Morocco Desert tour , Marrakech Saghro & Sahara : Tekking in Morocco

TREKKING IN MOROCCO

Marrakech Saghro & Sahara - 13 day tour

Escape the grey wet weather at home and head for the Sahara & Saghro region of Morocco. Enjoy warm days and cool nights exploring the stunning landscapes of the Sahara and Anti Atlas.
We will use a mix of mules and camels depending on the terrain. This is a unique opportunity to explore some of the vastness of the mighty Sahara desert.

Day 1: Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! You arrive in Marrakech and, after a short transfer from the airport, spend the first night in a hotel in the centre of town and meet your fellow travellers at a pre-departure meeting at 6:00pm.
(Dinner & overnight – Marrakech).

Day 2: Ouarzazate
This morning your adventure gets underway as we journey into the Anti Atlas Mountains, stopping at Ouarzazate for lunch. Ouarzazate was once used as a resting point for African traders on their way to Europe and is now best known for its film studio, which has been used as the set for many famous movies including; Alexander the Great, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights. We drive on through the picturesque Dades Valley and Boumalne du Dades to the small village of Tagdilt, where we meet our trekking team and spend the night in a local house

Day 3: Jbel Sarhro
Today you begin your trek through the dramatic, rugged terrain of Jbel Saghro which has been sculpted over millions of years by volcanic mountains. It’s an area of incredible natural beauty, where dusty red, ancient Kasbahs stand in contrast against the green date palm oases and red-black volcanic mountain peaks. There will certainly be no shortage of photo opportunities! We set up camp in the wilderness at Imi-n-ouarg, where you can relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some traditional Moroccan food, freshly prepared by our cook.

Day 4: Aït Atta Berbers
This morning the adventure really begins as we set out across a steep mountain pass with spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and rugged ranges. We trek down to K’ouaouch and enjoy lunch on the mountain side. We then continue on to the cultivated fields of the hamlet of Igli, where we set up camp amongst the almond trees. Here you’re likely to encounter members of the semi-nomadic Aït Atta Berber tribe, who reside in the area with their goats and sheep.

Day 5: Bab-n-Ali
Today we see one of the highlights of the trek; an incredible tall rock pinnacle known as Bab n Ali (Gates of Ali). The bizarre surrounding landscape is formed of limestone pinnacles, rocky outcrops and red black volcanic peaks. We camp overnight in this incredible setting.

Day 6: Taoudachte River
We continue our trekking adventure, passing ancient Kasbahs and cultivated valleys. Finally, we reach the large village of Sarhro and stop for lunch before continuing to the beautiful Taoudachte River. Here we set up camp for the night beside the river, amongst the palms.

Day 7: Draa Valley
This morning give the trekking a rest and drive to the town of Zagora in the bewitching Draa Valley, where the banks of the long winding river are covered by a sea of green palms and contrast against the colourful dusty rocks and old Kasbahs. We have lunch at Zaouite Sidi Salh and after our rucksacks are loaded onto camels, we trek into the desert to the Megag dunes. We set up camp near the dunes for a memorable night under a sea of stars in the echoing silence of the vast Sahara Desert

Day 8 & 9: The Sahara
We spend the next two days in the remote wilderness of the Sahara Desert which stretches from the High Atlas Mountains in the west to the Red Sea coast 4800km east. We trek across perfect windblown golden dunes, dotted with date palms and stony flat expanse broken by the occasional oasis and tamarisk trees. The sheer magnitude of the Sahara Desert and the solitude it provides is truly amazing. We visit the Megag Necropolis and the ancient village of Bounou before reaching Ouled Driss on day 9.

Day 10: Ouarzazate
Today marks the end of the trekking part of this holiday. After breakfast we take the scenic drive back through the date palm oasis of the breathtaking Draa Valley and over the incredible Tinifift Pass where the hills give way to canyons. We stop to visit a pottery village and the Coranic library of Tamgroute before heading back to Ouarzazate where we spend the night in a hotel and enjoy the comfort of a bed!
(Lunch, dinner & overnight - Ouarzazate)

Day 11: Aït Benhaddou
Today we explore Ouarzazate before driving to the remarkable Aït Benhaddou, a ‘fortified city’ situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Ait Benhaddou is one of the best preserved ancient Kasbahs in the Atlas region. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, some Kasbahs date back to the 16th Century and the site had been the setting for many famous films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. This afternoon we return to Marrakech.
(Lunch, dinner & overnight – Marrakech)

Day 12: Marrakech
Enjoy a free day exploring magical Marrakech with its beautiful, Koutoubia mosque and fabulous central square – Djemma-el-fna. Packed full of colour, spicy aromas, traders, snake charmers and fortune tellers, Djemma-el-fna is a feast for all of the senses! Lose yourself in the madness of the souks and perhaps test your bargaining skills, buying some last minute souvenirs! We’ll meet up this evening for our final dinner

Day 13: Marrakech
Your trekking holiday ends after breakfast.

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