Tour Atlas and Sahara

Departure early in the morning from Marrakesh across the colourful high Atlas Mountains through the col Tizi-N’tichka (2260 m).The Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is a ‘World Heritage site’ where you will stop to visit one of the oldest kasbas in Morocco and explore the berbers’ traditions and style of life. The beauty of the Kasbah make of it the scene of many famous films like ‘Lawrance of Arabia’ and ‘Gladiator’.

The next step is to head for the Gorges of Dades, where you will spend the night, passing across Ouarzazate and the valley of the roses (Kelaa Megouna).

** Option to take an off road ( 25 kms)through the beautiful valley of Boutarghrar by the volcanic mountain djbel Saghro to reach the Gorges of Dades.

 

After visiting up and down the valley and gorges of Dades, you head towards Tinghir to visit the Toudra Gorges. Both natural sites offer a spectacular view of the canyons as they get narrow and high to about 600 metres. The tiny stream of the river coming from the melted snow makes the visitor imagine how water is a good rock sculptor.

It’s also an authentic image of the everyday local famers, shepherds, berbers and natural life.

After lunch in the Toudra gorges, you head towards the Sahara dunes,stopping to see the underground channels before arriving to Erfoud, the fossil town,then to Rissani, a holy town where the founder of the royal family is buried. After 36 km, you will be the real Sahara dunes of Merzouga.

 After having mint tea, a symbol of hospitality, you are ready now for a camel ride to the bivouac (nomadic tents) by sun set and to spend the night there…a real experience under the stars and to watch the sun rise the next morning.

 

 

 

After having tea in the bivouac, you ride back to the guest house for shower and for having a touareg breakfast. Then we head to Rissani, the origin of the Alaouite dynasty. We head to Marrakesh with the option to go across Alnif  to join the main road again before the Dades valley, a suggestion that can be discussed by the driver. Otherwise continue towards the same road across Erfoud, Tinjdad, Tinghir, Dades, Ouarzazate and the Tizi’N Tichka to arrive by the evening to Marrakesh.