Tucked away in the rugged Souss-Massa-Drâa region of Morocco, the desert city of Ouarzazate serves as the gateway to the Sahara. With its sun-baked sand dunes, looming mountains and lush palm oases, Ouarzazate provides the perfect backdrop for exploring the untamed beauty that lies beyond Marrakech. I always love descending into Ouarzazate (after scaling the Tizi n'Tichka Pass) and seeing the incredible desert scenery that stretches towards the horizon.
Centuries-old fortresses called kasbahs cling to the cliffsides, their earthen walls blending seamlessly into the desert terrain, while clusters of earthen homes called ksours sprout from the sands. Ouarzazate is an ideal base for exploring everything this area has to offer, including its filmmaking heritage.
On these highly-rated tours from Ouarzazate, you can hike through cinematic oases, ride camels across desert dunes and take a step back in time at centuries-old kasbahs. In my opinion, Ouarzazate is an essential destination for travellers keen to venture beyond the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to discover some of Morocco's most majestic landscapes.
This list of the best tours from Ouarzazate includes half-day, full-day and multi-day trips, perfect for incorporating into any Morocco itinerary.
For more information about Ouarzazate, including the best things to see and do, incredible kasbah stays and transport logistics, check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Ouarzazate.
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The Route of 1000 Kasbahs offers an unforgettable adventure, taking in majestic fortresses and captivating desert landscapes seemingly lost in time. Winding through lush palm groves overflowing with dates, the road passes flower-filled valleys exploding in a kaleidoscope of colour and monumental canyons carved over millennia. Ancient kasbahs emerge at every turn and the vistas are guaranteed to take your breath away.
This guided tour of the Route of 1000 Kasbahs takes in the majestic Dades Gorge, the flower-filled Valley of the Roses and the oasis town of Skoura. In air-conditioned comfort, you'll stop at highlights like the Mansour El Eddahbi dam, completed in 1971 to help green the desert through irrigation, and the mud-brick Kasbah Amridil, still inhabited by the Naciri family.
I still remember the first time I travelled through this part of Morocco - I was so overwhelmed by what I was seeing, I felt as though I was in a dream. While the Route of 1000 Kasbahs can be visited on a day trip from Marrakech, starting and ending in Ouarzazate means you’ll spend less time in a vehicle and more time revelling in the area’s immense beauty.
“Beautiful kasbahs along the road towards the breathtaking Gorges Dades. Bachir, our guide, was highly knowledgeable and made the trip into a superb experience. Highly recommended.” (read more reviews here)
Best tours from Ouarzazate
Just 12 kilometres outside the city of Ouarzazate is the Fint Oasis, which packs immense natural beauty into its palm-dotted landscape. It comprises four tiny villages clustered with earthen buildings that blend seamlessly into the terrain. Life moves slowly here, with locals living in harmony with nature as their ancestors have for centuries.
Meandering dirt paths wind through groves of date palms, which form a leafy green canopy that creates an ideal microclimate where plants and wildlife thrive. From tiny desert finches to lizards scurrying underfoot, Fint is a wonderful place to take things slow and really soak up everything around you.
The focal point of Fint is the life-giving wadi that flows through the mountains, bringing water and fertility. Hiking along its banks with the help of a local guide not only rewards you with incredible vistas but also insights into the local Amazigh culture. Despite the heat, there are plenty of shady rest spots to enjoy a picnic or a steaming cup of mint tea brewed the traditional way.
“A wonderful family day in the heart of the oasis! A great guide, attentive, with a very good knowledge of the fauna and flora. Very beautiful discoveries and great landscapes!” (read more reviews here)
Best tours from Ouarzazate
A rugged highway winds its way southeast from Ouarzazate into the breathtaking Draa Valley, formed over millennia by a river flowing from the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. This narrow ribbon of water has carved out a dramatic landscape of soaring cliffs, deep canyons and jagged rock formations in shades of red, orange and brown. As the road descends into the valley, it passes lush palm groves and tranquil villages clustered around life-giving oases.
Led by multilingual guides, this full-day excursion into the Draa Valley promises to be an unforgettable experience and can be tailored to your personal interests. Visit the oasis town of Agdz and Tinfou’s expansive dunes before saddling up for an hour-long camel ride through the rippling sands. After a poolside lunch in Zagora, take a leisurely stroll through a date palm grove before beginning the return journey north through the Draa Valley.
This highly-rated tour from Ouarzazate is all about getting off the beaten tourist track and exploring a part of Morocco where few other tourists venture.
“It's a must-do for anyone seeking a magical adventure in Morocco.” (read more reviews here)
Best tours from Ouarzazate
As the morning sun peeks over the horizon, set off on an adventure into the expansive Palmeraie de Skoura. For centuries, this fertile palm grove acted as a crucial intersection of trade routes linking the Sahara Desert with the imperial cities of the north. Caravans laden with gold, salt and prized ostrich feathers would arrive in Skoura after weeks of arduous travel and the cameleers would stop to rest and refuel.
Straddling sturdy mountain bikes, this active guided tour of Skoura will see you pedalling along winding dirt trails through the oasis, breathing in the earthy perfume of palm trees and desert plants. Cycle past local farmers busy at work and sip on sweet mint tea during a shady rest stop beside a burbling stream.
Throughout the adventure, your guide will share fascinating details about the local culture and the delicate desert ecosystem that allows the oasis to thrive. There is also the opportunity to visit the workshop of a local ceramicist to see Moroccan pottery being made firsthand. I absolutely love Skoura and think a leisurely bike ride is the perfect way to explore its oasis and rural life.
“This was a fantastic time! We learned so much about Skoura, the fascinating mixture of new and old lifestyles, witnessed the wonderful views of the valley, and had great conversation over tea after the bike ride.” (read more reviews here)
Best tours from Ouarzazate
While this three-day tour doesn’t start or end in Ouarzazate, it does pass through the desert city en route from Marrakech to Merzouga. The journey begins with a drive through the Atlas Mountains, stopping to take in the spectacular views from the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Continuing on, you’ll have time to explore Ouarzazate before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou. The first day ends in the Valley of Roses - one of Morocco’s most enchanting destinations.
Begin the following day with an excursion through the dramatic Todra Gorge before visiting the Amazigh villages of Tinejdad and the “Capital of Fossils”, Erfoud. In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, a gateway to the Moroccan Sahara. Embark on a camel ride to a traditional Amazigh encampment for a night under the stars - a truly unforgettable North African experience!
After waking to watch the sunrise over the Sahara (and maybe test your skills at sandboarding), it’s time to slowly make your way back to Marrakech. The last day includes stops in Kalaat M’Gouna before passing once again through Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains. If you don’t want to return to Marrakech, it’s possible to stop in Ouarzazate to spend a couple of days exploring the area.
“Incredible adventure. You will see so much of the country, outside of the cities. Very well organized and super friendly and hospitable hosts and guides.” (read more reviews here)
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About the author
I'm Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I've developed an intense love for Morocco, its majestic landscapes, storied cities and the incredibly warm hospitality of its people. As the owner and content creator of Malika in Morocco, I share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. I am passionate about helping others plan their Moroccan travel adventures to ensure they get the most out of their North African experience.