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara.”
   • Take a short camel ride to your desert camp at sunset and enjoy the beautiful desert landscape as the sky changes color.
   • Overnight in a desert camp, with dinner around the campfire and a chance to stargaze in the clear desert night.

Day 2: Explore Zagora and Surroundings

Highlights: Desert Activities, Tamegroute Village, Pottery Cooperative, Koranic Library

1. Sunrise and Breakfast

   • Begin the day early with a sunrise over the Zagora dunes, a beautiful experience in the calm of the desert. After sunrise, enjoy breakfast at the camp.

2. Visit Tamegroute

   • Head to the nearby village of Tamegroute, famous for its distinctive green-glazed pottery and as a spiritual center in Morocco.
   • Koranic Library: Visit the 16th-century Koranic library, which houses ancient manuscripts and religious texts.
   • Pottery Cooperative: Explore the pottery cooperative where artisans create the region’s signature green pottery, which you can buy directly from the source.

3. Free Time or Additional Activities

   • Return to Zagora or explore the surrounding desert area. Options for activities include hiking in the dunes, visiting local Berber villages, or resting at your accommodation.

4. Overnight in Zagora

   • Spend the night in a comfortable guesthouse or desert camp in Zagora, with a traditional Moroccan dinner.

Day 3: Zagora to Marrakech

Departure: Morning from Zagora
Highlights: Draa Valley, Ouarzazate, Taourirt Kasbah

1. Drive Back Through the Draa Valley

   • Start your journey back to Marrakech, passing again through the beautiful Draa Valley, with stops for photos and any last views of this lush oasis.

2. Ouarzazate

   • Arrive in Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Morocco,” where many international films have been shot.
   • Taourirt Kasbah: Visit the Taourirt Kasbah, an impressive fortified complex with labyrinthine rooms, formerly the residence of the Glaoui family.
   • Atlas Film Studios (Optional): If time permits, take a quick tour of the Atlas Film Studios, where movies like Lawrence of Arabia and The Mummy were filmed.

3. Lunch near Ouarzazate

   • Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ouarzazate before continuing the journey back to Marrakech.

4. Arrival in Marrakech (Evening)

   • Arrive back in Marrakech in the early evening, concluding your 3-day adventure through the mountains, valleys, and desert landscapes of Morocco.