Travel guide
Ouarzazate: planning the onward journey to the desert
How Ouarzazate fits between the Atlas crossing, heritage visits and a desert stay. Compare the Foum Zguid and Draa Valley approaches.
What the name tells you
Ouarzazate is a southern Morocco travel gateway, associated with filmmaking and journeys towards valleys and desert landscapes. Staying in the city is different from sleeping among the dunes. Check the location of each overnight stop when reading a programme.
A tour described as “from Ouarzazate” should specify the meeting point, whether accommodation pickup is included and where the trip finishes. An airport arrival, a hotel pickup and a departure from the centre require different arrangements.
Choose the onward route
For our Foum Zguid departures, agree a road transfer to the meeting point before the desert stage. A journey through the Draa Valley towards Zagora and M’Hamid follows another approach. The final choice should follow the places you want to see and the time available, rather than the number of names in an itinerary.
| Your priority | Discuss before booking |
|---|---|
| A Foum Zguid camel trek | Transfer day and trek starting time |
| A Draa Valley journey | Valley visits and the overnight towns |
| A desert crossing | Different start and finish points |
| Return to Marrakech | Driving stages after the desert |
Allow space for heritage visits
Aït Ben Haddou can be considered as a separate heritage visit on a suitable route. Ask how much time is allowed on foot, whether a local visit is included and which other stops compete for the same day. A name listed between two long driving stages does not tell you how much visiting time remains.
Do not count the journey from Marrakech across the High Atlas as a desert day. On a short trip, fewer stops can give you more time to settle into camp and enjoy the morning before leaving.
Build a clear request
Tell us your arrival point, available nights, onward destination and whether walking or riding matters most. We can then discuss a transfer and desert programme together. Keep an onward flight separate from an unconfirmed off-road arrival time.
Sources and further reading
Geographic and cultural references used for this guide. Access, facilities and the final itinerary should be confirmed for your travel dates.
