4 days Marrakech Desert excursion

DESCRIPTION

A 4 day trip to Sahara desert is ideal, this desert tour is packed full of adventure from the outset and will include such features as the stunning drive through the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi N’ Tichka to Ait Ben Haddou and last but not least camel riding through the sunset or sunrise into the stunning sea of sand dunes in the Erg-Chebbi.

NB: you can not take a day trip from Marrakech to the Sahara, you can do an overnight trip (2 days and 1 night) but we wouldn’t recommend it. A 4 day, the 3-night trip is ideal. You could depart immediately on the day you arrive if it’s an earlier arrival or spend the night, get your bearings and leave in the morning.Highlights:

• Cross middle & High atlas mountains
• Beautiful views & panoramics
• Cedar forest in Azrou
• Authentic Berber villages
• Experience Camel trek
• Overnight stay at Nomadic camp
• Enjoy watching the twinkling stars
• Admire spectacular sunrise & sunset in Desert

DAY TOURS :

DAY 1

MARRAKECH – AIT BENHADDOU – DADES GORGES

Welcome to Morocco! The 4 days desert tour starts today; A driver will be waiting for you at your riad/hotel in Marrakesh we will set off for the Dades Gorges. Passing through Tizi-n-Tishka in the High Atlas Mountains we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou which has also been the backdrop for many films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Alexander. After lunch, we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and historical monuments of Taourirt Kasbah in Ourzazate and the Valley of the Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses. We’ll also pass through the Berber villages of El Kelaa des M’Gouna and Boumalene du Dades where we will spend the night.

DAY 2

DADES GORGES – TOUDGHA GORGES – MERZOUGA

There is more to do in the Sahara than you might think! Following breakfast, you depart for the Dades Gorges via the valley and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery, then continue to Tinghir and 20km after, its fabulous canyons, the Gorges Todra Canyons. Free time to walk around the “Gorges” enjoy the river and the fabulous views. Lunch at a local restaurant. After midday, we drive to Tinjedad, with its old underground irrigation system, and Touroug Palm Plantations reaching Erfoud town for a visit to a local fossil craft workshop. Continuing to the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, also known as the Dunes of Merzouga. Dinner and overnight in Merzouga Kasbah / Hotel.

DAY 3

MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR – ERG CHEBBI – BERBER TENT

It’s the third day but the Sahara desert tour adventure has just begun! After breakfast we’ll set off for Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, enjoying the desert landscapes, and passing through the gravestones of Taouz. We will then have an opportunity to hear the Gnawa music of Khamlia where we will have lunch in a small restaurant owned by a Gnawi person. Then it is a short drive to a nearby hotel for some refreshments before a camel ride into the desert. All unnecessary luggage will be left in safe rooms at the hotel. The 90-minute camel trek will take us to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses and linen, a restaurant, a kitchen, and a ‘natural’ toilet. The evening will consist of dinner followed by entertainment provided by Berber drums around the campfire.DAY 4

MERZOUGA – FEZ

A long drive today, Before sunrise, you will be woken up to climb the sand dunes for fantastic photo opportunities. We will then make our way back to the hotel for showers and breakfast before setting off for Fez. En route, we will pass through Erfoud, Errachidia, the Ziz Valley, Meditlt, the cedar forests and monkey troupes of Azrou, and Ifrane, before we drop you back at your riad/hotel in Fez.