FROM MARRAKECH: 3 Days Desert Tour: Ait Ben Haddou – Erg Chigaga – Desert camp
The trip takes you over the highest pass in the Atlas Mountains and you visit the most famous kasbah in Morocco, Ksar Ait Ben Haddou. You pass vibrant Berber villages, Morocco’s Hollywood city, Ouarzazate, palm valleys and green oases. You visit Tamegroute ceramic village with colorful, handmade pottery and Morocco’s capital carpet village, Taznakht.
Ride camel into the golden sand dunes of Sahara, witness a breathtaking sunset and a magical starlit sky. Eat well in the camp and sleep in a nomad tent. The friendly nomads give you an insight in the nomadic way of life.
Complete your adventure with an off-road drive on the legendary Rally Paris – Dakar route.
- From Marrakech
- Start/stop: At your hotel or riad
- Duration: 3 days
- Transport: Landcruiser 4×4 car with aircondition
- Language: Driver/guide speaks English and French
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Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Draa valley - Zagora
The trip starts at 9 am, when the driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
We head to the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, crossing via the twisting pass of Tizi n Tichka. We drive further until we reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The kasbah is a well-preserved fortified city which is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage site. From here you visit the city, or ksar, on foot with a local guide.
Lunch in Ait Ben Haddou.
After lunch we continue south, through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as Morocco’s Hollywood and nicknamed the «Door to Sahara». We follow the old caravan route through the lush oases of Draa valley. Draa Valley is known for its many varieties of dates, which is a key agricultural product of the region. We drive along the palm trees until we reach the desert town of Zagora.
Dinner and sleep at a guesthouse in Zagora.
Day 2: Tamegroute - M'hamid - Erg Chigaga dunes - Desert Camp
After breakfast, we continue south towards the nomadic village of M’hamid. Along the way, we stop at a pottery workshop in Tamegroute, where you’ll have the chance to see how traditional pottery is made using age-old methods. You may also choose to visit the nearby Koranic library and medersa (school) (guided tour and entrance fees not included).
From Tamegroute, we drive for about 1 hour until we reach M’hamid El Ghizlane, where you’ll enjoy lunch and have some time to relax.
After lunch, we venture off-road into the vast desert. After approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of driving, we arrive at our desert camp nestled among the stunning sand dunes of Erg Chigaga.
Here, camels await to take you on a sunset camel ride through the towering dunes. You can also try sandboarding down the nearest dunes – the tallest reaches about 300 meters, offering breathtaking views of endless sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see. Experience the tranquility of the desert, with warm, soft sands beneath your feet and the quiet solitude of the surroundings.
Back at the camp, you’ll have the option to freshen up with a shower before a delicious 3 course dinner is served in the restaurant tent. After dinner, gather around the campfire as local nomads perform traditional music, creating a magical atmosphere.
You can choose to sleep in a nomad tent or, if you prefer, sleep under the stars, fully immersed in the vastness of the desert.
Day 3: Off-road driving - Lake Iriki - Route Paris-Dakar - Foum Zguid - Taznakht - Marrakech
We arrive in Marrakech late afternoon.
Price information
The starting price is EUR 350 per person when 2 persons are travelling together on a private basis and transport in 4×4.
We use Hotel La Fibule Zagora as standard guesthouse on this tour. Upon request it is possible to upgrade to Riad Lamane at an additional cost. (Subject available rooms). The desert camp is Desert Candles camp, Erg Chigaga.
For bigger groups, please contact us for price.
Included:
- All transportation in private 4wd Landcruiser
- Guide/driver
- 1 night in guesthouse in Zagora
- 1 night in desert camp in Erg Chigaga dunes
- 2 dinners
- 2 breakfasts
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding (the sandboards are available at all times in the camp)
- Local music by the nomads around the camp fire
Not included:
- Lunches
- Drink
- Tip
Booking & Payment: click here.