3 days from Marrakech: Oases and the dunes of Erg Chigaga
An individualized and comfortable tour with the off-road vehicle. Experience the mountains of the High Atlas, the picturesque oases of the Draa Valley with millions of date palms and the fantastic desert landscape of the Erg Chigaga dunes. Enjoy the thrills of the desert with a trip with the dromedaries to contemplate the sunset in the dunes of Erg Chigaga and overnight in our comfortable tent camp under the stars of the immense desert sky.
Activities
Itinerary: Marrakesh – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Draàvalley – Agdz – Tamnougalt – Tamegroute – Mhamid – Oasis of Iriki – Dunes of Erg Chigaga – Lake Iriqui – Foum Zguid – Tazenakth – High Atlas – Marrakesh
Type of tour: Private and guided tour in 4×4 Jeep off-road, camel riding and sandboarding in the desert.
Min. participants/max. participants: from 2 participants; maximum 6 participants in Jeep
Duration of the tour: 3 days and 2 nights in half board
Departure/arrival: departure and arrival from / to your hotel in Marrakech
Individual starting dates, all over the year
Activities
Day 01
Marrakesh – High Atlas – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Draàvalley– Agdz – Tamnougalt
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 that is home to Ait Benhaddou, where we will stop for lunch. This UNESCO protected village 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 journey to Ouarzazate. Then through the lush Draa Valley to the historic village or Tamnougalt. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.
Day 02
Draávalley – Zagora – Tamegroute – Mhamid – Oasis of Iriki –dunes of Erg Chigaga (sandboarding and camel riding)
Your day begins with breakfast on the on the Riad terrace, followed by a walk through the Tamnougalt Oasis. Then once again we pass through the Draa Valley on route to Zagora and Tamegroute. A region known for producing some of the best hand crafted pottery in all of Morocco. This is a one in a life time chance to get first pick at some of the greatest artwork in Morocco. From here we follow the highway to the end and the desert outpost of M'Hamid. This is where most of our guides were born and feel at home once the pavement ends. We travel through 50km of desert landscape passing along hand made "roads" that are centuries old. Passing through a traditional watering, the Iriki Oasis before passing through the Iriki salt flats and in the Erg Chigaga desert. This amazing series of golden desert dunes stretches for 40 km reaching a maximum height of 300 metres. Our Sahara Feeling camp is nestled within these timeless sand dunes. Here you will bask the sunset from the saddle of a dromedary while they effortlessly move throughout the dunes. The evening will be spent in camp enjoying first class Sahrawi hospitality. Complete with the traditional mint tea ritual, nomadic dinner and music topped off with a bonfire under the open sky.
Day 03
Lake Iriki – fossil mountain– Tazenakht – Marrakech
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.
Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned Landcruiser (Minivan)
- English speaking driver/guide
- Pick up and drop-off at the airport or your Riad/Hotel in Marrakech
- The opportunity to ask a driver to stop when and where you wish
- Free time to explore the places such as Ait Ben Haddou, Dadesvalley, Draavalley ecc for walks and photo stops
- 1 overnight in comfortable tent in our desert camp in the Erg Chigaga dunes with breakfast and dinner
- 1 overnight in air-conditioned room with private bathroom in Riad with breakfast and dinner
- the camel riding (1,5 hour) with a local guide in the desert
- sandboarding and berber drumming in the desert camp
- tea, coffee and mineral water in the desert camp
Not Included:
- Lunch
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees
- Tips