Day 1: Marrakech / ait Ben Hadou / Dades Gorges
We will meet you at your riad or hotel at 8:30a.m., depart Marrakech, and
transport over the High Atlas mountains Tizi nTichka pass. We will have time to
stop and enjoy impressive landscapes, and break for coffee and fresh-squeezed
orange juice. We spend the afternoon visiting the World Heritage Site of Ait
Benhaddou. This village of clustered 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. We pass through Ouarzazate, and the
Valley of the Rose, famous for soft Persian rose oil. Our next destination is
Dades valley. You will pass through many Berber villages, and in the desert,
see barren red rock formations clustered with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that
house many families and their livestock). Stay in Dades valley auberge (small
country inn) with Moroccan dinner on the terrace, overlooking the valley gorge
and gardens.
Day 2: Dades Gorgres / Saghru montain/ Merzougua
After breakfast we will through the Saghro mountains and stop in Rissani for
lunch. Back in the car, we\'ll explore further until the Erg Chebbi dunes appear
on the horizon. Our afternoon destination is the auberge 29km from Merzouga,
where you meet your camel guide and ride into the dunes to the bivouac (camp).
Upon arrival you will have a traditional tagine dinner prepared (vegetarians
welcome), under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the sky. Climb the dunes
and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in the nomad wool tent. Or
you have a choice (with extra cost) of a sunset camel trek into the dunes,
staying in the desert auberge with relaxing dinner, and breakfast early the
next morning.
Day 3: Merzougua / Todra Gorgres
Return by camel at sunrise to the auberge for breakfast and shower before going
to Tinehir. Along the way we\'ll drive offroad, and 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. 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 have a late afternoon arrival
to stay in an old kasbah with evening Moroccan dinner by the pool.
Day 4:Todra Gorgres/ Marrakech
After breakfast the remainder of the day is spent driving back to Ouarzazate
where we’ll stop for lunch and visit the old Glaoui Kasbah Taouirt. Then we
cross the High Atlas once more, down the Tizi nTichka pass. Arrival evening in
Marrakech at approximately 6pm. Marrakech hotel this night optional with an
extra cost.
FOUR DAYS / THREE NIGHTS from Marrakech to Marrakech
Four days allows for a leisurely pace, with time to explore Berber villages,
markets, off-road by 4x4, walk in the palmeries and the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Available year-round.
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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