On the trail of the caravans to Timbuktu

Duration

9 Days

Description

For the next 4 days, we hike through the desert at the pace of the dromedaries. We start our tour in the green oasis of Mhamid el Ghizlane, hike through riverbeds, stony desert and dune landscapes and reach the “lucky dune” of Erg Saher. On this magical sand dune, we experience a magnificent sunset with a view of the endless expanses of the Moroccan desert with its sand dunes and plateaus. We visit a well at the Erg Semer dunes and enjoy the light, the peace and the solitude of the desert.

Our cook will spoil us with his delicious dishes and we will learn a lot about the culture and life of the nomads in the desert from our Moroccan hiking guide.

In the evening, after a magical sunset, we listen to the sounds of the dromedaries as they return from grazing before enjoying a lovingly prepared dinner of fresh flatbread around the campfire.

We enjoy a last look at the thousand stars and sleep deeply and contentedly, filled with the many impressions.

Highlights

Marrakech one of the four royal cities of Morocco
Drive over the Atlas Mountains
Visit to the Pasha Residence
Journey across the Anti-Atlas
Drive along the Draa Valley
Desert hike with nomads
Berber settlements, kasbahs, oases, stone desert, shadow plays in the desert.

Included

All transfers according to program
3 nights in a riad in Marrakech with breakfast.
Half-day city tour Marrakech
4 nights in the camp Full board during the hike
1 night in a hotel in Ait Ben Haddou with dinner and breakfast
Catering according to program
Local transportation from the desert to Foum Zguid.
Water during the hike
Licensed hiking guide for the entire trip
Cooking and camping equipment
Pack dromedaries on the desert tour

Excluded

Flight
Tips for the team
Entrance to the monuments
Travel insurance
Drinks
Additional costs for illnesses
Lunch and dinner in Marrakech

Optional additional service

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

On arrival at the airport in Marrakech, you will be met by your tour guide and taken to your accommodation. Use the rest of the day to relax on the roof terrace or take a first exploration tour through the souks on your own.

Overnight stay in a riad.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Marrakech

During the three-hour city tour with a German-speaking guide, you can discover the old medina of Marrakech with its winding corners, smells and stories. The afternoon is at your own leisure.

Overnight stay in a riad.

Day 3: Marrakech - Telout - Ouarzazate - Agdez

A drive through the Atlas over the Tizi n-Tichka pass (2260m) takes us to the Berber village of Telouète. We visit the old residence of a former pasha from Marrakech and the south, “El Glaoui”. We then continue through the beautiful Ounila Valley, with its green fields, through desert landscapes to Ait ben Haddou, a mud town on the old caravan route to Timbuktu. We then continue to Ouarzazate before reaching Agdez, “the gateway to the desert”. We will have lunch en route and spend the night in a riad/hotel in Agdez.

Day 4: Agdez - Holy place Sidi Naji

After breakfast, we drive along the Draa Valley towards Zagora and on to the last village in the south, Mhamid el Ghizlane. From there we will hike through the oasis of Mhamid towards the west. We will have lunch in the shade of an acacia tree. The hike then continues across a dry plain and through small dunes to the camp next to the holy site of Sidi Naji and near a small caravan village.

4h1/2h to 5h.
Overnight stay in a tent.

Day 5: Holy place Sidi Naji - lucky dune Saher

Today we follow the old caravan trail towards Timbuktu. We hike through wide plateaus and over dunes and enjoy the longest and most beautiful stage of the hike. We eat lunch in the shade of the tamarisk trees. We hike on to the camp and spend the night in a tent next to the highest dune in the area, which is 120 meters high.

6 hour hike.
Overnight stay in a tent.

Day 6: Erg Saher - Erg Smer

After breakfast, a wonderful hike through the dunes awaits us with funny shadow plays on the Erg Saher dune, also known as the “Happy Dune”. From the top of the dune, we have an indescribable panoramic view over the entire desert area as far as the Algerian border. We then continue through dunes and dry plateaus to the camp. Lunch at the camp and afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay at the camp near Erg Smer.

4 hour hike.
Overnight stay in a tent.

Day 7: Erg Samer - Erg Chert Lglzim

After breakfast, we hike through small dunes before crossing the Draa River to the northwest, passing a well next to an old and abandoned village. We have lunch at the camp. The afternoon is free and offers the opportunity to marvel at a last sunset in the evening. In the evening we enjoy the desert ambience around the campfire. Overnight stay in a tent near the dunes of Erg Chert Lglzim.

5 hours hiking.
Overnight stay in a tent

Day 8: Desert - Lake Iriki - Tichka Pass - Marrakech

We get up early to see one last sunrise before taking the local transport towards Foum Zguid. There we meet our minibus and return to Marrakech via the Tizi n-Tichka.

3 hours by local transport and 7 hours by bus.
Overnight stay in a riad.

Day 9: Departure

Three hours before your departure time, your transfer to Marrakech airport will be waiting for you at the riad. At this point we bid you farewell and say “Beslama”, see you next time in Morocco.