4 days From Marrakech to Merzouga trip in Sahara Erg Chebbi
Tour itinirary
DAY 1: MARRAKECH – AIT BENHADDOU – OUARZAZATE – VALLEY OF ROSES – DADES GORGES:
Our memorable experience will start by picking you up from your accommodation hotel/Riad, our three days trip around south Morocco will start, after breakfast; so we hit the road crossing high Atlas mountains through the pass of Tizi n’Tichka at a height of 2,260m over the sea; offering you scenic views all along the road ; till we reach our first location nicknamed the “ Clan of the lord of Atlas”, the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou ; a world heritage site dates to the 17th century, this Kasbah was occupied by the Pacha El Glaoui a member of one of the most powerful families in their time; this site is a complete panorama of the pre-Saharian architecture, decorated with motifs in clay brick.
After lunch, our next location will be the city of Ouarzazate, where you will visit its studios before visiting the majestic Kasbah of Taourirt standing in the middle of desert over centuries.
Afterwards, we are going to enjoy walking through a city known as the roses city the “Kalaat Mgouna”, with its valley of roses a place literally dotted with pink roses and red flowers; you might visit the women co-oporatives, that extract the water fromthe roses and makes from it Esthetic products. Lunch will be in a mountain-side restaurant in the area.
Finally arriving at the impressive Dades gorges; where you will spend the night and, enjoy a traditional dinner in a local Kasbah.
DAY 2 : DADES GORGES – TODGHA GORGE – ERFOUD – DESERT IN MERZOUGA
In the morning, you will discover the area of Dades , after breakfast, where you will explore the Monkey toes incredible mountains. Simultanously; you will visit one of the most impressive canyons around the world; beautifully sculpted limestone with the Dades river, where you will experience sharing the road with locals, hiking to the top of the canyon to admire the beauty of the area and, take some incredible photos.
Thereupon, we will visit a prefinallocation before the charming Merzouga and, it is the city of Erfoud well known by the dates festival, sice it contains the largest dates palm groves in Morocco and, known by her good quality products; in this beautiful ctiy you will enjoy a local dish for lunch, with a special cup of mint tea right after.
Ultimately, when arrived at Merouga , you will chekck in a hotel near the dunes so you can put all your unecessary gear in your room, so you can relish this adventure in the most confortable way; with our guide you will camel trek through the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to admire the glorious sunset.
At the end, you will reach our traditional camp, where you will spend the night in a camel hair tent; after enjoying a berber music show, while savouring a local dish for dinner, under the milky way.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA CAMEL RIDE AND OVERNIGHT IN MERZOUGA CAMP
After breakfast in the camp , we offer you a tour around the small villages near to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, such ad labied Hassi, Merzouga and Khamlia. In Hassi labied we will stop at the garden where you will see the system of irrigation canals. Next here we continue to Merzouga, you will have the opportunity to see the lake Dayet Srji, formed in the spring that attracts flocks of pink flamingos ; Birdwatchers will enjoy this quiet area. Afterwards, we will explore Khamlia and, meet the locals, and know more about their daily life. You can also find desert reptiles and mammals. In Khamlia, known as the black people who were slaves from Sudan. With their hospitality, You will be welcomed with a cup of tea while enjoying their spiritual Gnawa music. Leaving Khamlia , we will do what we like to call it a worth stop to enjoy the panoramic view of golden dunes near the Algerian border. We can go to visit a nomadic family, taking care of herds of cattle, goats and camels. You can meet members of the family and get to know about their way of life while enjoying the taste of a good cup of tea. After this you will have the opportunity to visit the sites of black volcanic rocks, near Yasmina Auberge, where you will be amazed at the scene of the dunes, along the nearby lake (spring). then we will switch to camels, that will take you through the magnificent world of the sandy dunes of erg Echebbi . In a memorable experience on the top of the camels you will admire the spectacular sunset in the Middle of the Sahara.
Eventually, the camels will take you back, o the hotel where you will spend the night.
DAY 4: DESERT IN MERZOUGA – AGDEZ – AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH
Before breakfast . we will switch back to our vehicles so we can resume our expedition together ; towards Draa Valley passing by a scenic views, in a route follows the piste through the oasis, and tiny Berber villages all over the road.
To finally arrive at Ouarzazate and, this time we will explore the Kasbah of Taourirt an architecture masterpiece from the Berber culture ; also you will see the famous film studios in Ouarzazate.
Next we will head over to a world Heritage site the Kasbah of Ait ben Haddou, this place belongs to one of the most important families between the 16th and 17 th century in Morocco, “the Glaoui’s family” ; and a place that attracted many film makers, that he took a part in their movies such as ” Jesus of Nazareth “. A lunch is planned for you to enjoy it in this historical area.
Afterwards we continue towards the historical Kasbah of Telouet, located in a fertile valley surrounded by palm, fig and olive trees. The Kasbah stands alone with its original zellij tile decorated with the Jewish Star of David, preserved silks and grand remnants of the El Pacha Glaoui family.
By a scenic road, full of spectacular views, our tour continues to the red city Marrakech, where we will drop you by your accommodation, and here unfortunately our unforgettable experience will end.