7 Days Private Desert Tour from Marrakech

After breakfast, we will pick you up at your riad in Marrakech and depart for Ouarzazate via the Tizi-n-Tichka, passing at an elevation of 2260 meters while enjoying the attractive views of the High Atlas Mountains and some picturesque Berber villages. We will stop for lunch at the oasis at Telouat. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit the Telouat Kasbah, established by the Glaoui family dynasty, and we will then go on to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou. Before our arrival at Ouarzazate, we will stop at Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in the world and host to such famous films and television shows as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, The Man Who Would Be King, Vikings, Game of Thrones, Aladdin and several James Bond movies. Dinner, bed and breakfast is included at your authentic Moroccan riad.

After breakfast in the riad, we will travel south and cross the second pass, Tizi N’Tnifift at an elevation of 1710 meters. We will pass the Ait Saoun village, the former route of caravans for Sahara traders coming from “Tombouktou,” and see the first administrative centre called Agdez Village that marks the source of Draa Valley. The Valley has six successive palm groves, each with a kasbah, the most famous being the Tamnougalt Kasbah. We will continue through the lunar landscapes of the pre-Sahara routes until we reach Zagora, a small town from which originated the Saadian dynasty (of the Saadian tombs in Marrakech) who ruled Morocco in the XVII century. Eighteen kilometers further, we will arrive to Tamgroute, a small village where most of locals are pottery artists. Tamgroute was once an historical hub of learning and religion because of its large and influential Sufi order. Today it is known for its lovely pottery, antique Koranic school and fantastic library containing one of the largest exhibits of ancient manuscripts in the world. We will return you to Zagora where you spent the first night. Overnight at your authentic Moroccan riad includes dinner and breakfast.

After breakfast, we depart from Zagora towards the famous dunes of Erg Chebbi, also known as the Merzouga Sahara. Our adventure continues along the valley of Draa, passing the villages of Benizoli, Tazarine, and Ait Atta along the Anti Atlas. You will have free time for lunch in Alnif, a Berber village known for its ancient trilobite fossils. We will visit an amazing fossil factory and learn how they excavate, polish and shape trilobites, orthoceras, ammonites, and other fossils, into beautiful objects. After lunch, we will continue to Rissani city, the former capital of the Alawite Sultans. Rissani was once an important market for caravans traveling the sub-Saharan region, and it is still an impressive market to visit today. We will also see the ruins of Sijilmassa, the Moulay Ali Cherif Gate, and visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, where the father of the founder of the Alawite Dynasty is buried. This is a wonderful destination for those who wish to learn some of the history of the country, as well as visiting the Gate itself. Afterwards, we will cross the Erg Chebbi to arrive at Dunes Luxury Camp at the foot of Merzouga Sahara desert dunes. Each tent is beautifully appointed and the entire camp is the ultimate in “glamping.” You will enjoy dinner and breakfast here, and sleep under the stars of the romantic Sahara.

In the morning after breakfast your excursion will start from the tents taking you through the sand-sea dunes near the Algerian border where you will have a chance to take photos and see the black volcanic rock. We will also have the opportunity to meet a nomad family and learn about their nomadic lifestyle. We will pass close to tiny Berber villages, like Tamrdanite, before we reach Khamlia. In the tiny desert village of Khamlia we will be treated to a performance of Gnawa music, a spiritual and hypnotic form of music that has been played for centuries by the black people who live here. Gnawa music is internationally recognized and is said to have healing properties. Along our short drive today, you will be enchanted with the view of the lake at Ait Sareji, especially In springtime, when it attracts pink flamingos and many other birds. We will return to the Camp for a rest and to get ready for your next adventure; camel trekking! You will ride these Ships of the Desert into the heart of the Sahara, witnessing a spectacular sunset through the dunes. Back at the Dunes Luxury Camp you will enjoy Berber food, listen to the drums under a starry night sky, and sleep in your gorgeous tent in peace and tranquility.

Set your alarm to wake up early this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the dunes! It is a moment not to be missed. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious breakfast before we continue our adventure by car. We will travel through Erfoud, another city known for fossils, cross the Tafilalt oasis, taking a short break to see the ancient system of irrigation, before you arrive in Tinejdad. We will continue to the spectacular Todgha Gorge where you can take a walk along the gorge floor and will have free time for lunch at any of the local restaurants located between the canyons in the gorge. In the afternoon, we will visit the former Jewish district in Tineghir city and continue on the road towards the Dades Valley and go up to the Dades Gorges, one of the most beautiful sites in southern Morocco. You will spend the night in an authentic Moroccan riad, with dinner and breakfast included.

After breakfast, we will begin our journey through the valley of Dades, exploring the marvelous sights of the valley. You will have the opportunity to meet some Berber nomads who are living there in caves. We then continue to El Kelaa M’gouna (the Valley of Roses) where you will have a break for lunch. We will head to Ourzazate by crossing the beautiful palm grove oasis in Skoura, where you will see many exotic Kasbahs, such as the Amerhidil Kasbah. When we reach Ourzazate, you will stay overnight in an authentic Moroccan riad, including dinner and breakfast.

After your breakfast, we will depart for Marrakech. We will drive through the Tizi N’ Tichka Pass while enjoying superb views of the High Atlas Mountains and Berber villages. We will stop along the way to have lunch, and then drop you in Marrakech.