In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationMorocco / Atlas Mountains
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions126.41 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
A gentle introduction to the desert in the company of semi-nomadic camel herders from the Ait Atta tribe. Departing from Marrakech , you can enjoy the red city at the beginning and end of the trek. Via the famous Tizi n'Tichka pass, you reach Tazzarine . The splendid landscapes of the South unfold along the Draa Valley, stretching from vast expanses to the Tazzarine palm grove, a haven of coolness.
At the pace of the caravan, you traverse the vast desert, passing through the villages, oases, and cultivated fields of the Taghbalt wadi. You finally enter the magnificent dunes of Foum Tizza where you set up camp.
The highlights
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A departure from Marrakech to discover and enjoy the red city and its souks
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A route that explores the different faces of the desert: dunes, plateaus and oases
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A night in a guesthouse in Tazzarine where the family's welcome is a genuine encounter
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 21 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 100 m
- Average daily descent: 100 m
Management
You will be accompanied by a French-speaking Berber mountain guide. In addition to their training to obtain the national mountain guide certification, they benefit from ongoing training sessions provided by our local partner. The long-standing relationship we have cultivated over many years means that, beyond their technical skills, you will experience an in-depth exploration of Morocco with unforgettable personalities. They are Berbers, native to the regions you will visit, and possess an intimate knowledge of the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Your guide is assisted by a local team, consisting of camel drivers or muleteers and a cook.
Program
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Arrival in Marrakech
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in Marrakech is flexible, either on the same day or a few days prior, depending on your preference. If you wish, we can arrange your flight and airport transfer . Please contact us to organize these services.
Day 1 -
Departure for the South and arrival in Taghbalt
- Transportation Minibus - 06h - 387km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Depart early in the morning towards southern Morocco . After crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2260m , enjoy the spectacular landscapes unfolding before you. The road winds through the Draa Valley , revealing vast desert expanses on the way to N'Kob and Tazzarine . In the late afternoon, arrive near the village of Taghbalt . You will spend the night in the Taghbalt River gorge, where you will meet your camel team.
Day 2 -
Hiking in the Taghbalt wadi gorges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll hike among palm , tamarisk , and acacia trees , passing by the villages of the Ait Atta . The trek takes place in the heart of the Taghbalt wadi gorges , where henna fields and vegetable gardens of broad beans and other beans create small oases that contrast sharply with the surrounding aridity. At the end of the day, you'll set up camp under the palm or acacia trees for a night immersed in nature.
Day 3 -
From Taghbalt to the Foum Tizza dunes
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You continue towards the village of Hoda , crossing fields of barley and wheat . The trail then leads you through the gorges to a vast plateau that opens the way to the magnificent dunes of Foum Tizza . At the end of the day, you set up camp in the heart of this dune ridge, under a starry sky that accompanies you for the night.
Day 4 -
Exploring the dunes of Foum Tizza
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You climb the Foum Tizza dune ridge to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire region. After this ascent, you descend the other side to reach a well , where a refreshing break awaits. The hike continues across a vast plateau where tamarisk and acacia trees dot the landscape, creating a unique atmosphere.
Day 5 -
Discovery of fossils and arrival at Tazzarine
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll hike among numerous fossils , fascinating remnants of a millennia-old past. Along the way, you'll encounter nomads herding their flocks of goats and sheep , offering an authentic glimpse into life in the Moroccan desert. At the end of the day, you'll arrive in Tazzarine and settle in for your last night at a charming , flower-filled guesthouse . The warm welcome from the family makes this a particularly pleasant and relaxing experience.
Day 6 -
Back to Marrakech
- Transportation Minibus - 06h - 375km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
An early morning departure for the return trip to Marrakech via the Tizi N'Tichka pass. Arrival is expected in the mid-afternoon, giving you time to enjoy the Red City and its charms. The evening is free to stroll at your own pace through the lively alleyways of the medina.
Day 7 -
End of stay in Marrakech
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast , the group will disperse. You have the option of staying in Marrakech to extend your visit or taking your return flight . If needed, we can arrange additional accommodation , airport transfers , or your return flight . Please don't hesitate to contact us for these services.
