Marrakech to Erg Chigaga returning to Marrakech

 

Time to escape the modern world and immerse yourself in the vast and awe inspiring landscapes of Southern Morocco. Enjoy the sunsets and star filled skies of the Sahara Desert, memories of which will stay with you for life. 

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Marrakech to Agdez

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• Pick up at riad/hotel 8.00am

• Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass which at 2,260m is the highest mountain pass in North Africa

• Visit an argan cooperative, view demonstrations of argan production and sample argan products

• Continue across the High Atlas Mountains to the Kasbah of Telouet which stands on the old caravan route to the Sahara

• Drive through the verdant Ounila Valley bordered by dramatic sandstone cliffs

• Stop at the famous Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, Unesco World Heritage site and location for films such as Gladiator, Alexander the Great and Game of Thrones 

• Pass by the city of Ouarzazate ‘The Door of the Desert’

• Cross the beautiful mountains of Ait Saoun and the pass of Tizi n’Tnifift at 1,710m

• Spend the night at the ancient Kasbah of Tamnougalte in the date palm oasis at the heart of the Draa Valley close to the town of Agdez

• During the evening you will enjoy a taste of authentic local life with good food, music and dancing 

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Day 2: Agdez to Erg Chegaga

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• Start at 8.00am after breakfast with a short walk in the oasis

• Visit the Ksar of Tamegroute and the old Quoranic library, also the pottery famous for it's distinctive rich green glaze. Here you can try your hand at throwing a piece of your own!

• Drive to M'Hamid where you can have lunch in the village or shop for food to enjoy a picnic in the desert on the way to Erg Chegaga

• Stop at the holy oasis of Oum Laalag on the old trade route to Timbuktu

• Watch the setting of the sun from the top of the majestic sand dunes of Chigaga

• Spend the night in the camp with dinner by candlelight under the canopy of stars above

 

Day 3: Sahara Desert Chigaga dunes

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• Wake to see the sunrise from the dunes surrounding your camp

• Delicious desert breakfast 

• Camel ride with visit to a nomad encampment to take tea and learn about the nomadic life

• Experience lunch in the solitude of the desert, you are welcome to help in the preparation of the food

• Arrive back at camp before sundown, see the amazing colours of the sunset over the dunes of Chigaga

• Night at the desert camp with dinner by candlelight under a canopy of stars

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Day 4: Erg Chigaga to Marrakech

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• We begin our last day after breakfast in the desert camp, leaving at 8am

• Following the route of the Paris-Dakar rally we drive through the dunes for approx 1hour

• We cross the vast dry plain of lake Iriki which used to be a paradise for birds and animals

• After the lake we make a stop to search for ancient desert fossils

• Our return drive takes us through the village of Taznakht, one of the most important centres for the weaving of rugs in the south of Morocco

• We arrive back in Marrakech at around 6pm where we will return you to your riad/hotel

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Tour Summary

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Day 1: depart Marrakech 8am

Day 4: arrive Marrakech 6pm

Distance: approx 960km

Transport: 4WD air conditioned

Prices: 550£ Person ( 2-3 people ) upgrade to Luxury for 800£ Person

             500£ Person ( 4-6 people ) upgrade to Luxury For 750£ Person