3 days Merzouga desert trip from Marrakech

Day 1: High Atlas mountains & fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou

1. Ait Ben Haddou
   10h
   The 3-day tour starts from Marrakech in the direction of Ouarzazate. You get driven throughout the slopes of Atlas Mountains known as “Tizi-n-Tishka” which is regarded as one of the most twisted roads in the world. The pass stands at an elevation of 2,260m.a.s.l and has wonderful views, mountain streams, oaks, walnut trees etc. all along the way, the Berber villages and fields are terraced to the sides of the road. In winter, the pass is likely to be covered with snow. You proceed down to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a distinctive location for moviemakers. Several foreign and local movies have been shot in the Kasbah, to name a few: Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Mummy etc. Once you get to Ait Ben Haddou, you get to leisurely stroll down though the walls of the Kasbah and have lunch before you continue driving to Ourzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, and then on to Boumalne Dades where the first day of the trip terminates. The road to the town is called the route of the thousand Kasbahs due to the tremendous number of fortresses and citadels spread in the region. Indeed, Dades (the main gateway to the Dades valley) remains a marvelous and cool town.

Day 2: Todra Gorges & Erg Chebbi Dunes

1. Todra Gorge
   8h
   After breakfast, you hit the road towards Toudra Gorges, about 14 kilometers inside the mountains from the town of Tenghir. Take a walk through its 300-metre canyon walls. Next, you follow the path further to the great southern oases into the Sahara desert (a place of tranquility and serenity). Upon your arrival to Merzouga, you will ride the camels across the great sand dunes into a desert camp. This will be one of the most thrilling and inspiring experiences during your stay in Morocco. On your way there, you will stop (occasionally halfway) for the mesmerizing view of sunset. By or before dusk, you’ll arrive to the camp where you’ll be greeted with tea shown your tents and have some time by yourselves. After dinner, there will be a musician soiree by the fire and you can walk up the dunes and see the mesmerizing starry sky and shooting stars.

Day 3: Road back to Marrakech

1. Rissani
   11h
   First thing in the next morning, you enjoy a memorable sunrise, have breakfast and then ride back the camels. You get back to your car and head to Rissani (ancient name “Sijilmasa”), the largest oasis in the country, with its adobe Kasbahs and palm groves, it’s worth a stop. Beyond Rissani, you take a detour for about 150 kilometers to the town of Tinghir across a vast area of mountains and acacia trees. You’ll stop for lunch in one of the villages on your way to Ouarzazate. The trip goes on in the afternoon passing another time yet by the Atlas Mountains before you arrive to Marrakech early evening.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels