Road Trip to Merzouga from Tinghir 1-day
In November 2022, we made a 16-day Road trip in Morocco going all around and driving over 2 500 km (in a Fiat 500! What an adventure).
Our trip started and ended in Fes, and we made a loop in order to visit this magnificent country. Our itinerary went through the main cities, the Sahara Desert, the seaside and the mountains of Morocco.
We personally rented a car at the airport and did the following: Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakesh, Imlil, Telouet, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Merzouga, Ifrane. However, you don’t need to follow it by the dot, you can use it to make your own plan.
Today we start in Tinghir where we will explore a palm groove. We will then take the scenic route through the Atlas Mountain and later head out toward the Sahara and Merzouga. At night, we will spend our first night in a luxurious tent in the desert.
Tinghir is also known as Tinerhir. It is a small town and the capital of this region. It has a lush palm groove with ruins of kashbah in it. It is also located next to the famous Todra Gorge.
Merzouga is a small Moroccan town in the Sahara Desert, near the Algerian border. It’s known as a gateway to Erg Chebbi, a huge expanse of sand dunes north of town.
In this article, we will tell our story going from Tinghir to Merzouga. So, if you too are planning a trip to Morocco, then let ‘s dive in Road Trip to Merzouga from Tinghir 1-day
Here is our complete video from this trip :
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
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Road Trip to Merzouga
Introduction
We had breakfast at 7h30. It was yummy. I then went to refuel the car down at Tinghir as there isn’t any station on the road we will be using. (485dh fuel et 5 tip).
There are 2 possible roads to get to Merzouga. One goes through the Atlas Mountain and takes longer but is breath-taking, the other is much faster and through the main roads. We opted for the scenic option.
But there is no fuel on this road, only some people selling it on the side of the road. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee it is only fuel, it can be mixed with water or oil.
So be sure to refuel in the total station in Tinghir which is the last one.
While I was refuelling, Tina went to make sandwiches. They even allowed her to use the kitchen.
Where to stay in Tinghir
- (€): Retour Au Calme
- (€€): Auberge Camping Atlas
- (€€€): Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge
We stayed at Auberge Camping Atlas and we loved it!
Palm Groove & Ksar
Once ready, we went for a walk in the palm groove where our accommodation was. We believe we kinda get lost as we ended up quickly going through the ruins of the Ksar and it didn’t look like a trail. We came out in the middle of the groove where there were lots of garden. There it was stunning, and we also found our way back to a trail.
We then checked out and paid what we owned for dinner and the room (560dh). We left 40dh tips there as the people where so amazing. We had a long chat with the waiter during dinner talking about the road through the Atlas.
Todgha gorges / Todra gorges
We were on the road around 10h30 toward the Todgha gorges. From where we stayed it was really not far. When we arrived, there were lots of tours van. We passed through them, and actually the gorge is huge, and tours only stay at the entrance while we went through them completely. It was breath-taking.
Road through the Atlas
We then followed the road to Ait Hani, Amellagou, Goulmima. This route was super scenic and totally worth the 2h more to reach Merzouga. This route goes through then Atlas instead of around.
We made a few stops to take pictures, stop for lunch where we were all alone.
We then reached the regular road out of the mountains toward Erfoud and then Merzouga.
Old water system
Along the way, we saw some strange formation on the side of the road. We stopped at bivouac chez Bachir to check what was that. There we where met by Bachir that explain us that there is an old irrigation system that can be visited. After negotiating with him we dropped the price from 50 to 20dh per person. It was interesting and we got to drink a tea as well.
The irrigation system is not used anymore and was built to bring water from the mountain to the desert.
Merzouga
Where to stay in Merzouga
- (€): merzouga activities camp
- (€€): Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- (€€€): Sunrise Sahara Camp
The camp where we stayed was Sahara Desert Luxury Camp. Our next article, will be the full review of this experience 😊
Reaching the camp
We hoped back on our car and were heading for 2 nights stay in a luxurious tent in the desert. As we were too late for the camel ride to the camp with sunset, we took the regular 4×4 transfer from the meeting point in Résidence Touristique Merzouga where a private parking is located.
Before that we just made a quick stop in a small store to buy toothpaste for 10dh.
At the meeting point, we met with Daan and Puck, a Dutch couple travelling 10 days in Morocco. We all hoped on the 4×4 towards the camp.
After a few minutes we were in the middle of the dunes, and quickly we made a stop to admire the desert and take some pictures.
Welcome drink
Another few minutes later we drove to the camp where we all had tea with biscuits and peanuts. There we started discussing and got to know better Daan and Puck who were super friendly.
Once the tea finished, we got to our rooms which are quite unique. And then went to watch the sunset over the dunes altogether. In the end, once nice part of our stay there was also to meet Daan and Puck.
Dinner
By 19h30, it was getting dark and much colder. It was also time for dinner in the main tent. It was a bit awkward has they separated us at the opposite of the tent. But we quickly came back to chat together.
Dinner was yummy. First some olives, followed by a barley soup and a tajine grilled cheese with tomatoes. Then the main dish was a mix of grilled vegetables, vegetables pastilla and some chicken for me meat eater. Dessert was a vanilla pudding.
End of the day
Once finished, we were invited around a fireplace next to the camp for some local music. At that time another couple from Italy was also there. They were from the next camp. There are quite a few camps next to one another.
We even were asked to play their instruments. What a disaster but it was fun. To finish the evening, we chatted some more before going to bed.
Note to Daan and Puck: if you ever read this article, get back in touch with us. We though we got your whatsapp number but no ☹ We would love to hear back from you
Road Trip to Merzouga from Tinghir 1-day
Day 1:
- Breakfast in Tinhgir
- Explore the palm groove and old Ksar
- Drive through the Atlas
- Discover the water system
- 1st night in the Sahara
ضرب الحديد ماحدو سخون Strike the iron while it’s still hot. (Take advantage of the opportunity before it passes you by)
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Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once? With this map, you get all our pins, destinations, things to see, where to eat and sleep, and so much more in one time.
