From Marrakesh: Private 4-Day Sahara Desert Discovery Tour

Drive into the heart of the Sahara Desert on a safari that takes in the historic souks and Kasbahs of Aït Benhaddou, Tourirt, and Amerhidil in Skoura. Ride camels over the windswept dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleep in authentic nomad tents, and drive over the dramatic and twisting Tizi n’ Tichka Pass across the High Atlas Mountains.

Day 1:
Depart Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas Mountains, via the twisting Tizi n’ Tichka mountain pass to Ouarzazate. Vsit the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then continue to Ouarzazate center, where you can tour the Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in Africa.

Enjoy lunch at the Kasbah of Tourirt, former residence of the Glaoui Dynasty. Continue to Rose Valley and the Kasbah of Amerhidil in Skoura, situated by the Amerhidil River and one of the largest in Morocco. Overnight in the Dades Valley.

Day 2:
After breakfast, depart for the Dadès Gorges and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery while sipping on mint tea, also known as “Berber Whiskey.” Continue to Tinghir via Boulman Dadès, and see beautiful palm trees and lush landscapes. The journey then moves on the Todra Gorges for a leisurely lunch.

After lunch, drive to Merzouga to trek by camel across the wind-blown Erg Chebbi dunes, a classic Saharan Desert of all the picture books. Spend the evening in a bivouac (camp) with a typical Moroccan dinner. Sleep in a traditional nomadic camel hair tent.

Day 3:
Wake up to a spectacular desert sunrise during breakfast. Bivouac trekkers will return by camel and continue to the small town of Rissani, where you will visit the Ksours and Kasbahs of Tafilalt, stopping at the Tafilalt Palm Grove en route. Go to the zaouia of Moulay Ali Sherif (mausoleum of the dynasty’s founder) on local market day in Rissani to see traditional souks.

Next, drive to Ouarzazate via Alnfe, Tazarine, Drâa Valley, and Agdz, visiting the Tamnougalt Kasbah. Overnight in a Kasbah Riad, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Kasbah of Tourirt.

Day 4:
Following breakfast, continue your return journey to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass over the High Atlas Mountains, stopping en route for lunch.