Mountain Desert & Sea Escape

Description

Day 1: Marrakech – M’Hamid el Ghizlane

Early morning departure from Marrakech to M’Hamid el Ghizlane via the High Atlas Mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka to Ouarzazate. Continue through the mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tinfifte and stop for lunch in Agdz. Continue on the road to Tamnougalt, a pleasant road with fortified villages through the vast palm oasis of the Draa Valley. Continue to M’Hamid, the last village in the palm oasis of the Draa valley. Arrive at the desert camp to watch sunset on the dunes, followed by a traditional nomad dinner and overnight under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 2: M’Hamid el Ghizlane Trek

After a traditional nomad breakfast, meet your cameleers for your first desert adventure, stopping mid-day for a picnic lunch served under the shade of a tamarisk tree. After lunch, trek for 3 hours through the dunes.  Return to the desert camp in time for sunset over the dunes. Traditional nomad dinner with baking nomad bread in the sand and night under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 3: M’Hamid el Ghizlane – Erg Chigaga

After watching the sunrise and a traditional nomad breakfast, depart early morning to the big dunes of Erg Chigaga. Stop for a picnic lunch in the desert then continue to Erg Chigaga to arrive at the desert camp in the late afternoon. Take a walk on foot in the dunes before sunset on the dunes. Traditional nomad dinner and night under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 4: Erg Chigaga – Tata

After sunrise over the dunes and a traditional nomad breakfast, depart for Tata along the track between Erg Chigaga and the old riverbed of the Draa River to Lake Iriqui, then to the village of Foum Zguid for lunch. Continue to Tissint and on to your guesthouse in Tata to arrive in late afternoon for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 5: Tata – Tafraoute

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, depart for the village of Tafraout, and the fortified villages in the heart of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Tafraout continues to be a village with a strong Berber culture. Meet the people of the fertile valley of Ammeln and the opportunity to see the production of and taste Argan oil. Stop for lunch in a small village along the way and then continue to Tafraoute, to enjoy an amazing sunset over the hills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and relax in the tranquility of Tafraoute. Traditional Moroccan dinner and night in your guesthouse in Tafraout.

Day 6: Tafraout – Massa

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, depart early morning for a walk in the valley Ammlen, and drive through Tiznit to the wildlife, flora and fauna of the national park of Ksar Massa.  Continue to your guesthouse for a traditional Moroccan dinner and the night.

Day 7: Massa – Essaouira

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, drive to the coastal town of Essaouira via Agadir.  Essaouira, an atypical Moroccan city and perhaps one of the most enchanting of the country, with its white washed walls, fishing port and long endless beach, is the perfect place to relax before returning to Marrakech. Continue to your guesthouse for a traditional Moroccan dinner and the night.

Day 8: Essaouira – Marrakech

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, discover Essaouira, the pearl of the Atlantic, on foot. Discover a mix of cultures that reflects the rich history of this beautiful city. Stroll through the former Portuguese port, souks, medina, beautiful beach and feast on delicious grilled fish, fresh from the sea. This will be an unforgettable part of your trip to Morocco. After lunch, depart to Marrakech for a late afternoon arrival.