Tour beginning and ending in Marrakesh.

Our prices are based on two persons. 

Discounted rates for children and for larger groups.

Customised Morocco is the only link between you and a great tour of Morocco!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Marrakesh – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Gorge

Today we depart the intoxicating atmosphere of Marrakesh to journey over the High Atlas mountains and through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at a height of 2260m, enjoying stunning views of the snow capped mountains. Later we begin to experience the Saharan warmth as we follow it all the way to the Ksar (fortification) of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for countless blockbuster movies including The Mummy, Jewel of the Nile and Gladiator, all thanks to its stunning backdrop. A traditional pre-Saharan habitat, this giant fortification comprises a group of earthen mud dwellings surrounded by high defensive walls, which in turn are reinforced by corner towers. The site of Ait-Ben-Haddou is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco and was an important trading post along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh.

Following our visit of this fortified commune we continue our journey to the city of Ouarzazate, know as the gateway to the desert, where we break for lunch.

Travelling the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs (forts), we enjoy the beauty of Morocco’s Valley of Roses before arriving for our overnight stay nestled below the impressive cliffs of the Dades Gorges where the ancient Berbers built many Kasbahs for the purpose of defence.

Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Erfoud - Merzouga

After breakfast you’ll make your way northeast towards the rocky Todra gorge passing through the palm groves of Tinghir. We arrive at the biggest canyon in Morocco with sheer cliffs towering 300m high and limestone river canyons.  Todra gorge attracts adrenaline-seeking rock climbers from all over the world.

As the road winds southeast to the desert through the Draa Valley, with its lush palmgroves, you’ll will pause for lunch en route.

Just as you reach the oasis town of Erfoud, famous for its fossils and annual Date Festival, the towering sand dunes of the Sahara begin to take shape and grow in stature reaching an impressive 150 metres.  Upon arrival in the desert town of Merzouga and its dune area known as Erg Chebbi, the Touareg people will ready your camel for a memorable ride into the desert just as the sun is setting over the Sahara.   A warm welcome awaits you at your overnight desert camp with the obligatory glass of Moroccan mint tea, a sumptuous five course dinner and piping hot shower in your luxury tented accommodation.  This is a truly once in a lifetime experience, a magical night spent beneath an ocean of stars complete with traditional Bedouin music and mesmerising camp fire. It’s a truly magical experience and one that is not to be missed.

Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate - Marrakesh

As you awake from the magic of the night just passed, you will be treated to a view of the sun rising over the dunes before enjoying a hot shower and a filling Berber breakfast and camel ride out of the desert and ultimately leave Merzouga to make our way back towards Marrakesh.

As you drive towards the oasis town of Erfoud once more you will pass numerous shops selling fossils, minerals and marble products.  From the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert the rocks are rich in minerals.  Further along you will journey into the Valley of Roses (M’Gouna Valley), the land of pink and red, where you will stop off at a local co-operative selling produce from the valley.  The Damask rose buds are harvested by local families and dried for their use in cosmetics, home decoration and cooking.  The rose petals are distilled into rose water and, ultimately, rose oil, before making their way into many of the world’s perfumes.  Every year sees a Festival of Roses in May, quite unlike any other, which showcases the year’s harvest in all its glory.

After stopping off for lunch in the kasbah city of Ouarzazate, you’ll once again cross the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakesh at the conclusion of this Amazigh Merzouga desert tour.

It is here we say Bislema (‘goodbye’ in Arabic) and a bon voyage, and hope very much that you have enjoyed your Amazigh Merzouga Desert Tour as much as we have enjoyed guiding you.

Accommodation

2 nights accommodation is included in this tour staying one night at a local guest house in Dades Gorge and a second night camping under the stars amongst the dramatic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi staying at Borj Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp where you will be treated to a roaring fire, music, a five course meal, hot showers and wonderful beds.

Ready to Book?

Our booking process is simple.  Just fill in the form below and we will get straight back in touch.  Feel free to use our price calculator to estimate the final cost of your chosen tour.   Please be assured, our tour prices are not subject to seasonal price fluctuations. The price you see is the price you pay.  Our tours are not inclusive of flights and these will need to be booked and paid for separately.  When filling out the booking form please give an indication of your preferred dates of travel.  Once we have confirmed availability for your chosen tour and its start date, we will hold your booking for a period of 5 working days to allow you time to arrange your flights.   When you have notified us of your flight details, your booking will be confirmed and only then will your deposit become payable. Payment can be made via bank transfer.  The final balancing payment for the tour will be payable on arrival in Morocco.  We are able to modify your tour in accordance with your time of arrival and departure. Please let us know your exact requirements.  We can customise Morocco!

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is essential when visiting Morocco. As Morocco is outside of the EU there are no reciprocal healthcare agreements and you will not be covered by an EHIC if you have one. A travel insurance policy that covers emergency medical assistance and repatriation, and also covering all activities you are planning to participate in is a mandatory requirement for all our tours and we reserve the right to ask for proof of such.

It is wise to buy your Travel Insurance at the same time as booking your flights and tour as you will be covered from the outset.

Top Tip

Through experience we have found travellers with pre-existing medical conditions may find cheaper comprehensive travel insurance through specialist insurers such as staysure.co.uk, insurancewith.com and bootstravelinsurance.com.

For further travel and safety advice we would suggest reviewing the following websites:  www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco

Customised Morocco does not sell Travel Insurance and has no affiliation with any of the insurance companies referred to above.

Financial Protection for You

The final balancing payment for your tour is due only upon arrival in Morocco.   Deposits can be made via bank transfer.  We understand that sometimes your plans may change. Should you need to cancel your trip, your deposit, whilst non-refundable, can be credited to the cost of an alternative trip, less any costs incurred, i.e. hotel reservations, etc, if taken within six months of your original booking. We are committed to being completely honest and transparent with our customers and places integrity at the forefront of everything we do.  Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.