“See Ouarzazate and die” are feelings often expressed by Moroccans with regards to this magical city that is the door to the Sahara Desert. Located just four hours from Marrakesh, Ouarzazate is the main Berber city in the south known for its spectacular sunsets and dramatic mountain and desert scenery. Surrounded by breathtaking valleys, Ouarzazate was once crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town and became the administrative center of the Zagora region. Ouarzazate is best visited on a Morocco Private Tour or a Day Trip for those who have a limited time in the region. Often considered a city that has been left behind, this Sahara town that is the door to the desert lays claim to various Berber people and tribes who came from different regions and settled there. Today Ouarzazate’s proud icon is one of the world’s largest solar plants.
Top 5 Things to Do in Ouarzazate, Morocco – Private Tour Excursions
Ouarzazate City Tour:
Enjoy a One-day Guided Tour of Ouarzazate with lunch in a Kasbah family home. Ouarzazate became famous when it’s nearby Kasbah; Aït Benhaddou appeared in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. This spellbinding quiet town is the perfect home base for exploring the southern region of Morocco which is comprised of ancient Kasbahs, the Oasis of Fint, the Atlas Films Studios, and Kasbah Taourirt.
Excursion to Skoura:
Enjoy a One-day Guided Tour of Skoura with lunch at a local guest house and views of the Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs. During the season of Almonds consider an excursion to Sidi Flah.
Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves that provide great views of the Atlas Mountains alongside deserted landscapes. It is renowned for the cultivation of roses. The palm groves were laid out in the 12th century by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its original inhabitants, the Berbers of the Haskourene tribe. The most beautiful kasbahs in southern Morocco can be found here. Many of them are still partially inhabited. Visit Kasbah Amerdihl, Kasbah Ait Abou, go for a Palmeraie walk, and see women weavers, potters, and local Berber Village life.
Excursion to Boumalne Dades Valley:
Enjoy a One-day Guided Tour of the Boumalne Dades Valley with Lunch at a Local Guest House and Views of the Dades Gorge.
Explore the Valley of Roses. En route go by pise to the region of Mount Mgoun and the Valley of Nomads. Visit and break bread with a Nomad family and see how cave dwellers have lived in this mountainous region for centuries, isolated from the outside world peacefully. Sip tea with the Nomads in this region of Bouthgrar before heading towards the magnificent Dades Valley and the region of the Dades Gorge.nce you reach Boumalne at first sight you notice the limestone cliffs with uniquely shaped erosions and superb scenery and the valley spice (windy roads). Driving along you will pass flower filled fields, fertile fields, riverbanks, and several fortified ksours.
Excursion to Todra Gorge:
Enjoy a One-day Guided Tour to the Todra Gorge, one of Morocco’s highest canyons with lunch in a Berber Village or a local Guest House.
Excursion to the Draa Valley & the Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine:
Meet a local Berber family, sip tea in the Saghro Mountains, and dine on couscous in the village of Ait Ouzzine. Learning how to bread bake in a traditional oven or on volcanic rock. Then explore and tour the village on foot. Walk in the green fields and see how the traditional Berbers live with their gardens of herbs, livestock, and henna plants. On return from Ouarzazate stop to visit Kasbah Tamnagoult and the dusty Sahara town of Agdz known for its market of dates.