Merzouga
3h
After a luxurious breakfast in your Riad you’ll start exploring the area. You’ll be visiting the Gnawa people in their village Khamlia, where you will learn about the Gnawa music and their lifestyle. Close by is the lake of Merzouga with its bird population, including the flamingos. Afterwards, you’ll visit the old city of Rissani. Rissani, the foundation of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling royal family in Morocco. Rissani is surrounded by 360 ksar (a fortified village with many towers) and has a big souk (an open market), held three times a week. Once called Sijilmassa, this was the meeting place for the salt caravans, coming from Timbuctou in Mali. Here you’ll walk through the souk, packed with spices, vegetables and cloths before driving back to the village of Merzouga, where your camels are awaiting you. Guided by an experienced camel man you’ll ride exploring within the sand sea of Merzouga.