Marrakech & Sahara Desert – 8 Days

Alongside your local guide, today we will discover the mysteries of “The Red City” of Marrakech. During our visit, we will see the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, The Bahia Palace, and get lost in the narrow streets and alleyways of the Medina with its colorful Souks and skilled Artisans. Wrap up your visit to Marrakech in Djamaa El Fna Square, an open-air theater and restaurant active with its storytellers, performers, snake charmers, water seller, and food carts.

After breakfast, we cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, with an altitude of 2260m (7417ft) it is the highest pass in Morocco to reach “Hollywood of Africa” Ouarzazate,  home to the 17th century Kasbah of Touarirt, and several Hollywood caliber movie studios.

We continue through Kelaa Magona, the Valley of the Roses. This valley gives birth to the Persian rose from which locals produce different cosmetic products like rosewater, soap, perfumes, and skin creams, to finally reach Dades Valley where we will see the extraordinary rock formations known as Monkey Toes.

We leave the charming Dades Gorge and travel south to Todra Gorge, a narrow canyon with sheer stone cliffs 300m (985ft) high. Here you can enjoy a 1-hour hike among these astonishing canyons, palm groves, fig trees, and grapes. After lunch, we continue to the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, where your camel is awaiting you for a once-in-a-lifetime 1-hour long trek while watching the sunset to spend a night under the stars in a luxury desert camp.

With an early morning to catch the fabulous sunrise, a tasty breakfast in the middle of the dunes, then a leisurely camel ride back to your car we leave for the Holy City of Rissani, a former major caravan hub, where we will visit the Mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco, Moulay Ali Chrif in the 17th century. Lunch in Nkoub, then we continue to Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley full of palm groves. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Since we are in the “Hollywood of Africa” Ouarzazate, we can start the day by visiting the Cinema Museum or Atlas Studio, a Hollywood-caliber movie studio.

We then move to Ait Ben Haddou, a well-preserved Kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site to enjoy a 1-hour tour. Several films and tv-shows have been shot on this site, such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Gladiator (2000), Alexander (2004), and Game of Thrones (2013). We cross once again the High Atlas Mountains to reach Marrakech.

You’ll have the whole day to explore Marrakech. Relax by the pool, visit Majorelle Garden, enjoy a cooking class, experience a Moroccan Hammam and SPA or visit and hike the High Atlas mountain If you are looking to be more involved.

Unfortunately, our journey has come to an end, hopefully with lots of stories and memories. we will arrange a private transfer to the airport according to your flight details.