The desert attraction

From Tinghir to Erfoud

The first place to stop off at is the town of Tinghir, departure point for 4-wheel drive expeditions across the desert. Built in terraces at the mouth of the Todra Gorge, Tinghir is overlooked by a mound
upon which stand the ruins of a former kasbah.

The Ziz Valley

Nearing Errachidia, Oued Ziz cuts its way through the limestone rock of its valley, hemmed in on either side by arid, russet coloured cliffs. The river carries its extraordinary abundance of emerald waters through a narrow strip of greenery, its banks shaded by apricot trees, lined with a succession of palm groves, and overlooked by ksours. On either side of the road, stand the wells used for digging and maintaining the “foggaras”,underground channels designed to capture water from the water table
to be used for irrigation purposes. The oued continues on its way southwards, where it nourishes the vast Tafilalet palm grove. The next stop, Erfoud, is Tafilalet’s great oasis, numbering over 700.000 date palms. The little town standing alone in a world of arid stone, is overlooked by a fortified tower (a borj) that affords unrestricted views over the Erfoud palm grove and the deser against which it stands. Take time off to sample the local speciality, kahlia, a mutton tajine garnished with eggs, onions, tomatoes and peppers, and flavoured with a blend of 44 different spices.

From Rissani to Merzouga

Crossing black desert, red dunes, and the blue waters of the highly improbable Dayt Serji, where shimmering flights of pink flamingos take to the air, we finally arrive in Rissani, the town that cradled the Alaouite dynasty. Stop and meditate a while at the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, the dynasty’s founder. The town used to be a major stop off for camel caravans, and much trading activity still goes on there today, thanks to its great souk. Filali leather is known for its quality; soft
and supple, it is manufactured from goatskins tanned with tamarisk bark. Further on, tarred roads give way to tracks, and the dunes of Merzouga appear in the distance. Red sand stretching as far as the eye can see, and an ever-changing landscape, blown by the winds and scorched by the sun’s rays. This is Erg Chebbi, a vast ensemble of dunes reaching up to 150 metres in height. Watching the sun rise or set over them is a truly unique experience. Trekking, bivouacking and expeditions on camelback are all on the agenda here, bearing you away to explore the Sahara and its timeless mystery.