-A “real desert” circuit with endless dunes, including those of Merzouga, the highest in Morocco.
-Hiking through the oases and on the ridges of the high dunes.
-The discovery of the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou.
The dunes of Merzouga, the highest in the country, the trek deepest in the heart of the Moroccan desert with the Erg Chebbi, the Erg Znaigui and the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou.
A superb hike in the Moroccan desert, the most beautiful and largest in the Kingdom: Erg Chebbi… It is located almost in the far east of the country. This is where the highest and most famous dunes of the Great South of Morocco are located: Merzouga. In an unspoiled nature, only the Aït Atta nomads of these regions inhabit the place. You will discover the immense plateaus bathed in light, the small oases invaded by the sands and the fantastic pink and red dunes of the Erg Znaigui. Your trip will end with the discovery of the magnificent kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, former residence of the Lord of Marrakech; it dominates the Dadès valley and its immense green palm grove.
Welcome at Ouarzazate airport (or Marrakech) by our team then transfer and installation at the hotel. Free meals.
Superb transfer via the Tizi n’Tnififte pass then descent into the Draa Valley towards Merzouga. For a departure from Marrakech, early morning departure to reach Ouarzazate via the highest pass in Morocco: Tizi n’Tichka. Superb view of the plains of Ouarzazate and the high mountains of the High Atlas. Arrival in the middle of the afternoon at the small oasis of Merzouga, starting point of the trek and meeting with the team of camel drivers, then departure on foot in the small dunes for the first camp.
Transfer: 4×4 or private minibus, approximately 5 hours from Ouarzazate, approximately 7 hours from Marrakech including stops.
Walking time: approximately 2 hours.
Accommodation: camp set up by our team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
For an arrival in Marrakech, the arrival at the first camp will be at the end of the afternoon; the short hike in the small dunes cannot be done.
team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
Heading due east, crossing the large stony plateaus and meeting the nomads living in their traditional black tents. Arrival at midday at the nomadic village of Tissardmine then descent on the dry river.
Walking time: approximately 5 hours.
Accommodation: camp set up by our team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
Arrival at Erg Chebbi where the immense orange and bright yellow dunes dominate the entire region… magnificent landscapes! Crossing the ridge to climb the highest dune to admire the sunset over the vast Saharan expanses… A spectacle not to be missed! Then descend to the camp set up at Bou Ighd.
Walking time: approximately 5 hours.
Accommodation: camp set up by our team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
Discovery of the superb Merzouga massif and its large orange and yellow dunes resplendent in the blue of the sky… oases and nomad camps follow one another in the maze of dunes… Arrival on the eastern slope of the dunes lined with palm trees and installation of the bivouac at Tamerdanite… certainly the most beautiful camp of the entire stay.
Walking time: approximately 6 hours.
Accommodation: camp set up by our team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
Head due south leaving the Chebbi erg. Discovery of an abandoned village half covered by sand… Continuation of the hike crossing several small hills and then arrival at the fabulous landscapes of the dunes of the Znaigui erg. Possibility in the evening to admire the sunset again then descent to the camp set up near a well. Walking
time: approximately 5 hours.
Accommodation: camp set up by our team.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch – dinner.
Departure on foot to join the track where the vehicles await us for the transfer to Ouarzazate (or Marrakech) via the Dades Valley and the road of a thousand kasbahs. In the middle of the day, a short hike not far from Ouarzazate to discover and visit the famous kasbah of Aït Benhaddou of the ancient lords of Marrakech.
Transfer: minibus and/or private 4×4, approximately 5 hours to Ouarzazate, approximately 7 to 8 hours to Marrakech including stops.
Walking time: approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ouarzazate, riad or 3-star hotel in Marrakech.
Meals included: breakfast – lunch.
Meals not included: dinner.
For a return to Marrakech, the short hike to visit the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou will not be possible.
Free time in Ouarzazate (or Marrakech) if flight times permit.