This Morocco trip takes you off the beaten path to the Sahara Desert near M'hamid or Mhamid into the dunes of Erg Chigaga, south of Zagora. It is for the more rustic at heart and is a great getaway trip starting and ending in Marrakesh. Extensions to Essaouira are available. We can also arrange accommodations in Marrakesh before and after your trip should you desire. If you have any questions, please do contact us.
Day 1: Pick up Marrakesh | Zagora
Today, you will be picked
up in the morning in Marrakesh. From there, you will
drive over the High Atlas Mountains. After a stop for
lunch, you will continue to Zagora where you'll be
staying in a lovely riad-like bed and breakfast. If
its hot, a pool is available for swimming. The gardens
of the hotel are a wonderful place to relax.
Day 2: M'hamid | Mhamid Erg Chigaga | Sahara Desert
Camp Out
Today, you'll continue a couple more hours to M'hamid, the
starting point of your camel trek. This edge of the Sahara
Desert is quite different than its sister spot in Merzouga.
The dunes roll, but the landscape is more rocky and barren.
The area is known as Erg Chigaga. After getting fitted with
your favorite camel, be prepared to gallop, ever so slowly,
into the desert. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a
meal under the stars, and sleep in a rustic Bivouac nomadic
tent.
Day 3: Skoura | Valley of 1000 Kasbahs
After venturing out
the Mhamid Erg Chigaga Sahara Desert, you'll continue
up to Skoura, known as the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs
located amongst a vast palm grove. While some of these
are houses, others are not inhabited and can be
explored. The entire valley is best explored on foot,
but can be done on mule and/or by 4x4. The most
impressive site is the Amerhildil, a Kasbah once owned
by the Glaouis family, who ruled Morocco. You'll spend
the night in a famed Kasbah now converted into a
guesthouse.
Day 4: Ouarzazate | Ait Benhaddou | Marrakesh
After
leaving Skoura this morning, you can explore the
UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. It has
been used as a backdrop for many famous films,
including The Mummy and Gladiator. Today, you might
also enjoy exloring Ouarzazate. This relatively new
city is home to Atlas Studios, where tourists can
enter and take a guided tour of various movie sets.
It's a great place to grab once-in-a-lifetime photos!
Following Ait Benhaddou, you will once again summit
and descend the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh. The
drive takes about four hours, so enjoy the scenery.
You will be dropped off at your hotel or riad,
depending upon where you are staying.
+1 765 387 4404 (US) or
+44 (0)20 8123 8708 (UK)