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morocco's great deserts
TOURS
Morocco's Great Deserts
Morocco's Great Deserts: A Journey Through Time and Sand
Embark on an extraordinary Morocco's Great Desert's 8-day private tour exploring the vast and varied desert regions of Morocco. This meticulously crafted journey will take you through Zagora, M'hamid, Erg Chegaga, Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, and beyond. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture, from ancient kasbahs to nomadic traditions, as you traverse landscapes that have captivated travelers for centuries.
Tour Details
- Tour Name: Morocco's Great Deserts
- Transportation: Luxury Mercedes Vito or 4x4 vehicle
- Staff: Multilingual driver (English, Arabic, French), expert local guides
- Itinerary: Starts and ends in Marrakech
Tour Highlights:
- Discover the Draa Valley, once a vital artery of the trans-Saharan trade routes
- Sip tea with Berbers in the Saghro Mountains, gaining insight into their ancient way of life
- Experience Arabian Nights in the majestic dunes of Erg Chegaga, M'hamid, and Merzouga
- Explore four distinct desert regions, each with its unique character and allure
- Marvel at the Todra Gorge, Morocco's answer to the Grand Canyon
- Journey by piste to the Valley of Nomads in Mount Mgoun, where traditions remain unchanged for centuries
- Luxuriate in carefully selected riads, desert lodges, and a sumptuous desert camp
Book Your Morocco's Great Deserts Tour
To embark on this unparalleled journey through Morocco's most captivating sites contact our dedicated team:
- Book Here or Call (800) 787-8806
- Email: alecia@travel-exploration.com
Day 1: Ouarzazate to Erg Chegaga - Traversing the Famed Draa Valley
The Gateway to the Sahara
Your adventure begins in Ouarzazate, often called the "Gateway to the Sahara." This city, with its rich filmmaking history, sets the stage for your desert odyssey.
The Draa Valley: A Living Museum of Oasis Culture
As you journey towards M'hamid, you'll pass through the magnificent Draa Valley. This lush oasis, stretching over 100 kilometers, is renowned for its 45 varieties of dates and has been a vital lifeline for desert dwellers for millennia. The valley's kasbahs and ksour (fortified villages) stand as testament to the ingenuity of its inhabitants in harnessing the desert's scarce resources.
M'hamid: Where the Road Ends and the Sahara Begins
Explore M'hamid, once known as Bounou, a historic gathering point for caravans heading deeper into the Sahara. The surrounding villages - Oulad Youssef, Oulad Mhaya, and Ezouaya - offer glimpses into the lives of the Ait Atta Berbers and local Drawa tribes, whose ancestors have called this harsh landscape home for centuries.
Into the Heart of the Sahara: Erg Chegaga
Your day culminates with a journey to Erg Chegaga, one of the Sahara's most remote and pristine dune fields. As you settle into your luxury desert camp, prepare for an evening of unparalleled stargazing in the vast Saharan sky.
Day 2: Erg Chegaga to Zagora - Along the Ancient Caravan Routes
Zagora: The Last Stop Before Timbuktu
Journey to Zagora, a town that once marked the last stop on the arduous 52-day camel trek to Timbuktu. The famous sign at the end of the main road still proclaims this historic connection, a reminder of the town's crucial role in trans-Saharan trade.
The Healing Sands of Tinfo
Experience the therapeutic properties of the Tinfo Dunes, known for their alleged healing qualities for rheumatoid arthritis. This age-old practice of sand bathing, or 'psammotherapy,' has been used by desert dwellers for centuries.
Amezrou: Where Jewish and Berber Cultures Converge
Explore Amezrou, once home to a thriving Jewish community of silversmiths. While the Jewish population has largely departed, Berber artisans continue this intricate craft, maintaining a living link to the town's multicultural past.
The Green Pottery of Tamegroute
Visit Tamegroute, famed for its distinctive green pottery. The unique glaze, derived from manganese and copper ores found in nearby mines, has been a closely guarded secret for generations. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the town's ancient Koranic library, home to rare manuscripts dating back to the 11th century.
Day 3: Zagora to Ait Ouzzine - A Day with the Berbers
Ait Ouzzine: A Living Berber Encyclopedia
Immerse yourself in the daily life of Ait Ouzzine, a Berber village that seems frozen in time. With over 300 families residing in beautifully painted crenulated kasbahs, this settlement offers an unparalleled glimpse into traditional Berber culture.
