Marrakech to the deep Sahara Desert of Erg Chigaga

 

The south of Morocco is a land of extremes and fascinating diversity, our 5 day tour gives you the opportunity to thoroughly explore this part of the country and it's many different landscapes, the High Atlas mountains, earth-built Berber villages, lush valleys and seemingly endless Sahara desert. Our guides know this region inside out and will take you on a journey you will never forget.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Gorges

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• pick up at riad/hotel 8.30am

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

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

• After lunch drive through the oasis of Skoura (the valley of a thousand kasbahs)

• Arrive in the Dades Valley (in time for sunset photos)

• Spend the night in a hotel in the valley

 

Day 2: Dades Gorges to Agdez 

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• After breakfast at the hotel we drive through the town of Boumalne

• Visit the valley of Toudgha and walk through the gorge, the highest in Morocco

• Cross the mountains of Saghro to the village of Alnif

• Have lunch in Nkob village (the village of 46 Kasbahs)

• Arrive in Agdez and visit Tamnougalt Kasbah, spending the night here

 

Day 3: Agdez to Erg Chegaga

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• Start the day at 8am after breakfast with a short walk in the valley before joining the road to Zagora

• Visit the ancient Ksar of Tamegrout, it’s Quoranic library and famous pottery of green glazed ceramics where you can try your hand at throwing your own bowl

• Arrive in M'hamid where we can have lunch, or if you prefer we can take a picnic and stop at the holy oasis of Oum Laalag on the way to Erg Chegaga 

• Camels will be waiting for you to start your nomad experience riding them across the dunes to enjoy the sight of the setting sun

• Spend your night in the desert camp with a candlelit dinner under the stars

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Day 4: 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

 

Day 5: Erg Chegaga to Marrakech​

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• The last day of the tour starts after breakfast at 8am with a 2 hour drive through the sand dunes following the route of the Paris - Dakar Rally

• We cross the vast dry lake of Iriki, (a paradise for birds and animals before it became dry)

• Stop to hunt for ancient desert fossils

• Visit the village of Taznakht, the capital of rug making in the south of Morocco

•  the capital of making rugs and carpets in the south of Morocco

• Arrive in Marrakech approx 5pm where we take your to your riad/hotel 

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Tour Summary

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Day 1: depart Marrakech 8am

Day 5: return Marrakech 5pm

Distance: approx 1200km

Transport: 4WD air conditioned

Accommodation: Kasbah, hotel and luxury desert camp or standard desert camp

Prices: 790£ Person ( 2-3 people ) upgrade to Luxury for 990£ Person

             740£ Person ( 4-6 people ) upgrade to Luxury For 950£ Person