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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Morocco 2025 Day 8: Sahara Desert to Dadès Gorges
Morocco 2024 Day 8: 22nd April (Tuesday)
Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Morocco.
Day 8: Erg Chebbi Desert: to Dadès Gorges:
Day 8: Erg Chebbi Desert: to Dadès Gorges:
Erg Chebbi Desert (Caravanserai Desert Camp)>Merzouga>Rissani Market>Erfoud>Todra Viewpoint >Todgha Gorge>Monkey Paw Mountains>Dadès Gorges>Boumalne (Riad Tumast Dades).
This is page 8 of a 13-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
Route recommendations, here are some tips on travelling to and around Morocco:
1. Traffic Directions!
Driving in Morocco is left-hand drive, and driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Do look to the correct side when crossing roads.
Speed limits are between 60 km/h within urban areas, 100 km/h outside urban areas, including expressways, and 120 km/h on highways. Do adhere to these limits, as often police are monitoring with radars; our driver-guide was careful about this.
Speed limits are between 60 km/h within urban areas, 100 km/h outside urban areas, including expressways, and 120 km/h on highways. Do adhere to these limits, as often police are monitoring with radars; our driver-guide was careful about this.
2. Immigration & Customs Requirements
For Morocco, citizens of Malaysia do not need a visa to enter for travel purposes and can stay in the country for 90 days without a visa. Click here for visa requirements for other countries.
3. Getting to and around Morocco.
Morocco is easily accessible by air as most major airlines serve Morocco and have flights to major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. We flew return via Emirates to Casablanca with transit in Dubai at a fare of MYR4,430 per pax. Do note that Emirates now charges for seat selection.
For ground arrangements, we booked a 13-day guided tour through Tenere Tours at €1,350 per pax. This included stays at comfortable hotels and riads, and a night at a caravanserai luxury camp in the desert. Breakfast was included, and also dinners at the Dades Valley Hotel, Merzoga Riad and Desert Caravanserai Luxury Camp.
The guided tour included a 9-seater van with a driver-guide to take the six of us to/from the airports, and from city to city. And also the camel ride to the desert camp. We paid extra for walking tours at the Fez Medina and Marrakech Medina at €85/group/city.
For ground arrangements, we booked a 13-day guided tour through Tenere Tours at €1,350 per pax. This included stays at comfortable hotels and riads, and a night at a caravanserai luxury camp in the desert. Breakfast was included, and also dinners at the Dades Valley Hotel, Merzoga Riad and Desert Caravanserai Luxury Camp.
The guided tour included a 9-seater van with a driver-guide to take the six of us to/from the airports, and from city to city. And also the camel ride to the desert camp. We paid extra for walking tours at the Fez Medina and Marrakech Medina at €85/group/city.
For out-of-pocket spending, we exchanged Euros to Moroccan dirhams (MAD) at local money-changers in Rabat and Rissani. As a contingency, we brought along our Wise debit cards, do note that this may not be acceptable at many places.
4. Places & Things of Interest
En route were several places of interest, some of which we visited and others we did not for lack of time (Note: click on GPS coordinates for a directional map to respective places):
a. Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes (GPS: 31.16039, -3.97657) at Merzouga (GPS: 31.08016, -4.01336).
b. Souk Rissani (GPS: 31.28162, -4.26619) at Rissani.
c. Morabit Marbre Fossils (GPS: 31.40663, -4.25197) at Erfoud.
d. Todra Panorama Viewpoint (GPS: 31.54182, -5.56643) at Tinghir.
a. Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes (GPS: 31.16039, -3.97657) at Merzouga (GPS: 31.08016, -4.01336).
b. Souk Rissani (GPS: 31.28162, -4.26619) at Rissani.
c. Morabit Marbre Fossils (GPS: 31.40663, -4.25197) at Erfoud.
d. Todra Panorama Viewpoint (GPS: 31.54182, -5.56643) at Tinghir.
f. Dadès Gorges (GPS: 31.45321, -5.96758).
g. Most winding Road in Morocco (GPS: 31.52968, -5.92512) viewed from Riad Bleu Afriqua (GPS: 31.53010, -5.92502). Tizi n'Tichka (GPS: 31.28629, -7.38106) also claims the title of the most winding road in the country.
i. Middle Atlas Mountains (GPS: 33.5000, -4.5000).
j. High Atlas Mountains (GPS: 31.42999, -6.93999).
5. Food
a. Breakfast
Inclusive hotel Western & Moroccan breakfast at Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp (GPS: 31.05993, -3.98294) in Merzouga:
1. Shakshuka (Tajine eggs with tomato puree), 2. Mlewi (Moroccan layered flat bread), 3. Khubz Bread, 4. White Bread, 5. Assortment of jam, butter & sauces, 6. Yoghurt, 6. Orange Juice & Coffee.