Day 8
Note
This itinerary is provided as a guide only: depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide may modify it for your safety and that of the group. This itinerary can also be followed in reverse.
Accommodation
Access
If you took the flight with our partner, or booked a meet & greet/transfer, and you arrive before 7pm: your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel for an initial briefing.
If your flight arrives after 7pm, or you have decided to reach the hotel on your own, you will meet your guide and the group the following morning at 7am for breakfast.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a 4-star hotel with a swimming pool in Marrakech, and in a bivouac in the desert
- Full board (except in Marrakech)
- Local transfers
- The local team of drivers, camel drivers and cook
- A French-speaking Berber tour guide
The price does not include
- Return flight to Marrakech (custom flight, please contact us)
- Meals in Marrakech (approximately €12 per meal)
- Drinks
- Tips
Options
- 🚕 Airport transfer > accommodation : CHF22.87 / unit
- 🚕 Return transfer from accommodation to airport : CHF22.87 / unit
- 🐫 Saddle camel : CHF77.76 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night before your stay - Double room : CHF82.33 / unit
- 🌙 Extra night after your stay - Double room : CHF82.33 / unit
- 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.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Group camping equipment and both group and individual cooking equipment are provided by us.
Equipment to bring
- Earplugs or Hears, your choice
- Notepad and pen, a good book, a deck of cards...
- A small pillow, inflatable or not, for added comfort
- A laundry bag, so you can separate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes in your main bag.
- Sleeping bag: comfortable, the right size for you, preferably mummy-shaped (closer to the body and with a hood that closes) with a side zipper for easy opening. It's essential to choose a sleeping bag that's suitable for the temperatures you'll encounter, which depend on the time of year and the region you're visiting. We recommend choosing a sleeping bag rated to be at least 10°C cooler than the lowest average temperature you'll experience (for example, if you're traveling in the South in November (see temperature chart), you'll need a sleeping bag rated to: 7 - 10 = -3°C). A sleeping bag rated to 5°C will also be comfortable at 20°C; simply open it to allow air to circulate. Conversely, if you already have a sleeping bag rated to 10°C, for example, a fleece sleeping bag liner will provide an additional 5 degrees of warmth.
- Cotton sleeping bag liner
- Toiletry bag and towel
- Small personal pharmacy (see dedicated section)
- Sunscreen cream and stick (face and lips)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Water bottle or hydration pack (1 L minimum). Tip: bring two containers of at least 1 L: while one is in use, the other can be undergoing micropurification treatment.
- A multi-purpose pocket knife is preferable (note: it must be packed in your checked luggage!).
- Toilet paper + lighter for destruction
Clothing to bring
- Low or mid-cut hiking shoes
- Tennis shoes or sandals: whatever your trip, they are very comfortable to slip on during stops in towns, villages or in the evening at the campsite.
- Socks: light for the day and warm for the evening (depending on the season).
- Canvas trousers (or sarouel trousers if you have some) and Bermuda shorts (avoid shorts or skirts: see "Etiquette").
- Swimsuit (pool or hammam, you never know!)
- On your skin: it's your first line of defense, so take care of it. Cotton is very well suited to the desert.
- Shirts or T-shirts
- Warm sweater or fleece fur: the latter has the advantage of being resistant, warm, light, and quick-drying, with the added benefit of a soft feel.
- Windproof jacket. The most effective jackets against wind and rain are made of Gore-Tex or Micropore, "breathable" materials that allow for rapid wicking of perspiration while maintaining perfect insulation.
- A hat or cap with neck protection, and/or a shemagh: the first two offer the advantage of also protecting your face from the sun, which the shemagh (long voile scarf) does not. However, the shemagh is very useful for protecting you from the cold, the heat, the sand, and the wind. You will be able to purchase one upon arrival if you wish. Please note that you may not find them everywhere during your tour, so ask your guide.
- Category 3 sunglasses
For the coldest evenings in the heart of winter (December, January and February), you will also need:
- Warm down jacket
- Cap
- Gloves
They traveled with us
