Day 1 commences with a journey through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, leading to Ouarzazate. En route, explore the Kasbah of Taourirt and traverse the Draa Valley with its palm groves and historic Kasbahs. Arrive in Zagora, the native region of the Saadian dynasty, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 2 ventures towards the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, passing through Berber villages, Erissani, and the stunning Draa Valley. Experience a camel trek over the dunes at sunset and spend the night in a traditional Berber nomadic camp.
On Day 3, witness the sunrise or climb the dunes before returning to Erfoud, exploring the Tafilalt oasis and Tinejdad. Visit Todra Gorge, Tinghir city, and Dades Gorge, where the night is spent in a hotel.
The final day involves a journey through the Dades Valley, Rose Valley, and the Skoura palm grove. Explore Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before crossing Tizi-n-Tichka pass and concluding the authentic Sahara Desert tour back in Marrakech. This immersive adventure promises a blend of historical exploration, natural wonders, and the mesmerizing beauty of the Sahara.
Authentic Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech via Zagora and Erg Chebbi desert. We will depart from Marrakech at 8:00 am, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka pass towards Ouarzazate, where we will stop for lunch next to the famous Kasbah of Taourirt. After lunch we will travel to the south and cross the second pass, Tizi-n-Tnifift, 1710 m high, and Ait Saoun village, 1162 m high, the former route of the caravans of Saharan traders travelling from Timbuktu. We will pass by Agdez Village, which marks the beginning of the Draa Valley, with its palm groves and Kasbahs, including the famous Tamnougalt Kasbah. We will continue through the lunar landscapes and the Pre-Sahara routes until we arrive at Zagora, a small town and native region of the Saadian dynasty who used to rule Morocco in the 17th century. After a further 18 km, we will arrive at Tamegroute, a small village where most of the locals make pottery and handicrafts. Tamegroute is also well known for its old Koranic school and library, with its collection of old books. The next 5 km will give you your first glimpse of the sand dunes of Zagora called Tinfou dunes. We will return to Zagora where you spend the night in a hotel with dinner and breakfast.
We will rise early to either watch the beautiful sunrise over the dunes or climb one of the highest dunes of Merzouga. We will then enjoy breakfast before riding our camel’s back to the hotel where you can freshen up before continuing our journey to Erfoud. We will cross the Tafilalt oasis where we will have a short break to see the ancient system of irrigation, before arriving at Tinejdad. We will make our way to Todra Gorge, with free time for lunch, and a walk along the gorge between the cliffs. In the afternoon, we will visit the former Jewish district in Tinghir city and continue along the road towards the Dades Gorge, one of the most beautiful sites of Southern Morocco. We will stay overnight in a hotel in Dades Gorge with dinner included.
After breakfast, we will begin our journey through the Dades Valley with its beautiful landscapes, Kasbahs and panoramic views of the mountains. We will drive along the road of 1000 Kasbahs and visit Rose Valley stopping at Kelaa Mgouna, where a rose festival is celebrated every year. We will pass the wonderful Skoura palm grove before arriving at Ouarzazate. From here our journey will take us to Ait Ben Haddou village, preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Ait Ben Haddou has been used by many movie producers since the 1960’s, with the filming of Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator taking place here. We will walk to the top of the Kasbah for amazing views before having free time to take lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the Kasbah. We will then begin our return journey to Marrakech, crossing Tizi-n-Tichka, 2260 metres high, where ending the tour of Authentic Sahara Desert Tour.