Marrakech to Sahara

DAY 1: APT MENARA – MARRAKECH.

At your arrival at Marrakech airport, your driver will be waiting after the last exit with a sign displaying your name. Transfer to your riad. Bed and breakfast in RIAD OMARA.

DAY 2: MARRAKECH-AIT BEN HADDOU-OUARZAZATE

 Your driver will meet you at the Riad right after breakfast and you will start your journey south from Marrakech. Heading up into the High Atlas mountains you will take the Tizi N’Tichka Pass. This mountainous road provides excellent photo opportunities en-route. You have the option to take a turn off to the deserted Kasbah of Telouet, the former residence of ThamiGloui. The Kasbah was abandoned in 1956, and it’s’ remained untouched since then.    The interior is well worth a visit, showing excellent examples of the cedar wood ceilings, stucco work and tapestries. It should still be possible to climb up onto the roof for views of the surrounding mountains and to really appreciate its location. From Telout you will descend down across the Atlas Mountains and arrive just to the north of Ouarzazate at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This once fortified village commanded all the trade routes from the Sahara to the south, across the Atlas to the north.   It has been very well preserved, and has been used as a backdrop for many film locations in recent years. Take time to explore the Kasbah on foot, before continuing your journey. Overnight Half Board (B, D)  at RIAD CHAMAA

DAY 3: OUARZAZATE – EL KALAA –DADDES – TINGHIR– TINJDAD.

After breakfast, you’ll depart for a panoramic view: Kalaat M’Gouna, the kingdom of the roses. Then Magoun valley and Dades valley to Tinghir, we will find the highest, narrowest gorges in the region: the Todras, thousands of majestic Kasbahs appear, timeless in their beautyTodra Gorges, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky, direction  to Tinjdad.
Overnight : Half Board (B, D) at  KSAR EL KHORBAT

DAY 4: TINJDAD -ERFOUD-MERZOUGA.

After Breakfast continue traveling east and pass through the small towns of Tinjdad and then Jorf, before arriving in Erfoud.  From here you will head south to Rissani, and then take the final piece of surfaced road as far south as Merzouga.  Camel ride and enjoy the sunset then night in the Luxury camp (private tent with bathroom and AC). Berber music around the campfire.
Overnight: Half Board (B, D) at Premium Madu Luxury Camp,

 DAY 5: MERZOUGA-ALNIF-TAZARINE-AGDZ – OUARZAZATE.

After sunrise and breakfast in the dunes, you will ride your dromedaries back to Hotel (start point of Camel ride), take time to freshen up and shower.  You will start you journey back towards Marrakech and away from the desert.  Taking the route north to Rissani, from here you will start to travel westwards, with the Jebel Saghro mountains to your north.  In the late afternoon arrive in the small town of Agd or continue to Ouarzazate.
Overnight Half Board (B, D) at the Kasbah  DAR CHAMAA

DAY 6: AGDZ-OUARZAZATE-MARRAKECH

After breakfast, you will  take the road north to Ouarzazate.  As you climb up out of the Valley du Draa you’ll cross the Tiz’n’Tiniffift Pass. If the weather is clear you’ll have spectacular views of the Jebel Saghro range and the High Atlas Mountains to the north. Descend down into the city of Ouarzazate. From here you will retrace your route back across the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, crossing the High Atlas Mountains, before descending onto the plains and into the city of Marrakech.
Overnight Half Board (B, D) at  RIAD OMARA.

DAY 7: MARRAKECH

Today you will meet your guide for a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. You will discover the Bahia palace, Mederssa Ben Youssef, and Majorelle garden, and many other hidden treasures. In the afternoon you will have some free time to see the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech.
Overnight Bed and breakfast in RIAD OMARA.

DAY 8: AIRPORT MARRAKECH.

Your driver will pick you up from your Riad for the transfer into Marrakech airport.