Tour to Desert and Todra Gorge from Marrakech - 3 days

Day 1: Marrakech to Dades Gorge

We will meet you at your riad or hotel in the morning, depart Marrakech, and transport over the High Atlas Mountains by Tizi ‘n Tichka pass. We will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes, and break for coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice. We will spend the afternoon visiting World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou. This village of clustered Berber Kasbahs has been used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. We'll then pass through Ouarzazate, and the Valley of the Roses, famous for soft Persian rose oil. You will pass through many Berber villages, and once in the desert, see barren hillsides clustered with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house many families and their livestock). After visiting the Tamnalt hills, we stay Dades valley in the upper gorge.

Day 2: Dades Gorge to Erg Chebbi

After breakfast we take a short drive to walk through a massive fault dividing the High Atlas Mountains. Todra Gorge with sheer rock walls rises to 300m in its narrowest part. Then we'll head for the Erg Chebbi sand. We continue deeper into the desert landscape, until dunes appear on the horizon. Our mid-afternoon destination is the auberge near of the duns, where you meet your camel guide and ride into the bivouac (camp). Upon arrival you will enjoy a mint tea and traditional tagine dinner prepared (vegetarians welcome) under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the clear night sky. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in a nomad tent.

Day 3: Erg Chebbi – Tazarine - Marrakesh

Return by camel at sunrise to the Auberge for breakfast and shower. The remainder of the day is spent driving back to Ouarzazate via Tazarine where we'll stop for lunch and visit the old Glaoui Kasbah Taouirirt. Then we cross the High Atlas once more, down the Tizi nTichka pass. Arrival in the evening in Marrakech.