3 Night Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour

Highlights

  • Gaze in awe and channel your inner gladiator at Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
  • Take in the stunning sight of the sun setting over magnificent Saharan dunes.
  • Experience staying in a traditional Berber camp.
  • Squeeze through the dramatic Todra Gorge.
From £644 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

On this incredible private tour of Morocco's beautiful deserts and mountains, you'll be stunned by the natural beauty of the High Atlas and the Sahara, and amazed at the warm hospitality you'll receive from your local hosts, who will ensure you see Morocco at its most authentic.

Tour Summary

Day 1:

Depart from Marrakech
Travel through the Atlas Mountains
Visit Ait Ben Haddou
Overnight in Boumalne

Day 2:

Todra Gorge
Overnight in Merzouga Desert

Day 3:

Ramlia, Sahara Desert
Overnight in Ouarzazate

Day 4:

Travel through Atlas Mountains
Return to Marrakech

This four-day tour both starts and ends at the buzzing imperial city of Marrakech.

You’ll swoop through jaw-dropping mountain ranges, trek across endless, beautiful deserts, gaze at otherworldly fortress cities, and be fully immersed in native Moroccan culture, from rural and city life, to the cuisine, to the music.

You’ll be able to cool off from hot, dusty days of sightseeing with a cool swim in the idyllic Dades River, and relax from trekking in the Sahara by a crackling campfire under an endless shower of stars.

From magical music performances to plunging gorges and incredible meals, as rich in spices as Morocco is diversity, this is an experience not to be missed.

Jaw-Dropping Mountains and Ancient Fortresses

On day one, we will set off after breakfast from your Riad or hotel in Marrakech.

You’ll travel through the stunning Atlas Mountains, taking in incredible vistas of snow-capped mountains stretching endlessly into the distance. Pure white snow turns to lush green forests, which in turn descend into dusty brown rock in this truly beautiful landscape.

We’ll then stop at Tizi N’Tichka, the winding mountain pass that creeps up the side of the sheer cliffs and mountains, offering incredible views down deep valleys and of beautiful saw-toothed peaks.

As we travel onwards, you’ll witness a captivating transformation of the landscape, as the vegetation and shrubbery gives way to smouldering sandstone and soaring columns of rock.

Arriving at Ouarzazate, also known as Moroccan Hollywood, we’ll head to see the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This incredible fortified village is the backdrop of many famous movies, such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

As we walk to Ait Ben Haddou, which has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, you’ll learn its fascinating history, drink in the stunning architecture, immerse yourself in the ancient culture and enjoy panoramic views, which provide wonderful photo opportunities.

We then go on to Boulmane Dades, located by the Dades River, where you’ll be able to take a relaxing swim in the pristine river in the warm evening air, then head for a leisurely dinner of beautifully cooked, authentic Moroccan cuisine.

Accommodation 

Dar Blues, Boumalne Dades

Dramatic Gorges and Desert Camps

Leave after breakfast to see Todra Gorge. The gorge is a result of natural forces: both the Dades and Todra rivers have carved through these limestone canyons, with walls reaching 300 metres high!

After breakfast at your accommodation, we’ll continue our journey and set out to see the seriously impressive Todra Gorge. A result of the Dades and Todra rivers cutting cleanly through limestone canyons, the gorge is a spectacular sight.

Rushing waters pile through this deep gouge in the landscape, and drops of pure, crystal clear water dance in the sunlight as they splash through the sun-drenched walls.

We’ll then continue on to the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi, Merzouga. These immaculately sculpted, golden waves of sand provide excellent photo opportunities.

Enjoy a refreshing mint tea at the hotel on arrival, where you will mount your camel and trek into the atmospheric, endless Sahara dunes to enjoy a deep, glowing African sunset.

Continuing our camel trek, we’ll arrive at a traditional Berber camp in the dunes to have an authentic Moroccan dinner. You’ll be entertained by hypnotic desert drums, enjoy stargazing under the iridescent night sky and spend the night in the desert camp, gathered around the heat of a campfire.

This evocative experience will stick with you for life, and is one not to be missed.

Accommodation 

Kasbah Mohayut Camp, Merzouga

OR

Upgrade 

Luxury Camp, Merzouga

An Unforgettable Sunrise

The day begins with a beautiful Sahara sunrise, before we begin the camel trek back to the hotel. When we arrive, we’ll take time to refresh with breakfast and time for a shower.

We’ll then go to visit a community of traditional Gnawa musicians deep in the dunes and enjoy their trancelike, spiritual music. With its rich heritage rooted firmly in Morocco, this is a privileged spiritual experience in the beautiful Sahara Desert that many don’t see.

