Southern secrets & Merzouga dunes

Duration

5 Days

Description

This is your perfect short trip to experience the fascinating landscapes of southern Morocco and the endless expanses of the Erg Chebbi desert in a short space of time. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains and the green oases of Tinghir and Dades. Let yourself be enchanted by the empty and lonely roads towards the desert of Merzouga. Experience an unforgettable night under the sparkling starry sky of the Moroccan Sahara.

Included

Transfer from/to Marrakech airport
Transportation in an air-conditioned minivan/off-road vehicle including fuel
English/French speaking driver (German on request)
Camel ride
Accommodation in Riad/Hotel with breakfast
South with half board
Guided tour in Marrakech with a German speaking local guide

Excluded

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

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech

You fly to Morocco. You will be greeted at the airport by your tour guide and taken to your accommodation. Use the rest of the day to relax or go on a first exploration tour on your own or with a local city guide.

Day 2: City tour of Marrakech

The city tour of Marrakech is certainly one of the highlights of your stay in Marrakech. A local German-speaking guide is available for this purpose. Marrakech has numerous important cultural monuments, such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the enchanting Saadian tombs, the Menara water basin and the city wall. The special attraction lies in the colorful life in the souks and on the famous square “Djemaa El Fnaa”, where acrobats, storytellers, snake charmers and musicians meet. This city tour will end at midday and you will say goodbye to your tour guide.

Day 3: Marrakech - Tizi n-Tichka - Telouet - Ouarzazate - Dades Gorge

After a leisurely breakfast, a unique drive through the high Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 hm) to Telouet awaits you.
On this panoramic road, you will have many opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains. There you can take unforgettable souvenir photos.
The drive along small mountain villages takes you to the small village of Telouet. Telouet is best known for the Kasbah Dar Glaoui, a traditional Moroccan building that once served as a royal residence for the Glauoua. This once very splendid Kasbah will take us back to another time
We continue through the oasis landscape in the Ounila Valley, also known as the “Valley of Salt”, to the town of Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Ait Ben Haddou is one of the most impressive clay settlements in Morocco and has served as a film set for famous movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia.
Afterwards, continue through the beautiful Valley of Roses towards the Dades Gorge, where you will spend your first night in an enchanting riad

Distance: approx. 315 km.
Travel time: approx. 6 hours.
Meals: F/A

Day 4: Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge - Tinjdad - Erfoud - Merzouga

After you have fortified yourself with breakfast, a wonderful drive to the impressive gorges of Todra awaits you. You will go on a guided walk through the oasis and the gorges of Todra to stretch your legs and gain an insight into the daily life of the local Berbers.

You will then drive through large oases, Berber villages of mud houses and green palm groves to Erfoud. In Erfoud you have the opportunity to visit a fossil factory. Afterwards and at the edge of the desert, we ride on our dromedaries over the red-golden dunes of Erg Chebbi into the depths of the Sahara to the desert camp. Enjoy the magical sunset on a high dune.

Distance: approx. 254 km.
Travel time: approx. 5 hours.
Meals: F/A

Day 5: Merzouga - Rissani -alnif - Agdez - Marrakech

Don’t miss out on the special sunrise in the desert and enjoy it on a dune with a view of the incredible natural spectacle.
After breakfast, set off towards the town of Rissani and leave the unique world of the desert. Today a long drive awaits you through the stony desert, barren desert landscapes, palm oases and numerous clay villages to the beautiful Draa Valley. Then continue over the Tizi-n-Tinifift Pass (1660m) to Ouarzazate. On the way you will be impressed by the desert landscapes of Ait Saoun and the view of the Atlas Mountains. You reach the Hollywood city of Morocco, Ouarzazate, and drive back to Marrakech via the Tichka Pass (2260m).

Distance: approx. 550km
Travel time: approx. 8 ½ hours.
Meals: F/A