Mini Sahara Day Tour from Agadir: Dunes, Massa & Tiznit

The Mini Sahara tour is a full day out from Agadir that links coast, river, old town and countryside in one loop. It works well if you want to see a wide range of scenery in a single day, and it is family friendly, with children from age 1 welcome. Guides speak German, English, French or Spanish. After hotel pickup in Agadir, the day begins at a fishing village on the Atlantic, where there are caves to look into and shells to pick up on a quiet, secluded beach. From there the route crosses sandy dunes that run alongside the ocean and continues to the Massa River, a spot where migrating birds gather. Next is the historic town of Tiznit, where you stop for about 30 minutes to stretch your legs and get some background on the town. Take a short walk through the old medina and look at the silver jewellery, handmade in the Berber tradition, that local shops sell. Lunch is a two-course meal up in the Atlas Mountains, where the views stretch far over the landscape. The day also includes time among the golden dunes that give the Mini Sahara tour its name, with chances for photos and an optional camel ride, which is not part of the tour package. The final stop is the lake behind the Youssef Ben Tachfine dam. The drive there passes through everyday Moroccan country life, and a 30-minute stop on a hilltop gives you a panoramic view over the water and the land around it. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Agadir, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, a local tour guide and entry to the Youssef Ibn Tachfine dam are all included. Drinks are not, so bring water or plan to buy some along the way. Wear comfortable shoes for the caves and the beach, and pack sunscreen, a hat and a camera. The tour runs for around eight and a half hours, so a light layer for the drive home is worth having. It is a long but varied day that shows how much the region changes within reach of Agadir.