A loop east from Ouarzazate that takes in both great canyons — the sheer Todra Gorge and the winding Dadès — plus the Erg Chebbi dunes, returning along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs.
Day by day
Your 5-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Ouarzazate, Aït Ben Haddou & Skoura
Start in Ouarzazate with Aït Ben Haddou and Taourirt Kasbah, then drive east to the Skoura palmeraie and Kasbah Amridil before overnighting near the Dadès.
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Taourirt Kasbah
- Skoura palmeraie
- Kasbah Amridil
- 2
Day 2
Dadès Gorge
Head up the Dadès Valley through the Valley of the Roses to the famous switchback road and the red-rock 'Monkey Fingers' formations, with a walk along the river before staying in the gorge.
- Dadès Gorge switchbacks
- Monkey Fingers
- Riverside walk
- 3
Day 3
Todra Gorge
Cross to Tinghir and the Todra Gorge, where canyon walls rise up to 300 m above a narrow oued. Walk the gorge floor among climbers, then continue east toward Erfoud.
- Todra Gorge (walls to ~300 m)
- Tinghir oasis
- Canyon-floor walk
- 4
Day 4
Erg Chebbi desert camp
Reach Merzouga and the orange dunes of Erg Chebbi, rising up to around 150 m. Ride camels to a tented camp, watch the sunset and sleep out under the desert sky.
- Erg Chebbi dunes
- Camel trek
- Desert camp & stars
- 5
Day 5
Return to Ouarzazate
Catch sunrise on the dunes, then drive the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs back west through Tinghir and the Dadès to Ouarzazate, with photo stops along the way.
- Sunrise dunes
- Route of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Return to Ouarzazate
Good to know
Practical notes
- Both gorges are short, flat valley-floor walks rather than hard hikes — good for most fitness levels.
- Todra is a noted rock-climbing destination; you will likely see climbers on the walls.
- Five days gives time for both canyons plus a desert night without rushing the driving.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between the Todra and Dadès gorges?
Todra is a narrow, sheer-walled canyon near Tinghir popular with climbers; the Dadès is a longer, winding valley famous for its switchback road and rounded 'Monkey Fingers' rock. Both lie east of Ouarzazate.
How tall are the Erg Chebbi dunes?
The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga rise to roughly 150 m, the tallest in Morocco — much higher than the dunes near Zagora.
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