Day 1
Draa Valley, Amezrou Oasis & Sunset Camp
Zagora
Zagora is the gateway to the Draa Valley, Morocco's longest river, whose ribbon of date palms threads the desert in a band of green. Arriving in town you are greeted by the legendary painted sign "Tombouctou 52 jours" - 52 days to Timbuktu by camel caravan - a reminder that this was once a launchpad for trans-Saharan trade. After exploring the nearby Amezrou oasis, its old kasbahs and a silver workshop kept alive from the area's Jewish heritage, you head to the dunes. In the late afternoon a camel carries you across the sand to a Berber camp for a tagine dinner, drumming and a brilliant desert night sky.
Morning
1-2 hoursArrival in Zagora & the Timbuktu Sign
Arrive in Zagora at the edge of the Draa palm groves, settle in with mint tea, and stop for the classic photo at the painted "Tombouctou 52 jours" caravan sign on the town's edge.
Afternoon
3-4 hoursAmezrou Oasis & Sunset Camel Trek
Walk the Amezrou oasis among palms and mud-brick ksour, visit a traditional silver workshop, then ride camels into the Tinfou or Erg Lihoudi dunes for sunset on the way to your desert camp.
Evening
3 hoursBerber Dinner & Desert Night
Settle into camp for a Berber tagine dinner, drumming around the fire and stargazing over the quiet Draa desert, far from the lights of any town.
Meals
- BreakfastOwn expense
- LunchRecommended · Lunch at a Zagora auberge or palm-grove restaurant
- DinnerIncluded · Traditional tagine dinner at the desert camp
Where you sleep
Berber camp in the Tinfou / Erg Lihoudi dunes
Desert camp · Draa Valley desert, near Zagora · $$
Travel note · Zagora's dunes are lower and closer than Merzouga's Erg Chebbi - the trade-off for being only a half-day from the Dades route. Bring a small overnight bag and a warm layer for the night.
