From the hills above Agdz, the view explains everything about southern Morocco. On either side, bare mountains of grey and ochre rock; in the middle, a ribbon of dark green — date palms, almond trees, barley and vegetables — following the course of the river. This is the Draa valley, one of the great oases of the Sahara's northern edge, and the road through it is among the most beautiful in the country.
Here is our guide to the Draa valley, the villages worth stopping in and how to include it in a trip from Marrakech.
The Draa: Morocco's longest river
The Draa is born near Ouarzazate, where the Dades and Imini rivers meet behind the El Mansour Eddahbi dam. From there it flows south for hundreds of kilometres, then turns west towards the Atlantic, which it reaches only after exceptional rains. Along its middle course, between Agdz and M'Hamid, the river feeds a chain of palm oases about 200 km long, where hundreds of thousands of date palms shade small fields irrigated by a centuries-old system of channels.
Along the banks rise ksour — fortified villages of earth — and kasbahs, the tower houses of powerful families. Many are slowly crumbling back into the earth; some have been restored as guesthouses or small museums.
The road from Ouarzazate to Agdz
South of Ouarzazate, the road climbs the Anti-Atlas to the Tizi n'Tinififft pass (about 1,660 m), with views of folded, mineral landscapes, before dropping to Agdz. The town sits below the jagged ridge of Jebel Kissane and marks the start of the palm groves. Nearby, the ksar of Tamnougalt is a fascinating maze of covered lanes and earth houses that once controlled the caravan route.
From Agdz to Zagora: the heart of the Draa valley
The 90 km between Agdz and Zagora are best taken slowly. Every few kilometres a ksar appears among the palms, women carry bundles of alfalfa along the road, and roadside stalls sell dates in autumn. Good places to stop include:
- A palm grove walk with a local guide, to understand how water is shared between families.
- An old kasbah, some of which can be visited for a small fee.
- Tinzouline, known for its prehistoric rock engravings and its large weekly market.
- A family-run guesthouse for mint tea and a homemade lunch.
Zagora and its surroundings
Zagora is the main town of the valley, famous for the painted sign announcing "Tombouctou 52 jours" — the time caravans once needed to cross the Sahara to Timbuktu. Above the town, Jebel Zagora still bears the remains of an old fortress. Around it:
- Amezrou, a village with a long tradition of silverwork and covered lanes inside its kasbah.
- Tamegroute, about 20 km south, home to an old Koranic library with centuries-old manuscripts and to workshops of green-glazed pottery fired in traditional kilns.
- The Tinfou dunes, the closest sand dunes, perfect for a short camel ride at sunset.
- M'Hamid El Ghizlane, at the end of the road, gateway to the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga, reached by 4x4.
How to visit the Draa valley from Marrakech
The Draa valley is about 360 km from Marrakech, so it needs at least two or three days. Our 3-day Zagora & Draa valley tour crosses the Atlas to Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, then follows the valley to a desert camp near Zagora — see the Zagora desert tour itinerary. The valley is also part of our 5-day Grand South loop and our 7-day grand tour, which return via Zagora after the dunes of Merzouga.
When to go
- October to April is the best season, with warm days and cool nights.
- Autumn is date harvest time, when the palm groves are busiest and roadside stalls overflow with fruit.
- Spring brings green fields under the palms and almond blossom.
- Summer is very hot, often above 40°C — plan visits early and late in the day.
Tips for the Draa valley
- Ask before photographing people, especially women working in the fields.
- Buy dates directly from growers on the roadside or in the market; they make an excellent gift.
- Carry cash: card payment is rare outside Zagora.
- Wear light, covering clothes and a hat; the sun is strong even in winter.
- If you are sensitive to motion sickness, sit in front on the Tinififft pass.
Plan your trip
Whether you want a quick taste of the desert or a long journey through the South, the Draa valley adds a softer, greener side to the Saharan landscapes. All our circuits are private, with a professional driver and accommodation selected to match your budget, from kasbah guesthouses in the palms to camps among the dunes — see our guide to where to stay in southern Morocco. Send us your dates on WhatsApp, or compare every route in our guide to multi-day tours from Marrakech.
