The Todra and Dadès Gorges, with their tall red limestone walls, towering buttes, and winding rivers, are one of Morocco’s most stunning geological features.
Dotted throughout the valleys are date palm groves, the emerald and jade shades of their leaves contrasting sharply with the oranges and ochres of the rock around them.
These two gorges are located an hour apart in south central Morocco, nestled between the Atlas Mountains. Millions of years ago, this area was the bottom of a sea.
Over time, the earth was pushed upwards, forming the mountain range. The Todra and Dadès rivers slowly carved away the sandstone and limestone, eventually forming a series of gorges as much as 500m deep.
In other places, the rivers spread out over wide, flat areas, supporting the rich green splash of an oasis.
The Dadès Gorge runs about 28km and lies 6 hours east of Marrakech by car or bus and about one hour west of Tinghir, the largest nearby town.
Tinghir is just ten minutes south of the Todra Gorges, which run for nearly 20km and end in the village of Tamtatoucht.
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How to Visit
The Todra and Dadès gorges are located in relatively remote areas of Morocco. While there are many small towns dotted around the area, public transportation is limited and there are not regular bus routes to bring you directly to the gorges.
You have several options. You can rent your own car in Marrakech and drive to the gorges, staying overnight in Tinghir or a nearby town, then visit the gorges at your leisure.
This will also make it easier to stay at the hotels outside of town, if you wish.
Many hotels can arrange 4×4 tours with a guide/chauffeur, so you can drive yourself to the hotel but don’t have to drive in the gorges if you’d rather not.
You can also take a bus from Marrakech to Tinghir (CTM and Supratours offer regular routes) and hire a private guide with a vehicle in Tinghir. Again, many hotels can help you do this.
You may be able to find a shared taxi to smaller towns in the area, if you want to stay out of the town center, but service will be intermittent. Check with hotels about shuttle services.
Finally, you can book an organized day or overnight trip to the gorges and other attractions in the area.
There are many such organized tours leaving from Marrakech and Ouarzazet, a well-connected, mid-size city 4 hours southwest of Marrakech.
Ouarzazet has the advantage of being relatively easy to get to while being just 2 hours west of Dadès Gorge.
Note that in this area, there are very few banks and limited phone service, so bring enough cash with you and don’t depend on phone connectivity for maps or information.
Since this is a rural area, most hotels are accustomed to providing a wide range of services and assistance – just ask.
What to Do
The gorges are a wonderful place for hiking – nothing lets you soak in the scenery quite as much as walking slowly through the winding canyons. Or, enjoy a mule or horseback ride through the area, so you can relax while still traveling slowly.
Jeep and 4×4 tours are popular too. Many hotels can arrange all of these possibilities for you.
The gorges are also popular with rock climbers, and hundreds of routes have been bolted into the steep faces of the canyons. Some hotels keep a detailed list of current climbing routes; enquire ahead of time if you are interested.
This area is also particularly rich in cultural history and tradition.
After a day of exploring the Gorges, take some time to appreciate the regional architecture, savor the cuisine, stroll through the markets, visit the cultural museums in Tinghir and Ouarzazet, and respectfully observe the daily life of locals, many of whom speak Berber as a first language and carefully preserve ancient traditions.
Where to Stay
Tinghir and several of the nearby villages offer a range of lodging options, including campsites, simple hotels, luxury hotels, and charming boutique guesthouses.
There is generally no shortage of accommodation, but it’s a good idea to reserve in advance so you can figure out how to get there, or whether or not there is availability in some of the very small towns. We offer several highly-rated suggestions here.
Hotel Tomboctou
This 16-room hotel is located in the center of the historic old town in Tinghir. The red mud brick exterior, colorful Berber decorations throughout, pool, panoramic terrace, friendly service and restaurant serving traditional Moroccan food make your stay both authentic and comfortable. Free wifi and breakfast are included.
Hotel Tomboctou can also arrange a wide variety of local activities, including hikes, mule and horseback rides, 4×4 excursions, walks through a palm oasis, and even classes in pottery and mud brick architecture.
Hotel Amazir
If you prefer a quiet setting outside of the city, consider Hotel Amazir. This small hotel is located close to the tiny village of Ait Snan, on the bank of the Todra River and right at the mouth of the Todra Gorges.
It is clean and comfortable, with a gorgeous pool and patio and particularly cute guest rooms. The rooms are simple, but tastefully and colorfully decorated.
There is also a large interior dining room and shaded outdoor breakfast area. Located at Km 10 Route des Gorges de Todra, Tinghir.
Riad Timadrouine
For comfortable accommodations 25 minutes west of Tinghir, between the Dadés and Todra Gorges, consider Riad Timadrouine.
The very clean, comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast and dinner, and the added luxury of a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and hammam make it a relaxing place to return at the end of your day exploring the gorges.
Ecolodge Amskou
Another nice option, just 30 minutes from the Dadès Gorge, is Hotel Amskou in Boumalne Dadès, a small guesthouse with simple, charming rooms decorated in traditional Berber style.
With free wifi and breakfast, air conditioning, private bathrooms, and beautiful views of the surrounding scenery, it is both affordable and comfortable.
One of the coolest aspects of the hotel is the building itself – the traditional mud brick exterior gives it an ancient appearance. It is located at Douar Ait Haddouch, Souk El-Khemis Dadès, Boumalne Dadès 45352, and you can find more information on their website:
Hotel Xaluca Dadès
Also in the Boumalne Dadès area is Hotel Xaluca Dadès, with a mixture of modern comfort and beautiful decor. It offers a large pool and patio so you can cool off during the hot and sunny days, as well as air conditioning, mini bars, heating, telephones, wifi, and satellite TV.
The dining room serves Moroccan specialties and international cuisine, and the hotel can help you arrange excursion and day trips around the area, including to the gorges.
A gift shop, fitness center, and spa complete the experience. This is a great option if you prefer to stay at larger hotels (100+ rooms) with a European style of service.
Where to Eat
Nearly all hotels and guesthouses provide free breakfast, and many offer lunch and dinner for purchase as well.
Often this will be the best place to eat if you are in a very small town or staying in one of the more remote hotels located between towns.
If you stay in a larger town like Tinghir or Ouarzazet, there will be plenty of restaurant and café options – ask your hotel staff for a recommendation.
If you are driving or hiking around the area on your own, bring plenty of snacks and bottled water with you.
Some day trip excursions may include meal stops. If not, pack a picnic lunch.
When to Go
April-June and September-October are ideal times to visit, with warm days and cool nights. July and August are quite hot, with daytime highs around 93˚F/35˚C. Nights are still cool though – around 65˚F/18˚C.
The winter months from November to March are chilly during the day and often below freezing overnight.
If you don’t mind the cold, bundle up and enjoy beautiful views with fewer tourists around. Consider time of day as well when planning your trip.
The morning is a beautiful time to see the Gorges, since the early light gives the walls a golden hue and the area won’t be quite as busy. Mid-day and afternoon are fine too, though you may share the space with more tourists.
Avoid visiting late in the day – desert nights get cold very quickly, and many of the roads in this area are narrow, winding, and poorly lit.
The Todra and Dadès Gorges area offers so many possibilities for exploring, relaxing, and appreciating the natural and cultural beauty of southwestern Morocco. Plan ahead so you can take advantage of every moment