Updated November 2017. Time to get our road trip from Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, Morocco, back on the road. Part 4 in the series carries on from the magnificent Ait Ben Haddou exploring both the Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge.
Leaving Ait Ben Haddou we were caught in the mother of all whirlwinds. Everyone, locals and visitors alike hid their heads anyway and anywhere they could. Hugging the closest palm tree, I willed my face to disappear into it’s trunk. It is times like this, when your trusty travel scarf – a must in Morocco – comes in handy.
The whirlwind was a swift but crazy reminder that we were desert-bound.
Dades Gorge
In the Valley of the Dades River, otherwise known as the Valley of Roses, women harvest tiny pink rose blooms early in the morning. Their sons sell them as heart-shaped garlands by the roadside and I wonder if the daughters or the whole family have the sweet-smelling job of threading them.
Farmed commercially, these roses are the major source of Moroccan rose water.
Having left the Dades river Valley behind we were on our way to the Dades Gorge, where over the centuries, the river has gouged it’s own niche between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains. We arrived at it’s spectacular red landscape and bulbous Monkey Finger rock formations, in the late afternoon.
Men in groups of two or three perched high up on the rocks lining the gorge road. The ambush-worthy scene was thankfully nothing of the sort. A few women were still hard at work in the fields but more were walking home carrying grass for the family’s animals.
Soon it seemed the whole population was taking a mass segregated stroll – groups of girls holding hands, boys walking or doubling on bicycles, women chatting in groups, or men sitting talking – no public mixing of the sexes here.
Dades Gorge Accommodation
Our Dades Gorge hotel was Auberge des Gorges Ait Oudinar. It was a solid spacious place with warm furnishings reminiscent of an old-time hunting lodge, sans guns or antler trophies. There was a small internal garden near reception, and at the back a large riverside terrace.
Our balcony overlooked this and beyond to the fields and hills. It was a good spot to sit in the cool of morning and watch the valley come to life, while pigeons stole a breakfast of corn from the fields. At check-in the previous night our driver relayed to us that we would eat at 9 pm.
The dining room tables were arranged by vehicle groups at staggered time-slots. Even though we were the last table seated, there was plenty of food. Our table of three was served a shared chicken and vegetable tagine, with a welcome basket of bread and a pre-packaged fruit salad desert.
Because our tour was inclusive of accommodation, dinner and breakfast we weren’t offered choices here. The ensuite shower was sadly lacking in hot water and another in the group’s Air-Con was missing the remote and reception couldn’t find a replacement.
Motorhome parking with clean cold showers is also available.
Things to know about the Dades Gorge
- A three day Rose Festival takes place at Kelaat M’gouna in early May.
- The Dades Valley is two hours drive north-east of Ouarzazate on the N10.
- You will arrive at Valley of Roses first.
- Continue on to the R704 to get to the Monkey Fingers and Dades Gorge.
- The full length of the gorge is 25km.
- Allow a few hours to hike up into the hills.
- Locals may not appreciate being photographed – just smile and ask – don’t worry about the language barrier just point to your camera and to them – they’ll understand.
- Return to the N10 to get to Todra Gorge.
Leaving the Dades Gorge
I could have stayed longer in this interesting gorge, but our plan was set. The cars were ready, the drivers were ready but one pesky passenger was absent. Quite some time later, after he was roused, fed and packed, we were once more on the road toward Erg Chebbi.
We hadn’t got far, when we rounded a corner and came to an abrupt halt. Nomads were shifting camp and their donkeys and camels swarmed our vehicles, so close that we could easily have touched them through the open windows. I suddenly felt more forgiving of the guy who was late.
We probably would have missed the nomads if we’d left on time!
Today was going to be exciting – I could feel it in my bones.
The road from Dades Gorge to the desert town of Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi was taking on a distinct persona. As the desert gates grew closer, our view was of a flat red expanse, occasional camels and the vague outline of distant mountains.
Haze had long since obscured the sun. The desert was lowering it’s veil.
But before the desert we had another gorge to visit.
Todra Gorge
At the gorge entrance, a hill overlooks the palm filled Todra Valley as it stretches across to the town of Tinerhir. Each family is allocated a number of date palm trees for which they are responsible. Can you see the tree top worker?
The gorge itself, is a further 15km along the road. It is an incredible place with orange coloured canyon walls rising 160 m straight up. There is barely enough room at the base of the canyon, to hold both road and river.
The gorge walk dwarfs us on either side and is breathtaking.
Todra Gorge climbing is popular with rock-climbers and there are more than 150 climbing routes pegged into the limestone canyon walls.
Locals who live nearby herd their animals through the gorge. This Berber or Amazigh woman was minding a flock of jet black goats. Having asked her permission I photographed her exactly how she was sitting.
Seeing her image on the camera screen, she excitedly and repeatedly touched her face, pointing to the screen and looking questioningly at me. She was clearly astonished and I wondered if she had access to a mirror.
In mid to late May there was only one tour bus in the gorge, but it can be congested. Tours or car rentals are the only way of accessing the gorge. There are walks to the cliff tops where, depending on the time of year, nomads camp.
