Oases & Valleys · Full day
Dadès Valley & Gorges
The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and the famous switchbacks
Duration
Full day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French
From / person
$360
Overview
East along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the Dadès Valley — rust-red rock, the 'monkey-fingers' formations and the dramatic hairpin switchbacks that climb into the Dadès Gorges.
From Ouarzazate the road runs east past Skoura and El Kelaa M'Gouna to Boumalne Dadès, where the Dadès river has carved a canyon of red and ochre rock. We drive up into the gorge to the celebrated switchbacks — a tight ribbon of hairpins climbing the canyon wall — and walk a stretch by the river beneath eroded cliffs and the strange 'monkey-fingers' rock formations.
The valley floor is a chain of kasbahs and almond terraces; in late winter the almond blossom is spectacular. We stop for lunch with a gorge view and return via the kasbah road, a full and scenic day of southern Morocco at its most dramatic.
Trip highlights
- The Dadès Gorges switchback hairpins
- The 'monkey-fingers' eroded rock formations
- The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the valley
- A riverside walk beneath the canyon walls
- Almond terraces and mud-brick villages
- Lunch with a gorge view
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate
- 1
Morning · Ouarzazate → Boumalne Dadès
~120 kmEast along the kasbah road past Skoura and Kelaat M'Gouna to Boumalne, the gateway to the Dadès Gorges, with photo stops along the way.
— - 2
Midday · Into the gorge
Dadès GorgesUp the canyon to the famous switchbacks and the monkey-fingers rocks, with a riverside walk and lunch at a viewpoint.
L - 3
Afternoon · Return to Ouarzazate
Kasbah roadBack down the valley with a stop at a roadside kasbah and the rose-water town of Kelaat M'Gouna before reaching Ouarzazate by evening.
—
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 3 destinations.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
Pre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The door of the desert and the Hollywood of Morocco — kasbahs, film studios and the start of every southern road.
Open guide
Pre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Towering red canyons and switchback roads — the dramatic core of the kasbah route east of Ouarzazate.
Open guideHigh Atlas · M'Goun massif
Aït Bougmez Valley
The 'Happy Valley' above the kasbah road — a remote High Atlas sanctuary whose M'Goun traverse descends to the Dadès north of Ouarzazate.
Open guideThe route
Map of Dadès Valley & Gorges
5 stops across Oases & Valleys. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Ouarzazate
Start
- 2
Kelaat M'Gouna
- 3
Boumalne Dadès
- 4
Dadès Gorges
Switchbacks
- 5
Ouarzazate
End
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Vehicle (sedan, 4x4 or minivan) with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed accommodation in hand-picked kasbahs, riads or desert camps
- Daily breakfast and meals as noted in the itinerary
- All listed entrance fees and guided activities
- Pickup and drop-off at your Ouarzazate (OZZ) hotel or the airport
- Bottled water and snacks on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Ouarzazate
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal shopping
- Optional activities marked “add-on” in your quote
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (kasbah steps and earthen lanes)
- Layers — pre-Saharan nights can drop sharply, even in summer
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+ — the southern light is intense
- Modest cover-up for villages, mosques and shrines
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Can the Dadès be combined with Todra Gorge?
Yes — the two gorges pair naturally into an overnight loop (Dadès one day, Todra the next, sleeping in the Dadès valley between). Ask and we'll quote the two-day version.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a kasbah, change the start point — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Light walking on kasbah steps and earthen lanes, plus optional activities you can opt in or out of on the day.
When should I book?
For high season (Oct–Apr) and any trip involving the Sahara or the Rose Valley harvest, book 6–10 weeks ahead. Last-minute (under 14 days) is usually still possible with a phone call.
