5 days from Agadir to Marrakech: the desert of Erg Chigaga and the oasis of the Draavalley and the Dades gorges
An individualized and comfortable private tour. From Agadir you will pass the valley of Sous and reach the desert and the big dunes of Erg Chigaga; you will experience a full day trekking with the dromedaries in the desert and 2 overnights in our comfortable desert camp. The journey takes you in the oasis of the valley of Draa with millions of date palm trees; you will pass the fantastic landscape of Jebel Saghro and the Dades gorges. The last day do you pass the valley of 1000 Kasbhas and you will visit the Kasbah Ameridil in Skoura and Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous Kasbah of Morocco before you cross the High Atlas Mountain until you arrive to Marrakech.
Activities
Itinerary: Agadir – valley of Sous - Taroudant - Tazenakth - Foum Zguid - Lac Iriqui - Erg Chigaga – Mhamid – Draavalley – Zagora– Nkob – Jebel Saghro - Boumalne Dades - Dades gorges- Rosevalley- Valley of 1000 Kasbahs- Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Telouet – Marrakech
Type of tour: Private and guided off-road tour and dromedary excursion 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: from your Agadir Hotel
Arrival: to your Marrakech Hotel
Individual starting dates, all over the year
Activities
Day 01
Agadir – valley of Sous - Taroudant - Tazenakth - Foum Zguid -Lac Iriqui - Erg Chigaga
We set out from Agadir and travel inland passed Taroudant and into the Sous Valley. Notorious for images of goats balanced high in Argan trees. Once through the valley we hook into the old Dakar rally track passing through the dried up salt lake of Iriqui. Just past the lake the western tip of the Sahara is found. Erg Chigaga – an amazing series of golden desert dunes stretching for 40 km and reaching a maximum height of 300 meters. Here, you can admire the sunset amid the dunes. The typical nomad hospitality awaits us here in our tented camp, surrounded by the dunes of the Sahara, with the ritual welcome with mint tea, a traditional nomad dinner with music and a bonfire and overnight accommodation in a nomad tent.
Day 02
Trekking with dromedaries to the dunes of Erg Chigaga
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.
Day 03
Erg Chigaga- M’Hamid - Draavalley- Zagora
After breakfast in the camp we link up with the old Paris-Dakar Rally track leading us to the Iriki oasis and then to Mhamid where the highway begins. This is where the Draa Valley begins. This river basin spanning between Ouarzazate and M’Hamid is home to millions of date palms in season between September and December. Towards the evening we reach Zagora and will spend the night and dinner in a Riad.
Day 04
Draavalley - Nkob - Jebel Saghro - Boumalme Dades - Dades Gorges
After breakfast we set out towards Nkob by way of the Jabel Saghro Pass. This ancient pass reaches an altitude of 2,283 meters and is comprised of many unique rock formations. Our guides know all the best look out spots to take in these spectacular rock formations. From here we enter the Dades Valley, with many bizarre rock formations, oases and Berber villages. Walk in the gorge. Here you will stay in a local bed and breakfast, dinner and tea service towards the evening.
Day 05
Dades Gorge - Rose Valley - Valley of the 1000 Kasbah - Ait Ben Haddou - High Atlas - Telouet – Marrakech
After breakfast we leave the Dades Gorge and drive west to Rose Valley. In the Valley we travel through Skoura and Kelaa M’Gouna, an area known for both roses and its handcrafted daggers. 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. This valley opens into a high desert lunar landscape that is home 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 you will take the historic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakech, arriving in the evening.
Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned Landcruiser (Minivan)
- English speaking driver/guide
- Pick up at your Riad/Hotel Agadir
- Drop-off at 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 stops
- 2 overnight in air-conditioned room with private bathroom in Hotel/Riad with breakfast and dinner
- 2 overnight in private comfortable tent in our desert camp in the Erg Chigaga dunes with breakfast and dinner
- the trekking with dromedaries and local guide in the desert with picnic for lunch
- sandboarding and berber drumming
- tea, coffee and mineral water in the desert camp
Not Included:
- Remaining lunch
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fees
- Tips