Exploring the Dades Valley and Todra Gorges by car.
This is my favorite multi-day road trip in Morocco - the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs from Ouarzazate through the Dades and Todra Gorges. Plan 2-3 days minimum to really experience it. Starting from Ouarzazate, drive east on the N10 through the Skoura Oasis - stop at Kasbah Amridil, a beautifully preserved mud-brick fortress surrounded by palm groves. Continue to Kelaa M'Gouna, famous for roses (go in May for the Rose Festival). The real drama starts at the Dades Gorge turnoff - take the road north that winds up through the valley. The canyon walls are striped in gorgeous reds and oranges. Drive slowly and stop at viewpoints. The road has dramatic switchbacks called 'Monkey Fingers' - they're intense but safe if you take your time. Overnight in one of the kasbahs converted to guesthouses - they're atmospheric and affordable. Next day, continue to Todra Gorge, where sheer cliff walls rise 300 meters straight up and the canyon narrows to just 10 meters wide at points. It's breathtaking. You can walk into the gorge from the parking area. Rock climbers come from worldwide to tackle these walls. The river running through is ice cold and crystal clear. From here, you can continue to Merzouga and the Sahara dunes (another 3-4 hours) or loop back through Tinghir. The entire route is dotted with kasbahs in various states - some restored, many crumbling romantically. Every village has its own fortified granary or tribal kasbah. This is traditional Berber territory, and the hospitality is genuine. Bring cash - ATMs are rare once you leave main towns. A standard sedan handles the main roads fine, though 4x4 is better for side tracks. The scenery changes constantly, the pace is slow, and it feels like stepping back in time. Absolutely unforgettable.
