The perfect desert escape for tight schedules. We leave Marrakech early, climb the Tizi n'Tichka pass and stop at the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou before descending into the Draa Valley, a 200-kilometer ribbon of palm groves and mud-brick villages.
At the edge of the Zagora desert your camel caravan is waiting to walk you into the sunset. Dinner, drums and a blanket of stars complete the night. After sunrise and breakfast we wind our way back with a stop for lunch at Ouarzazate — the "Hollywood of Africa".
Two days is short but the Zagora tour packs it well. Long drive, but the Draa Valley views make up for it and the camp dinner was delicious. Take the 3-day Merzouga tour if you have time — our guide was honest about that too, which I respected.
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