The desert, a huge uninhabited space stretching out in all directions towards the shimmering horizon; its unearthly silence, its isolation and great sense of solitude have fascinated travellers over the centuries. The best times to visit the desert are from September to November and from February to May.
We have designed this special itinerary for those wishing to escape the trappings of modern life and make a foray into the desert. It includes stays in Kasbahs en route to the desert with dinner included (click here for descriptions), followed by an exciting camel trek and overnight stay in a Bedouin tent. This is just one of the many desert encounters that we can arrange.
Day one:
heading south from Marrakech, an exhilarating drive over the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, visiting Aït Benhaddou en route, one of Morocco’s best-preserved kasbahs. Continue to the Skoura oasis, home to the impressive ruins of Kasbah Amerdihl and Kasbah Ben Moro, where you will spend the next two nights.
Day two:
spend a relaxing day visiting the kasbahs, walking amongst peaceful palm groves or soaking up the sun by the pool. Overnight Kasbah Ben Moro.
Day three:
a scenic drive via El-Kelaa M’Gouna (famous for its colourful Rose Festival in May) and Boumalne du Dades, where a short detour will take you to the impressive Dades Gorge. Continue on to Tinerhir, and overnight at Kasbah Tomboctou or Kasbah Lamrani.
Day four:
after breakfast, a morning visit to the magnificent Todra Gorge, situated 15km away, at the end of a beautiful valley of dense palm groves and Berber villages. Continue to the desert outpost of Erfoud, and overnight at Kasbah Tízími.
Day five:
an afternoon transfer by 4 x 4 vehicle to your desert base camp at the Auberge du Sud, beside the Merzouga oasis. From here you begin your camel trek to watch a dramatic sun set over the Erg Chebbi dunes. After a tasty tajine dinner, you spend the night under the stars in a nomad’s tent.
Day six:
awaken to see the sunrise over the dunes, before setting off by camel back to the Auberge. Travel by 4 x 4 vehicle back to your starting point and continue by car across the hammada to Zagora, about a 5/6 hour drive, where you overnight at Hotel La Fibule du Draa or Kasbah Asmaa.
Day seven:
a magical drive along the spectacular kasbah-lined Draa Valley to Ouarzazate for lunch and then back over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Overnight at La Maison Arabe or similar.
Highlights
- Magical sunrises and sunsets
- Camel rides through the sand dunes
- A night in a Bedouin Tent
- Campfire meals under the stars
- 4 x 4 vehicle drive off-piste in the desert
Please click here for pricing and more Desert Adventures
| 
