Recommended Excursions into the Sahara and the Deep South
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If you have come this far then you must visit the fringes of the Sahara and you can do this from Ouarzazate (M'Hamid and the dunes at Tinfou and Erg Lihoudi), both of which offer the opportunity to explore the desert by camel or 4WD, even quad bikes.
4WD & Meharee to the Distant Dunes of Erg Lihoudi
‘Meharée’ : 1 dromedary per person + 1 pack camel + 4WD. See the most in the shortest time; way to go!
2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT - ref. ITCLFD02z
DAY 1: OUARZAZATE - ZAGORA - OULAD DRISS - ERG LIHOUÏDI.
Departing from your hotel in Ouarzazate at 09:00 for our 100 miles drive through the delightful and dramatic Valley of the Oued Drâa, you arrive at the small, charming kasbah-like Hotel Fibule Du Drâa in the small oasis town of Zagora, (once “52 days to Timbuctou”) dominated by the tagine pot-dominated Jbel Zagora - an Arabised version of the name Caesar - where you will have your midday lunch (included), to then set - around 2 in the afternoon in winter, 3pm in the summer - for your adventure towards the south-east deep into a sub-Saharan desert surrounding of many small dunes, interspersed with the black gravelly ‘Reg’ stretches of the Jbel Tadrart basin.
As the air has heated up, the winds have risen to make the sand swirl about us, you’ll notice that older dunes appear darker, for the iron in the sand there has finally oxidised. Some 34 miles south of Zagora we arrive at the little village of Oulad Driss in the Hamada Du Drâa, close to the undefined border with Algeria , to arrive at around 4pm at this remote hamlet, once a stop for the trans-Saharan caravans of salt, gold and slaves - and where the Oued Drâa finally sinks into the desert. Now we are in time to mount our dromedaries for our “méharée” over the small dunes and stony plateaux of some 3 hours until we reach the dunes of Erg Lihouïdi in time for Mother Nature’s tremendous show of Light and No Sound Sunset (no cloud cover permitting). These dunes are the closest one can get to the Sahara, as one knows it. The’ real’ Sahara is to be found in the Merzouga region to the eastern border of Morocco with Algeria.
After a welcoming traditional glass or two of mint tea, we shall have our dinner of vegetable tagine, or of chicken, or of couscous - which, doubtless, you’ll try your hand at preparing - mint tea, bread and fruit. This night may be spent in our tents or out in the open air if you wish, under the awesome canopy of the starlit heavens around a blazing fire to witness the magnificent sunset, (no cloud cover permitting) from bright blue to cobalt, to yellow to gold, to purple to black. The sands and stones change their colour too, in step with the lowering rays.
DAY 2: ERG LIHOUÏDI - AÏT ISFOUL - TAMEGROUTE - ZAGORA - OUARZAZATE.
Having witnessed an awesome sunset the night before, now is the hour for an even more startling sunrise before our Bedouin breakfastof mint tea, coffee, bread, jams and cheeses, after which, your ships of the desert saddled up, you’ll somewhat reluctantly strike off back towards the north-east and relative civilisation for your almost 2 hour long dromedary ‘méharée’ covering some 12 miles of Hamada to arrive around 10:00 - and now only 50 Days To Timbuktu - to rejoin our 4WD some 11 miles north of M’Hamid which’ll take us right at the trailing edge of the Jbel Bani across the dunes of Aït Isfoul and through an oasis via the nearby ancient, remote Jewish kasbahs of Beni Hayoun and Beni Sbih.
Back now onto the tarmac road at Tagounite and on to an unusual tightly-knitted grouping of ksours and still-inhabited underground kasbahs; this is the ancient village of Tamegroute, a seat of learning since the XIth century, with its Library of XIII century illuminated Koran scrolls written on gazelle hide, some works of Pythagoras and some original maps of Alexandria, together with some very early mathematics text books; a - voluntary - contribution to the upkeep of the Library is always appreciated. We continue our stroll through the alleyways of the underground Kasbah to the ancient Pottery Co-Operative, where pottery being produced in the simplest of manners, in the simplest of kilns. If you have been to Fes, or have seen photographs of this Imperial City, here you’ll see the famous green glaze associated with its tiled roofs, for the founders of the XVIIth century Abou Ben Naceur ‘Naciri Brotherhood’ in Tamegroute invited craftsmen and potters to this remote area with the intent to turn it into a thriving caravan hub city.
Onwards now to the Fibule Du Drâa, perhaps to take a shower before continuing on our way back up north for some 14km off-road adventure in the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs and on to Ouarzazate via the Drâa (‘Black’) Valley. Just ask your driver to stop where the fancy takes you.
NB: Prices are based on the number of people in your group; each desert trip is an individual reservation.
STANDARD PROGRAMME PRICES PER PERSON IN UK £
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DELUXE PROGRAMME PRICES PER PERSON IN UK £
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PRICES FOR THE STANDARD VERSION INCLUDE:
An experienced chamellier and trained dromedary and cook throughout the Méharée; luncheon at the Fibule du Drâa on arrival; dinner and breakfast in Berber tented, carpeted accommodation sleeping on mattresses; toilet. Transfer by Land Cruiser - Ouarzazate-Zagora-Oulad Driss-Zagora-Ouarzazate. Visit of Potteries , library, Kasbah and village at Tamegroute. Off-road adventure in the valley of 1000 Kasbahs.
Supplement per person for live Moroccan folklore musicians: £17.50
PRICES FOR THE DELUXE VERSION INCLUDE:
An experienced chamellier, trained dromedary and cook throughout the Méharée. Visit of Potteries, Library and Kasbah at Tamegroute. Lunch at the Fibule Du Drâa on arrival at Zagora; dinner and breakfast in Caudal tented, carpeted accommodation (maximum 6 persons per tent); raised bed with mattress; toilet. Transfer by Land Cruiser - Ouarzazate-Zagora-Oulad Driss-Zagora-Ouarzazate. Off-road adventure in the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Lavabo, towels, lanterns and candles; dinner includes Moroccan salad or harira soup, kebabs or ‘kefta’*, Berber vegetable tagine, fruit, Moroccan pastries and mint tea served by a waiter in traditional costume. Live Moroccan folklore musicians. Bar service.
* Those vegetarians or vegans amongst us need to pre-advise at time of reservation.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: medical or accident insurance. Gratuity to guide/drover. Any expenditure of a personal nature. Bottled or gaseous water, nor anything not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU BRING:day pack; windcheater (seasonal), broad-brimmed hat (or you may purchase a ‘Chèche’ before you set out from Zagora; personal toiletries and towel; hygienic ‘Wipes’; small First Aid kit; torch with batteries (non-essential); filled water bottle; water purification drops - usually iodine; sunscreen, sunglasses; penknife – do not pack in hand baggage for flights; nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred. Camera, film and plastic bags for lenses; extra toilet rolls could come in handy! For those who wear contact lenses, perhaps it would be a good idea to bring along a spare pair of glasses.
Customer comments:
"Our camel excursion was very memorable: Youssef who was our guide, was fantastic and had a great sense of humour - he may deal with tour groups every day but he certainly made us feel special."
"The trip you orgainsed for us to the Valley of the Roses / Dades Gorge was excellent. Mohammed was an excellent guide who went out of his way to make the day 'ours'."
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