The Sahara, the biggest desert in the world. This rugged wilderness is often pictured like a vast sandbox. Though this is partly true, but apart from that has a wide variety of landscapes on offer.
On a diverse 12 day roundtrip from Marrakech we will pass and hike through the high atlas mountains, visiting forests and gorges on the way to the desert where we will do a 4 day trek into the dunes and stony desert, passing ancient villages and pre-historic rock carvings.
The day-to-day program:
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Our journey starts on the airport of Marrakech. After meeting there we drive into the old medina of Marrakech where our comfortable hotel is set in a relatively quiet area in the bustle around the famous Jemaa el Fna square.
Day 2: Marrakech
This ancient traders city has an incredible array of smells, colours and impression on offer. We wander through history on another continent and almost in another time. On our way we have a look at the many traditional handicrafts still being practised here.
Day 3: Through the high Atlas
We trade in the bustle of the city for the beautiful and lush valley around Toufliht and hike through a meditranean type forest on polychrome African soil.
Afterwards we drive on and over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m) we spend the night in a family-run guesthouse in the mountain village of Telouet.
Walking time: 3h
Altitide difference : – 350 + 350m
Dag 4: Highplateau and oasis
After leaving Telouet we follow the Oued Ounila downstream, this river has an oasis of rich agricultural land around it in an otherwise dry high plateau. At one point the rivier has created an impressive canyon, at this point we leave the wheels behind and continue by foot.
After the hike our driver picks us up to continue our journey to Agdz at the start of the Oued Draa valley.
Hiking time: 3h
Altitude difference: + 100m – 200m
Day 5 : into the desert
Following Oued Draa brings us further into the desert. On the way we visit one of the ancient kasbahs along this old trade route and go up to a viewpoint to see the vastness of the place we are about to set off into.
Day 6 till 9: Trekking
On our 4 day trek we pass through a variety of desert landscapes, old ruins, pre-historic rock engravings and enjoy the silence of this secluded piece of the desert that only allows people entering by foot.
Our trek is fully equipped with camels, tents and a local cook and guide. We camp on a different place every night under the beautiful desert stars.
Every day we hike from 4 to 6 hours without major altitude differences apart from the dunes.
Day 10 : back to civilisation
After our 4-day trek we go back up north. In the luxury of an oasis in Ouarzazate we let the desert sink in. Maybe even whilst enjoying a well deserved swim to wash the sand off.
Day 11: Drive to Marrakech
We start the day driving to Marrakech. In the afternoon there’s some time left to bargain on the souks for some last minute souvenirs.
Day 12: Departure
Fligh back home or stay a little longer?
The dates are from the 4th till the 15th of november.
The price for this journey is : € 1290,-
This includes all stays, meals, transport and local guides. It does not includes flights, drinks and tips.
The hotel rooms are normally shared double rooms. In the desert we camp and have to manage for a few days without modern luxuries such as showers and wi-fi.