Getaway of 3 days to Merzouga desert

Our route begins crossing the High Atlas by Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, the highest road pass in North Africa, at 2260 meters high. Atlas is a great mountain range that offers extraordinary mountainous landscapes dotted with small berber villages. We will make as many stops you want to admire and photograph them.

Then we will arrive at the mythical fortified city, or Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. It also has a World Heritage Site status declared by UNESCO. Its adobe houses full of ornaments are confined within a strong wall reinforced by defense turrets. This spectacular kasbah built on a hill, rises above the desert landscape of Anti Atlas. It is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic places in Morocco. It is the largest Kasbah in Morocco, built by T-hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the beginning of the XXth Century, and it used to be one of his stops during his long travel from the Sahara to Marrakech. Recently has been scenario of Game of Thrones and several films.

The great green palm grove along the course of the river will accompany us a stretch on our trip to Erfoud, the desert gate. Afterwards, we can visit amazing quarries of fossils that are there. And that is, where there is sand now, once there was water. We will finally arrive at the foot of Erg Chebbi wonderful dunes. A welcome mint tea will be waiting for us and we will enjoy the sunset in the desert of Merzouga. Reach the camp with a ride with dromedaries is an option we recommend.

That first night in the desert is worth staying in a haimas camp. The original ones are tents made with dromedary hair in the traditional way of the berbers nomads. Our tents are equipped with every detail. After relaxing with a good shower, we will enjoy dinner in the tented camp near the dunes in the style of a thousand and one nights. Stars illuminate in the darkness of the desert sky, that seem to shine more than anywhere else.

Before breakfast, possibility of walk to the top of the dunes to admire the sunrise. With the light of dawn and as the sun rises the desert sand takes on a spectacular reddish color.

With the 4x4 we will travel part of the tracks of the old rally Paris-Dakar. We will pass through Khamlia, a small town of about three hundred inhabitants of a Sha and Berber ethnic group. Originally from black Africa, they moved to the Sahara where they began to settle together with Berber nomads. Its people, as in the whole south, are warm friendly and calm. And because of their culture, music is an important part of them.

Landscape from this day of our 3 days getaway from Marrakech to the desert, will change completely again. The route continues towards Tinghir to deviate a bit towards the famous Todra Gorges. Another awesome place, made of vertical rock walls over 100 meters high, product of erosion overtime, that we will travel along its base by the river of clear water. We will enjoy a walk at the foot of these impressive walls, in a small stop along the way.

We will also travel through the Valley of Roses, famous for beauty products that are extracted from these flowers. On the thousand kasbahs’ route, we will cross Dades Gorges. It is a narrow valley with an spectacular zigzagging landscape and enormous architectural value, because there are some ksar and numerous kasbahs, although some in ruins. It is really a must stop where the traveler falls in love with.

In our last day of this getaway to the desert from Marrakech, we will continue in Ouarzazate direction passing by the huge cinema studios where scenes from the first film in the saga of Star Wars, and many others, were recorded. The desert, oasis, kasbahs and snowy mountains of the Atlas are an unbeatable setting for shooting movies.

The day ends back to enjoy landscapes of the Atlas and cross the Tizi n'Tichka on our way to Marrakech. Return to Marrakech in place and time agreed and end of our services.

- Personalized private excursion only for your group.

- Price includes private transport (with wifi and air conditioning) from Marrakech to Sahara desert in Merzouga, and return. Accommodation included in BB or HB optional in riad/hotel in the chosen category (basic, comfort, luxury).

- Professional local driver who speaks customer's language (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Swedish, among others).

- Points and schedule of collection and arrival to be agreed.

- If you want to do this and other excursions from Marrakech as a single trip, ask us for the South Star tour.

- This itinerary is subject to modifications depending on the start and arrival time, or weather or other force majeure imperatives