MARRAKECH DESERT TRIP 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
BEST MARRAKECH DESERT TRIP 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS PRIVATE
OVREVIEW
Why Should You Book Private Marrakech Desert Trip 7 Day / 6 Nights?
Whether you are looking for an absolutely exotic desert experience where you can have the camel trek like what the ancient nomads used to do for a living, overnight under the stars that illuminate the horizons; enjoy the prevalent beauty and stillness or learn about the architecture demonstrated by the typical Berber Kasbahs and Ksars. This private Marrakech Desert Trip 7 days / 6 nights is designed to take you to another world of exoticism and contemplation.
Morocco is blessed with vast and dramatic deserts that form a good portion of the Great Sahara. The desert of Morocco is divided into Erg Chebbi & Erg Chegaga. This private Desert Trip from Marrakech in 7 days & 6 nights offers the opportunity to explore the two deserts as well as the High Atlas Mountains, Kasbahs, Ksers, Palm Valleys and much more.
- HIGHLIGHTS
- DETAILED ITINERARY
- PRICES
What You Can Expect From Your Marrakech Desert Trip
- Explore the pink city of Marrakech
- Drive through the spectacular pass of Tizi n’Tichka (2260m)
- Visit the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah that was used for shooting numerous Hollywood Movies.
- Explore the palm grove valley of Draa & Zagora.
- Experience the camel ride in the desert and spend the night under the stars in the heart of the desert.
- Dinner & entertainment in the desert.
- Explore the desert area and Tafilalet oasis.
- Visit the dates’ market in Erfoud
- Visit the Amredil Kasbah in Skoura
- Overnight in Dades Gorges
- Stretch your legs at the Todra Gorges
DAY1: ARRIVE IN MARRAKECH AIRPORT & GUIDED TOUR OF MARRAKECH
Meet and greet upon arrival at the Menara International Airport of Marrakech, assist with customs before heading to the Medina. You will have a private guided tour of the ancient Medina of Marrakech that was founded by the Almoravid “Berber warrior” Youssef Ibn Tachfine in the 12th century. You tour guide will shed light on the historical background behind the foundation of Marrakech as a whole and how it has witnessed great transformation over time.
The walking tour will begin at the Koutoubia Mosque, which is the landmark of this beautiful pink city occupying the horizons to the extent that it can be seen from different locations. Stretch your legs by the neighboring lush garden before continuing on the track to the Saadian Tombs. It is in here, most of the Saadian Dynasty leaders & family members are buried (this dynasty ruled Morocco in the 15th century and was known for their victory in the famous battle of the “Three Kings”). You will be immediately amazed by the immense beauty of the Moorish architecture of the tombs with stucco-works, Zelij tiles, lanterns, and the beautiful garden centering the site.
Meander around the vibrant alleyways leading us to the Bahia Palace (Palace of the Favorite). This spacious palace was built by Ba Hmad who was the vizier of the late Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz in the late of the 19th century. He built this beautiful masterpiece for his wives & concubines. It was used as the main residential place for the French General Lyautey when Morocco was under the French Protectorate from 1912 to 1956. Continue on the track through the vibrant Souks before getting the Jemaa El-Fna, which the focal point of Marrakech.
Your tour guide will accompany you back to your Riad to have enough time for relaxation to prepare yourselves for the best trip to the desert from Marrakech.
- Overnight accommodation in Riad Ksar Anika or similar – Bed & Breakfast option.
DAY2: MARRAKECH – TELOUET – AIT BENHADDOU – ZAGORA
Early wake up in the morning & after breakfast, you meet your private English speaking driver who is going to take you for a lifetime journey down to the Sahara Desert. You will drive through the High Atlas Mountains where you will enjoy breathtaking views. Berber Villages built in adobe & stones along the edge of the mountains offer an excellent opportunity for nice photo shots. Your driver will include stops for pictures wherever an attraction gets into your eyes. You will drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m), then to Telouet Village.
In this village, the history of the reasons behind its foundation, the Glaoui family, its commercial & political role in shaping the recent history of Morocco when the land was under the “Lords of the Atlas” is just inspiring. Even though the Telouet Kasbah is, most of it, sadly, crumbling but the feeling you get once you step foot within its tiny alleys is, somewhat, exceptional. You will continue on the track to the Ait Benhaddou Village (UNESCO Heritage World Site) that has been used as a backdrop for shooting numerous Hollywood Movies including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven and many others. You will be spending a couple of hours exploring this incredible site with your tour guide.
After lunch, you will drive through Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa), then the palm valley of Draa before reaching our final destination of the day, Zagora.
- Overnight accommodation in Riad Lamane or similar with Half Board option (Dinner & Breakfast are included).
DAY3: ZAGORA – NKOB – RISSANI – MERZOUGA
After having breakfast in your Riad, your Marrakech desert trip further east to the magical Erg Chebbi sand dunes. This part of the desert marks the gateway to the Great Sahara covering around 55 square km. You will drive through the lush palm valley of Draa and include a short stop at the Nkob town known for its spectacular Kasbahs. You will drive through Alnif and Rissani before reaching the Sahara Desert of Erg Chebbi, which marks our final destination for today.
