6 Day itinerary From Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. This is a splendid Morocco tour of 6 Days / 5 Nights starting from Marrakech, visit Ait ben Haddou kasbah, Atlas mountains, Ouarzazate, Todra & Dades gorges, Merzouga desert tour to explore the Erg Chebbi dunes and Berber villages.
The journey starts by driving towards Kasbah Ait Benhaddou via the highest pass in Africa Tizi N’ Tichka (Altitude 2260 m) while enjoying the panoramic views of the giant High Atlas Mountains with the lovely traditional Berber villages. Afterward, the journey is to continue its way to reach the fertile and rich village of Telouet or the Glaoui’s home-town where you can discover the salt mines. The journey continues to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou which is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River, This beautiful example of southern Moroccan architecture has been used as a backdrop for many international movies including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, and Gladiator. Upon arrival to Ouarzazat, visitors would start by visiting the Atlas studios the city’s main attraction where famous movies were made, such as Star Wars, Babel, The way back …Next is another visit to Kasbah Taourirt or the old city of Ouarzazate which was the essential residence of the Glaoui or the Pacha of Marrakech in the south. Overnight would be spent in a hotel in Ouarzazat.
After breakfast in the chosen hotel, the trip leaves the Dades gorges and heads to Todra gorges Gorge via Tinghir and the grass and trees valley of Todra where visitors could have a short hike along the narrow and high cliffs of Todra. Aftward, the journey continues to Merzouga via the dramatic stony desert and the palm trees of Erfoud (capital of the fossils) and Rissani which is known for its traditional market in the south. In the afternoon, visitors arrive at Merzouga desert where they get ready and accompanied a camel guide to go for an authentic camel trek experience of around one hour and a half where they could catch the sunset in the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a memorable night with numerous of shining stars, enjoy a Berber dinner. At last, the sleep is to be in traditional, well-prepared nomadic tents.
Departure would take place at 8 am from the visitors’ hotel in Todra gorges continuing to Merzouga via the spectacular view of the desert and the palm trees of Erfoud (capital of the fossils and best qualities of dates), and Rissani which is known for its traditional market in the south. In the afternoon we arrive at Merzouga desert where visitors get ready accompanied by a camel guide, of course, to go for an authentic camel trek experience of utmost one hour and a half where they can catch the sunset in the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a memorable night enjoying serenity and calmness while looking at a numerous of shiny stars and enjoying a Berber dinner. At last, the sleep is to be in traditional nomadic tents.
After getting up early and seeing the sunrise, visitors would ride their camels going back to their hotel for taking a shower and eat breakfast. Afterward, we take our 4×4 to drive around the mystic Erg Chebbi dunes and stop for tea with a nomadic desert family and get to know their simple life. Then resume to visit “Khamlia” a small village inhabited by black people to listen to their traditional Gnawa music, then another visit is to be paid to “Rissani” to bustle and bargain in its traditional Souk, visit some of the Kasbah and Ksour –fortified villages- in the area and have lunch with our family and friends. Free afternoon in the desert and overnight would be spent in our hotel.
Departure would take place at 9 am from the desert driving towards “Agdz” through the range of the dramatic Anti-Atlas mountains and the fantastic views of the rocky desert passing by a town called “Alnif” which is famous the Henna groves. After having lunch ina town called “Nekkob” we arrive at “Agdz” a small town located at the shore of the Draa River that is considered the longest in Morocco. Overnight would be spent in a hotel in “Agdz”.
The journey would take its way back to Marrakech crossing the Tizi N’Tinifift pass (Altitude 1460m) the highest pass in the Anti Atlas Mountains. After arriving at Ouarzazat in one hour, the journey would continue by the High Atlas Mountains to reach the fertile and rich village of Telouet or the Glaoui’s home-town where visitors could discover the salt mines, then arrive back to Marrakech and drop off approx at 5 pm.