1. Shakshuka (Tajine eggs with tomato puree), 2. Mlewi (Moroccan layered flat bread), 3. Khubz Bread, 4. White Bread, 5. Assortment of jam, butter & sauces, 6. Yoghurt, 6. Orange Juice & Coffee.
b. Lunch
Café-Restaurant Carcasonne Touroug (GPS: 31.54875, -4.68755) at Touroug:
1. Cabbage salad, 2. Chicken Spaghetti, 3. Vegetarian Tagine, 4. Grilled Chicken with pasta, 5. Seasoned Fruit dessert, 6. Bread, & 7. Coffee & Water.
1. Cabbage salad, 2. Chicken Spaghetti, 3. Vegetarian Tagine, 4. Grilled Chicken with pasta, 5. Seasoned Fruit dessert, 6. Bread, & 7. Coffee & Water.
c. Afternoon Tea
Moroccan Coffee at the Hotel la Vallée (GPS: 31.58354, -5.59101) at Todgha Gorge (GPS: 31.58747, -5.59291).
Moroccan Coffee at the Hotel la Vallée (GPS: 31.58354, -5.59101) at Todgha Gorge (GPS: 31.58747, -5.59291).
d. Dinner
Inclusive dinner at the Riad Tumast Dades (GPS: 31.37795, -5.98104):
1. Pasta starter, 2. Beef Tajine (very nice), 3. Custard Caramel with fruits, 4. Khubz Moroccan Bread.
6. Accommodations
7. Dressing
I brought two long pants along and four shorts. In the end, I didn't wear the shorts as the weather can get quite cold in the morning and evenings, especially with stronger winds at the seaside.
When entering mosques, men can wear shorts, but ladies have to cover up their legs and heads. Scarves and long pants are recommended; if wearing shorts, bring a sarong or something to cover one's legs.
8. Communicating with Each Other
When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest.
Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, booths selling pre-paid sim cards can be found just before exiting the luggage reclaim area. There were booths selling Maroc, Orange, and Inwi pre-paid tourist phone sim cards. We opted for the Maroc sim card as it provides better coverage even in remote areas, which I found to be true, and it only had poor or no signal at remote stretches far in the hills or desert. We got the 15 Gb card, which is valid for one month for 100 MAD. Should this be inadequate, memory can be topped up at any phone shop.
9. Communicating with Locals
At favourite tourist destinations, markets and medinas, many locals speak fairly good English, some French and Spanish. At the smaller towns, locals speak some rudimentary English, and our local guide was most helpful in translating for us.
10. Weather
The average day and night temperatures in Merzouga were 29°C. While the average day and night temperatures in Boumalne-Dades were 29°C and 12°C
Useful weather forecast sites for Merzouga and Boumalne-Dades are AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.
11. Navigation
I used MapMyRide to track our routes and stops. Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook or Google Maps.
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PRELUDE
A day earlier, we spent the morning dancing to the music of Musica de gnawa Khamlia at the Khamlia Black Village in Merzouga, and also visited: Merzouga Lake , hoping to catch views of flamingoes; the Mifis Cosmetic Mine; and some scenic viewpoints. We closed the day with a Sunset Camel Ride by Marrakech Tour Company (GPS: 31.07477, -4.01040) at Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes, followed by some campfire fun.
Today, we say goodbye to the Sahara Desert and head westward to visit a traditional souk and then a scenic gorge. Perhaps we will catch some giant monkeys too. Yup, you heard correctly, GIANT MONKEYS!
Today, we say goodbye to the Sahara Desert and head westward to visit a traditional souk and then a scenic gorge. Perhaps we will catch some giant monkeys too. Yup, you heard correctly, GIANT MONKEYS!
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DAY 8: MERZOUGA TO DADES GORGES
Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Morocco.
Most of the posts below are linked to my Facebook postings during the trip and are embedded here with some comments. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post for more details. If you can't see the posts, please log out of your Facebook first.)
One of the great things at the Sahara Desert is the beautiful sunrises; captured here by my buddy Ken.
Moroccan breakfast at Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp:
1. Shakshuka (Tajine eggs with tomato puree), 2. Mlewi (Moroccan layered flat bread), 3. Khubz Bread, 4. White Bread, 5. Assortment of jam, butter & sauces, 6. Yoghurt, 6. Orange Juice & Coffee.
1. Shakshuka (Tajine eggs with tomato puree), 2. Mlewi (Moroccan layered flat bread), 3. Khubz Bread, 4. White Bread, 5. Assortment of jam, butter & sauces, 6. Yoghurt, 6. Orange Juice & Coffee.
We were getting a bit sick of Tajine, but the Shakshuka was good, perhaps it's because it's not as dry. The fruit jams were unique too.
Goodbye Caravanserai Luxury Desert Camp.
Although cold at night, we had a good time here in the Merzoga Sahara Desert, with ass-squishing camel rides, beautiful sunset & sunrise views.
Although cold at night, we had a good time here in the Merzoga Sahara Desert, with ass-squishing camel rides, beautiful sunset & sunrise views.
