Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Dadès Gorges
Our journey starts from Marrakech to Dadès Gorges. We travel across the Tizi-n-Tichka Atlas pass (2260m), with far-reaching views across the mountains, to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and take a guided tour of the Kasbah of El Glaoui, former War Lord and Pasha of Marrakech. We continue and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, a spectacular fortified village (ksour). We have our lunch at Ait Benhaddou or Ouarzazate and continue to Dadès Gorges where we will spend the night in a riad/hotel.
Day 2: From Dadès Gorges to Merzouga
After breakfast, we head to Merzouga from Dadès Gorges. Berber villages are scattered along the way. We’ll pass through Tinjdad, Jorf, and Erfoud in which we’ll feel the beginning of the Saharan Oasis of Tafilalt and then continue to Merzouga. Dinner is served in the hotel near Erg Chebbi where we will spend the night and listen to Berber music.
Day 3: 4×4 Desert Tour
In the morning, we start our tour around the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We will visit a Berber house and listen to some Gnawa music; originally from Ghana and Sudan. We will visit some deserted mines, Berber nomads, and an oasis of palm trees. For lunch, we will head back to Merzouga. After relaxing for a time we will go for the camels that are waiting to take us on an adventure in the sand dunes. When we arrive at the camp, we climb the high dunes to see the sunset and spend the night in nomad tents. We will spend the night in an equipped camp with drums music in the middle of the Sahara, which is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise.
Day 4: Merzouga – Ouarzazate
After watching the sunrise we go back to Merzouga. We will have an opportunity to take a shower and have a lovely breakfast. Then we start our journey back to Ouarzazate. On our way, we will visit the Berber shops where you may purchase souvenirs like fossils, carpets, lamps, leather… We will arrive in Ouarzazate in the afternoon and spend the night in a hotel.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Leaving Ouarzazate in the morning we will have another chance to visit Ait Benhaddou for lunch and tour this world heritage site. This famous 11th-century kasbah was used as a backdrop for more than 20 films including the famous Gladiator. After lunch, we will start our journey back to Marrakech through Tizi-n-Tichka and reach Marrakech in the evening.
Price includes:
– 3 nights at the Hotel plus dinner and breakfast
– 1 night under a Berber tent plus dinner and breakfast
– Five days tour with an AC Land cruiser 4×4
– Fuel
– English speaking driver
– 2 hours camel riding
– 4×4 Desert tour
