Day 1: Fez / Merzougua camelrid and povernight in the desert
We will meet you at your Fez riad or hotel, depart and transport (8 hours) over the Middle Atlas mountains through the cedar forests of Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz gorges towards Sahara, until the Erg Chebbi dunes appear on the horizon. Our destination is the auberge (small inn) 29km from Merzouga, where you meet your camel guide and ride into the dunes at sunset to the bivouac (camp). Upon arrival you will have a traditional tagine dinner prepared under the evening stars. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in the nomad wool tent.
Day 2: Merzougua
Bivouac trekkers return by camel at sunrise to the auberge for breakfast and shower. You can chill out in the dunes or the auberge, or take your car and driver for an off road tour around the Erg Chebbi. We'll stop to visit Nomad families for tea if they are in the region, and you can explore as much as you wish. The village of Hamlia is on your route, and is famous for Gnaoua music. Stay in desert auberge with swimming pool. Includes breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: Merzougua / Saghrou montain / Todra gorges
We'll drive off road today, traveling through the Saghro mountains. Tinehir. Along the way we pass through folded exposed rock slabs of fossils and we can stop and visit a fossil workshop for a closer look at Sahara’s wonderful varieties of ancient life. Before Tinehir,we'll have a visit to Todra Gorge, where sheer limestone walls rise to 300 m in its narrowest part. After lunch you can wander with a guide through palmeries, villages, gardens, and kasbahs for a close look at traditional Berber ways of life. Visit the market in Tinehir and old kasbah quarter. We will stay in an old kasbah, with evening Moroccan dinner by the pool.
Day 4: Todra gorges / Dades gorges
Our next destination is Dades valley of a thousand Kasbahs. You will pass through many Berber villages, and see green riverside oasis and barren red hillsides clustered with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house many families and their livestock). Stay in upper Dades valley auberge, with dinner on the terrace, overlooking the valley gorge and gardens.
Day 5: Dades gorgres / Ouarzazat/ ait ben hadou / telouat / Marrakech
Our next destination is a drive off road (weather permitting) across the mountains to explore in the Valley of the Rose, famous for Persian roses and the remote village of Boutaghrah for lunch. We’ll explore the environs before continuing on to Ait Benhaddou. We will explore Ait Benhaddou. This village of clustered Berber Kasbahs has been used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. Descend the High Atlas mountains Tizi nTichka pass to Marrakech. We will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes, and coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Arrival in Marrakech at approximately at 6 p.m. You will need to book a hotel in Marrakech this night or we can book a medina riad including a full breakfast.
FIVE DAYS / FOUR NIGHTS
There is a lot to see in the desert and besides touring and camel trekking, our five days allow time to immerse yourself in the most interesting sites and history of the Old Salt Road, spend more time in the dunes and experience the culture of desert Nomads and Berbers.
NB : Each one of our offers can be adapted to suit individual needs. The Sahara is a mysterious, magical and powerful experience. You will be accompanied by local and experienced nomad guides as well as knowledgeable drivers who can increase your enjoyment in gaining a feel for this special place.
Book this tour
Includes: Transport by 4x4; experienced driver; ensuite rooms with air conditioning, breakfast and dinner (vegetarians welcome); swimming stops (April to September); personalised extended walks and exploration of oasis palmeries and kasbahs, markets and medinas; camel trek to overnight in nomad desert bivouac with guide and camels of course…
Private A/C Vehicle, 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser or Deluxe Van for 2 days + fuel
English speaking driver during the tour
Pick up & Drop off at your Marrakech accommodation
Ensuite rooms with A/C in typical hotels, Kasbahs & Riads with dinner and breakfast (Vegetarians are welcome)
Camel Trek to overnight in nomad desert bivouac with guide (Private tents)
Free time to explore the sites such as Ait Benhaddou, kasbah, Walks, Canyons, Breaks for photos,..Etc