Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Valle del Dades
Our journey through the Moroccan desert begins in Marrakech: at the airport, at your hotel, or at any other location of your choice; there you will be met by our driver/guide to begin the road trip in a vehicle equipped with the finest amenities.
We will cross the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest in this mountain range, at around 2,200 metres above sea level, leaving behind spectacular panoramic views and Berber villages where time seems to have stood still; A few kilometres before Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco for its famous studios, we will visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou: a stroll through its adobe complex will help us understand why it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 (optional entry); We will also stop to take photos at the Kasbah of Taourirt;
It won’t be the only fortress to appear on the horizon, because from then on we’ll travel along part of the ‘road of a thousand kasbahs’, through the Valley of Roses and the Dades Valley; In the former, rose bushes cover acres and acres of land; And in the latter, palm trees, birches and almond trees grow at the foot of the river that gives it its name;
It is in the Dades Valley that we will stop along the way to spend the night in a charming riad and recharge our batteries for the intense day ahead, which will take us to the very heart of the Moroccan desert.
Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga
The second day of this journey through the Moroccan desert begins with an energising breakfast at the riad and will end in Merzouga and its famous Erg Chebbi dunes; but first, the day has another major attraction: the Todra Gorges; this is the name given to the rock faces, up to 200 metres high, carved out over the years by the River Todra. Here, the road takes some incredible twists and turns, offering views straight out of science fiction, and we’ll head down to explore some of its most iconic stretches.
Back in the vehicle, we’ll continue towards Merzouga, probably the most admired town in the Moroccan desert; here we’ll change our mode of transport: we’ll park our vehicle and climb onto the backs of our camels (an option that can be replaced by a 4×4 specially designed for the desert) to head for the Erg Chebbi dunes.
There you will find our Berber tented camp, equipped with all the comforts for a pleasant stay; but the real pleasure will be all around you, where the sunset takes on a unique hue and the sky a purity that makes the stars shine like you have never seen them before. In this special setting, you will enjoy your dinner and a good night’s rest.
Day 3: Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif – Tazarine – Draa Valley – Agdz – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
The magical sunset and majestic starry sky of the previous day continue into the dawn of the third day, which you can watch from the camp; With the light of the new day, it will be time to enjoy the breakfast included in your accommodation and then have a refreshing shower, which will take place at the camp or at a hotel in Merzouga depending on the package booked; Afterwards, it will be time to set off by road towards Rissani, a town known for having one of the most beautiful medinas in the south of the country;
We will then continue to other towns in this part of the Moroccan desert, such as Alnif and Tazarine; We will also cross the Draa Valley and its extensive palm grove, considered the largest in North Africa; This is evidenced by one of the towns on the route, Agdz, a traditional stop on the caravan routes which today is home to places of interest such as the Kasbah des Arts;
From here, the return journey to Marrakech will take us back to Ouarzazate and the Atlas Mountains, which we will now cross via the Ait Saoun Pass, at around 1,600 metres above sea level; Our arrival in Marrakech late in the day will mark the end of an intense and fascinating journey through the Moroccan desert; And our farewell, at the airport or wherever you choose, will be filled with thanks, best wishes for the future and a sincere ‘see you soon’;
The tour includes:
– Pick-up from your hotel, riad, airport or wherever you wish;
– Comfortable, air-conditioned transport;
– Spanish-speaking driver;
– Fuel;
– Camel trekking;
– Hotels/Riads (breakfasts)
– 1 night in a desert camp (dinner & breakfast/events)
The tour does not include:
– Meals and drinks;
– Airfare
– Entrance fees for visits
– Lunch
