From your hotel or the airport in Marrakesh, we will set off for the Dades Gorges, passing through Tizi-n-Tishka pass, elevation 2260m, in the high Atlas Mountains. We will then visit the UNESCO World heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, the backdrop for many films including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Alexander. After lunch we’ll enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes and historical monuments of Taourirt Kasbah in Ourzazate, Skoura and the Valley of the Roses, famous for its annual Festival of Roses in May. We’ll also pass through the Berber villages of El Kelaa des M’Gouna and Boumalene du Dades where we will spend the night.
Today we set off to Merzouga in the desert. Merzouga is known for the highest sand dunes in North Africa. It is called Erg Chebbi and is about 20 km long and 5 km wide with its own unique environment. On our way, we will have the chance to see many oases such as the oasis of Tinjdad. We will continue our tour passing through the little Berber towns of Mellab and Touroug. Arriving in Rissani where we will have lunch. We will continue our way enjoying the green oasis of palm trees of Ziz –Tafilalet and the black Hamada before arriving to Merzouga. Later we will enjoy bathing in the warm waters if you wish as well as having a local dinner and listen to Berber music before spending the night in a hotel .
After breakfast, we will go around the dunes via the oasis of MERZOUGA, the nomadic depository, KHAMLIA village. We will visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. Not far away is the lake of Merzouga with its varied bird population. We will leave for Rissani, once called Sijilmassa. This was the meeting place for the salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk where Berbers sell spices, vegetables and clothes as they have done for hundreds of years. After a lunch of Moroccan pizza in Rissani you will travel back to your hotel where your camel will be awaiting you. All unnecessary luggage can be left in safe rooms at the hotel. The 90 minute camel trek will take us to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the highest in North Africa. The camp consists of several comfortable Berber tents equipped with mattresses and linens, a restaurant and a kitchen. The evening will consist of dinner followed by entertainment provided by Berber drums.
You will be awakened very early to be treated to a spectacular Moroccan sunrise. We will then make our way back to the hotel for showers and breakfast before we continue our journey to Ouarzazate, passing through Alnif, Tazzarine, Nkob, and the Draa Valley. We will spend the night in a guest house in Ouarzazate.
After breakfast, we will set off for Marrakech, passing through the spectacular High Atlas Mountains. Our journey will continue through the majestic Tizi ‘n’ Tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your accommodation in Marrakech, where the tour ends.
