Best rated Morocco destinations and Marrakech desert tours? From Marrakech medina it takes just under an hour to reach the Agafay Desert and Nkhila Lodge. As we leave the bright lights of the city behind and enter the rural province of Al Haouz, the landscape changes from olives groves to the rolling barren hills of the Agafay Desert. Eventually we leave the asphalt behind and follow desert tracks to reach Douar Nkhila village on the eastern edge of Agafay. Our final approach is spectacular: we twist around arid hillsides until reaching Nkhila Lodge, perched on stilts, with the High Atlas mountains looming in the distance. On arrival at camp we will be greeted with a refreshing glass of mint tea and briefed by our host. In the early evening there’s time for a camel ride to enjoy the setting sun over western Agafay. If camel riding is not your thing, there are several short scenic walks to enjoy. Tonight dinner will be served in your choice of location – either in the privacy of your tent, on the balcony, in the dining tent, or under an outside canopy-covered dining spot. Lunch and dinner is included today. See even more information on Marrakech desert tours.
The ruins of Al-Mansour’s once grand palace are one of the kasbah area’s most atmospheric sights. The Saadian ruler built the opulent palace, with pavilions set amid a mammoth garden of reflective pools, during his triumphant reign, but it was plundered and destroyed soon after. Now the sparse remnants of mosaic-tiled floors, ruined pavilions, and the high enclosing walls are all that remain. There are excellent views across the medina from the top of the walls, where storks have also built their nests. After viewing the palace, head to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Marrakesh. It was established in the 16th century and is now populated mainly by Muslims. The small synagogue here has been nicely restored and can be visited as can the vast Jewish cemetery.
One of Morocco’s most charming destinations, Chefchaouen is unusual because of the blue tones that grace the walls of buildings in the old medina. As well as being picturesque and photogenic, the medina also lets visitors see the local way of life. Head to the river and watch locals beating and washing carpets, step inside the high walls of the old kasbah, and see the Grand Mosque with its octagonal minaret. Situated close to the village of Tanaghmeilt in the High Atlas Mountains, Ouzoud Waterfalls is a large series of cascades that are surrounded by reddish-coloured cliffs and green valleys. Visitors can walk along paths lined by olive trees to reach the bottom of the 600-metre falls. Keep an eye out for mischievous monkeys that swing through the trees.
The desert is absolutely a must visit when you’re in Morocco. From watching the gorgeous sunset over the dunes to gazing at the sky full of bright stars, every experience in the desert is captivating and unforgettable. Make sure that out of all the best places to visit in Morocco, you do keep a few days for a trip to the Sahara Desert, one of the finest places to travel in Morocco!
Located south of the High Atlas mountains, the stunning Draa Valley, lined with old Kasbahs, Berber villages and palm groves, spreads from Ouarzazate in the west to Zagora in the east. A drive through the valley is undoubtedly one of the most scenic journeys in Morocco. The Draa Valley is intersected by the Draa River which starts in the High Atlas and ends in the Atlantic Ocean, though in reality the river normally dries out before reaching the ocean.
Best Marrakech excursions : Inland, in Morocco’s eastern Sahara region, are the grand and rippling sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi, where would-be explorers and adventure-seekers head to get a dose of desert action. This is prime territory for dune-surfing, four-wheel-drive dune-bashing, and the (much more authentic) camel trekking. For those with less of an active nature, just sitting amid the sand dune splendor is worthy enough of the long journey out here. For most travelers who make it this far, the highlight is spending the evening at a desert camp amid the dunes themselves.