TRIP DESCRIPTION:

Explore the beauty of the Sahara Desert during a 5-day desert tour from Marrakech. This tour is a magnificent dive into the authenticity of the Southern Morocco by discovering the World Heritage Kasbahs while enjoying the beautiful landscapes. Experience riding the camel through the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga including a lifetime night in the desert camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner under the stars. Stroll through the great canyons and gorges of Dades and Toudra. Drive through the sceneries of the arid desert to reach Draa Valley and discover the unique architecture of the fortified Kasbahs.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Follow the caravan route of the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi N’Tichka
• Discover the palm groves and fortresses of Skoura created in the 12^th century
• Stroll the canyons of Dades and Toudra Gorges during a guided walking tour
• Visit mud earth houses in Erfoud via Tinejdad
• Cross the Erg Chebbi dunes on camels
• Spend the night under the stars in a nomadic desert camp
• Enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner
• Ride camels and enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise over the sand dunes
• Cross the Valley of Draa and its charming palm trees
• Discover several little Berber towns on the way to Zagora and meet the local people
• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

ITINERARY:                          

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE – SKOURA

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel / riad from Marrakech and depart for Ouarzazate by crossing the High Atlas by the neck of Tizi n’Tichka, a mountain pass in Morocco, linking the south-east of Marrakech to the city of Ouarzazate through the High Atlas Mountains.

A road leads to Telouet and its magnificent Kasbah, once a stronghold of the powerful El Glaoui family, lords of the High Atlas and Pacha of Marrakech.

On the road to Ouarzazate, head over to the palm groves of Skoura, created in the 12^th century by Yacoub El Mansour. It is dotted with many fortresses of land resembling gigantic sand castles like Dar Air Sidi El Mati or the Kasbah Amerhidil.

Spend the night in the kasbah. Dinner and accommodation in the hotel.

DAY 2: TOUDRA GORGE – TINEJDAD – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we continue to the Dades Valley. The road runs through a black line in the middle of the palette of intense ochres. As you cross the High Atlas Mountains, the scenery changes; the grass becomes scarce, the wadi turns into streams or cascades.

Continuing towards the Tinghir palm grove, the gorges plunge into the mountain through impressive cliffs. Lunch en route in the palm grove of Tinghir. Take a stroll in the gorge.

In the afternoon, continue your way to Erfoud via Tinejdad, a village in mud earth built in the 19^th century and recently restored through international cooperation. Half of the houses are inhabited and the others have been rehabilitated.

Arrival in Merzouga, overnight in the hotel.

DAY 3: THE DUNES OF ERG CHEBBI

Start your day by discovering Merzouga by crossing a succession of ksour, oasis and palm groves. This region has cultural exchanges between Arabs, Berbers and Africans making it a very unique place in Morocco. Visit the nomads of the desert and drink a tea with them.

Eat lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the hotel for a moment of relaxation and preparation for a camel ride to watch the magnificent sunset over the dunes and then later on to the Berber tents. (at your own expense)

You will spend the night under the tents of the nomads in the Sahara to enjoy the desert silence with a sky full of stars.

Traditional Moroccan dinner will be served and overnight in the bivouac with traditional music from the nomads of the area for your entertainment.

DAY 4: OASIS OF N’KOB – DRAA VALLEY

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, which is one of the best moments of this tour.

Ride a camel back to the camp in Merzouga, followed by a filling breakfast. Prepare to go on the road to Agdz, which is also the beginning of the Draa Valley.

After a picnic with a nomad family in one of the small Berber villages, take the 4×4 ride to the N’kob to reach the oasis of Tamnouagalt with lush vegetation and fresh air. Located in the huge palm groves, the Ksar Tamnouagalt was an important crossroads at the time when large caravans were trading between Tafilalet and Timbuktu, controlling the entrance to the Draa Valley.

Spend the night in the kasbah. Dinner and accommodation in the hotel.

DAY 5: AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH

After your breakfast facing the palm grove, you will leave for Marrakech.

You will stop at the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou for a short visit in this fortified village. You will witness one of a typical ancient Berber village of the South. A historical site that is marked as a UNESCO world heritage and it is a magnificent preserved site of the Moroccan Kingdom that exposes the architecture and culture of Berbers in the Southern Morocco.

Drive back to Marrakech. Our driver will drop you off to your hotel / riad in Marrakech or leave you in the medina according to your preference.

NOTE:

• Standard Tours: including official art historian guide and accommodation in selected 3-star hotel / riad and Standard desert camp at the desert
• Luxury Tours: including official art historian guide and accommodation in selected luxury hotel / riad and luxury desert camp at the desert
• A professional photographer during the tour is also available for Extra charges

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Overnight in desert camp (dinner and breakfast included)
• Half-board accommodations in selected hotels and Kasbahs
• Camel ride for sunset and sunrise
• Air-conditioned minivan or 4WD Fuel included
• Professional driver/ Guide
• Bottled water during the tour
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

• Tips and Gratuities
• Lunch and Drinks
• Entrance fees

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Departure Time:         9:00 AM

Arrival Time:               8:00 PM