Drâa-Tafilalet

A desert-and-oasis region in southeastern Morocco, best known for its fortified villages, gorges and the Merzouga dunes.

The Drâa-Tafilalet region lies in southeastern Morocco between the High Atlas and the Sahara, and is the core of the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and of desert landscapes. The fortified village of Aït Benhaddou near Ouarzazate is a World Heritage site and a filming location for many films and TV series. The Dadès and Todra gorges are known for their red cliffs and oases. At Merzouga, you can ride camels over the Erg Chebbi dunes and stay in a desert camp to watch the sunrise, and the Draa Valley around Zagora is lined with endless date palm groves. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with scorching summers and cold winter nights. Ouarzazate and Errachidia have airports, and you can also drive over the mountain passes from Marrakech.

Destinations

• Ouarzazate
• Merzouga
• Zagora & Draa Valley
• Dadès Valley & Todra Gorge

Itineraries

• Marrakech-Sahara Dunes Round Trip – Cross the Atlas Mountains, pass kasbahs and gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend the night in a tented camp.
• Classic Imperial Cities & Sahara Loop – Head north from Casablanca to the Blue City and Fes, then cross the desert and gorges to Marrakech.
• Andalusia to the Sahara Crossing – Cross the sea from Seville via Tarifa, traveling through the Blue City, Fes, and the desert to Marrakech
• Draa Valley & Erg Chigaga 4x4 Adventure – Drive south along the Draa Valley to the end of the road, then take a 4x4 into the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga
• Marrakech City and Day Trips – Use the medina as your base for day trips to Ait Ben Haddou, Essaouira, the Ourika Valley and Agafay.