7 days/6 nights: „From Marrakech to the fantastic Dades gorges and the red dunes of Merzouga to the Atlantic Ocean and Essaouira“
A comfortable group tour to the desert of Merzouga. Experience the mountains of the High Atlas, the Berber villages with stone and mud brick houses and the valley of the 1000 Kasbahs with typical mud houses. From the magnificent Dades and Todra gorges you reach the fantastic desert landscape of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Enjoy a day hike in the Dades Gorge, a camel ride in the desert and the nomadic hospitality in a luxurious tented camp under the endless starry sky in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The tour then takes you to the Atlantic Ocean and the pretty towns of Taroudant and Essaouira, ending in Marrakech.
Activities
Itinerary:Marrakech- High Atlas – Telouet - Ait Ben Haddou – valley of 1000 Kasbah – Dades gorges – Todra gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi dunes– Rissani – Nkob – valley of Draa– Agdz – Taroudant – Agadir- Essaouira – Marrakech
Type of tour: guided group tour, hiking day in Dades gorge and camelriding in the desert
Min. participants/max .participants:from 6 participants
Duration of the tour: 7 days and 6 nights with half board
Departure /Arrival: : departure and arrival from / to your Marrakech hotel
Individual starting dates, every Monday in July and August
Activities
Day 01
Marrakesh – High Atlas – Telouet - Ait Ben Haddou – Valley of 1000 Kasbahs – Rosevalley- Dades gorge
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, a mud brick kasbah protected by UNESCO and known as the finest and most famous in Morocco, which has featured in a number of films, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and The Gladiator. After the tour we stop for lunch. 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.
Day 02
Hiking in the Dades gorges
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.
Day 03
Todra gorge – Erfoud –Merzouga – dunes of Erg Chebbi (camelriding)
After breakfast we set off to the Todra Gorge.This marvel of geography with cliffs of ping and gray reaching the sky cannot be overstated.It’s a wonderful spot for a break and peaceful walk. From here we travel to the near by village of Erfoud for lunch.This area is home to centuries old horizontal wells called Qauah, that once irrigated the desert. After lunch we set out for Merzouga and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here you will admire the gilded pink dunes from the saddle of a dromedary passing effortlessly through the sand. The Chebbi dunes are continuously changing and moving, reaching a height of 160 meters.The evening will be spent in a luxury camp enjoying first class Berber hospitality. Complete with the traditional mint tea ritual, dinner and music topped off with star gazing in the vast desert sky.
Day 04
Rissani - Nkob – Draávalley – Agdz
After breakfast and a beautiful desert sunrise we resume our journey an set off to Rissani. This ancient mountain city is known the Ali Cherif Mausoleum as well it’s vibrant souqs and markets. Further down the road at Nkob we will stop for lunch before entering the Draa Valley. This lush valley produces some of the best dates in all of Morocco. There are millions of date palms that are harvested between September and December. These high quality treats are available along side the road as well as in every shop. From here we go to Tamnougalt, one of the oldest kasbahs (walled city or castle) in Morocco. This is where you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.
Day 05
Draàvalley - Tazenakth – Taliouine – Taroudant
Our final day starts with breakfast and a walk in a local oasis. Then 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 head to Taroudant, a walled mountain city called the little Marrakech. Dinner and overnight.
Day 06
Taroudant – Agadir - Essaouira
After breakfast in the garden of our Riad, we pay a visit to the attractive town of Taroudant, with its walls and medina with its souk. We resume our journey to the Atlantic Ocean, and head along the coast to the north until we reach Essaouira. Overnight accommodation in a riad in the medina of Essaouira.
Day 7
Draàvalley - Tazenakth – Taliouine – Taroudant
After breakfast, we'll have time to visit the beautiful down of Essaouira, on the Atlantic Ocean, a destination rich in charm and fascination. Among its attractions are the fish market and harbour, with the small fishing vessels which bring the fresh fish and all the abundance of the Atlantic to the land. The ancient fortifications, ramparts and, above all, the imposing medina, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001, are unforgettable sights. As we walk the narrow lanes of the medina, we can admire the picturesque white houses with blue doors and window frames and the many shops and cafes. Return to Marrakesh.
Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned Landcruiser (Minivan)
- English speaking driver/guide
- Pick up and drop-off in Marrakech
- 4 overnight in air-conditioned room with private bathroom in Hotel/Riad with breakfast and dinner
- 1 overnight in air-conditioned room with private bathroom in Hotel/Riad with breakfast
- 1 overnight in comfortable tent with private bathroom in the camp of Merzouga with breakfast and dinner
- the 1 day hiking with local guide in the Dades gorges with picnic for lunch
- the camelriding (1,5 hour) with a local guide in the desert
- sandboarding and berber drumming
- tea, coffee and mineral water in the desert camp
Not Included:
- Remaining lunch
- dinner at Essaouira
- beverages
- personal expenses
- entrance fees
- Tips