Authentic desert 4x4
- 8 Days
- From : Marrakech
- To : Marrakech
- Tour
- Guide : English, French
- Minimum age : 18 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
Join this remarkable eight-day tour and discover the fascinating Moroccan south and the Sahara Desert. Cross the Draa Valley, taking the former Paris-Dakar Road, one of the most scenic roads in Morocco, lined with palm groves, picturesque Kasbahs, pisé houses, and a thousand shades of red. Beginning and ending in Marrakech, this exciting 4×4 trip features sustainable, eco-friendly accommodation, includes local social projects and supports local environmental protection plans. Choose this journey to cross moonlike desert landscapes, embrace the impressive dunes of the seemingly endless Sahara, and get closer to the nomadic desert culture of southern Morocco.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Ouarzazate: Visit the fortified village of Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for its fascinating yearly rose festival.
Boulmane Dades: Explore this charming town near the mesmerising ‘Rose Valley’, where the cultivation of roses, creating wondrous rose water, essential oils, and beauty products are the locals’ main economic activities.
Zagora: This interesting desert outpost is the point where the ancient Saadi dynasty set off to conquer Timbuktu.
Chegaga Dunes: With a remoteness that attracts only the most adventurous travellers, these impressive dunes can reach up to 60 metres in height.
Marrakech: Visit lively Marrakech, admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Operated with English and French-speaking guide during the 4×4 tour
ACCOMMODATION:
- 7 nights’ accommodation
MEALS:
- 7 breakfasts
- 6 lunches
- 7 dinners.
TRANSPORT:
- Transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa
- Transfers during the tour in a 4×4 vehicle, maximum 5 pax per vehicle + 1 guide / 6 pax per vehicle.
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Marrakech city tour, Ait Ben Haddou, Glaoui kasbah, Kasbah Baha Baha Berber Museum, Zagora, Tamegroute pottery workshop and Koranic library, Camel ride, Village of Foum Zguid, Visit to saffron co-operative
OTHER:
- Meet & greet on day 1
Exclusions
- Visas and international flights, and airport taxes
- Driver-guide gratuities
- Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance
- Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature such as drinks and meals not stated in the programme
Please note
- Once you have collected your luggage, the driver will be waiting for you outside the airport, in front of the arrivals exit holding a sign with your name. Please do not leave the pick-up area without having met the agent/driver first
- Unmarried couples with Moroccan nationality, please inquire about locale legislation concerning accommodation.
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to tour contents without prior notice, including possible change of hotels and/or itinerary
What do I need to bring?
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2, 7 Marrakech:
- Standard Hotel Category = Les Oudaya or similar 3*
Day 3 Boumalne Dunes:
- Standard Hotel Category = Kasbah Tizzarouine or similar 3*
Day 4 Zagora:
- Standard Hotel Category = Kasbah la Fibule de Draa or similar 4*
Day 5 Chegaga:
- Standard Hotel Category = Bivouac Le nomade (dar Azawad) or similar (Desert Camp hotel standard)
Day 6 Foum Zguid:
- Standard Hotel Category = Bab Rimal or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL MARRAKECH
Arrive at Marrakech airport, where you’ll meet and greet your tour representative. Then enjoy a transfer to your lodging, check in and have dinner before choosing how to spend the rest of your first day in the city of Marrakech.
- Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 2 : MARRAKECH
Have breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a visit to the top monuments of Marrakech. Admire the magnificent Koutoubia mosque and its 70-metre-high minaret. It dates from the late 12th century, when most of northern Africa and the southern Iberian Peninsula were part of the Almohad Empire. Behold the beautiful Bahia Palace with its exceptional cedar and marble decorations. After lunch at the hotel, continue to the walled Medina and stroll through its fascinating maze of alleys and side streets. Browse the souks and head towards the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of Marrakech. Marvel at this bustling hive of activity as the sun sets over this vast space packed with stalls, Gnawa musicians, and a myriad of colourful characters. While at the souk, enjoy a visit to an association of disadvantaged women for human development, where the aim is to help women become more self-sufficient by learning crafts such as embroidery, knitting, weaving, etc. In the evening, enjoy a fantastic Moroccan dinner show in the Medina (not included).
