Best route from Marrakech to Zagora

[jdivision]

Hi all

I need a suggestion for the best route from Marrakech to Zagora, passing through the Tizi N' Test.

I arrive to Marrakech next Sunday, and I have only 5 nights + 1 near border in Morocco. Its possible to go to Zagora, Ait Benhaddou, Todra & Dades and Merzouga and return in that time?

It's possible to go to Agoudal 2 up on a 12GSA?
If so how long it will take from the N10?

 

[Tim Cullis]

Five days is just about enough. Presuming you want to keep to tarmac...

Day 1 might be Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou, stopping overnight at Bikers Home in Ouarzazate. You could divert to see Telouet on the way but don't be tempted to take the track from there to Ait Benhaddou two-up unless you are experienced offroad.

Day 2 I would suggest stopping to see the oasis at Skoura, then at Boumalne head up the Dades about 25 miles to the really high viewpoint. Return back to Boumalne, then to Tinerhir and up the Todra. I like Auberge Le Festival which is about 5km past the narrow/tall section of the Todra Gorge.

You can go further on past Tamtattouchte towards Agoudal, but the tarmac stops at Ait Hani.

Day 3 to Merzouga. There's a whole pile of hotels listed here, but the one I like is Chez Julia. Nothing much to look at compared to the 'forts' in the desert but inside is really nice. It's about 200 km from the Todra, so after you've dropped the luggage you could go and explore the hard packed hammada next to the dunes.

Day 4 to Zagora via the N12. Two places I like are Dar Raha in Amazraou, the other is Saraha Sky further south on the road to M'hamid.

Day 5 back to Marrakech over the spectacular Tizi north of Adgz.

Tim

 

[Rich ZX12R]

Hi

Tim has is spot on - However re "forts in the desert" avoid Riad Maria near Merzouga at all costs! Only place we stayed that was not good.

 

[Tim Cullis]

That won't be difficult. Riad Maria is no more. It was swept away by a wall of water coming out of the sand dunes.

The Italian owners built it in a place called Foum El Hench (mouth of the snake). In both English and Arabic the words mouth/foum should have been a warning.

Tim

 

[jdivision]

Five days is just about enough. Presuming you want to keep to tarmac...

Day 1 might be Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou, stopping overnight at Bikers Home in Ouarzazate. You could divert to see Telouet on the way but don't be tempted to take the track from there to Ait Benhaddou two-up unless you are experienced offroad.

Day 2 I would suggest stopping to see the oasis at Skoura, then at Boumalne head up the Dades about 25 miles to the really high viewpoint. Return back to Boumalne, then to Tinerhir and up the Todra. I like Auberge Le Festival which is about 5km past the narrow/tall section of the Todra Gorge.

You can go further on past Tamtattouchte towards Agoudal, but the tarmac stops at Ait Hani.

Day 3 to Merzouga. There's a whole pile of hotels listed here, but the one I like is Chez Julia. Nothing much to look at compared to the 'forts' in the desert but inside is really nice. It's about 200 km from the Todra, so after you've dropped the luggage you could go and explore the hard packed hammada next to the dunes.

Day 4 to Zagora via the N12. Two places I like are Dar Raha in Amazraou, the other is Saraha Sky further south on the road to M'hamid.

Day 5 back to Marrakech over the spectacular Tizi north of Adgz.

Tim

Thank you for your message, Tim. Very helpful as always!

What about the Tizi N Test, do you recommend it?

 

[Rich ZX12R]

I would like to make clear that while I was slagging Riad Maria off I did not enter into any agreement with any Higher Power to arrange for it to be washed away in a flood. It was bad but I wouldn't wish that on them.

Tizi n Test - Definitely although it was snowing when we went over... Try "Les Jardins de Skoura" Little bit off the beaten track, lovely people great small boutique hotel / guest house

 

[Tim Cullis]

The Test is brilliant, best done riding south (not north as this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyBZvQxbIiA

Some 30km after the pass (riding south) is Riad Hida at Ouled Berhil, a former Pasha's Palace painstakingly renovated and upgraded to a hotel. Though more expensive than most places I stop at, this is an exception.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhia2l2tlSs

Tim