Desert & Sahara

Destination guides, day trips and practical tips for Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara.

Desert & Sahara

The Draa Valley: Palm Groves on the Way to Zagora

What the Draa Valley actually looks like, where it runs between Agdez and Zagora, and how this long palm grove corridor fits into Marrakech to Sahara desert tours.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Ouarzazate: The Gateway to the Sahara

What Ouarzazate itself offers beyond the drive-through: film studios, the Taourirt Kasbah, the Fint oasis, and how the town fits into day trips and multi day Sahara routes from Marrakech.

4 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass

What the drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass is actually like: altitude, hairpin bends, Berber villages, viewpoints, winter closures and how the crossing fits into a Sahara tour from Marrakech.

4 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Dades Valley and Gorges: The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs

What Dades Valley and its gorges actually look like, where they sit near Boumalne Dades, and how this scenic stretch fits into Marrakech to Merzouga desert tours.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Todra Gorge: Morocco's Most Dramatic Canyon

What Todra Gorge actually looks like, where it is near Tinghir, and how this dramatic canyon fits into multi day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tours.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Sahara Desert Photography: How to Capture the Dunes

Practical tips for photographing the Sahara near Merzouga, from timing sunrise and sunset light to simple gear and composition advice, with live overnight tours built around that timing.

4 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Stargazing in the Sahara: The Darkest Skies in Morocco

What makes the Sahara near Merzouga one of the best places in Morocco for stargazing, what to expect on a clear desert night, and which live overnight tours put you under those skies.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Khamlia and Gnawa Music: The Rhythm of the Desert

What to know about Khamlia village near Merzouga and the Gnawa music tradition performed there, plus which live Merzouga tours include a stop that can feature it.

4 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Visiting a Nomad Family in the Sahara

What a nomad family visit near Merzouga actually involves, who Sahara nomads are, and what to expect from tea, tents and a respectful short stop on a desert tour.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Quad Biking and 4x4 Rides in Merzouga

A practical guide to quad biking and 4x4 rides around Merzouga's Erg Chebbi dunes, covering the difference between the two, who each suits, what a typical outing involves, and live tour options.

4 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

Sandboarding in Merzouga: Surfing the Dunes

A practical look at sandboarding in Merzouga's Erg Chebbi dunes, how it is typically offered alongside quad bike and camel trek tours, who it suits, and what to expect and pack for a session.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026

Desert & Sahara

The Best Time to Visit the Sahara in Morocco

A decision guide to choosing when to visit the Sahara near Merzouga and Zagora, comparing spring, summer, autumn and winter trade-offs for different kinds of travellers.

5 min readUpdated 16 October 2026