3 Days Tour Ait Ben Haddou – Erg Chigaga – Desert camp

The trip starts at 8 am, when the driver picks you up at your hotel or riad in Marrakech. We head to the spectacular High Atlas Mountains, crossing via the twisting pass of Tizi n Tichka. We drive further until we reach the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The kasbah is a well-preserved fortified city which is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage site. From here we visit the city, or ksar, on foot. Lunch in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. After lunch we continue south, through the city of Ouarzazate, also known as Morocco’s Hollywood and nicknamed the «door to Sahara». We continue through the lush Draa valley, where we turn off the main road and follow the old caravan route. We drive along the palm trees until we reach the desert town of Zagora. Dinner and sleep at the guesthouse in Zagora.

After breakfast we head further south towards the nomadic village M’hamid. On the way, we stop at a pottery in Tamegroute, where you see how pottery is made with traditional methods. It is also possible to visit the koranic library and medersa (school) next to the pottery. We continue for about 1 hour until we reach M’hamid where you have your lunch and time to relax. After lunch we head off-road into the desert and after about 1,5 to 2 hours we reach our desert camp in the sand dunes of Erg Chigaga. The camels are waiting to take you on a trip around the sand dunes and you can also try the sandboarding. The highest sand dune is about 300 metres high and from the top you can view an amazing sunset over sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Bury your feet in warm, soft sand, enjoy the desert silence and the feeling of freedom – a totally unique experience. Back in the camp you can enjoy a shower before a delicious 3 course dinner is served in the restaurant tent. After dinner we sit around the camp fire and listen to traditional music performed by the local nomads. Sleep in a nomad tent, or if you prefer, sleep outside under the stars.

Departure after breakfast, around 8 am. We head off-road across the desert onto Lake Iriki, a dried out lake. We follow the old route of rally Paris-Dakar. After about 3 hours off-road, we reach the paved roads and the town Foum Zguid where we stop for refreshments. On the way, we also stop in Taznakht village which is famous for its berber carpets. Lunch is served here. We arrive in Marrakech late afternoon.