Southern Desert Trek (9 nights / 10 days) South of the High Atlas lie the desert mountain regions of Jbel Bani and Jbel Tadrart. In this area a 6-day camel-trek leads you through mountains, date-palm oases and sand dunes. This adventurous desert trek will take you back to ancient times of the desert caravans. You will be camping in the desert, watching the millions of stars in the sky and enjoying the silence of the desert night. The journey will begin near the town of Zagora and end at M'hamid, a large oasis. Camels will carry your luggage and you will be accompanied by an expert guide. The average distance covered per day is approximately 18 kilometres.

Starts Marrakech / Ends Marrakech

Trek Grade: B - moderate  what is this?

Day 1. Marrakech

• Upon arrival at the airport of Marrakech you will be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the town. Your hotel is located near the Djemaa-el-Fna Square, the vibrant heart of the city. The activities on the square are continually changing – you'll see snake charmers, musicians, acrobats and storytellers. In the evening open food-stalls are set up with delicious kebabs and salads. Your senses will be reeling in the narrow streets of the medieval medina. Fully loaded donkeys walk back and forth through the narrow streets, which smell of herbs, leather and meat stalls. You will be overwhelmed by the exuberant mix of colourful carpets, fruits, herbs and dyed skeins of wool. In the courtyards the tanners are busy working. Small gateways provide an entrance to the beautifully constructed and decorated sultan's tombs, old palaces and Koranic schools. Hotel. (No meals included).

Day 2. Zagora region

• A beautiful drive through the High Atlas Mountains takes you to Ouarzazate, a town which is well-known for its film studios and the ancient Kasbah Taourirt. In the afternoon you first cross an arid mountain region. Then the road follows the course of the River Draâ to Zagora, a quiet desert-town. On the way you will see lush date-palm plantations and numerous kasbahs. Camp will be set up in the oasis near Zagora where you will meet your camel-drivers. Camp (BD)

Day 3. Boujniba dunes

• In the morning the camels will be expertly loaded. Then the desert trek begins. Keeping pace with the camels you will leave the green Draâ Valley behind. Enjoying the vastness of the desert surroundings, you will cross a plain with mineral rocks. At lunchtime a big salad will be served with bread, fruits and mint tea. In the afternoon you will reach the dunes of Boujniba, a typical desert landscape. On top of a dune you can watch the sunset which turns the colour of the sand into a luminous gold. Camp. (BLD)

Day 4. Zaouiat Lambassu oasis

• Sunrise is also a special experience in the desert which should not be missed. After breakfast you will ascend the mountain-slope of Jbel Bani. On top you will have a great view of the desert surroundings. Then you will enter a region with table mountains and oases. You will be impressed by the contrast between the green oases and the barren desert landscape. The bivouac will be at the little oasis of Zaouiat Lambassu. Camp. (BLD)

Day 5. Erg Lâabidia

• Following ancient caravan trails amidst a mountain scenery you will reach the sand dunes of Erg Lâabidia. It is interesting to see the many traces in the sand of beetles, lizards and birds. In the evening the camel-drivers will prepare a “pain de sable”, a delicious hot loaf of bread which is baked in hot ashes, covered with sand. Camp. (BLD)

Day 6. Boutafroukht

• On your way to Boutafroukht you will pass a water source, which is one of the most important elements in the landscape for the local population. The surroundings are favoured by nomads who live in large tents made from woven goat's wool. The nomads' main activity is tending their herds of goats and camels. Camp. (BLD)

Day 7. Mazonaria

• In the area you will cross today you will see many tamarisk trees growing on top of ancient river dunes, bearing witness that long ago the Draâ River crossed this plain before it vanished in the sands. At the place of the bivouac you will be able to find plenty of wood to make a camp fire. This will be your last night in the desert and a last opportunity to enjoy the sight of the millions of stars, the silence and the solitude. Camp. (BLD)

Day 8. Kasbah Ait Benhaddou

• The high dune of Erg Lihouddi is on the last stretch through the desert. The camel-trek will end at the oasis of M'hamid in the Draâ Valley. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the north, where you will spend the night in an elegant hotel near the overwhelming kasbah-complex of Ait Benhaddou. Hotel. (BLD)

Day 9. Marrakech

• A 5-hour drive with photo stops takes you over the mountains back to Marrakech where you can spend the afternoon strolling around in the 900-year old medina. Here you can see craftsmen at work, buy souvenirs and visit ancient monuments. Hotel. (B)

Day 10. Departure

• You will be transferred to Marrakech airport for your onward flight. (B)

 

Best season: from November until mid-April

Extend your stay
You might like to extend your visit to Morocco by adding a few days to relax on the Atlantic Coast at the old Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira.

Prices per person:

€ 1085, based on a party of 2
€ 805, based on a party of 3
€ 695, based on a party of 4

Single supplement: € 60
For parties with an uneven number of persons, a single room at hotels will be necessary and a single supplement will be charged.

Tents during Trek
Any client paying the standard single supplement for a single hotel room, will also have a single tent during the trek.

Should a client who is sharing a hotel room prefer to have a single tent during the trek, this can be arranged for a supplementary charge of € 25. This should be requested at the time of booking.

Price Includes:

• Staff: an English-speaking mountain guide, camel-drivers, a cook (parties larger than 5 people)
• Meals as indicated in itinerary: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D - Dinner
• Transportation: minibus or jeep for all transfers, camels for luggage during trek; arrival and departure transfer in Marrakech
• 3 Nights accommodation in tourist-class hotel on twin share basis, 6 nights in two-person tents equipped with foam mattresses
• Camping and cooking equipment (except sleeping bags)

Remarks:

• Special rates apply for larger groups
• Accommodation is in well-situated tourist-class hotels. Rooms are equipped with a bathroom. During the desert trek you will be camping in two-person tents with limited facilities.

Upgrade your stay:
Should you wish to upgrade the hotels and accommodation for your trip, we have a selection of traditional-styled riad and kasbah hotels that can fit with this itinerary. In some places you also have the choice of deluxe or luxury accommodation. Please enquire for a tour price with a different standard of accommodation. (Camping during trek still applies.)

Price Excludes:

• Flights, visas, airport taxes
• Other meals not listed in the itinerary
• Tips, drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other personal expenditure
• Entrance fees, local sightseeing guides
• Personal travel insurance
• Sleeping bags for desert trek

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