A full day around the dunes of Merzouga and a night in our camp, then a private transfer to Marrakech through the Draa valley and the High Atlas.
For travellers who are already in Merzouga and want to end their trip in Marrakech. The first day is dedicated to the desert: Rissani, the nomads of the hamada, Khamlia and a sunset camel ride to our camp.
The second day is a long but beautiful drive west through the volcanic Saghro, the Draa valley, Ouarzazate and the Tichka pass, with stops whenever you wish.
Highlights
Pick-up at your hotel in Merzouga
Full day around Erg Chebbi
Night in our desert camp
Draa valley and Ouarzazate
Drop-off at your riad in Marrakech
Day by day
Day 1
A day around Merzouga: Rissani, nomads, Khamlia, camel ride and night in our camp
A whole day to live the desert. In the morning we drive to Rissani, the old caravan capital, to walk through its market, one of the most authentic in Morocco, with its spices, its dozens of varieties of dates and its animal market; we also see the old ksar and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif. Back in the desert, we visit a nomad family in the black hamada, who welcome us for tea in their tent of goat hair, and the village of Khamlia, where the Gnawa musicians play their hypnotic rhythms. After lunch and a rest in the hotel, you can add a quad, buggy or sandboard session if you wish. Before sunset your camel is waiting: the caravan enters Erg Chebbi, stops on a crest for the sunset and reaches our camp, where dinner, drums and the stars are waiting.
Day 2
Sunrise in the dunes – Draa valley – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Wake up early and climb the dune behind the camp to watch the sunrise: the sky turns pink, then gold, and the shadows of the dunes slowly shorten. After breakfast at the camp you ride back to Merzouga by camel, take a shower if you wish and start the journey back to Marrakech. It is the longest day of the tour, so we take it easy, with stops whenever you need them. The road crosses the oasis of Alnif and the Saghro mountains towards the Draa valley, where an endless line of palm trees follows the river, and continues to Ouarzazate for lunch. In the afternoon we cross the High Atlas again by the Tichka pass, enjoying the views we missed on the first day, and arrive in Marrakech in the evening, where your driver leaves you at your riad or hotel.
Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Local driver-guide
Pick-up and drop-off at your riad, hotel or airport
Nights in riads, kasbahs and guesthouses
Dinners and breakfasts
Camel ride with cameleer
Night in our desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Visit to a nomad family
Not included
Lunches
Local guides in the cities (on request)
Entrance fees to monuments
Tips
Good to know
Pick-up between 7:00 and 8:00 at your riad, hotel, airport or port. Bring a small bag for the desert night: big luggage stays in the vehicle. Hotels can be upgraded on request.
No payment is needed to book: you pay on arrival in cash (dirhams or euros). Free changes if the weather is not good.
Questions
Are the tours private?
Yes. Only your group travels in the vehicle, with your own driver, and the program can be adapted.
Where do the tours start?
Wherever you are: your riad or hotel in Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Ouarzazate, Errachidia or Essaouira, or the airport or port when you land.
Which camp do we sleep in?
In our own camp in Erg Chebbi, with private tents, bathrooms with hot shower, dinner and breakfast, and Berber music by the fire.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes, every tour is private and flexible: add nights in the desert, a quad or buggy ride, a different finishing city or better hotels. Just tell us when you write.
