5 days from Marrakech: Sahara Feeling at Erg Chigaga
An individualized, private and comfortable off-road tour combined with two days of trekking in the Erg Chigaga desert and a homestay to a nomad family. 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 nomadic hospitality with 2 days trekking with dromedaries in the desert; experience the life of the nomads with an overnight stay by a nomad family and the thrill of 2 nights in the comfortable tented camp under the stars of the immense sky in the dunes of Erg Chigaga.
Activities
Itinerary: Marrakech – High Atlas– Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Draávalley – Agdz – Tamnougalt – Tamegroute – Mhamid – Oasis of Iriki – Dunes of Erg Chigaga – Lake of Iriqui – Foum Zguid – Tazenakth – High Atlas– Marrakesh
Type of tour: Private and off-road guided tour and 2 days of trekking in the desert
Min. participants/max. participants: from 2 participants; maximum 6 participants in Jeep
Duration of the tour: 5 days and 4 nights with half board
Departure /Arrival: departure and arrival from / to your Marrakech hotel
Individual starting dates, ideal in the cold season
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)
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. 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 and day 4
2 days of trekking with a dromedary in the dunes of Erg Chigaga, with a visit to a nomad family.
Get lost in the desert!! Two beautiful days trekking around Erg Chigaga. The first day you will set off with the dromedaries through the dunes. Everyone will have their own dromedary for the trip. The Sahara Feeling dromedaries have been in our family for years and are very good with first time riders. The first night will be spent with a traditional nomad family. This is your chance to see how the Sahrawi people have lived in the desert for thousands of years. This first night will be spent tenting under the stars. Of note, there are no mosquitos. On the second day we continue our trek through the dunes and back to base camp along the scenic route. Once there you can enjoy a hot shower settle in with some tea and enjoy a peaceful dinner.
Day 05
Lake of Iriki – fossil mountain– Tazenakht – Marrakesh
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, Draavalley ecc for walks and photo stop
- 2 overnight in private comfortable tent in our desert camp in the Erg Chigaga dunes with breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 1 overnight in the nomad camp with accomodation in private tent
- the trekking with dromedaries and local guide in the desert with picnic for lunch
- sandboarding and berber drumming in the desert camp
- tea, coffee and mineral water in the desert camp
Not Included:
- Remaining lunch
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees
- Tips