Magical Morocco: The Atlas Mountains & Sahara Desert Adventure

MAGICAL MOROCCO
ATLAS MOUNTAINS & SAHARA DESERT ADVENTURE

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SATURDAY APRIL 27th 2024 – SATURDAY MAY 4th 2024

This will be our 3rd trip to this fascinating part of the world. The hotel (In Marrakesh) & flight costs tend to go up the closer we get to the date so do decide soon. A min of 8 people are needed to confirm the trip

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike across stunning mountains, valleys and gorges
• Gaze upon riverside Oases, Kasbahs and Berber villages
• Desert safari, camel ride & sleeping under the stars in the Sahara

ITINERARY

Saturday April 27th Day 1 Fly into Marrakesh.

Overnight in Marrakesh

Sunday April 28th Day 2 Marrakech - Ouirgane - Tinzert - Imi Oughlad
HIKING

Transfer from Marrakech in the morning (70km drive) to Ouirgane. Trek heads south along mule tracks near a saline stream towards the village of Marigha Izdern (1,205m) then to Imareghan Noufla (1,224m) where intensely flavoured olive oil is produced. We trek through a mix of field crops & groves via Berber hamlets to the little village of Tinzert

We then head up the other side of the valley passing terraced wheat-fields, villages and diverse mineral rich mountain slopes, through juniper woodlands to reach the Imi Oughlad, night in Imi oughlad in a Gite.

Approx: 4 hrs hiking time.

Monday April 29th Day 3: Imi Oughlad- Tizi Oussem / Ait Aissa

HIKING

After breakfast we'll head up and out of the valley and hike to the stunning Azzaden Valley. The views open up with a rushing mountain stream surrounded by walnut groves

Overnight in a village Gite in Tizi Oussem / Ait Aissa. Approx: 5-6 hours hiking

Tuesday April 30th Day 4 Tizi Ouzzem 1600m - Tizi Mzik 2489m - Imlil 1740m

HIKING

We set off up in north-westerly direction for a 2-3 hour hike up steep mountain slopes, passing by woods, pine and juniper, look upon the Imlil and ait oussaden valleys, then a slow and steady but steep descent for an hour or so to imi n'ifri and our field picnic

Overnight in Gite Approx: 5-6 hours hiking.

Wednesday May 1st Day 5 : Imlil - Dades Valley

We'll head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass & once we’re in the desert, we'll see riverside oases & barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs. We’ll also walk through traditional Berber villages. We'll visit the Ouarzazate /Atlas Film Studios (Africa’s largest film studios. Once we reach Dades Gorge, relax at the hotel. We’ll also get the opportunity to visit local shops

Thursday May 2nd Day 6: Dades Valley - Todra Gorge - Merzouga

Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge - a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages.

DESERT SAFARI

Walk to the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms, head further into the desert to the town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for our desert trip, then drive on to a kasbah to pick up our camel (4 x 4 car also possible)

At sunset, we’ll go for 90 minutes by camel to a Berber camp where we'll enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and a cup of local hot minty tea, we’ll spend the evening under the stars, on the dunes and beside the warmth of the fireside with a drum party & story swapping. Star gazing in the desert will be amazing as there’ll be no artificial lights around

Total driving time 5-6 hours

Friday May 3rd Day 7 : Merzouga – Marrakech

DESERT SAFARI

Prior to sunrise, we’ll have a 90 minute camel ride to explore the area
When we reach Merzouga, we’ll have breakfast and begin our journey (8 to 9 hours) through the stony desert and over the Atlas mountains, with stops for photos, visits, exploring and lunch.

Overnight in Marrakech

Saturday May 4th Day 8: Free time in Marrakech

Flights back to UK or spend an extra day in Marrakesh

ACCOMMODATION

We’ll be staying in simple gites with either 2 to 4 people to a room.

Guest Houses (Twin / Single)
Hotel in Dades (Twin / Single)
Camping 1 night in the desert (Twin)

COST

£595 For payment upto Nov 31st 2023 (Special early bird rate)
£645 For payment upto Jan 15th 2024
£695 For payment after Jan 15th 2024

INCLUDES

• Expert English-speaking mountain guides
• Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage
• Berber Cook
• Breakfast, Dinner & Lunch on all hiking days.
• Breakfast on desert trip
• Accommodation in Gites, Guest Houses, Hotel, Desert Camp
• Round-trip transportation across Morocco

NOT INCLUDE

• Day 1 Saturday April 27th & Day 7 Friday May 3rd hotel in Marrakech
• Soft/alcoholic drinks
• Tips (Tips for Guides / Berber / Cooks / Muleteers about Euro 30 in total) and personal expenses
• Entry into Film Studios 10 Euro
• Lunch during desert trip approx 10 Euro
• Taxi from Airport to Marrakech city approx 10 / 15 Euro