Sahara Desert Extension

After breakfast, leave Marrakech and drive southeast across the semi-arid Haouz Plain, full of olive tree groves. You’ll drive the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, the highest road in Morocco, with incredible vistas of the rocky landscape with colorful, striated hills. After a stop in Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert, take the “route des Kasbahs” into the fertile rose valley, passing villages of fortified mud-built houses along the way. You’ll reach the Dadès Gorges in the late afternoon and, time permitting, set out for a short hike in this valley of rugged wadi gorges carved by the Dadès River...LD

A short drive across a dry plateau used in winter by the nomads of the Ait Atta tribe brings you to Tinghir, the Todra Valley’s main city. Here you’ll take a short hike through the lower Todra Valley, an oasis of palm trees and limestone canyons. You’ll end at the Todra Gorge, a sight to behold with towering red rock faces on either side of a rushing, shallow river. Later, continue along the High Atlas’ southern slopes to Erfoud, where most of Morocco’s dates are produced. Leaving the green oasis landscape, you reach the sandy desert region of Erg Chebbi, a bustling tourist hub, and transfer to your peaceful private Sahara camp in a more secluded region...BLD

Setting out directly from the private camp, you’ll hike through desert sands across a large plateau, taking in the red-gold dunes and clear skies of the Sahara as you go. After reaching the plateau’s summit for panoramic views of the Sahara’s vastness, you’ll head back to camp either on foot or by 4WD vehicle. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, relaxing at camp or learning to play Ronda, Morocco’s national card game...BLD

Wake up early to watch the sun rise over the dunes this morning—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After breakfast you'll transfer back to Merzouga from where you’ll take a short drive to Rissani, an old caravanserai with a mixture of Tuareg, Arab, and Berber cultures and architecture. Continue along the Jebel Saghro’s southern slopes to Tamnougalt, a date palm oasis in the lush Draa Valley. Settle into your accommodations before taking a stroll in the palmeraie (palm grove) and visiting the old Tamnougalt Kasbah, the former capital of this part of the caravan route...BLD

This morning you’ll drive over the Anti-Atlas mountains back towards Marrakesh. On the way, you’ll stop to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. This striking historic earthen clay village dates to the 11th century and is one of the best preserved kasbahs in Morocco’s south, and has been the filming location for countless productions like Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000), Game of Thrones (2013) and the Odyssey (2026). Time permitting, you’ll take a short hike here before continuing on to Marrakesh via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Dinner in Marrakesh is on your own tonight...BL

Transfer to the Marrakesh airport and depart on homeward-bound flights...B