The Red City Adventure Through The Desert
$ 1,714 .28 USD
Total price per person
Reserve with $1,714.28
Whats included?
Itinerary
5x Breakfast
5x Breakfast
3x Dinner
3x Dinner
Accommodation included: 4 nights
Accommodation included: 4 nights
Private transportation
Private transportation
Accommodation at selected good and...
Accommodation at selected good and centrally located 4* hotels /Riads
Air-conditioned vehicle
Air-conditioned vehicle
Local English Guide in Marrakech...
Local English Guide in Marrakech souks
Breakfast
Breakfast
Entry/Admission - Merzouga Desert
Entry/Admission - Merzouga Desert
Not included:
Food
Food
Drinks
Drinks
Sites Fee Visit
Sites Fee Visit
Flight Ticket
Flight Ticket
Start planning your experience
ยAbout experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech: Exploring the Red City
Stop At: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
Welcome to Marrakech! Nicknamed the "Red City" for the natural pigment in the sandstone used to build its walls and buildings, Marrakech has always been a major economic center.
Orient yourself around Marrakech's main square, Jemaa el-Fna: the souks (el Attarin, Haddadine, and Smata) are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens are to the west, and the kasbah (old fortress or fortification) area home to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. On the southwest corner, you will find the calรจches (French for horse-drawn carriage) that offer a unique way to tour the medina (old quarter). In the Ville Nouvelle, you will find the Majorelle Gardensโa perfect spot for respite away from the crowds.
Start your day at the Koutoubia Mosque with its towering minaret. Notice the open spaces and courtyards along many alleyways: these fondouks or caravanserai were once inns used by traders and merchants and their animals. Wander the souks and be sure to visit the Souk des Teinturiers (Dyers' Souk) to see how workers use traditional methods to dye cloth and wool.
Next, visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school to appreciate the carved cedar ceilings, zellij (intricate tile work), and Islamic calligraphy. Check out the 500-year old Saadian Tombs or visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace, one of the largest and most luxurious palaces in its day. And if time allows, visit the 17th-century El Badi Palace for comparison (be sure to check out the sunken gardens).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Riad Maialou situated in the old medina of Marrakech, if by chance its fully booked wi give you a similar accommodation.
Day 2: Over the High Atlas mountains and into the desert
Stop At: Boumalne Dades, Boumalne Dades, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Leave the busy city behind and head east toward the desert, ascending the High Atlas mountains. See if you can spot Mount Toubkal, the highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Along the way, you will pass many Berber villagesโmade up of traditional mud-brick buildings.
Lunch in Taddert and tour the local Argan Oil Cooperative and discover how the local women extract the precious oil from the argan nut to make oil used in the health, food, and cosmetic industries. Follow the winding road to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and stop to appreciate the panoramic view.
Continue east, traveling through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many in disrepair as they're constructed of pisรฉ mud (rammed earth). As you head towards Boumalne Dades, you will pass many small towns where you can see traditional farming methods in use. Be on the lookout for nomads tending to their animals as you make your way through fragrant Kela'a M'gouna, the "Valley of the Roses". You'll eventually arrive in Boumalne Dades, a major town bridging the Dades River and your home for the evening.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Auberge Oued Dade is situated between the valley of Dades Gorge.
Day 3: Desert towns, fossil workshops, and camping in the Sahara
Stop At: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga Morocco
Today you will drive further east to your final destination: the sand sea of Erg Chebbi outside of Merzouga. Along the way, stop in Tinerhir to admire the river oasis that extends on either side of the town. The surrounding desert landscape reveals impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus.
Nearby, you will have the opportunity to explore the Todra Gorge, a 984 feet (300 m) deep ravine, cut by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud. Known for its figs and fossils, visit a craft workshop and discover how the fossil-rich rocks are skilfully transformed into practical and decorative objects. It's a good idea to buy fresh figs here, as well!
As you near Merzougaโthe town closest to the Saharaโstop in the market town of Rissani and be sure to visit the livestock auction as well as the "donkey parking lot". Leaving Rissani behind, you will start to see the beginnings of the massive sand sea of Erg Chebbi, looming on the horizon.