The Art of Berber Cuisine
Participate in a hands-on cooking lesson, learning the secrets of traditional bread-making and tajine preparation. These culinary traditions, passed down through generations, are an integral part of Berber cultural identity.
Berber Beauty Traditions
Experience the art of henna painting and learn about traditional Berber perfumes made from musk and amber. These age-old beauty practices offer insight into the Berber concepts of aesthetics and personal adornment.
Day 4: N'kob to Rissani and Erfoud - From Ancient Dynasties to Prehistoric Wonders
Tazarine: Gateway to Prehistoric Morocco
Begin your day with a visit to Tazarine, where ancient rock art at Ait Waazik offers a window into the region's prehistoric past. These petroglyphs, some dating back over 5,000 years, depict a time when the Sahara was a lush savanna teeming with wildlife.
Rissani: Cradle of the Alaouite Dynasty
Explore Rissani, birthplace of the Alaouite Dynasty that has ruled Morocco since the 17th century. Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the dynasty's founder, and wander through the labyrinthine alleys of the old ksar.
Erfoud: Where Fossils Tell Tales of Ancient Seas
End your day in Erfoud, famous for its fossil finds. Visit the Museum of Fossils to see remnants of a time, 380 million years ago, when this desert was a vast ocean teeming with prehistoric life.
Day 5: Erfoud to Merzouga - Music of the Desert
The Gnaoua Musicians of Khemlia
Visit Khemlia to experience the haunting melodies of century-old Gnaoua trance music. This unique musical tradition, with roots in sub-Saharan Africa, speaks to Morocco's role as a cultural crossroads.
The Majestic Erg Chebbi
As the day wanes, mount a dromedary for a timeless journey into the Erg Chebbi dunes. These spectacular windswept formations, reaching heights of up to 150 meters, have been shaped by the Saharan winds over millions of years.
Day 6: Merzouga to the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley - From Sand to Stone
The Todra Gorge: Nature's Cathedral
Marvel at the Todra Gorge, where sheer cliff walls rise dramatically to heights of 300 meters. This natural wonder has been carved over millennia by the Todra and Dades rivers, creating a spectacular landscape that has long served as a travel route for nomads and their livestock.
The Dades Valley: Morocco's 'Route of a Thousand Kasbahs'
Journey through the Dades Valley, often called Morocco's 'Route of a Thousand Kasbahs.' This fertile strip, flanked by stark desert landscapes, is dotted with fortified villages that once guarded precious caravan routes.
Day 7: Dades Valley to Skoura - Nomads, Roses, and Ancient Oases
The Valley of Nomads: Life on the Edge
Begin your day in Bouthgrar, the Valley of Nomads, where families still live in caves as they have for generations. This rare glimpse into nomadic life offers insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The Valley of Roses: A Fragrant Interlude
Pass through El Kelaa Des Mgouna, center of Morocco's rose water industry. If your visit coincides with May, you might witness the vibrant Rose Festival, a celebration of the annual harvest that has taken place for generations.
Skoura: An Oasis of History
End your day in Skoura, an oasis that has provided respite to travelers for over 800 years. Founded by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour in the 12th century, Skoura's palm groves and mud-brick kasbahs offer a picturesque finale to your desert odyssey.
Day 8: Ouarzazate to Marrakech - From Desert to Imperial City
Ait Benhaddou: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the ksar of Ait Benhaddou, a striking example of southern Moroccan architecture. This fortified village, dating back to the 11th century, was once a crucial stop on the trans-Saharan trade route.
Kasbah Telouet: The Glaoui Legacy
Explore Kasbah Telouet, once the seat of the powerful Glaoui family. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into Morocco's complex political history and the opulence of its former rulers.
Crossing the High Atlas
As you journey back to Marrakech, marvel at the breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. The Tizi-n-Tichka pass, a masterpiece of French colonial engineering, offers a fitting end to your Moroccan adventure, bridging the vast desert expanses with the bustling imperial city that awaits.
This carefully curated journey through Morocco's great deserts offers a profound exploration of the country's diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. From ancient kasbahs to nomadic traditions, each day promises new discoveries and unforgettable experiences, creating a tapestry of memories that will last a lifetime.