Leaving our riad on 4x4, going off-road, to meet Oualid, our regular
driver, somewhere at the main road. Sounds clandestine 😂.
Will be heading to Souk Rissani (Market), about forty minutes away, and then after that, onwards to Dadès Gorges.
Rest room break, and a bit of shopping for headscarves, shawls and souvenir fridge magnets at Mohammed's Shop (GPS: 31.28869, -4.25587) at the outskirts of Rissani.
We were running low on local currency, so just into Rissani, we made a short detour to change money. This will be needed for shopping at the adjacent souk later.
Changing our Euros to the local Dirhams currency at the Wafacash branch (GPS: 31.28379, -4.26523), located opposite the Souk Rissani.
Shopping at the colourful Souk Rissani, the shop-keepers were a jovial lot.
This shop sells spices and seeds.
And several others sell colourful shoes and beautiful bags.
In front was a decapitated camel head hanging from a column.
Visit to Morabit Marbre Fossils, a fossil museum/market. They make items from fossils, even
toilet bowls - are there that many fossils here?
2:00pm - Pasta & Tagine Lunch at Café-Restaurant Carcasonne Touroug:
nice setting, but the food was not that great. Perhaps we're just sick of tajine.
A good panoramic view from here, and stalls sell colourful veils and shawls.
At the Todgha Gorge in Tinghir.
The Gorge are a series of limestone river canyons, or wadi, located in the eastern part of the HIgh Atlas Mountains. Both the Todgha (or Todra) River and the neighbouring Dadès River are responsible for carving out these deep cliff-sided canyons, on their final 40 kilometres (25 mi) through the mountains. The height of the canyon walls can vary, but in some places can be up to 400 metres!
The Gorge are a series of limestone river canyons, or wadi, located in the eastern part of the HIgh Atlas Mountains. Both the Todgha (or Todra) River and the neighbouring Dadès River are responsible for carving out these deep cliff-sided canyons, on their final 40 kilometres (25 mi) through the mountains. The height of the canyon walls can vary, but in some places can be up to 400 metres!
Left one of my "AhPek Biker was Here" my mark at Todgha Gorge.
Whenever I like a place or their food, sort of my humble endorsement of the place or food.
After the cool gorge, we are now back at the hot lowlands at Aït Sidi Ali ouBourk.
Whenever I like a place or their food, sort of my humble endorsement of the place or food.
After the cool gorge, we are now back at the hot lowlands at Aït Sidi Ali ouBourk.
Passing through some nice scenery, and somewhere in its midst is a gold and silver mine, Metallurgical Corporation Mimic in Imider. It's a highly secured area, so we just viewed it from afar.
At the Monkey Paw Mountains, located within the Dadès Gorges. These rock formation looks like monkeys' fingers stretching upward to the sky. Perhaps the Monkey God, Sun Wukong, left his mark on these mountains; perhaps he was trying to scratch an itch.
5:00pm - A quick rest break at Hôtel Babylon Dadès, it was supposed to be a quick stop, but we lingered on, attracted by its beautiful Moroccan Lamps.
5:00pm - A quick rest break at Hôtel Babylon Dadès, it was supposed to be a quick stop, but we lingered on, attracted by its beautiful Moroccan Lamps.
Left my mark here at the Hôtel Babylon Dadès, Yup..... I love those lamps!.
Most winding Road in Morocco, viewed from Riad Bleu Afriqua at the Dadès Gorge.
Tizi n'Tichka) (GPS: 31.28629, -7.38106) also claims to be the most winding road.
Add another of my marks here at the Most winding Road in Morocco. Luckily, my sticker words were not winding!
Almost back at Dadès Gorges, along Dadès Gorge Road. Our riad is
somewhere up in the hills, to the right.
7:30pm -Arrived at Riad Tumast Dades, our stay in Boumalne Dadès.
Pasta & Tajine Dinner at the riad:
1. Pasta starter, 2. Beef Tajine, 3. Custard Caramel with fruits, 4. Khubz Moroccan Bread. For a change I liked the Tajine, perhaps it was not dry, and the gravy had good beef flavours.
1. Pasta starter, 2. Beef Tajine, 3. Custard Caramel with fruits, 4. Khubz Moroccan Bread. For a change I liked the Tajine, perhaps it was not dry, and the gravy had good beef flavours.
Our bedroom at Riad Tumast Dades. Just like most riads away from the main cities, the room was big. And it also had a large balcony, with a view of a beautiful sunset.
Ladhidhi! Ladhidha!
(That's Yummy! Delicious! in Arabic)
(For more photos of Day 7, Click Here)
This is page 8 of a 13-page blog. Click Here To Go To Title Page.
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You are at - Jotaro's Blog /AhPek Biker-Footsteps /Morocco 2025/ D8: Sahara Desert to Dades Dadès Gorges | Go to D1/D2/D3/D4/D5/D6/D7/D9/D10/D11/D12/D13-14
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