Recommended Excursions into the Sahara and the Deep South
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" EXTENDED DESERT ADVENTURE - ZAGORA AND THE AMAZING CH'GAGGA DUNES "
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS - ref. ITCLFD17z
DAY 1: MARRAKECH - KASBAH TELOUET - KASBAH AIT BEN HADDOU - FIBULE DU DRÂA, ZAGORA
Departing from your hotel in Marrakech at 08:00, we set off south in our air-conditioned Land Cruiser 4WD through the Glaoua countryside and up through exhilarating hairpin bends into the Western High Atlas mountains and Ait Ourir Taddert (1650m) to alight at the top of the Tizi n‘Tichka (2260m) to take in the vista dominated by peaks of over 2500m. We start our descent from the Tizi to the Assif Telouet and the Glaoui Kasbah where we stop for a visit of this dramatic red-earthen eyrie, fast crumbling under the attacks of the elements.
We rejoin our vehicle and return to the Tichka Pass and down alongside the Oued Ouarzazate to visit the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site of the magnificently exotic Ksour of Aït Ben Haddou (local guide not included and not really necessary). Here we alight from our vehicle to visit these various kasbahs, so closely-knit that they appear to be but one complete building, backed up against the looming mountain in a stretch of unforgiving hammada. The thick, high, sheer, elaborately decorated pisé walls, stepped-up housing, turreted, crenellated ramparts, balustrades and arched ‘babs’ are a sight not to be missed. Obviously, here Hollywood has shot many of its films, including, as everyone will tell you, “Lawrence of Arabia”. One of the more spectacular sights in the Atlas ranges, set upon a rock above a reed-strewn Assif, commanding the area for miles around, this Kasbah controlled the route to Marrakech until the French blasted a road through the Tizi n’Tichka in the late 1920s, we will take lunch in a local cafe.
On down through the beautiful Valley of the Oued Drâa via the kasbah at Tamnoughalt until you arrive at the small, charming kasbah-like Hotel Fibule Du Drâa in the oasis village of Zagora, where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.
DAY 2: ZAGORA - OULAD DRISS OASIS - ERG LIHOUDI - CH’GGAGA DUNES.
Breakfast tucked away Suitably refreshed, we to then set out for a unique 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. Driving on down the eastern bank of the Oued Drâa we go as far as allowed to Oulad Driss, once a stop for the trans-Saharan caravans of salt, gold and slaves and where the magnificent Drâa Valley finally gives itself up to the Sahara.
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. Now we are in time to mount our dromedaries for our “méharée” over the small dunes and stony plateaux for a couple of hours until we reach the dunes of Erg Lihouïdi for a welcome break to relax and enjoy lunch in true Bedouin surroundings. A brief rest to allow the sun to leave the zenith and we continue across the Hamada du Drâa in a 4WD westward across the blasted wilderness of stony plain between the Erg el M’hazil and the wind and sand-blasted Jbel Beni range of hills to our bivouac site set amidst the dunes of Ch’ggaga.
After a welcoming traditional glass or two of mint tea, we shall have our dinner of vegetable tagine, or of chicken, couscous, mint tea, bread and fruit. Whilst dinner is being prepared, we might take time out to stretch our limbs, set up our photo-shoot for the oncoming sunset as the rarefied heavens turn 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), or take a shower or simply crash out! 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 to witness the magnificent sunset.
DAY 3: CH’GGAGA DUNES - M’HAMID EL BHALI - KETTAOUA PALMERAIE - TAMEGROUTE - LA FIBULE DU DRAA, ZAGORA.
After an awesome sunrise and our Bedouin breakfast of mint tea, bread, jams and cheeses, our morning will be spent tracing our path towards the east across the desert plain through Moulht Sellah, Oum Lâalag and the Oued N’Ame to the last proper village in the Drâa Valley - M’Hamid El Bhali. M’Hamid was once an important trading post and dromedary market for the famous ‘Blue Men’ (Touaregs from the Sudan, Mauretania and Chad) and is still a meeting point for the nomads from the Sahel and deep Sahara. On now for our last 15km of piste driving across the Reg until we regain the tarmacked road to drive north for some 50km to an unusual tightly-knitted grouping of ksours and kasbahs; this is the ancient village of Tamegroute, a seat of learning since the XIth century. We shall stop to visit the incredible library, with its XIII century illuminated Koran scrolls written on gazelle hide, some works of Pythagoras, 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, ever onwards to Zagora, to enjoy a refreshing shower and a light lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the pool, or time to explore Zagora and then dinner and overnight accommodation.
DAY 4: ZAGORA – FINT OASIS – OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH.
After breakfast, at around 9 o’clock we make our way back up north for some 30 miles off-road adventure in the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs and back onto the main road through the Drâa Valley, perhaps to stop at the ancient kasbah at Agdz or other en-route points worthy of a photo-opportunity. Just before reaching Ouarzazate we detour along a piste road to visit the magnificent Oasis of Fint.
We’ll stop nearby in Ouarzazate itself for a light lunch and a visit of the Taourit Kasbah and the Atlas Film Studios (small local charge) before continuing ever further north over the Adrar n’Deren range of mountains to arrive around 7pm at your hotel or riad in Marrakech after a really incredible journey into Morocco’s sub-Sahara.
NB: Prices are based on the number of people in your group; each desert trip is an individual reservation.
All our desert trips are based on including private transfers from Marrakech; please contact us to arrange accommodation - we are experts for small hotels and riads across Morocco.
OUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Experienced, licensed English-speaking driver. Air-conditioned Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD Marrakech-Ouarzazate-Zagora-Ch’ggaga-Erg Lihouïdi-Zagora Ouarzazate -Marrakech. Trained dromedary & chamellier; 2 nights’ accommodation at La Fibule in Zagora, unguided visit and lunch at Aït Ben Haddou and light lunch in Ouarzazate; dinner and breakfast in tented, carpeted accommodation sleeping on mattresses in Ch’gagga; chemical toilet. Lunch in Nomad camp in Erg Lihoudi. Visit of the Library, Potteries and Museum at Tamegroute. Off-road adventure in the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs.
* Those vegetarians or vegans amongst us need to pre-advise at time of reservation.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Personal medical or accident insurance outside of the vehicle. Gratuity to guide/drover. Any expenditure of a personal nature, 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, batteries 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:
"The guide, Ali; the dromedary drover, Ali and cook, Youssef were all excellent. The whole experience was wonderful, especially the camels and bivouac camp. The food was both plentiful and great"
"We were so glad that we booked it as it turned out to be the highlight of our holiday. Ehmed, our driver, was excellent, punctual, a safe driver and helpful and informative. We arrived at our destination where our camels were waiting for us and were led on a magical, unforgettable ride through the breathtaking scenery as the sun set over the dunes. It's a great trip and we'd recommend it to anyone visiting Morocco."
"Our driver from Marrakech to the desert, Ali, was the absolute BEST. A very careful, safe driver and a kind friendly person, we would HIGHLY recommend him. When we arrived at the camp our beds were made with fresh linen and lots of warm blankets ... the staff were very friendly and we were welcomed with the usual mint tea and a lovely dinner."
"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."
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