M IV: Desert Spirit

Marrakech - Zagora - Erg Lihoudi - Erg Chegaga - Taznakht - Marrakech

4x4, camel, 4 days, 3 nights, bivouac

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Draa Valley - Zagora

Departure early morning from your riad/hotel in Marrakech and travel through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tichka Pass (2260 m) - the highest road pass in Morocco offering spectacular panoramic views of the mountains and valleys with a snaky road, beautiful landscapes with different colours and the Berber villages along the way. Visit several kasbahs along the way, including Tamnougalte and Ait Benhaddou. A 16th century UNESCO site, Ait Benhaddou is one of the best preserved and most spectacular kasbahs in Morocco. A famous site for Hollywood films, Ait Benhaddou was used for the blockbuster film of 2000, Gladiator. The trip continues through the palm-lined Draa river valley. Arrival to Zagora. Dinner and night in a hotel.

Day 2: Zagora – Tamgroute – Mhamid – Erg Lihoudi

After the morning meal, we will have enough time to visit Zagora and its surroundings especially the Jewish quarter in Amzerou and the palm groves. Afterwards, we continue our trip towards the doorway to Sahara Desert (Mhamid). Along the way, we stop in the the original town of the 16th century dynasty ( Saadian), Tamgroute, to visit an old Coran library and a subterranean kasbah. We arrive to Mhamid where the Draa valley and civilization end. Lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant. Around 03 p.m., you will start the nomadic life by riding the camels and travel along the desert with its different facet of life and also diverse components (Erg, Reg, Hammada…etc). Dinner and night will be enjoyed under the nomad tent or under the starlit in the midst of nice sand dunes.

Day 3: Erg Lihoudi – Sacred Oasis – Chegaga sand dunes

After the morning meal, you ride on the back of saddled camels and enter the Sahara desert. A two hours ride followed by a break for lunch in M'hamid. Travel from M'hamid by 4x4 vehicle through the beautiful desert landscape with a break to enjoy a berber sahara tea in the sacred oasis. We reach the sand dunes of Chegaga - the largest group of dunes in the region reaching a height of 300 m and a span of 40 km. Dinner with entertainment. Camp in nomad tents.

Day 4: Chegaga sand dunes – Foum Zguid - Taznakht – Marrakech

After enjoying the sunrise up the sand dunes, breakfast is served to you, then departure in 4x4 vehicles via the old Paris-Dakar road to Foum Zguid, crossing Iriqui lake. Lunch in the berber village Taznakht. Arrival to Marrakech about 6:30 p.m.

Price on demand