The road continues on ending at Imilchil, home of the annual betrothal festival in late September, where brides select their grooms.
Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge Map.
The Dades and Todra Gorges are areas that I would like to revisit with our own vehicle.
Made for Pinning.
There is only one post left in this Sahara Desert tour series. Next week we leave Todra Gorge and head for the grand finale – the camel trek into the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
This post forms part of Travel Photo Thursday over at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Come visit for inspiring travel photos from around the world.
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More from my site
Taxi from Marrakech Airport to Medina and Marrakech Riad Maizie
Sixteen Things You Must Do in Marrakech Morocco
Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chebbi – The Sahara (Part 5)
Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chebbi – Ait Ben Haddou (Part 3)
Marrakech to the Dunes of Erg Chebbi – Argan Oil and Mountains (Part 2)
Marrakech to the dunes of Erg Chebbi – Atlas Mountains (Part 1)
Fantastic Friday Photo – Which Jetty
Awesome story!! I want to go there now!
Don’t we all Jennie. Lets hire a car and do it together.
The date palm photo is beautiful. I love the contrast between the palms and the desert. stunning.
Thanks Jade, After travelling through miles of dry featureless country I can see the oasis like appeal of the valleys.
What a fabulous set of posts these have been. I love the photos of places I have heard about but never seen reader photos. Good to know about wanting more time for the gorges. Just a marvelous post Jan!!
Glad you are still enjoying the road trip Leigh. I have toyed with giving it a break, but only one more post to go.
I’m loving this trip Jan. The valley of the Roses would be fabulous to see in full bloom and I love the photos of the Todra Gorge and the surrounding date palms as well. It’s incredible when you see this green in the middle of the desert.
Thanks Jenny, I am loving revisiting it myself. The only trouble is, that as I research I find so many things that we did not get to see, now I feel the urge to revisit. But it is hard to do so when I have other places that I have not seen at all, and long to. Sigh.
Oh my, another reason to keep Morrocco at the top of my travel wannagos. What a show of contrasts here–roses to desert to rock to palm trees. Thanks for taking me to another world.
A fascinating place Vera, where I only wish we had more time to spend exploring.
Stunning photos — again! I love this series and your trip. I feel as if I am there with you!
Thanks Jackie, Just one more and it is all over 🙁
Another great article, thank you 🙂
Thanks Muza-chan glad you liked it.
Fantastic story, and what an amazing part of the world. Sigh, so much to see still 🙂
Hi Johanna, I love “the edge” that Morocco has. We did not have the luxury of time to enable us to see more.
This was pretty much a “We want to see the desert” trip. But we ended up seeing so much more.
What a great series this has been, Jan. I love that gate in the middle of nowhere. Being surrounded by all of those animals would have been funny. Like I said before, i want to travel this route myself!
I loved being amongst all the animals. Maybe our driver stopped just so we could see them up close, as I was always wanting to take photos of donkeys!
This is such a great writeup. Between your pictures and your storytelling, I felt like I was right there with you on this incredible journey. I can’t wait for the next installment. That picture of the valley with the date palms is my favorite, especially because of the village tucked up in the corner of the picture.
Thanks Michelle, The place where that photo was taken from was a big open view point where nearly everyone stops. We never got to visit the village on the other side, that is why I would love to return again with our own transport!
I would really love to go to Morocco someday. It seems so different from all the countries I’ve been to. I love how you tell stories, that one about serving you according to the vehicle you came in was funny 🙂
I find these little differences quite fascinating. If we could have spoken French or Arabic, we would have known exactly what was going on at dinner! Hope you get there one day.
What beautiful scenery! Loved these photos and virtually traveling with you to an amazing place. I can spend quite some time at that gorge. Those date palms are awesome and how interesting that each family has their own set.
Mary, it was a really interesting area. Thanks for commenting.
I love the desert gate photo. Do you know why they were built?
Our driver when asked said they meant to signify the start of the desert. I do not think they have any historical significance.
The mother of all whirlwinds, men perched up in the rocks as if in ambush – OMG what an adventure! Love following along with you on your Moroccan journey
I admit to feeling like I was in a desert already when that whirlwind came – I was glad it didn’t last long.
Hi Dear
First Of all We Hope all is great with you There ?
Thanks so much for possiting a beautiful pic and nice words of our Sahara Desert and Nice to Konw That you enjoy your experience and we will be glad to welcome you back to your second Home and To Show you the Rest of the sahara and Moroccan Culture and views Iam Hakim From Merzouga Desert i use To Be Guiding Touriste with camel crossing the beautifull dunes and i create a smoll local company http://www.MoroccanDesertTrips.com I Organise Tour all around Morocco and camel trekking in Erg Chebbi dunes From 1 hour untell Two weeks as Nomad Experience
you can Read reviews The people we Meet Long way :
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g304017-d3428353-Reviews-Moroccan_Desert_Trips_Private_Day_Tours-Merzouga_Meknes_Tafilalet_Region.html
I will be lucky person To answer any quistions you ask
Greating From Desert
Hakim
Hello Hakim, I looked at your great reviews. Good Luck with your business. The Sahara near Merzouga is good to experience.