Sahara Express

About Moroccan guides:

Moroccan guides aims at providing you a travel experience that takes you off the beaten track. We want to provide a new kind of traveling experience: one in which you become part of local communities, one that confronts you with the unexpected and brings you to places not visited by larger traveling agencies. We are a small and flexible group of guides, who can make you see and feel the real Morocco: a country with fascinating culture and history, breath-taking nature and interesting people. With us, you will live Morocco and travel with spirit—that is the true spirit of traveling!

Highlights:

• Cross the highest pass in North Africa, Tiz ‘n Tichka of 2.260 m;
• Visit the impressive gorges of Todgha, with its steep red walls;
• Ride a camel and sleep under the stars in the Sahara;
• See the vast oasis of the Draa valley and the famous village of Ait ben Haddou where many movies were shot.
• On the way back, we take an alternative and interesting route via the Draa Valley that not a lot of travel agencies visit.

Overview:

This trip takes you on an adventurous journey through a breathtaking part of Morocco: from the bustling city of Marrakech across the High Atlas Mountains, on to the desert plains of Ouarzazate, to finally arrive at the red dunes of Erg Chebbi where you can find yourself listening to the sounds of the Sahara! Set out on the first day from Marrakech to the gorges of Todgha, via Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley. Walk through the canyon of Todgha with its impressive steep walls and beautiful oasis town. Continue on your second day to the Sahara, where you arrive in the early afternoon to enjoy a camel ride across the desert: watch as the sun sets behind the high dunes, dance to the rhythm of desert music, and sleep under a starry sky! On your third day, you will leave the Sahara in the morning and drive via the Draa valley to Ait ben Haddou, a fortified village of kasbahs. Then return to Marrakech where you arrive in the evening.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Marrakech – Todgha Gorges:

Pick up in the morning from your hotel in Marrakech, after which we start our journey to the edge of the Sahara. First, we drive via the highest pass in North Africa, Tiz n’Tichka, after which we descend the High Atlas Mountains and reach Ouarzazate. After lunch, we drive on via Dades valley to Tinghir, where you will see the spectacular red canyon of Todgha in the afternoon light. Overnight in the Todgha Gorges.

Day 2 Todgha Gorges – Merzouga:

The second day we leave Todgha Gorges for Merzouga, at the edge of the Sahara, close to the Algerian border. You will ride the camel and sleep in a desert camp, under the stars. Watch the sunset and have a desert-cooked dinner in the camp, after which you can enjoy the music of South Morocco around a campfire.

Day 3 Merzouga – Marrakech:

Get up early today as you can see the sun rise over thedunes in Merzouga, an unforgettable experience! We then head back to the hotel where you can have a shower and we continue our journey back southwest via the Draa Valley to reach Ait ben Haddou. This village of kasbahs is famed for its many movies that were shot there, such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven. Enjoy a walk through the village and to the granary on the top of the hill, then continue to Marrakech where you will arrive in the evening.

Included:

• Private certified English and/or French speaking guide
• Private driver and transportation with air-conditioning;
• Standard hotel and overnight in desert camp;
• Camel ride in Merzouga;
• Dinners on day 1 and 2;
• Breakfasts on day 2 and 3;
• Pick up from the hotel on day 1 and drop off at the hotel on day 3.

Not Included:

• Additional meals and drinks not listed;
• International flights;
• Sleeping bags (only necessary in winter months);
• Tipping and souvenirs.

What to bring?

• Comfortable shoes;
• Cotton clothes in summer;
• Warm clothes in winter;
• Sleeping bags in winter (recommended).

Prices:

Group Size 2-3: $430 USD pp/3200 DH pp

Group Size 4: $380 USD pp/ 2850 DH pp

Group Size 5 & up: $314 USD pp/ 2350 DH pp

Notes:

We are quite flexible on this trip! So if you prefer, we could adjust your itinerary to suit your wishes! For example, you can stay the first day in Skoura, along the Road of 1000 Kasbahs, instead of Todgha Gorges. You will then visit Ait ben Haddou on day 1, instead of day 3, and you will visit Todgha Gorges on day 2 in the morning, instead of day 1 in the afternoon.

Other Tours:

• Imperial Cities and Beyond: An interesting 8- or 14-day journey across the country traveling from imperial city to the next, from Fes, via the Sahara, to Marrakech, visiting on the way cultural and natural highlights that Morocco has to offer.
• Climb Mount Toubkal: Climb your way to the highest mountaintop in North Africa, Mount Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains! A trip of 3 to 4 days that will leave you breathless once you reach the summit and see the amazing view from above!
• Morocco’s Hidden Gems: Morocco’s Hidden Gems takes you on an 8- or 15-day immersive experience along all the little treasures this country has to offer. Carefully selected by our team, these places show you the diverse and rich culture of Morocco and will give you an unforgettable travel experience.

• Romantic Morocco: Morocco’s lush nature, its bustling cities and quiet desert plains will give you that romance you want on your holiday with your loved one. Great for honeymoons or romantic trips together, this 6-day journey takes you from Marrakech to the dunes of Merzouga and the oases of Zagora.

• Deep South Adventure: This 9-day adventure makes you experience Morocco’s southern life as you travel from Marrakech to Zagora, Tata, on to Tafraoute and to the Atlantic coast, where you can see the great little town of Essaouira.