Introduction
Our 16-day Morocco road trip took us on a loop of over 2,500 km, starting and ending in Fes. Along the way, we explored vibrant cities, the Sahara Desert, seaside towns, and the Atlas Mountains—all in our little Fiat 500 (what an adventure!).
It was time to get from Tinghir to Merzouga. On this day, our journey started in Tinghir, where we explored the palm grove and admired the old kasbah ruins. From there, we drove through the scenic Atlas Mountains before making our way to Merzouga, the gateway to Erg Chebbi and its towering sand dunes. That evening, we spent our first magical night glamping in a Merzouga luxury desert camp under the stars.
In this article, we’ll share everything about this epic road trip from Tinghir to Merzouga—so if you’re planning your own Morocco adventure, let’s dive in!
Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary
Road Trip to Merzouga
Introduction
We started the day with breakfast at 7:30, simple but delicious, and then got everything ready for the long drive ahead. Before leaving Tinghir, I went to refuel the car—don’t skip this step. There are two ways to reach Merzouga:
- The faster main road, which is more straightforward but less exciting.
- The scenic route through the Atlas Mountains, which takes longer but rewards you with incredible landscapes.
We chose the scenic road, but here’s the catch: there are no proper gas stations along the way. You’ll see locals selling fuel in bottles on the roadside, but there’s no guarantee it hasn’t been mixed with water or oil. To be safe, always fill up at the Total station in Tinghir, which is the last reliable stop before the desert. For us, it cost 485 dh plus a small 5 dh tip.
Meanwhile, Tina went to make sandwiches for the road—the lovely people at our guesthouse even let her use their kitchen. Perfect road trip fuel before heading into the mountains!
Where to stay in Tinghir
- (€): Retour Au Calme
- (€€): Auberge Camping Atlas
- (€€€): Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge
Here are all your accommodation options in Tinghir
Palm Groove & Ksar
Before hitting the road, we decided to take a short walk through the palm grove where our accommodation was located. Somehow, we managed to get a little lost and ended up wandering through the ruins of the old ksar instead of following a clear trail. It didn’t really matter though—soon we were surrounded by lush gardens in the middle of the grove, and it was absolutely stunning. Eventually, we found our way back onto a proper path and made it out, feeling like we’d already had a little adventure before even starting the drive.
Back at the guesthouse, we checked out and settled our bill for dinner and the room (560 dh). The staff had been so kind that we left a 40 dh tip as a thank you. The night before, we’d had a long chat with the waiter about the road through the Atlas Mountains, which made us even more excited for the journey ahead.
Todgha gorges / Todra gorges
By 10h30 we were finally on the road, heading toward the Todgha Gorges. Luckily, from where we stayed it wasn’t far at all. When we arrived, the entrance was packed with tour vans and buses, all clustered in the same spot. But instead of stopping there, we kept driving through the gorge itself—and that made all the difference.
The cliffs towered above us, carved by centuries of water and wind, and the road wound tightly between them. It felt surreal to be surrounded by such dramatic landscapes, and once we got away from the crowd at the entrance, it was almost peaceful. Honestly, it was breath-taking and one of those moments that made us grateful we had our own car to explore at our own pace.
Check our Google Map of Morocco
Road through the Atlas
From the Todgha Gorges, we followed the road through Ait Hani, Amellagou, and Goulmima. This drive was absolutely stunning and totally worth the extra two hours it added to our journey. Instead of skirting around the Atlas Mountains, this route takes you right through them, and the scenery is something you won’t forget.
We made a few spontaneous stops along the way—some for photos, others just to take in the silence and vast landscapes. At one point, we even stopped for lunch, completely alone in the middle of nature, which made it all the more special.
Eventually, the mountain roads gave way to the regular main road, and we cruised toward Erfoud before finally reaching Merzouga, with the dunes of the Sahara slowly appearing on the horizon.
Tip: We use the DJI Action 4 to film our vlogs — compact, durable, and perfect for capturing every adventure.
Old Water system
On the way, we noticed some unusual formations along the side of the road and decided to stop at Bivouac Chez Bachir to check it out. That’s where we met Bachir himself, who explained that these were part of an ancient underground irrigation system, still visible today.
He offered to show us around, and after a bit of negotiating, we dropped the price from 50 to 20 dh per person. The visit was actually pretty interesting—we learned how water was once channeled through these underground tunnels to irrigate the land.
To finish, Bachir invited us for a tea, which made the stop even more memorable.
Where to stay in Merzouga
- (€): merzouga activities camp
- (€€): Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
- (€€€): Sunrise Sahara Camp
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
Read: Our complete 2-week Morocco Road Trip Itinerary
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