FROM MARRAKECH: 3 Days Desert Tour: Ait Ben Haddou – Erg Chigaga – Desert camp
On day 2 you ride a camel into the Sahara sand dunes, enjoy an amazing sunset and a magical starlit sky. Eat well in the camp and sleep in a nomad tent. The friendly nomads give you an insight in the nomadic way of life.
On the way back we drive off-road for a while on the old route of Rally Paris – Dakar.
- From Marrakech
- Start/stop: At your hotel or riad
- Duration: 3 days
- Transport: Landcruiser 4×4 car with aircondition
- Language: Driver/guide speaks English and French
Send a request:
Day 1: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Draa valley - Zagora
The trip starts at 9 am, when the driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
We head to the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, crossing via the twisting pass of Tizi n Tichka. We drive further until we reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The kasbah is a well-preserved fortified city which is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage site. From here we visit the city, or ksar, on foot. Lunch in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
After lunch we continue south, through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as Morocco’s Hollywood and nicknamed the «door to Sahara». We continue through the lush Draa valley, where we turn off the main road and follow the old caravan route. We drive along the palm trees until we reach the desert town of Zagora.
Dinner and sleep at the guesthouse in Zagora.
Day 2: Tamegroute - M'hamid - Erg Chigaga dunes - Desert Camp
After breakfast we head further south towards the nomadic village M’hamid. On the way, we stop at a pottery in Tamegroute, where you see how pottery is made with traditional methods. It is also possible to visit the koranic library and medersa (school) next to the pottery.
We continue for about 1 hour until we reach M’hamid where you have your lunch and time to relax.
After lunch we head off-road into the desert and after about 1,5 to 2 hours we reach our desert camp in the sand dunes of Erg Chigaga.
The camels are waiting to take you on a trip around the sand dunes and you can also try the sandboarding. The highest sand dune is about 300 metres high and from the top you can view an amazing sunset over sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Bury your feet in warm, soft sand, enjoy the desert silence and the feeling of freedom – a totally unique experience.
Back in the camp you can enjoy a shower before a delicious 3 course dinner is served in the restaurant tent. After dinner we sit around the camp fire and listen to traditional music performed by the local nomads.
Sleep in a nomad tent, or if you prefer, sleep outside under the stars.
Day 3: Off-road driving - Lake Iriki - Route Paris-Dakar - Foum Zguid - Taznakht - Marrakech
We arrive in Marrakech late afternoon.
Price information
The starting price is EUR 320 per person when 2 persons are travelling together on a private basis and transport in 4×4.
We use Hotel La Fibule Zagora as standard guesthouse on this tour. Upon request it is possible to upgrade to Riad Lamane at an additional cost. (Subject available rooms). The desert camp is Desert Candles camp, Erg Chigaga.
For bigger groups, please contact us for price.
Included:
- All transportation in private 4wd Landcruiser
- Guide/driver
- 1 night in guesthouse in Zagora
- 1 night in desert camp in Erg Chigaga dunes
- 2 dinners
- 2 breakfasts
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding (the sandboards are available at all times in the camp)
- Local music by the nomads around the camp fire
Not included:
- Lunches
- Drink
- Tip
Booking & Payment: click here.