Rissani Market, Old Ksar and Khamlia: Half-Day Tour from Merzouga
Tour at a glance
- Duration
- Half day
- Start
- Merzouga (pick-up at your hotel or riad)
- End
- Merzouga
- Group size
- 1 to 12 travellers
- Languages
- English, French, Arabic, Tamazight
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best time
- October–April; nights are cold from December to February.
- Vehicle
- Air-conditioned 4x4, minivan or minibus by group size
About the Rissani market tour
Rissani, about 40 km north of Merzouga, was the end of the caravan road across the Sahara for centuries and is the home town of the Alaouite family, who still rule Morocco. Today it is a market town where people from every village in the region come to shop, and it feels very different from the tourist side of the dunes.
On market days (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday) the souk is at its busiest: there is a car park for donkeys, a livestock market, stalls of dates from the Tafilalet oasis and spices sold by the kilo. Your guide takes you through it and explains what everything is.
You then walk through the earth-walled Ksar Ouled Abdelhalim, built in the 19th century, see the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif from outside and stop in Khamlia for Gnawa music on the way back.
Highlights
- Rissani souk and its donkey car park
- Dates and spices from the Tafilalet oasis
- Ksar Ouled Abdelhalim, a 19th-century fortified village
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif
- Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Private vehicle with a local guide
Route map of the Rissani market tour
- 1Merzouga
- 2Rissani
- 3Ksar Ouled Abdelhalim
- 4Khamlia
- ↩Back to Merzouga
The golden dunes of Erg Chebbi: camel treks at sunset, nights under the stars and Berber music by the fire. All tours in Merzouga
Itinerary for the day
-
08:30 Leave Merzouga
Drive north through the palm groves of the Tafilalet.
-
09:15 Rissani souk
Walk through the covered market, the date stalls, the donkey park and the livestock market.
-
11:00 Old ksar and mausoleum
Ksar Ouled Abdelhalim and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif.
-
12:30 Khamlia
Tea and Gnawa music, then back to your hotel around 14:00.
Times and driving durations are approximate and can be adapted. It is a private tour, so you can change stops with your driver-guide.
Prices for the Rissani market tour
Your private tour, with prices per group size. All prices are in euros and include everything listed under “What’s included”.
| Travellers | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | €190 | €190 |
| 2 | €190 | €95 |
| 3 | €190 | €63 |
| 4 | €190 | €48 |
| 6 | €190 | €32 |
| 8 | €190 | €24 |
The more you are, the less you pay per person. Children count as travellers when they need a bed.
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle with driver-guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Merzouga
- Gnawa music session
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and purchases
- Tips
Good to know before you go
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
A light layer for the evening and a scarf for visiting religious sites.
Best time for this tour
October–April; nights are cold from December to February.
The tour runs every day of the year. Start dates are flexible.
Payment & cancellation
Pay online with PayPal or a debit or credit card. Free cancellation with full refund up to 48 hours before the start.
Read the full policyFrequently asked questions
How much does the rissani market tour cost?
For 2 travellers the private day trip costs €95 per person (€190 in total), and for 4 travellers €48 per person. The price is for your own vehicle and driver, so it goes down as your group grows.
Which days is the Rissani market open?
The big souk days are Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. On other days the shops are open but much quieter.
Can we buy dates to take home?
Yes, the Tafilalet is famous for its dates, especially Medjool and Bousthammi. Your guide helps you buy at local prices.
Is it a good half-day with children?
Yes, children usually love the donkey park and the music in Khamlia.
Can it be combined with a camel trek?
Yes: do Rissani in the morning and start the camel trek at 16:30 the same day.
How do I pay and when is my booking confirmed?
You pay online with PayPal or a debit or credit card through PayPal’s secure checkout, and you receive a receipt by email. If online payment is not available, you can send a booking request instead: we confirm it and send you a secure payment link. After booking, and Youssef or our team contacts you on WhatsApp to arrange the pick-up. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
Are your tours private or shared?
All our tours are private: only you and your travel companions, with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
Can you build a custom itinerary?
Yes. Tell us your dates, interests and budget, and a local travel designer will plan a tailor-made route across Morocco with clear, all-inclusive prices.
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