5 Days Morocco Off-Road Desert Tour from Marrakech (Paris–Dakar Rally Experience)

After Breakfast, we leave Marrakech on our back and drive via the high Atlas Mountains where the road is traced upon 2000 m altitude. Drive through Tichka pass (7 217,85 ft altitude) which links Marrakech to the south of Morocco, and used to be the gateway to the sub-Saharan countries, especially Tomboctou. Stop for lovely pictures, and Berber villages sightseeing. Move forwards on the way of caravans to reach Ait Ben haddou Village for lunch. The Kasbah of Ait Ben haddou is an eleven century citadel which is declared on the 80s as a protected UNESCO site, and an impressive sight for film directors. Numerous films have been shouted such as “Jesus of Nazareth”, the “man who would be a King”, Lawrence of Arabia and so on.

Later on transfer via Ouarzazate, Skoura to join the beautiful Dades valley. Take a break to see the roses productions at Kalaa Mgouna.

Enjoy the picturesque road along the valley of Dades with its towns along the green trees of nuts, figs and almonds.

After some stops for pictures, check into the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start the journey from the hotel to Erfoud by transferring you to Tinghir. The town is known for its long valley of dated palm trees. Take stops for panoramic pictures at the valley of Todra.

Take a hike in the todra gorges and enjoy the beautiful canyons with river flows.

Transfer to Tinjdad where to include a visit to Elkhorbat museum. The place is known as the museum of the oasis representing articles from the nomads and semi-nomads of the region. The place represents the history, architecture and the culture through traditional items.

After lunch, transfer to Erfoud: best famous for the fossil preparation. Take time to see one of the cooperative that exibit and incredible variety of fossils from Trilobites, ammonites to marble.

Later on transfer to your hotel for the overnight. Free & easy.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take an easy drive to see places such as Rissani and the suburb of Merzouga.

Transfer to Rissani where to see a large traditional Souk: market that takes time three times a week: Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.

Take a walking tour to see the souk and see its different exhibited things that ranges from spices, cloths, dates, vegetables, goats to donkeys’ park.

Here the market is designed for local people of Rissani and the surrounding villages who come to shop for daily needs.

After a Berber pizza lunch, we drive further to Merzouga. a possible visit to Dayet Srji seasonal lake can be included if we coincide with the rainy season and see some kind of migratory birds from Flamingos to a variety of Duck species.

In Khamlia, listen to some music of Gnaoua: the remaining of Africa tones brought with the caravans at the older times. listen to music by attending a show for a while and then get ready to explore the sand dunes.

Travel by camel or by jeep drive to the desert camp, to enjoy the majestic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, and spend un unforgettable night under a blanket of stars.

Breakfast at the camp.

Take a camel trek back to the town or enjoy a jeep transfer over the sand dunes!

This is the most challening stage with terrific unspoilted natural beauty that ranges from stony desert with dried rivers and black mountains covered with golden sands.

Travel from Merzouga via Taouz and Ouzina. From there, at the time being, enjoy an off road drive on off beaten tracks where no soul can be obsereved for a while.

Visit a real nomad family along the way and have tea with them.

Travel further to Ramlia with a stop to visit the oasis of palm trees and learn about the irrigation system called the ” khettara”.

Continue always on the track of Paris-Dakar rally passing via Tafraoute Sidi Ali and enjoying the black stony desert to join the road to Zagora.

Arrive to the hotel, and hotel check in.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be transferred to Ouarzazate along the palm groves of Draa valley and further via the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

If interested a possible visit of Atlas Studio will be conducted at Ouarzazate.

Travel the rest of the journey to Marrakech via the high Atlas Mountains.

Arrive to the hotel in the early evening. Drop off at your hotel. End of the Tour.