Upon reaching Merzouga, switch gears and transfer to your personal camel to begin your trek over the sands and to your Bedouin-style camp. Hike to the top of a nearby dune to watch the setting sun, before enjoying a warm meal by the fire.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Orient Desert Camp in the heart of the Sahara desert.
Day 4: Date palms, movie locations, and Aรฏt Benhaddou Kasbah
Stop At: Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Wake early to appreciate a desert sunrise and further explore the Sahara: rent a sand board, join the Erg Chebbi tour around the sand dunes or a quad ATV tour, or lounge by a pool in nearby Merzouga.
Head south to Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village (with its people originally from Mali). Here you can enjoy traditional music, drumming and dancing before taking a casual walk around the village and its farmed plots in the sand. You will have a second chance to stop in Rissani to visit Maison Tuareg, a storehouse selling traditional arts and crafts, including carpets, jewelry, and leather goods. From there, pass through umbrella-shaped trees of the acacia forests before reaching Alnif for lunch. Continue on through the Draa Valley, dense with date palmeries and another opportunity to pick up a box of dates for the drive.
Continue west to the desert hub and popular filming location of Ouarzazate. Made popular by the growing movie industry, you will have the option to tour one of the two movie studios and envision how the nearby regions have been featured in many movies. Some popular film credits include Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Prometheus, American Sniper, and Game of Thrones. To learn more about the history and filmmaking process in the area, stop at the Musรฉe du Cinema.
Continue west to medieval Aรฏt Benhaddou. A protected UNESCO site, Aรฏt Benhaddou is the most famous kasbah in Morocco and once upon a time, held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert. Spend the night in the old town and wander the empty alleys after the day-crowds have left. Pay a nominal fee to enter a few of the kasbahs and climb up to the rooftop for pretty views.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Maison D'Hotes Nouflla
Day 5: Return to Marrakech
Stop At: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
Before the crowds filter into the old kasbah, explore the narrow passageways and alleys to get a real feel for this 11th-century fortified city. Leave Aรฏt Benhaddou behind, and return to Marrakech, traveling one more time up and over the High Atlas mountains and through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass.
After exploring Morocco's quiet desert towns and various deserts, soon you will be back in the bustling city of Marrakech. You may wish to take the afternoon at a slower paceโfind a cafรฉ near Jemaa el-Fna and enjoy your last (local) Moroccan meal before catching your flight home.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Marrakech: Exploring the Red City
Stop At: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
Welcome to Marrakech! Nicknamed the "Red City" for the natural pigment in the sandstone used to build its walls and buildings, Marrakech has always been a major economic center.
Orient yourself around Marrakech's main square, Jemaa el-Fna: the souks (el Attarin, Haddadine, and Smata) are to the north, the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens are to the west, and the kasbah (old fortress or fortification) area home to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace are to the south. On the southwest corner, you will find the calรจches (French for horse-drawn carriage) that offer a unique way to tour the medina (old quarter). In the Ville Nouvelle, you will find the Majorelle Gardensโa perfect spot for respite away from the crowds.
Start your day at the Koutoubia Mosque with its towering minaret. Notice the open spaces and courtyards along many alleyways: these fondouks or caravanserai were once inns used by traders and merchants and their animals. Wander the souks and be sure to visit the Souk des Teinturiers (Dyers' Souk) to see how workers use traditional methods to dye cloth and wool.
Next, visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic school to appreciate the carved cedar ceilings, zellij (intricate tile work), and Islamic calligraphy. Check out the 500-year old Saadian Tombs or visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace, one of the largest and most luxurious palaces in its day. And if time allows, visit the 17th-century El Badi Palace for comparison (be sure to check out the sunken gardens).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
Accommodation included: Riad Maialou situated in the old medina of Marrakech, if by chance its fully booked wi give you a similar accommodation.
Day 2: Over the High Atlas mountains and into the desert
Stop At: Boumalne Dades, Boumalne Dades, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Leave the busy city behind and head east toward the desert, ascending the High Atlas mountains. See if you can spot Mount Toubkal, the highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Along the way, you will pass many Berber villagesโmade up of traditional mud-brick buildings.
