6 days/5 nights: ‘Kasbahs, gorges and the desert nomads in 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, 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 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.

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. 

After a hearty breakfast our journey takes into the Jebel Saghro mountain range.  By way of the Tizi n’Tazazert pass.  This ancient pass reaches an altitude of 2,283 meters and offers the finest views of Jebel Saghro.  Our guides know all the best look out spots to take in these spectacular rock formations.  On our descent brings us to the Tagourt Plateau and its one of a kind pyramid-like Tazlout rock formation.  Passing through the Acca n’Akhbache and Bab n’Ali gorges before we reach the lush Draa Valley.  The waters running down from the High Atlas have formed a long oasis which runs from Ouarzazate to M’Hamid. The most luxuriant part, with millions of date palms, is located between Agdz and Zagora. We pass through Tamegroute, famous for its craft pottery production, and reach M’Hamid, the desert outpost. From M’Hamid, we continue our journey into the desert. An adventurous journey through the Sahara by jeep awaits us. After covering 50 km of track, we reach the oasis of Iriki, before continuing towards the dunes of Erg Chigaga – an amazing series of golden desert dunes stretching for 40 km and reaching a maximum height of 300 metres. 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.

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.