Desert tours can start any day from Marrakech or Fes. Our nomad camp in the dunes is a fantastic desert experience, far from the crowds in Merzouga.
Drive across the High Atlas mountains to visit Ait Benhaddou world heritage site, the Dades valley and Todra gorge. In the sands of the Erg Chebbi dunes ride into the camp at sunset where dinner will be served (vegetarians welcome). Climb the huge dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in the nomad tent. Or take your mattress and sleep outside under the desert stars. The big dunes are spectacular and our camp is in a very safe roadless region.
The option of 3 day tour is also possible. You begin in Fes and finish in Marrakech, or the reverse.
Day 1: Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate
Meet your driver in Marrakech and drive to Ouarzazate through the dramatic Tizi n Tichka pass (2260m) in the High Atlas Mountains. Then visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO historical site. Lunch by the Kasbah and continue to Ouarzazate, "the Hollywood of Africa," where you will stay overnight.
Day 2: Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - Erfoud
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to Kalaat M'gouna, the city known for roses and an annual May festival. Continue through the "Road of the Thousand Kasbahs" before leaving the Dades Valley for Tinrghir and the Todra Gorge. Enjoy the panoramic views of old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley. At the Gorge, walk under the 300m high red cliff where many rock-climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport. Then discover the Jewish quarter in Tinghir, where you will have lunch. Afterwards, depart for Erfoud.
Day 3: Erfoud and Rissani Tour With Merzouga area and the Camel trek
After breakfast you will start your explorative journey of the area, visiting the village of the blacks included viste to Rissani town , originally slaves from Sudan to experience their music and lifestyle. after lunch you take your jeeb 4by4 to discover the sahara , not far away there's the lake of Merzouga, with its bird populations, including flamingos. You may also like to visit the nomad wire house where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities. On the afternoon you will mount your camel, guided by an experienced Camel man, to explore within the mysterious sand-sea of the Erg-Chebbi. Here you will spend your night under the stars, or if you prefer, in a traditional Berber nomad tent. Dinner will be served in the tent where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Merzouga - Ziz Valley - Cedar Forest - Fes
Your camel man will wake you up early in the morning to watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, you'll peacefully camel-trek back to your tent. you couldn't fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes - changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast in the local guest house we'll travel to Fes via Errachidia along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, and through the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass to Midelt stop for lunch then continue our journey to drive in the Middle Atlas Mountains, before which we stop in the famous Cedar forest. On to Ifran "the swise village", stop for a picture or a drink then drive to your accommodation in Fes where the tour ends.
What's Included on a Desert Camel Trek Tour?
- Private transport
- experienced driver/guide
- ensuite hotel rooms with air conditioning/heating
- breakfasts and dinners - vegetarians welcome
- swimming stops (April to September)
- exploration of oasis palmeries and kasbahs, markets and medinas
- camel trekking to overnight in nomad desert camp.
