Description

Tour Overview: 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech

Explore immense golden dunes with the 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech nomadic settlements, green valleys and palm groves, impressive rocky gorges, enjoy an unforgettable camel ride in the Merzouga desert, contemplate the breathtaking desert landscape crossing the famous track of the former Dakar Rally and live a unique experience in a camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi desert with an unforgettable and magical stay in an authentic Berber Camp.

Itinerary: 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech

Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate

We will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Marrakech at 08:30 to start our 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech. We will head to Ouarzazate, crossing the High Atlas through the Tizi N-tichka pass (2.260m altitude) where we will make several panoramic stops to take amazing pictures. Continuing along the road, we will turn off on a small road where we will take the opportunity to contemplate some spectacular landscapes of great chromatic diversity where we can rest and take pictures. We will arrive to the village of Telouat where we will visit its Kasbah and have lunch in a typical restaurant of the place.

In the afternoon, we will continue our journey through numerous Berber villages, where we can observe how their families live in authentic adobe houses lost in the mountains. This track will take us to the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO). In this spectacular setting have been filmed several famous movies such as Gladiator, Obelix, Sahara with Penelope Cruz ....

After this visit, we will head to our charming riad in Ouarzazate, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 2: Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Alnif - Dakar Track - Overnight in Ouzina

The second day of our 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech starts with a hearty breakfast at the riad. We will head towards the Draa Valley through a winding road that accompanies the Draa River, one of the longest rivers in Morocco, during its journey. Along the way, we can see how the landscape changes, from arid and barren land to palm groves and fields that stretch for miles.

We will make several stops to contemplate the authentic Berber villages and charming adobe kasbahs that dot the route. Wonderful constructions made of straw, mud and water overlooking the palm grove.

After lunch in Alnif, we will continue our journey to Tafraoute, where we begin our journey through the famous track of the former Dakar Rally, a trip to which we will enjoy breathtaking views of the purest and most authentic desert, the desert of Ouzina, a desert that offers you the most absolute peace of the deserts of Morocco and the authenticity of its people.

The track that connects Taouz with Ouzina shows us how, in this Great South of Morocco, the landscape is so varied and incredibly beautiful, going from its aridity to the greenest vegetation and the beautiful orange dunes that contrast with the black mountains that characterize the area of Ouzina.

Already in Ouzina we will head to our accommodation. A charming typical Berber lodge where we will have dinner and overnight.

Day 3 Ouzina - We continue along the Dakar track - Return of the dunes - Camel ride and night Berber camp in Merzouga.

Early in the morning, after a refreshing Berber breakfast freshly made in this charming lodge, we start our day by setting off in the direction of Merzouga. A day full of adventures crossing all kinds of terrain, typical Berber villages, dunes, 4×4 tracks, dry riverbeds, hamadas, oasis....

We will start crossing the old Dakar Rally track in 4x4. Once we arrive in Merzouga, we will make our way around the dunes and visit the local nomadic settlements in the Erg Chebbi area, while having tea with them, we will learn about some of their traditions, customs and ways of life.

For lunch, we will head towards the village of Khamlia, between Merzouga and Taouz. In the area, it is known as "the village of the blacks".

Its inhabitants will invite us to a delicious tea and peanuts, where in addition to enjoying their Gnawa music, originally from Sub-Saharan Africa, we will have the opportunity to taste the famous Berber pizza. If you wish, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a full day and get on the quads or buggys to venture into a unique experience, the climb to the dunes on quads.

In the afternoon, we will head to the lodge to get on the back of our camels and head to the Berber camp in the middle of the dunes. In this magical ride of about an hour, we will enjoy an unforgettable sunset in the desert of Merzouga, where you will photograph the most magical landscapes. It is the most desired moment of our 5 days excursion to the desert of Merzouga from Marrakech. Already in the camp, we will relax with a welcome mint tea and then an unforgettable magical evening awaits us, where we will dine by candlelight typical local products, and after it, we will have the opportunity to play the drums to the rhythms of the Sahara desert, a show of live Berber music by the campfire. We will rest in our Berber tents under a blanket of stars until sunrise.

Day 4 Merzouga - Merzouga Desert - Todra Gorges - Dades.

After an unforgettable night in our haimas, early in the morning, if you get up early enough you will be able to admire the other charming postcard of our 5 days Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech, the impressive image of the sunrise in the Sahara and the sunrise between the dunes.

After this magical desert experience, we will get back on our camels to return to the lodge. We will have time to shower and have a refreshing Berber breakfast.

We will take direction to the village of Rissani, ancient Sijilmassa, supply center of the ancient caravans coming from the Sahara.

Rissani is one of the most emblematic places in the desert area of Merzouga, its market was one of the most active during the caravan routes. It is also spectacular to see the famous donkey parking on market days. Continuing the journey through a semidesert landscape, we will reach the oasis of Tinghir, possibly one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. Going up the river Todra, about twenty-five kilometers north of the city of Tinghir, we will arrive at the impressive Todra Gorges. These natural constructions, of more than 300m high, are recognized worldwide for being one of the most spectacular rocky canyons. The road leading to the gorges offers beautiful scenery and a beautiful view of the majestic palm grove.

After the visit to these cliffs and its village, we will take the famous Route of the Thousand Kasbahs, to reach the Dades River Gorges, where over time, the river has eroded the rocks to form an incredible landscape of great natural beauty.

In the evening, we will head to our charming accommodation in Dades, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 5 Dades- Valley of Roses - Marrakech

This last day of our 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech begins after a hearty breakfast at our accommodation. We will head back to Marrakech through the Valley of Roses.

Less than 50 km from Skoura we find Kelaa M'gouna, a fortified village famous for its rose water distillery. This is the Valley of Roses, located at the foot of the High Atlas and formed by hectares of rose bushes, whose aroma is appreciated throughout the month of May. Flowering lasts from mid-April to mid-May. The cultivation of roses, the distillation of essences and the production of perfumes are the most important industries of this place. It is well known for its Rose Festival, which takes place every year in May.

We will drive to the Skoura Palm Grove, a vast and lush palm grove of more than 700,000 palm trees. The impressive greenery contrasts with the arid plateau that makes up the lower valley of the Oued Dades and the large concentration of kasbahs and authentic adobe villages that are scattered throughout the Oasis of Skoura, an authentic place of great beauty where you will be transported to other times and where time seems to stand still.

After a few photo stops along the way, we will continue to the port of Tizi N' Tichka and stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the mountains.

We will also visit an argan oil cooperative, where we will discover the process of making argan oil and the women who work the argan will explain the many benefits that this product has for the body.

We will continue the route until we reach Marrakech, and in the city we will enjoy a free evening to enjoy a stroll through the Jamaa el Fna square and have a tea or dinner in the typical stalls that crowd the square.

End of our 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech trip.

INCLUDED: 5 days to Merzouga Sahara desert from Marrakech

• Private vehicle in comfortable 4×4 with heating/air conditioning.
• English or Spanish-speaking driver at your disposal during the whole time of the tour.
• Fuel.
• Accommodation in Riad kasbah in Dades with half board (dinner and breakfast).
• Accommodation in kasbah in Ouzina with half board (dinner and breakfast).
• Accommodation in a berber camp in Merzouga Desert with half board (dinner and breakfast).
• Accommodation in Riad in Ouarzazate with half board (dinner and breakfast).
• Dromedary ride
• Pick up at any point in Marrakech that you indicate.

Not included:

• Meals and drinks not included in the previous section.
• Entrance fees to monuments
• Personal expenses.