Lunch in Taddert and tour the local Argan Oil Cooperative and discover how the local women extract the precious oil from the argan nut to make oil used in the health, food, and cosmetic industries. Follow the winding road to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and stop to appreciate the panoramic view.
Continue east, traveling through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many in disrepair as they're constructed of pisรฉ mud (rammed earth). As you head towards Boumalne Dades, you will pass many small towns where you can see traditional farming methods in use. Be on the lookout for nomads tending to their animals as you make your way through fragrant Kela'a M'gouna, the "Valley of the Roses". You'll eventually arrive in Boumalne Dades, a major town bridging the Dades River and your home for the evening.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Auberge Oued Dade is situated between the valley of Dades Gorge.
Day 3: Desert towns, fossil workshops, and camping in the Sahara
Stop At: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga Morocco
Today you will drive further east to your final destination: the sand sea of Erg Chebbi outside of Merzouga. Along the way, stop in Tinerhir to admire the river oasis that extends on either side of the town. The surrounding desert landscape reveals impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus.
Nearby, you will have the opportunity to explore the Todra Gorge, a 984 feet (300 m) deep ravine, cut by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud. Known for its figs and fossils, visit a craft workshop and discover how the fossil-rich rocks are skilfully transformed into practical and decorative objects. It's a good idea to buy fresh figs here, as well!
As you near Merzougaโthe town closest to the Saharaโstop in the market town of Rissani and be sure to visit the livestock auction as well as the "donkey parking lot". Leaving Rissani behind, you will start to see the beginnings of the massive sand sea of Erg Chebbi, looming on the horizon.
Upon reaching Merzouga, switch gears and transfer to your personal camel to begin your trek over the sands and to your Bedouin-style camp. Hike to the top of a nearby dune to watch the setting sun, before enjoying a warm meal by the fire.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Orient Desert Camp in the heart of the Sahara desert.
Day 4: Date palms, movie locations, and Aรฏt Benhaddou Kasbah
Stop At: Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Wake early to appreciate a desert sunrise and further explore the Sahara: rent a sand board, join the Erg Chebbi tour around the sand dunes or a quad ATV tour, or lounge by a pool in nearby Merzouga.
Head south to Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village (with its people originally from Mali). Here you can enjoy traditional music, drumming and dancing before taking a casual walk around the village and its farmed plots in the sand. You will have a second chance to stop in Rissani to visit Maison Tuareg, a storehouse selling traditional arts and crafts, including carpets, jewelry, and leather goods. From there, pass through umbrella-shaped trees of the acacia forests before reaching Alnif for lunch. Continue on through the Draa Valley, dense with date palmeries and another opportunity to pick up a box of dates for the drive.
Continue west to the desert hub and popular filming location of Ouarzazate. Made popular by the growing movie industry, you will have the option to tour one of the two movie studios and envision how the nearby regions have been featured in many movies. Some popular film credits include Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Prometheus, American Sniper, and Game of Thrones. To learn more about the history and filmmaking process in the area, stop at the Musรฉe du Cinema.
Continue west to medieval Aรฏt Benhaddou. A protected UNESCO site, Aรฏt Benhaddou is the most famous kasbah in Morocco and once upon a time, held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the southern desert. Spend the night in the old town and wander the empty alleys after the day-crowds have left. Pay a nominal fee to enter a few of the kasbahs and climb up to the rooftop for pretty views.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
โข Dinner
Accommodation included: Maison D'Hotes Nouflla
Day 5: Return to Marrakech
Stop At: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
Before the crowds filter into the old kasbah, explore the narrow passageways and alleys to get a real feel for this 11th-century fortified city. Leave Aรฏt Benhaddou behind, and return to Marrakech, traveling one more time up and over the High Atlas mountains and through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass.
After exploring Morocco's quiet desert towns and various deserts, soon you will be back in the bustling city of Marrakech. You may wish to take the afternoon at a slower paceโfind a cafรฉ near Jemaa el-Fna and enjoy your last (local) Moroccan meal before catching your flight home.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
โข Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
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