Question about the direction of a Morocco itinerary

Hi there,

Here’s my itinerary for a one-week self-drive trip in Morocco in March with family. Which direction should I take, please? - Start with Ouarzazate - Draa - M'Hamid - Tazarine - Merzouga, then return via the Dades road - Or the opposite: begin with Dades toward Merzouga, then head to M'Hamid via the southern route, and finish with the Draa Valley

Thanks! !

Where are you leaving from? Marrakech?

It’s nice in both directions. There’s no real difference in the route.

If you go for the second option, you could leave the Draa Valley at Zagora, take a left toward Foum Zguid, and head back up via Tazenakht and the Tizi n’Test pass. The landscapes are stunning, and it’s a great alternative to avoid retracing the Ouarzazate–Marrakech road.

Since the earthquake, the Tizi N Test road has been in very poor condition and is under major construction. It's best to avoid it if you can. It takes forever.

I just heard about the devastation... Such a shame for this beautiful road and, most importantly, for the people in this region. So my advice is, now’s not the time. Thanks for the info.

Hi,

When it comes to direction, make sure to consider the time of day you'll be driving... If you're heading east, it's best to drive in the afternoon, and in the morning if you're going west. That way, you'll have the sun at your back, and in Morocco, the light really changes the landscape.

"When heading east, it's best to drive in the afternoon, and in the morning when going west... this way, you've got the sun at your back, and in Morocco, the light really transforms the landscape." Great tip. I can only second that.