Desert Adventures

We recommend that you choose one of the following itineraries for a taste of life in the desert, both of which include a ‘Deluxe’ version camel trek (méharée), dinner around the campfire and a night under the stars in a bivouac tent in the desert. This is really a unique and unforgettable experience and one that you will cherish for ever.

For your greater comfort and privacy, Simpson Travel have selected the ‘Deluxe’ excursions, where you will be allocated separate quarters in the tented accommodation with your own sleeping and eating areas, plus a private portaloo. You will be able to take a refreshing shower on return to your base camp on the second morning.

There are several options to choose from, according to the time you have available and your chosen desert itinerary.

All ‘Deluxe’ version excursions costs include:

4 x 4 vehicle transfer from Zagora, Ouarzazate or Erfoud to desert base camps
Experienced licensed desert guide (some French, basic English) and cook
Lunch at La Fibule du Draa on arrival in Zagora
Own camel (with trained drover to/from bivouac)
Traditional Berber dinner and breakfast
Live Moroccan folklore musicians
Separate tented carpeted accommodation (max 4/6 persons) with bed-linen and towels
Lanterns and candles
Portaloo, traditional wash-bowl, soap and small hand towel

Not included

Medical or accident insurance outside of the vehicle
Gratuity for 4 x 4 driver, camel owner and thebivouac host
Any extras such as bottled water

Option 1 - ERFOUD – MEZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI (ITCLASO3m)
Camel Trek from Erfoud to Merzouga & Erg Chebbi sand dunes – Deluxe version (2 days/1 night)
Price per person: ££280 for 2; £165 for 4
Drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate (4/5 hours) and then continue along the Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs to Erfoud (with one or two night stopovers en route), for an overnight excursion to Merzouga. Here you will get your first glimpse of the most dramatic desert area in Morocco – the magnificent red sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Extending 30km, these amazing dunes reach a maximum height of 250m.

You can also travel from Fès over the dramatic Mid Atlas Mountains and Ziz Valley to Erfoud (7/8 hours) and join the same excursion to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes.

Highlights: Depart 15.00 from Erfoud by 4 x 4 across desert hammada to Merzouga base camp

Evening camel trek across the golden sand dunes, to watch the sunset
2 hour camel trek over to the dunes of Erg Chebbi
A welcoming mint tea is followed by a 4 course meal, accompanied by Berber drums and folk songs
Camp out under the stars in your bivouac Berber tent
Awaken to a beautiful sunrise, followed by a typical bedouin breakfast
Trek by camel to the Auberge du Sud, where you can shower, before returning by 4 x 4 back to Erfoud.

Option 2 - ZAGORA – TAMEGROUTE – ERG LIHOUIDI (ITCLFD04Z)
Camel Trek from Zagora to Erg Lihoudi sand dunes – Deluxe version (2 days/1 night)
Price per person: £200 for 2; £170 for 4
Drive from Marrakech over the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate** (4/5 hours) and then continue along the Draa Valley to Zagora (with an optional stopover en route or in Zagora) for the start of your overnight excursion into the desert to the Erg Lihouidi sand dunes.

Highlights

Set off about 09.00 by 4 x 4 from Zagora to the renowned library at Tamegroute (a seat of learning since the XI century) with its kasbahs and Pottery Co-operative
Continue by 4 x 4 via the Jewish kasbahs of Beni Hayoun and Beni Sbih, to eventually reach Oulad Driss in the Hamada du Draa. A small hamlet once used as stop-over point by the Trans-Saharan caravans of salt, gold and slaves.
Aboard the dromedary to witness the magnificent sunset
Overnight in a carpeted Bedouin tent, after a dinner of vegetable tajine, bread, fruit and mint tea
Early start to watch the sunrise and breakfast, before returning by camel (2.5 hours) via lush oases and nomadic villages to board our 4 x 4 back to Zagora

** Please note that there is the option of stopping off at Kasbah Fiboule du Draa, for a quick shower.

Option 3 - **OUARZAZATE – ZAGORA – TAMEGROUTE – ERG LIHOUIDI (ITCLFD02Z)
‘Deluxe’ version – Camel Trek from Ouarzazate to Erg Lihoudi sand dunes (2 days/1 night)
Price per person: £260 for 2; £205 for 4
This same excursion to the Erg Lihoudi sand dunes can also be arranged departing from Ouarzazate for clients staying nearby at Dar Daif or Kasbah Ben Moro in Skoura (additional pick-up cost: £32 per person)

Option 4 - Desert Encounter (7 nights) - Click here for more information
MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE – DADES VALLEY – ERG CHEBBI SAND DUNES – ZAGORA – DRAA VALLEY – MARRAKECH

For those wishing to spend a week or more touring around this fascinating area, we recommend that you follow our Desert Encounter Itinerary.

Prices for 2 persons from £860 (self-drive); from £1,250 (private chauffeur-drive car) Please note that prices will vary according to season and flight availability. We can design an itinerary of any length, for travel at any time, but subject to weather conditions, so please contact one ofour specialists for advice and a quote.

Option 5 - Lightening Desert Adventure
MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE – ZAGORA – TAMEGROUTE – ERG LIHOUIDI – KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU – MARRAKECH (ITCLFD05Z)

Deluxe version
Ideal for those who only have a short time available but would still like to have a ‘taste of the desert’ before returning home. We can arrange an exciting whistlestop desert adventure for clients based in Marrakech who would like to enjoy a real desert experience – riding on camels, camping out in the desert (bivouac), rising to watch the sunrise over the dunes and chatting with some local Berber nomads around the campfire.

You will be picked from your hotel at 06.45and transferred by 4 x 4 over the High Atlas Mountains, following the Draa Valley to Zagora from where your desert experience will begin. This excursion then follows a similar itinerary to option two from Zagora (ITCLFD04Z). After a night under the stars in the desert you rise early to watch the sunrise, before returning by camel (2 hours) to board our 4 x 4 back to Marrakech (arriving at 6pm). A stop will be made en route for an unguided visit to the Unesco world Heritage Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and light lunch.

*Prices start from £280 for 2 passengers per person (£220 for 4) for 2 passengers travelling on a private tour. The full itinerary and reduced prices for 3 or more passengers travelling together, are shown on our website www.simpsontravel.com Please note that this tour is conducted at a quick pace with a lot of time spent on the road and it is therefore not recommended for the ‘faint-hearted’!