This is a chance to get a deep insight into Moroccan culture, firmly off the beaten track.

Finally, we’ll leave the desert for an overnight stay in Ouarzazate, another stunning, ancient fortified village of squat red blocks and twisting stairways and alleys.

Accommodation 

Hotel Riad Amlal, Ouarzazate

OR

Upgrade

Hotel Riad Chay, Ouarzazate

One Last Journey Through the Mountains

On our final day, we’ll depart for Marrakech after breakfast, stopping along the way to admire and take photos of the beautiful scenery.

As with our outward journey, the views simply don’t let up. As you round each corner you are presented with incredible panoramic view after incredible panoramic view.

We’ll traverse the majestic High Atlas Mountains, finally arriving back in Marrakech where the tour ends.

What's included

Included

  • 1 Night Accommodation in Dar Blues, Boumalne Dades
  • 1 Night Accommodation in Kasbah Mohayut Camp, Merzouga
  • 1 Night Accommodation in Hotel Riad Amlal, Ouarzazate
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • 3 Dinners
  • 1 Lunch (on Day 3)
  • English speaking local guide
  • Transportation throughout the tour
Your local host

Hamid and Gilly

Hamid was raised as a nomad. His family lived a nomadic life until he was about 6 years old.  Hamid’s family of 10 then settled in a remote desert village.  Family is everything to him.  Hamid is from the Amazigh tribe. “Amazigh” means free people.  He speaks five different languages:  Berber, Arabic, English, Spanish and French.  Hamid is a great people person – with a good sense of humour.  He is very in tune with nature and he enjoys showing his country to travellers. He worked as a cameleer when he left school, taking visitors on camel treks into the Saharan sand dunes. There, he mastered the art of playing the soulful African drums, as entertainment in the evenings.  It has always been Hamid’s dream to ... Read All

Hamid was raised as a nomad. His family lived a nomadic life until he was about 6 years old.  Hamid’s family of 10 then settled in a remote desert village.  Family is everything to him.  Hamid is from the Amazigh tribe. “Amazigh” means free people.  He speaks five different languages:  Berber, Arabic, English, Spanish and French.  Hamid is a great people person – with a good sense of humour.  He is very in tune with nature and he enjoys showing his country to travellers. He worked as a cameleer when he left school, taking visitors on camel treks into the Saharan sand dunes. There, he mastered the art of playing the soulful African drums, as entertainment in the evenings.  It has always been Hamid’s dream to have his own tour company and show people around his country, so he left his life in the desert to follow this dream. He is passionate about showing visitors the authentic Morocco and its vibrant and rich culture.

Gilly was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She has a passion for travel and Africa is in her blood, so when she got the chance to visit Morocco, she took it and immediately fell under its spell. She has visited countless times and there is always something new to see and experience. The Sahara Desert is one of her favourite places in Morocco,  along with the mountains, the Atlantic coast, The Blue City, Fes, Volubilis and the enchanting chaos of Marrakech! She loves the vibrant culture and the people who are as warm as their sunsets. On Gilly’s first adventure in Morocco, she met Hamid who regaled her with stories of life in Morocco. They both share a passion for authentic experiences and for nature and so the partnership for their tour company was born.

We aim to include all the elements of an unforgettable, awe-inspiring experience in our tours and excursions.  Hamid has extremely strong family values and this is extended to our guests, who are cared for as if they were family.

At the end of your time with us, we want you to return home with Morocco firmly in your hearts. We will explore the off the beaten track secrets of Morocco and discover its hidden treasures.  Authenticity is important to us and we want to show you the real Morocco.

Whether it is camel trekking the evocative Sahara Desert and spending a night under a breath-taking sky full of stars, spending a day in the life of a nomad family, indulging all your senses in the vibrant atmosphere of Marrakech, wandering the enchanting and artistic blue streets of Chefchaouen, taking an authentic Moroccan cooking class and creating a delicious tagine, marvelling at the stunning, mystical architecture and beautiful mosques, exploring snow-capped mountains, ancient Roman Ruins, visiting women’s argan cooperatives, towering mountain waterfalls,  enjoying sand, sea and surf on our North African beaches, we will ensure you have the best time and a wonderfully memorable experience.

As a result of the hardships Hamid endured in his nomadic childhood in Morocco empowering local communities and preserving their culture is very important to him. Our tours are created to give back to the local communities, to help ensure food and water security, employment, education and self-sufficiency.

Location

Pick up and drop off will occur from Marrakech.

Specific pick up and drop off points will be arranged on a case by case basis.

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