5 Days Atlas Mountains Valley Trek & Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert Tour

Description


Embark on an unforgettable journey combining a two-day trek through the stunning valleys of the Atlas Mountains with a thrilling three-day desert excursion, promising an immersive experience in Morocco's renowned "Chamonix" in Imlil. Begin your adventure by exploring picturesque trails and ancient Berber villages, soaking in the breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage of the Atlas region. As you traverse the rugged terrain, each step brings you closer to the majestic Dades Gorges, where towering cliffs and winding canyons await your exploration.

From there, venture into the captivating desert landscape of Merzouga, where endless stretches of golden sand dunes beckon you to embark on a camel ride through the mesmerizing Sahara. As the sun sets over the horizon, immerse yourself in the tranquility of the desert, spending a magical night under the starlit sky amidst nomadic sands.

The following day, continue your desert odyssey through the rugged terrain of the "Tazarine" stone desert, where ancient rock formations and barren landscapes paint a stark yet mesmerizing picture of the desert's raw beauty. With each passing moment, you'll find yourself captivated by the ever-changing scenery and profound sense of wonder that the desert evokes.

Throughout your journey, savor the opportunity to connect with local cultures, sample traditional cuisine, and share stories with Berber villagers and nomadic desert dwellers. Whether you're scaling mountain peaks, traversing desert dunes, or exploring ancient ruins, this extraordinary adventure promises an unforgettable exploration of Morocco's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. So pack your sense of adventure and prepare to embark on the journey of a lifetime through the enchanting landscapes of Morocco's Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.


Itinirary (5 Days)


After breakfast in Marrakech, pick up & drive towards the high Atlas Mountains via Tahnnaout, Oued Ghighaya, & Asni. Enjoy the stunning view of the villages along the valet. Arrival at Imlil (65km from Marrakech), meet the guide & muleteer, and then start the trek & climb Tizi Mzik Pass (2684 m), with a with a spectacular view over Imlil Valley & Toubkal Summit. Continue to Tamsoulte to visit the highest waterfalls in the Atlas Mountains (100m in height), then down the Azzaden valley through juniper forest to get to Tizi Oussem village. Overnight at the guest house in the village. 5hrs walking.

After breakfast, enjoy the sunshine in this colorful valley& its marvelous typical Berber villages; leave Tizi Oussem & continue down to Id Issa village before heading up to Tizi Oudid mountain pass (2000m); cross Matt village after a wild thurifer juniper forest; get lunch under walnut groves; and relax near the river. In the afternoon, a short trek up the valley to Imlil. overnight in Imlil or something similar.

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9 am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or stop for a hike. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Dades. (Total driving time: 7 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge, a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 meters in a narrow valley with Palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the Palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch, you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour and a-half by camel to a Berber camp, where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time: 6 hours.).

Wake up early, just prior to sunrise. We have a 1-hour camel ride at sunrise to explore the area further, and we head back to Merzouga on our camels. When we reach Merzouga, we have breakfast and the opportunity to shower, and then we begin our journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas Mountains, with plenty of stops for photos, exploring, and lunch as we return to Marrakech. The usual arrival time in Marrakech is between 17:00 and 18:00. ( 10-hour drive) End of our 5-day Atlas Mountains Valley Trek & Erg Chebbi Sahara Desert Tour.

Included & Excluded


    ✔ All transport

    ✔ 1 Overnight in Imlil or similar (Dinner & breakfast)

    ✔ 1 overnight in a village Gite at Tizi oussem village

    ✔ English speaking guide, and cook (Mountain trek)

    ✔ Muleteers and mules for assistance (Mountain trek)

    ✔ Full board on trek + mineral water, coffee and tea (Mountain trek)

    ✔ 4x4 or Mini-bus during Desert tour

    ✔ 1 overnight in a hotel at Dades (Dinner & breakfast)

    ✔ 1overnight camping on Dunes of Erg chebbi (Dinner & breakfast)

    ✔ Camel Ride on Dunes

    ✘ Travel insurance

    ✘ Soft/alcoholic drinks

    ✘ Tips and personal expanses

    ✘ Lunches during the desert tour

    ✘ Entrance fee (Monuments visits)