There are also Biuoac, which are motels built in the style of traditional Saharan tents. Biouac Merzouga Tours, Radaoin, and Sahara are the most well-known. There are also decent accommodations in Khemlya, such as the 3* Camel trips Luxury camp

Other highlights include traditional Saharan-Berber folklore and Gnawa music.

The International Music Festival and the Sadaka festival in Khamlia, Gnawa music, are held in the summer.

The Afriquia Merzouga Rally, the Titan Desert bicycle race, the Gallops of Morroco horse race, the Merzouga Marathon, and the historic Marathon des Sables are just a few of the worldwide athletic events held there.

In the works is the construction of a golf course among the dunes.

From Merzouga, there are a variety of excursions available.

The derelict lead and zinc mines of Mfis (31°2’30′′N 3°57’3′′W), utilized as work camps by the French, are about 10 km away (routesTT) in an easterly direction.

The popular kohl, a make-up used to the eyes that ranges in color from dark blue to strong iridescent black passing through anthracite gray, was made here from ground galena powder. Today’s cosmetic powder is made from an inorganic metallic basis that is free of the toxicity of lead.

Taouz

This oasis – village (30°54’22′′N 3°59’43′′W), in full hamada, along the dry riverbed of the Ziz river, is inhabited by the At Khebbache, belonging to the confederation of the At Atta, who nomadize in the alluvial plains of the Ziz and the Mader, is located 25 kilometers to the south on the asphalted road N-13.

It was a garrison of the French foreign legion, and it is now a local administrative center, located 20 kilometers from the Algerian border military detachment. 3 days Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga 

The little community, built on a peninsula, is made up of adobe dwellings and has all the amenities. Its environs include an abandoned Ksar, the old Taouz, and the Ziz riverbed.

Nearby, the Jebel Ouafilal, a black rock structure, is home to Taghalouit’s old iron mines (30°55’28′′N 4°2’1′′W), which are being utilised by mineral prospectors.

It’s a mineral-rich region with baryte, vanadinite, iron, and galena mines, as well as fossils and archaeological remnants, cave art, and a pre-Islamic necropolis. The ruins of the walls, which show the presence of a stronghold and a city, are among the latter.

Although there is no decent accommodation, it can be a site of passage and rest on the Saharan routes.

Roads to Zagora

Ouzina

A highway for 4×4 vehicles westbound from Taouz follows the Ziz valley for 30 kilometers to this oasis (N 30 o 45.09 W 04 o 11.68), nestled between parched mountains of dark color and surrounded by golden dunes, creating a beautiful Saharan panorama.

It boasts a number of high-quality and attractive hotels near the dunes, including Kasba Ouzina, Auberge Puerta del Sahara, El Riad Ouzima, and Ouzima Rimal.

Hotels in Taouz-Ouzima can be found here.  Agencia de viajes en Marruecos

The lodging of Ste Auberge Itrane sahara is located in the north town of Jdaid.

Ramlya

The track continues west from Ouzima, 27 km, through this small oasis (30°41’8′′N 4°24’55′′W), located in an arid and hot erg, ocher, yellow, and black colors, dominated by the great barrier of black shale covered in red sand of Jebel Zireg, where the Hotel Aghbalou Ramlya Guesthouse, with 4 rooms, is located.

A sandy location where dinosaur fossils abound, and the area is occasionally flooded by the rivers Ziz and Rheris, sand rivers that merge here before joining the hamada.

On the Rissani-Zagora road, there are paths leading north to Alnif and Mcisi.

Continue on the trail to Tafraout Ait Atta, an oasis surrounded by dry mountains (30°41’10′′N 4°43’16′′W), where we can stay in a Riad or a Camping hostel.

There are tracks to Mcissi to the north.

To the west is the Daya el Maider (30° 44’16.84 ” 4° 47’26.92′′), a spectacularly beautiful valley that floods when it rains.

To the north it is worth visiting the oasis of Found Mharech ,( 30°44’42″N 4°33’11″W,) 15 km from Ramlya, also called “portal of Bethlehem” for its beauty, in an area of gorges, forced passage to cross these mountains, offers incredible desert scenery and coexistence with the Berbers of this region, the Ait Atta, area of passage and stop on the routes from Merzouga – Zagora and north to Mcissi – Tinguir.   There is a hostel the Riad Nomad.

The track to Zagora, continues west to reach the oasis Tisserdemine (30°36’2″N 5°9’34″W) and crosses the mountains of Tadrart, through the difficult pass of Tizi Tafialet, and then access the Draa Valley by Zagora, covering about 200 km.

A route leads from Tisserdemine to the oasis of Tarbalt (30°37’32′′N 5°21’11′′W), which is located between the mountains of Jebel Sarhro, and connects us to Tazzarine (30°46’31′′N 5°33’7′′W), on the road N12 Rissani – Draa.

Another option from Tafraout is to continue south and cross the dry Hamada on the way to Mhamid.

Because it traverses through very sparsely populated areas and is so close to the Algerian border, this journey is long and perilous. 3 Dias desde Marrakech al desierto

MERZOUGA’S OTHER ENVIRONMENTS

Erfoud

Erfoud is 50 kilometers north, accessible by road or a route that passes through a hamada rich in fossils.

It is a tiny contemporary city administrative center in the area, located at an elevation of 802 meters above sea level and dominated by a hill crowned by the Borj of the east. It has a sizable market. The carrier des fossils is a must-see attraction.

Every year in October, the dates festival is commemorated with a variety of colorful and Berber-inspired events.

It is a tourist destination with an excellent hotel offer, with the classic Hotel Xalucar 4 *, Kasba HotelChergui 4 *, Kasba Tizimi, Ksar Asalasil, Janane Kasba 3 * and La Rosedu Desert on the road to Errachidia, and the Hotel El Ati Erfoud 4 *, Palm Hotel Club 4 *, Riad Salam 4 * and Hotel Chez Gaby 3 * in the city on the road to Rissani

From here, roads that follow the Rheris river’s palm grove lead to the Thousand Kasbahs route through Tineguir and the Todra Gorges, or through the Ziz palm forest, which leads to Errachidia, the province seat.

Rissani

Rissani, 45 kilometers away, is a significant palm grove founded on the remnants of the old city of Sijilmassa, one of the bases of the ancient caravans that crossed the Sahara to Timbuktu.

The current Alaoui dynasty’s birthplace, with the grave of its progenitor Moulay el Cherif revered.

Palm plantations and kasbahs flourish across the city.

From here, the N-12 road crosses the Saharan Atlas on its way to Zagora and the Draa Valley.