Recommended Excursions into the Sahara and the Deep South
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"4WD and Meharee to Sahara Dreams"
2DAYS / 1NIGHT - ref. ITCLDA02m
DAY 1: MARRAKECH - OUARZAZATE - ZAGORA - M'HAMID.
From you hotel or riad in Marrakech we set out at 7am at the latest across the Glaoua plains in our 4WD, across the Atlas mountains through the Tizi N’ Tichka (2660m), thence alongside the Oued Ouarzazate to see a dramatic change in the countryside - from high mountain ranges to semi-desert and oases. We shall stop at the magnificent ksour of Ait Ben Haddou, declared a UNESCO world heritage site. After a short, unguided, visit we shall have a light lunch here before continuing ever further south to Ouarzazate and down the beautiful Draa valley, through Zagora, and on to our final destination, virtually the end of the road, in M’Hamid at the Dar Azawad.

Here we will change our mode of transport, swapping 4 wheels for 4 legs! Once saddled up we will enjoy our méharée of just over an hour across the dunes to our fixed bivouac site - the Reve au Sahara. Enjoy a welcome glass of mint tea under the tamarisk trees while the sun sets and our evening meal is being prepared. After night fall, the lamps are lit, sit back and enjoy our meal and music under the stars.

DAY 2: M'HAMID - TAMEGROUTE - ZAGORA - OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH.
After an incredible sunrise and a delicious breakfast of freshly prepared bread, pancakes and fresh orange juice, we set off around 9am on our dromedary back to Dar Azawad where we will meet up again with our driver for our reluctant return northwards. En route we visit the ancient village of Tamgroute, a seat of learning since the XIth Century, with its absolutely incredible library of XIII century illuminated Koranic scrolls written on gazelle hide - 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.

Afterwards, we continue via Zagora north along the Draa valley and on to the city of Ouarzazate, where we shall make a short tour and stop for a light lunch at the restaurant La Vallée before continuing up over the Adrar N ‘Deren and down across the Glaoua plains and Marrakech to you hotel or riad at approximately 6pm.
NB: Prices are based on the number of people in your group; each desert trip is an individual reservation.
THIS DESERT TRIP INCLUDES:
Experienced English-speaking driver/guide; transfers from Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou to M’Hamid and back via Tamgroute and Ouarzazate to Marrakech in comfortable air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. Light lunch and unguided visit of Ait Ben Haddou, visit of potteries and library in Tamegroute, light lunch at La Vallée Restaurant in Ouarzazate. One night HB accommodation in fixed bivouac with dromedary transfer from Hotel Dar Azawad, based on 2 sharing a tent.
* Those vegetarians or vegans amongst us need to pre-advise at time of reservation.
OUR TOURS DO NOT INCLUDE:
Medical or accident insurance outside of the vehicles. 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 (for camera, water bottle,hat, etc.); 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(s); sunscreen, sunglasses; 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.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1989 730 552 (UK)