A full day from Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley: the Tizi n’Tinifift pass, Kasbah Tamnougalt, the valley’s palm groves, Zagora’s famous “Tombouctou, 52 Days” sign, Tamegroute’s pottery and library, and an optional camel ride at the Tinfou dunes.
This full-day trip from Ouarzazate covers more of the Draa Valley than most day tours out of the city: the Tizi n’Tinifift pass, a real kasbah stop, the valley’s palm groves, Zagora, and the pottery workshops and Quranic library at Tamegroute, finishing with an optional camel ride at the Tinfou dunes.
Most day trips from Ouarzazate pick either the kasbah stop or Tamegroute, not both. This one does both, with a proper morning-to-evening schedule rather than a rushed there-and-back.
The Draa Valley is Morocco’s longest river valley and one of its largest palm groves. Zagora was historically a starting point for caravans crossing the Sahara to Timbuktu, hence the well-known road sign. Tamegroute is known for its Naciri Zaouia library of illuminated manuscripts and its distinctive green glazed pottery, made from clay found only in the area.
This is a long day of driving with plenty of stops, so it suits travelers who want to cover ground rather than move slowly. If you’d rather see the Draa Valley at a slower pace with a night in the desert, ask us about combining it with an overnight in Zagora or M’hamid instead.
Helpful reading: Marrakech to the Sahara: what the drive is really like
Pickup from Ouarzazate airport or your hotel around 8:00 AM. Drive south over the Anti-Atlas via the Tizi n’Tinifift pass, then down into Agdz for a tea break, the gateway to the Draa Valley. Continue through the palm groves to Kasbah Tamnougalt, a 16th-century fortress, for a look around.
Arrive in Zagora around 1:00 PM, home of the well-known “Tombouctou, 52 Days” road sign, once the start of the caravan route across the Sahara. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). In the afternoon, continue to Tamegroute to see the Naciri Zaouia’s illuminated manuscripts and the pottery cooperatives making the town’s distinctive green glazed ceramics.
End the day at the Tinfou dunes, where you can take an optional camel ride or try sandboarding as the light turns gold. Drive back to Ouarzazate, arriving around 6:30 PM.
How much does the Zagora & Draa Valley day trip cost?
Our private day trip from Ouarzazate starts from $110 per person, based on 2 travelers, including the private vehicle and driver-guide for the full day. Lunch, the camel ride 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 Zagora for lunch, paid locally, so you can choose what you eat.
Is the camel ride included?
No, it’s optional at the Tinfou dunes, paid locally on the day. Sandboarding is also available there.
How long is the drive?
About 340 km round trip from Ouarzazate to Zagora and back, roughly 10 to 11 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 desert?
Yes, ask us about extending it to include a night in Zagora or M’hamid, or combine it with our 3-day Sahara tour from Ouarzazate for the Merzouga dunes instead.