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 3 : MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE – BOUMALNE DADES (320km – 5.5 hrs)
Begin your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, hop into the 4×4 and depart Marrakech, heading towards the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, the highest major mountain pass of North Africa. Pass through the winding roads and admire the impressive landscape. Continue towards Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most famous ksars (castles) of the south, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a preferred filming site for many famous TV shows and films. Lunch will be at Ouarzazate before visiting the captivating Telouet Casbah. In the afternoon, continue to Boumalne Dades, located at the edge of a desert plateau, and pass through the charming Kalaat M’Gouna in the fragrant Rose Valley, known for cultivating roses for cosmetic purposes and other delicacies such as saffron. This place is also famous for its annual moussem, or rose festival. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel, check-in and dinner.
- Overnight in Boumalne Dades
Day 4 : BOUMALNE DADES – TINEGHIR – NKOB – DRAA VALLEY – ZAGORA (325km – 4.5 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel head towards Tinghir, enjoying a short stop on the way to admire the breath-taking Todra Gorge. Afterwards, hop on your 4×4 vehicle and drive towards Tazzarine, with a stop at Nkob, the first village of the Draa Valley. Eat lunch at Casbah Baha Baha, visit the on-site Berber museum, and marvel at the vast panoramic views of the ‘village of the 45 casbahs.’ Continue this memorable journey until you arrive at the oasis town of Zagora. Visit the lovely city and stop at the iconic ‘Tombouctou 52 jours’ sign, which translates to ‘52 days to Timbuktu.’ Then head towards your hotel in Zagora, check in, enjoy dinner and prepare yourself for a new adventure.
- Overnight in Zagora
Day 5 : ZAGORA – TAMEGROUTE – M’HAMID – CHEGAGA DUNES (105km – 1.5 hrs)
Have an early breakfast at your hotel and depart to M’Hamid, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, passing through Tamegroute to visit a potter’s workshop and its interesting old Koranic library. Then continue to M’Hamid and find the first dunes of the desert. Lunch and – time allowing – many interesting activities are available here. In the afternoon, continue the journey passing over sand dunes, hamadas and oases via the Oued Laatache (‘river of thirst’). Make a photo stop at the sacred oasis and head towards the magnificent Chegaga camp, surrounded by the great rolling dunes. Then enjoy an Arabian camel ride through the desert before arriving at the bivouac, our campsite for the night. You can enjoy with a premium ‘Tent in Chegada: Comfort and relax in the deep of Sahara & dunes.’ This optional tour takes you to the highest dune to watch the sunset over the infinite sandscape. End your day with dinner.
- Overnight in Chegaga
Day 6 : CHEGAGA DUNES – IRIKI LAKE – FOUM ZGUID (90km – 3 hrs)
Continue your adventure after breakfast in the authentic desert camp. Head towards the desert town of Foum Zguid, passing by the mesmerising Iriki Lake, where you can have a short photo break. Lunch will be at Foum Zguid, while sitting by the pool or in one of the lovely tents. Foum Zguid is an interesting place, located in a palm grove grouping several ksars (castles) and known for the contrast created by the modern military districts that have been erected next to the old village. Visit some of the active associations and co-ops of the village of Foum Zguid, aiming to promote locally made products such as henna, dates, or ecologically grown couscous and rugs, to name a few. Enjoy a Hammam without scrub and massage in the desert. (Optional). End today´s adventure by relaxing at your hotel, having dinner and getting ready for another exciting day.
Overnight in Foum Zguid
Day 7 : FOUM ZGUID – TAZENAKHT – TALIOUINE – MARRAKECH (425km – 7.5 hrs)
After breakfast, climb into the 4×4 and drive towards Tazenakht and Taliouine. The route between the two charming villages promises to amaze your eyes and conquer your soul. The region is best known for the cultivation of saffron, the world’s most expensive spice by weight. Learn more about this while visiting a saffron co-operative. Taste the area’s most famous product, a local speciality of mint tea with saffron, nicknamed ‘red gold,’ and continue your journey driving through the Tizi n’Test pass and head to Marrakech. Arrive at the lively city and check into your hotel, where you’ll have dinner.
- Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 8 : DEPARTURE MARRAKECH
Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before checking out and taking the transfer to Marrakech Airport, to continue with your personal travelling arrangements.
- Breakfast included.