6 days/5 nights: ‘Hiking in the gorges and the desert’

Our trip will take us through the High Atlas mountains by way of the historic Tizi-n-Tichka pass. With an elevation of 2,260 meters the size and beauty of the mountains cannot be overstated. This pass is also dotted with ancient oak woods, walnut groves, traditional Berber villages and picturesque valley pastures complete with roaming free range goats and sheep. The mountain pass opens into a high desert lunar landscape and  we reach our first destination, the Telouet Kasbah; along the ancient route of the caravans, this was the seat of power of the El Glaoui family, hence sometimes called the Palace of Glaoui. (if you wish you can visit the Kasbah). We continue to Ait Benhaddou, where we will stop for lunch. This UNESCO protected medina has been featured in such films as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and The Gladiator. Morocco has long been a favorite of Hollywood and you will also have a chance to visit previous movie sets that are still standing. From here we set off through The Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Kasbahs are ancient castles or strongholds. The road you travel along may be paved today, but 1000 years ago it was just a path full of traders going to and from Europe. These Kasbahs offered a safe place to conduct business and spend the night in safety. We then travel through Skoura and Kelaa M’Gouna an area known for both roses and its handcrafted daggers. Then through the lush Dades Valley. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.

After breakfast you will spend the day exploring the remote canyons of the Dades Gorge.  Our guide will take you on a 2 hour mountain trek to an isolated oasis where you will enjoy a picnic with a view.  After lunch we continue our hike back to the Riad where a relaxing evening of tea and dining awaits. 

After a hearty breakfast our journey takes into the Jebel Saghro mountain range.  By way of the Tizi n’Tazazert pass.  This ancient pass reaches an altitude of 2,283 meters and offers the finest views of Jebel Saghro.  Our guides know all the best look out spots to take in these spectacular rock formations.  On our descent brings us to the Tagourt Plateau and its one of a kind pyramid-like Tazlout rock formation.  Passing through the Acca n’Akhbache and Bab n’Ali gorges before we reach the lush Draa Valley.  The waters running down from the High Atlas have formed a long oasis which runs from Ouarzazate to M’Hamid. The most luxuriant part, with millions of date palms, is located between Agdz and Zagora. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.

After breakfast, we continue south towards the desert of Mhamid. The journey continues past Tamegroute (if you wish you can visit a pottery workshop where you can watch the potters at work) and the dunes of Tinfou to Mhamid, once a lonely oasis and an important stage on the old caravan routes. Before Mhamid, we leave the paved road and drive into the desert; if you are lucky, you may see ostriches, antelopes and gazelles; you will certainly come across free-roaming dromedaries and herds of goats. In an adventurous ride in a Land Cruiser on the desert tracks, you will reach the holy oasis of Iriki after approx. 50 km and then continue to the dunes of Erg Chigaga, which extend over an area of approx. 40 km. The golden-coloured dunes reach a height of 300 m and our desert camp is located in the middle of the dunes. Enjoy the hospitality of the nomads, with the famous mint tea, the ‘Whiskey berbère’ as a welcome drink. Lunch at the camp; sandboarding. Dinner and overnight stay in a desert bivouac and nomadic romance.

The Erg Chigaga sunrise is certainly something you don’t want to miss, the golden light bounces across the dunes in a truly magnificent fashion.  After breakfast our day with the dromedaries begins.  Gliding through the dunes sitting atop a dromedary is a marvelous experience.  After a few hours of trekking through the dunes you will arrive at a stand of Tamarind trees.  Here in the shade our guides will cook a traditional nomadic lunch of kebabs and fresh bread.  From here we pass back through the dunes towards camp where you can enjoy a peaceful sunset and enjoy a wonderful dinner and tea.  

After breakfast, we continue on our journey along the old Paris-Dakar Rally track. Passing once again through the dried up salt lake of Iriki to a truly unique mountain of fossils. Once back in the pavement we journey to Tazenakht. Here we will stop for lunch and have another golden opportunity to collect some of the rugs Morocco is world famous for. This region is known for producing the finest woven rugs. This is your chance to buy them straight from the source, the quality simply cannot be overstated. From here we travel back towards Marrakesh arriving in the evening.