Home > Day Trips> Day trips From Ouarzazate>Day Trip from Ouarzazate to Tinfou Dunes and Draa Valley
Day Trip from Ouarzazate to Tinfou Dunes and Draa Valley
| Tour Ref : | 1DTOTD |
| Duration : | 1 Day – 9 Hours |
| Tour type : | Private Tour, Family, Desert, Sahara |
| Tour start : | Ouarzazate |
| Tour end : | Ouarzazate |
| Highlights : | Anti Atlas Mountains, Draa Valley Oasis, Berber Villages, Kasbahs, Artisan potters |
| Price : | Prices according to number of people travelling in vehicle. |
Overview
This day trip from Ouarzazate to the Tinfou dunes reaches the Sahara and returns the same evening, so you can experience dunes, camel riding and the Draa valley without an overnight stay. It is the shortest desert option from Ouarzazate and works well for travellers on a tight schedule or anyone who prefers not to sleep in a camp.
The route crosses the Anti-Atlas by the Tizi n’Tinfifite pass, stops for tea in Agdez, then runs off-track through the palm groves of the Draa valley to the kasbah of Tamnougalte, visited with a local guide. At Tinfou, south of Zagora, you have mint tea and Moroccan pastries, time to walk on the dunes, sandboarding and an hour-long camel ride, followed by a lunch prepared by nomads and served in a tent. The return passes the green pottery workshops and old Quranic library at Tamegroute, following the ancient caravan road back to Ouarzazate. If you would rather spend a night at the dunes, see our 2-day M’hamid desert tour.
Day tour itinerary
Start your day trip from Ouarzazate by departing in a comfortable 4×4 air-conditioned car towards Dra’a Valley and the Tinfou Dunes, crossing the Anti-Atlas Mountains and Tizi-n-Tinfifite Pass. Along the way, enjoy stops at panoramic viewpoints to take photos, admire the vast palm tree groves of Dra’a Valley, and stretch your legs.
After a tea break in the town of Agdz, drive off-track via Dra’a Valley through palm tree groves, past adobe-built Kasbahs, and green oases. Take a walk through the green fields of Dra’a Valley before visiting Kasbah Tamnougalte with a local guide.
Continue south to Zagora and the Tinfou Dunes, where you will enjoy a welcoming glass of traditional tea and Moroccan cookies. Take a walk in the warm dunes, try sandboarding, and experience an hour-long camel ride around the Tinfou Dunes.
Enjoy lunch prepared by the nomads, relax in a nomad tent, and get a glimpse of the nomadic life in the Sahara Desert.
In the afternoon, visit the green pottery workshops and the Old Library in Tamegroute village. On the way back to Ouarzazate, travel along the ancient road of the caravans. Witness the spectacle of the sunset from a break in the peak of the mountains.
Your Tinfou Dunes day trip ends with a return to Ouarzazate.
Trip Highlights
- Reach the Sahara and return the same day, with no overnight stay required.
- Camel ride and sandboarding on the Tinfou dunes south of Zagora.
- Lunch prepared by nomads and served in a tent, with a glimpse of daily desert life.
- Kasbah Tamnougalte in the Draa valley, visited with a local guide.
- Tamegroute, known for its green pottery workshops and historic Quranic library.
- Anti-Atlas crossing by the Tizi n’Tinfifite pass, with panoramic photo stops and sunset on the return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really see the Sahara in one day from Ouarzazate?
Yes. The Tinfou dunes beyond Zagora are the closest true Saharan dunes to Ouarzazate, which makes a same-day return possible. The larger dune seas at Erg Chebbi and Erg Chegaga are further away and need at least two days.
How long is the day?
It is a full day, leaving Ouarzazate in the morning and returning in the evening after sunset. The drive is broken up with stops in Agdez, the Draa valley, Tamnougalte and Tamegroute.
What is included at the dunes?
Mint tea and Moroccan pastries on arrival, time to walk on the dunes, sandboarding, an hour-long camel ride and lunch prepared by nomads in a tent.
Is the tour in a 4×4?
Yes. The trip runs in an air-conditioned 4×4, which is needed for the off-track sections through the Draa valley palm groves.
When is the best time for this trip?
The best time to visit the Sahara desert is from September to May. Summer days at Tinfou are very hot, so early departures are essential in July and August. See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco, or browse other day trips from Ouarzazate.
BOOK TOUR
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Departure & Return Location :
- Pick-up; drop off at/from your Hotel
- Or at your accommodation : Raid, Airport
What's Not Included:
- Private Transport with A/C
- (4x4 or Minibus for Groups) with professional drive
- Driver/Guide-speaking tour assistant
- Car Fuel
What's Not Included:
- Drinks
- Lunches
- Flight Tickets
Have Any Question?
- Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
- +212671735677
- contact@gatetravelmorocco.com