5 days/4 nights from Marrakech: “Sahara Feeling at Erg Chigaga”

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 journey to Ouarzazate. Then through the lush Draa Valley to the historic village of Agdz. Here you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service and full dinner.

Your day begins with breakfast on the on the raid 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.

After breakfast in the desert camp, you set off on your day’s hike with the dromedaries. You will visit a nomadic family and get to know the authentic nomadic life of the few people who still live nomadically. After approx. 2 hours you will reach the nomads, who will prepare lunch for you. After lunch and a rest, you will return to the desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chigaga. You have your own riding camel and can ride on the camel or walk alongside the caravan like the local camel guides. If the way back is too strenuous for you, you can also be taken back to the camp by jeep. Overnight stay and dinner in the desert camp.

After breakfast, your excursion continues to the largest dune of Erg Chigaga. Here, too, you can either ride a camel or, like your local guide, hike. You will reach the foot of the large dune and tea and a picnic will be prepared for you with fresh bread baked in the hot sand in nomadic style. Climb the large dune and enjoy the view. If you wish, you can also try to ride the dune on a sandboard. Return to the desert camp in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in the desert camp.

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.