A full day from Ouarzazate along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs: Skoura’s palm oasis, the Valley of Roses at Kelaat M’Gouna, and the Dades Gorge’s hairpin road past the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations.
This full-day trip from Ouarzazate follows the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs into the Dades Gorge, Morocco’s most dramatic canyon drive: the rose-growing valley at Kelaat M’Gouna, the honeycombed cliffs above Boumalne Dades, and the hairpin bends that climb past the famous “Monkey Fingers” rock formations.
Few day trips from Ouarzazate get you this deep into the gorge and back in a single day. You’ll have your own private vehicle and driver-guide the whole way, with stops wherever you want them.
The Dades Valley cuts through the Atlas Mountains between Boumalne Dades and Msemrir, with a narrow paved road that climbs in a series of hairpin bends past pink and grey rock walls known locally as the “Monkey Fingers.” The valley is also Morocco’s main rose-growing region, celebrated each May at the Kelaat M’Gouna rose festival.
This is a long day of driving with the gorge itself as the highlight, so it suits travelers happy to spend most of the day in the vehicle for a dramatic payoff. If you’d rather explore on foot or continue east, ask us about combining it with an overnight in the Dades Valley or extending on to the Todra Gorge the next day.
Pickup from Ouarzazate airport or your hotel around 8:00 AM. Drive east along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, stopping in Skoura’s palm oasis to see some of the region’s oldest kasbahs.
Continue to Kelaat M’Gouna, the Valley of Roses, for a tea break and a look at the rose-water cooperatives. Arrive in Boumalne Dades around midday and stop for lunch (not included) with a view over the honeycombed cliffs of the Dades Valley.
In the afternoon, drive up into the Dades Gorge itself, climbing the hairpin road past the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations. Spend time exploring on foot before heading back to Ouarzazate, arriving around 6:00 PM.
How much does the Dades Gorge day trip cost?
Our private day trip from Ouarzazate starts from $115 per person, based on 2 travelers, including the private vehicle and driver-guide for the full day. Lunch and entrance fees are not included. Send us your dates for an exact quote.
Is lunch included?
No. We stop at a local restaurant in Boumalne Dades for lunch, paid locally, so you can choose what you eat.
How long is the drive?
About 300 km round trip from Ouarzazate into the Dades Gorge and back, roughly 10 hours including all the stops.
Can you pick us up at Ouarzazate airport?
Yes, we can meet you at Ouarzazate Airport (OZZ) or at your hotel.
Is this tour private?
Yes. You have your own vehicle and driver-guide, and we can adjust the stops and timing to suit you.
Can this be combined with an overnight in the valley or the Todra Gorge?
Yes, ask us about extending it to include a night in the Dades Valley, or combine it with our Todra Gorge day trip as part of a longer private tour.
