Zagora and Draa Valley Day Trip from Ouarzazate with Lunch

A full day across the Sahara's edge without leaving Ouarzazate

A day trip from Ouarzazate to Zagora and the Draa Valley with a live guide, covering a scenic drive through the Anti Atlas, the historic library at Tamgroute, camel rides or walks at Tinfou sand dunes, and lunch in Zagora. The tour runs nine hours with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and admission fees included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zagora and Draa Valley day trip

• Pick up at hotel lobby
• Drive through Anti Atlas and Tizi-n-Tinifift pass
• Visit Agdez and Draa Valley palm forest
• See “Tomboctou 52 days” panel in Zagora
• Visit Tamgroute village and medieval library
• Explore Tinfou sand dunes
• Optional camel ride or walk on dunes
• Lunch in Zagora
• Return to Ouarzazate

The experience

You start with pickup at your Ouarzazate hotel and drive south through the Anti Atlas mountains via the Tizi-n-Tinifift pass. The road descends into the Draa Valley, where a palm forest stretches over 200 kilometers: one of Morocco's largest oasis belts. The valley floor is where Zagora sits, marked by the famous "Tomboctou 52 days" sign, a reference to the Saadian dynasty that ruled Morocco in the fifteenth century. Eighteen kilometers beyond Zagora lies Tamgroute, a small medieval town built around a library holding over 2,000 old Koran books dating back to the eleventh century. You'll walk through the village and see the collection itself.

After Tamgroute, the route continues to Tinfou, where the first sand dunes of the Sahara rise from the valley floor. Here you choose: ride a camel across the dunes or walk them on foot. Lunch happens in Zagora at a local restaurant before the afternoon drive back to Ouarzazate. The entire day runs nine hours, with the guide speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French and one additional language. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, and all admission fees are covered.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport from your hotel.
• admission to Tamgroute's medieval library.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Zagora.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• camel ride or sand dune walk at Tinfou (your choice).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ksour Voyages Day Tours

Is this one for you?The nine-hour day involves a full morning and afternoon of driving and walking, so it suits travelers with a moderate level of fitness and comfort with long hours in a vehicle. The pace is steady rather than rushed, with time at each stop to explore on foot.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Tamgroute library actually like when you get there?

Tamgroute's library is a medieval collection of over 2,000 old Koran books housed in the village itself, dating back to the eleventh century. You walk through the town and see the books as part of the stop.

Can I choose between a camel ride and walking at Tinfou, or is one of them required?

Tinfou gives you the choice: you can ride a camel across the sand dunes or walk over them on foot, whichever suits you.

How much of the day is spent driving versus at the stops?

The full day runs nine hours from hotel pickup to return. The drive covers the Anti Atlas pass and the Draa Valley route. Stops include Tamgroute's library, Tinfou's sand dunes, and lunch in Zagora, with time to walk or ride at each.

Does the tour include getting to Ouarzazate from my hotel, or do I meet somewhere else?

Hotel pickup in Ouarzazate is included. The driver collects you from your hotel lobby at the start and returns you there in the afternoon.

What's included in the lunch, and where does it happen?

Lunch is at a local restaurant in Zagora and is included in the tour price. The specific menu is not detailed, but it is a meal break before the return drive.