Experience the magic of the desert!
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationAtlas Mountains / Marrakech
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AgeFrom 5 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions171.17 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
English
Arabic
In a few words
Starting from Marrakech , head south for a gradual immersion into the heart of Morocco's mineral landscapes. The first hills give way to Berber villages built of rammed earth , then to vast arid expanses announcing the gates of the desert.
During 4 days of exploration , you don't just observe: you fully experience the Moroccan desert . Each stage reveals spectacular panoramas , bathed in changing light, where silence and immensity invite contemplation.
Nights under the stars are among the highlights of this timeless interlude. In the gentle evening light, the desert reveals a unique, almost surreal atmosphere. Encounters with the locals, simple and sincere, add a precious human dimension to this adventure.
This journey takes you to a more raw, more intense Morocco , far from the urban bustle. An immersive experience blending Berber traditions, wide-open spaces, and powerful emotions , allowing you to feel all the magic of the South and create unforgettable memories.
The highlights
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A night in the heart of the Chegaga dunes
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4x4 track for maximum adventure
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Exclusive stay, you are alone with your guide - no vehicle sharing
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
Tour with private driver. For visits/walks, you will be accompanied by local guides.
Program
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Crossing the High Atlas
- Transportation 04h45 - 270km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Your day starts at 9:00 am with pick-up from your hotel or riad.
You'll take the road via the Tichka Pass, a spectacular mountain road with numerous hairpin bends, considered one of the most beautiful in southern Morocco. Along the way, a lunch break will allow you to recharge before reaching the Draa Valley.
In the afternoon, you'll delve into history with a visit to a village and its oasis, a true gem where the colors are particularly vibrant at the end of the day. Built in the 16th century, the fortified village of Tamnougalt, the former capital of the Berber Mezguita tribe, is one of the oldest ksour still standing in the Draa Valley. Dominating the village, the kasbah of the caïd, inhabited until the 1960s and now abandoned, offers a breathtaking panorama of the palm grove and the Anti-Atlas Mountains.
Our top pick : Stay in a lodge nestled in the heart of the palm grove, facing the Draa River and Jebel Kissane. A peaceful setting, a magnificent view, and total immersion in the valley's natural beauty – the perfect way to end the day.
Day 1 -
Descent of the Drâa Valley
- Transportation 02h45 - 185km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
If you enjoy hiking, prepare for a magical experience climbing a mountain at dawn. The ascent takes about 1.5 hours, is accessible and pleasant, with each step bringing you closer to breathtaking panoramas.
Once at the summit, the valley at sunrise unfolds before your eyes in all its splendor, a magnificent spectacle that rewards the effort.
You then meet your driver to continue your day exploring the Draa Valley, where ksour and kasbahs follow one another, sculpting a magnificent landscape that seems untouched by time. Depending on the day of the week, you might experience a rural souk, an authentic and lively moment, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the tourist souks in the big cities.
Your route then takes you to Tamgroute, famous for its potters who perpetuate ancestral techniques. The village also houses a 17th-century zawiya, still active, welcoming pilgrims and people in need.
The school's Koranic library is worth a visit: with its 4,000 books, it is one of the richest in North Africa.
At the end of the day, you reach Mhamid, the last village before the desert, the gateway to an infinite horizon where the Saharan adventure begins.
Day 2 -
The desert is yours!
- Transportation 02h - 50km
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, you'll take the track that leads you into the heart of the Moroccan Sahara, to Erg Chegaga. Stretching approximately 40 km long and 15 km wide, some dunes reach heights of nearly 300 m, making this the largest erg in Morocco. A monumental landscape that invites contemplation and rejuvenation.
After lunch at the camp, the afternoon is free to fully enjoy this sea of sand. For the more adventurous, it is possible to take a camel ride or a quad bike excursion (at an additional cost).
And above all, don't miss the sunset: a magical moment when the dunes blaze with warm colors.
You spend the night in a bivouac nestled in the dunes, with a large traditional tent for meals, private tents for sleeping, and shared bathroom facilities. Evenings end around the campfire, soothed by the captivating rhythms of Saharan music.
Luxury option : for a more intimate experience, opt for a bivouac with tents equipped with private bathrooms, combining comfort and total immersion in the desert.
Day 3 -
From Erg Chegaga to Ait Ben Haddou
- Transportation 05h30 - 250km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You continue your adventure on the track once used by the Paris-Dakar, crossing first sandy expanses where mirages seem to play with your eyes, before reaching Lake Iriki, now dried up but impressive in its immensity.
The last section of the track, more stony, leads you to Foum Zguid, a stop before reaching Tazenakht, the capital of Berber carpets, where artisans perpetuate an ancestral know-how.
Then it's off to Aït Ben Haddou, the famous ksar listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this fortified village, with its red stone buildings and winding alleyways, is sublime at sunset.
Day 4 -
Back to Marrakech
- Transportation 04h - 175km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
You travel through the Ounila Valley, a spectacular road once used by caravans from the south, now paved.
Along your route, you'll discover the Kasbah of Pasha El Glaoui, a truly fascinating place. Built in the 19th century by the powerful Berber leader of the Atlas Mountains, El Hadj Thami Glaoui, this kasbah tells a story of power, intrigue, and betrayal, a symbol of a bygone era that left its mark on Moroccan history. Every stone, every room reflects the tumultuous destiny of this legendary family.
After this historical immersion, the journey continues towards Marrakech, where your adventure concludes in the heart of the red city.
Day 5
Note
This itinerary can be done in 4 days but in that case the last day will be entirely dedicated to the return to Marrakech.
Period for this tour: September to June only.
Accommodation
At the gateway to the desert, in Mhamid El Ghislane , this 4-star hotel welcomes you in an elegant and exotic atmosphere.
Upon arrival, you are captivated by a refined decor that harmoniously blends Moroccan influences and African touches, creating a warm and exotic setting.
After a day at the gateway to the Sahara, you enjoy a relaxing moment by the pool, in a peaceful environment where the desert is never far away.
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
Pool
Dinner is included in your stay.
You experience the desert in all its simplicity, in an authentic and welcoming camp.
You sleep in your own comfortable and private tent, while the bathroom facilities are shared. Meals are served in the large mess tent, a convivial space where people gather to chat and enjoy local cuisine.
In the evening, the magic happens: around the campfire, under a sky studded with stars, Saharan rhythms resonate in the silence of the desert. A suspended moment, outside of time.
- Individual tent
- Double tent
- Triple tent
Dinner on site
In the heart of Aït Ben Haddou, a jewel classified by UNESCO, the Riad opens the doors to an authentic Moroccan experience.
Here, the charm of Berber traditions blends with modern comforts to create a warm and inviting setting. Every detail has been carefully considered for your well-being, from sculpted stonework and shimmering colors to a peaceful atmosphere.
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Private 4x4 transport with driver: (Maximum 4 people/4x4. For more than 4 people, a second 4x4 will be required. Not applicable for children. Contact us for any requests.)
- 4 nights based on double occupancy
- The meals mentioned in the program
- Exclusivity: no one else on board or in convoy
The price does not include
- Flights
- Drinks
- Entrance fees apply to visits. Expect to pay around €6 per person.
- Tips
Options
- Accommodation in lodges in the Draa Valley in a double room : CHF22.87 / person
- Accommodation in lodges in the Draa Valley in a single room : CHF50.31 / person
- Luxury bivouac in Chegaga in a double room : CHF54.89 / person
- Luxury bivouac in Chegaga in a single room : CHF91.48 / person
- Ascent of Djebel Day 2 : CHF45.74 / reservation
- Camel ride (1 hour) : CHF22.87 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
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