Day 1: Fez / Merzouga
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 Merzouga / Todra gorges
Bivouac trekkers return by camel at sunrise to the auberge for breakfast and shower before going to Tinehir. Along the way you can visit a fossil workshop for a closer look at Sahara’s wonderful varieties of ancient life. We\'ll walk through Todra Gorge where limestone walls rise to over 300 m in the narrowest gorge and after lunch, visit the women’s market in Tinihir and old kasbah quarter. We stay in traditional old kasbah with evening Moroccan dinner by the pool.

Day 3 Todra gorges / Dades gorges
After breakfast you can wander with a local guide through palmery villages, gardens, and kasbahs for a close look at traditional Berber ways of life. Our next destination is Dades valley (2 hours) of a thousand Kasbahs. You will pass through many Berber villages, and green riverside oasis and barren red hillsides clustered with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house many families and their livestock). Stop to visit and walk among the monkey fingers. Stay in Dades valley auberge (small country inn) with Moroccan menu on the terrace, overlooking the valley gorge and gardens.

Day 4  Dades gorges / ait ben hadou / Marrakech
After breakfast we’ll off-road to Ouarzazate, through the Valley of Roses, famous for the Persian rose oil. Visit the World Heritage Site, Ait Benhaddou. This historic cluster of old kasbahs was the stronghold stop for caravans crossing the High Atlas to pay taxes for protection from thieves after their gold, slaves, salt and ivory. Descending the High Atlas mountains Tizi nTichka pass to Marrakech, we will have time to stop and enjoy the impressive landscapes, and coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice breaks. Arrival in Marrakech approximately 6 p.m. You will need to book a hotel in Marrakech this night or we can book a medina riad including breakfast.

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…

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.

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