Marrakech to Merzouga Desert 5 Days Round Trip

Marrakech, Ait benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Dades, Torda canyons, Erg Chebbi, Draa valley, Tishka Pass, Telouet

Day 1: Marrakech - Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate
You will be collected from your lodging in Marrakech, hotel or Riad in the medina, transport via the famous High Atlas Mountains chain and crossing the Tizi N Tichka pass 2260m, highest of Morocco. You will be amazed by the wonderful views of the surrounding landscapes and Berber villages, arriving at the UNESCO world Heritage of the Ait Benhaddou Kasbahs where you will be taken on a walking tour to get a hold of its background as well as its history of being one of the most targeted places of shooting many glorious movies such as the Queen Of The Desert, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia… The next stop will be Ouarzazate; A city called Hollywood of Africa; where you will be spending the first night of you 5 days Marrakech to Merzouga desert round trip.

Day 2: Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Rissani - Erg Chebbi Dunes
After breakfast, you will continue your 5 day journey to the Sahara desert of Merzouga, via Draa valley crossing the volcanic rocky formations of the Anti Atlas Mountains to Agdez and Tamnougalt. You will then drive through Nkob, a small Berber town known for its numerous Kasbahs and as the access point to trek through Saghro Mountains to Dades. You will then reach to Rissani, a Saharan town that is considered the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty, popular for its traditional market if not the most important in the south in the old days, where many nomads come to shop. Heading further more to one of main desert destinations, Erg Chebbi desert, where you will take a camel trek to head to the camp assisting the sunset on the way over the sand dunes, you will enjoy your dinner and spend the night in the tented camp.

Day 3: Exploring Merzouga area
Wake up early in the morning, to enjoy the views of the sunrise over the sand dunes before you take your breakfast, ride back the camels to the Auberge at the dune line to freshen up, and then choose to leave for an off-road discovery of the surrounding villages such as Hassi Labied, Khamlia where a lot of dark skinned musicians known for their love of the Gnawa music that came originally from Sub-Saharan countries.Or relax next to the pool overlooking the dunes, alternatively you can visit the local market in Rissani and why not an hour ATV Quad biking in the dunes to end up your day. The night is spent at the hotel at the dune line.

Day 4: Merzouga - Erfoud - Todra Gorges - Dades Valley or Skoura
After breakfast, you meet up with your driver then make your journey back from the desert to Dades valley with stops in Erfoud;a city known for the fossilized rocks; and the Todra Gorges, the canyons are a hidden gem for rock climbers besides Taghia. You can do a leisure walk in the palmary for a couple of hours with a local guide ro visit the old Jewish district in Tinghir. If you choose to overnight in Skoura, you will drive through the valley of roses and the road of 1000 Kasbahs otherwise you be heading to your hotel in Dades valley for the night.

Day 5: Dades or Skoura - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
After breakfast, you will leave to Marrakech, passing through Kelaa Mgouna, the city of roses and Skoura palmary before you are back to Ouarzazate. You will cross the Tichka pass to end up in Marrakech. You can choose to make more stops on the ways such as to visit a purification unit of rose water or cinema sets nearby Ouarzazate or make your own way back to Marrakech. You might also want to end your tour in Essaouira or elsewhere on request.

Inclusions

Transportation in private licensed vehicle 4WD or Minibus with A/C, fuel throughout the tour
English/French speaking driver
Half Board – 2 meals Dinner & Breakfast, (Vegetarians are welcome)
Walks & Explorations for example in Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate & Todra Gorges
Night in a nomad tented camp in Merzouga dunes
Camel Trekking tour in Erg Chebbi
Local Taxes

Exclusions

Entrance fees to the monuments when applied
Gratuities
Lunches

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