At the Riad in Merzouga, warm welcome with fresh mint tea by the staff members and then you can stretch your legs at the sand dunes up to watch the majestic view of the sunset.
- Overnight accommodation in Riad Madu or similar with half board option (dinner & breakfast are included)
DAY4: EXPLORE THE DESERT AREA & CAMEL TREK
After breakfast in your Riad, you will have the day out exploring the desert area and its countless highlights. You will be initially introduced to the “Khettaras” (aqueducts), which is a traditional system of conveying water from underground to the surface based on digging a line of wells connecting them with a channel. You will continue on the track through Merzouga Village before reaching the Khamlia Village – Resided by Sub-Saharan Africans who we were brought as slaves & have been known for the Gnawa Music (spiritual music) performed to the visitors using metal castanets and drums.
You will explore the Tafilalet Oasis with its Ksars that go back to the 14th century and its Souks that take place 3 days a week. In the afternoon, you will drive back to the sand dunes where you will have a camel ride journey through the dunes that like an ocean before reaching the luxury desert camp. In here you are going to enjoy the breathtaking views of the pure sand, the prevalent tranquility, the illuminating stars and much more. After dinner, you will have a nice performance of musicians with drums before getting to bed for the next day.
- Overnight accommodation in our Luxury Desert Starry Camp with half-board option (dinner & breakfast are included)
DAY5: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – DADES VALLY
Early wake up in the morning to attend the impressive view of sunrise; you will enjoy your breakfast before continuing on the track to the Dades Valley. You will drive through Tinejdad and then to Todra Gorge that has attracted mountain climbers from all over the world and has been an excellent escape for the locals to enjoy the cool weather of the place. Stretch your legs and enjoy the majestic views before resuming our journey further west to the Dades Valley marking, therefore, the final destination of the day.
- Overnight accommodation in Xaluca Dades – Half Board Option (dinner & breakfast are included)
DAY6: DADES VALLEY – VALLEY OF ROSES – SKOURA – MARRAKECH
After breakfast in your hotel, you will drive through the Valley of Roses. You will make a guided tour of the Amredil Kasbah in Skoura before heading further west to Marrakech through the impressive High Atlas Mountains. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon and we will escort you to your Riad. In the evening, you may want to stretch your legs at the Jemaa El Fna Square, which is the focal point of this magical city.
- Overnight accommodation in Riad Ksar Anika or similar – Bed & breakfast option.
DAY7: MARRAKECH SIGHTSEEING TOUR & TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
After breakfast in your Riad, it depends on your flight’s schedule as if you have time. Your driver will take you to the Menara Gardens before dropping you off at the Menara Airport. We will assist you with luggage before getting to customs. Your Marrakech Desert Trip comes to the end.
The Cost of Marrakech Desert Trip 7 Days / 6 Nights Is Flexible & Based On Your Requirements:
The cost is €810 per person based on at least 2/3 participants – €640 per person for 4-6 people. Please note that the cost is based on double occupancy. The cost includes the following services:
- Meet & greet at the airport
- Experienced English speaking private driver throughout your journey.
- 6 nights’ accommodation as illustrated on the itinerary.
- Meals as mentioned on the itinerary
- Local tour guide in Marrakech
- Camel trek experience along with the overnight stay in our luxurious desert camp.
- Entrance fees to museums
- Hotel taxes
- Unique experience
- Local taxes
The fee does not include the following:
- All amenities that are mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Travel insurance, which is required in case of a medical emergency
- Flights & extra services
- Drinks & tip
Please review our posts on how to get to Tangier by ferry from Spain, and the frequently asked questions (FAQ)
“Desert Trip to Zagora & Merzouga in Morocco”
During a recent trip to Morocco, I planned to visit the south of the country down to the Sahara. I enlisted a guide and driver for the trip called Moha. He was a fantastic guide, extremely good spoken English with a great sense of humor, we got on like a house on fire. Extremely knowledgable about the whole country, he was born near Erfoud in the south so he also had the benefit of local knowledge.
We left Marrakech early morning and headed towards the Atlas mountains and over the Tichka pass heading south. We stopped for lunch at the heritage site of Ait Benhaddou and see the town and Kasbah where some famous films had been made. We then continued on down the valley of the roses to our overnight stop at the spectacular Todra Gorge. The next day we traveled on to Merzouga on the edge of the sandy desert with beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the dunes. Moha even showed me the place where he lived when he was growing up and also introduced me to his family, now living in Erfoud. That was a real privilege. The following day we went back up to Rissani then headed west along the N12. Finally, after a long days drive we headed south on the N9 ending up in Zagora. After spending another night further south in the desert village of Muhamid, we headed north back towards Marrakech. Stopping at Agdz then overnight in Ouarzazate we finally arrived back in Marrakech. Although the trip covers a lot of miles, in no way did I feel rushed or pressured by time. Moha would stop at local towns and villages in order to see real life and show me little known sites off the main tourist trails.
It was a stunning insight to life in Morocco, the diversity of the geography and its people, all expertly enhanced and explained by Moha. If you are planning to visit the desert regions of Morocco or just a trip around Marrakech, you will find it hard to find anyone better than Moha.
JESSICA SO
Pontgarreg, UK
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