In today’s post, I’m sharing the story of why I traveled to Morocco—and the adventure that is the Sahara Desert tour. The Sahara lies at the far eastern edge of Morocco, making it a bit of a trek from the country’s major cities. That’s why most travelers opt for the famous desert tours departing from Marrakech. The trek itself takes around nine hours one way, so most tours run for at least two days; I chose a classic 3-day, 2-night itinerary for the full experience.
Table of Contents
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are a massive mountain range stretching across North Africa, running from the Atlantic coast, past the Sahara Desert, and reaching all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The name of Atlantic ocean is also derived from the mountain range. The range is divided into the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, and Anti-Atlas, but if you’re heading from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert, you’ll need to cross the highest and most rugged section—the High Atlas.
Restaurant Barka Tizi
Our tour van left Marrakech early in the morning, making its very first stop at a tiny rest area called Barka Tizi on the climb up the High Atlas. It’s a little roadside café, perfect for a bathroom break. There were some adorable dogs wagging their tails energetically at the tourists—clearly hoping for snacks. In the end, they succeeded in getting cookie crumbs from a couple on our tour.
Mirador pueblo Beréber
As we continued winding up the zigzagging road, the tour van stopped again, this time in a small Berber village nestled in the mountains. I don’t remember the name, but even though it sits 1,600 meters above sea level and is far from any city, you could see signs of modern life, like electricity.
Life looked tough here, with not many options for earning a living. I got the sense that selling souvenirs to passing tourists is an important source of income.
Tizi n’Tichka panoramic views
A short drive from the village brought us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the N9 highway that cuts through the High Atlas. The colors of the mountains are fascinating—everywhere you look in Morocco, from cityscapes to wilderness, there’s this distinctive reddish hue.
Though the land is barren, wherever there are trees, you’ll find small villages. Meltwater from winter snows creates streams that support both the trees and the villages. And of course, more souvenir stalls—some pieces are said to be traditional Berber carvings, while others are generic African-style trinkets. None really caught my eye, but browsing is always interesting.
After leaving the viewpoint and climbing a bit higher, we finally reached the highest point of the N9 highway—at 2,360 meters above sea level. From there, the descent began, and as we crossed over to the southern side of the High Atlas, the landscape started to feel much more like the desert.s, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and desert-like—there’s a subtle but tangible shift in atmosphere you can almost feel.
Ait Ben Haddou
While the previous stops were scenic rest points, after about four hours’ drive we arrived at our first major destination: Ait Ben Haddou. This historic Berber village marks the gateway from the Atlas Mountains to the vast Sahara.
Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its striking earthen clay architecture—a well-preserved example of the traditional Berber fortified village known as a ‘ksar.’ The entire village glows in shades of ochre and brown, a look so unique it’s often used as a filming location for movies and TV shows—most notably HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Once, Ait Ben Haddou was a bustling stopover for traders traversing the old caravan routes toward the desert. These days, only a handful of Berber families remain and keep the traditions alive.
During our village tour, we visited a local spot where Berber culture and art were explained, complete with the proud display of the Berber flag—the cultural pride here is genuinely impressive.
We capped the tour at the village’s highest point, where the remains of an ancient fortress still stand. Climbing up in the searing desert heat—well over 40°C (104°F)—with barely any shade was tough, but the panoramic views from the summit were absolutely worth it. In the distance, you can spot both desert and mountains. If you visit, make the effort to climb; you won’t regret it.
Ouarzazate
A short drive from Ait Ben Haddou lies Ouarzazate, a city renowned for its traditional mud-brick buildings and impressive kasbahs (fortified homes or castles). Ouarzazate is also a hot spot for international film productions, hosting attractions such as Atlas Studios and the Cinema Museum—you might recognize it from movies like The Mummy.
One of the city’s main landmarks is the Taurirt Kasbah, located right opposite the Cinema Museum. We only had time for a quick photo stop, but it’s a worthy highlight for any visit.
Tinghir
Tinghir is an oasis town about 360 kilometers (224 miles) from Marrakech and was the first night’s stop on our Sahara tour. To be honest, there’s not much to see in the city itself, but the hotel—Hotel Bougafer—was better than expected. Despite an average Google rating of 3.7, I found it clean, spacious, and welcoming, with a pool to relax in.
The included meal was a satisfying Moroccan-style dinner, and best of all, they served beer—a real treat after a long day. Even if you come on your own, you likely won’t be disappointed.
Final Thoughts
Wrapping up Day 1 of the Morocco Sahara Desert tour, I journeyed over the majestic Atlas Mountains, explored the unique culture and architecture of Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, and ended the day swimming and dining in Tinghir. Honestly, it was a perfect day. Next up: on Day 2, it’s time to finally set foot in the legendary Sahara Desert—so stay tuned!
HDND travel
All around the world