Sun, Sand, and Stars: A 4-Day Sahara Escape from Marrakech

Your adventure begins after an early breakfast with a pick-up from your accommodation in Marrakech. We will embark on a spectacular drive, ascending the winding roads of the High Atlas Mountains. Cross the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m), where the landscape transforms with every turn, offering panoramic views of Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides.

Descending from the pass, we travel back in time to the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This magnificent fortified village of earthen clay is a living museum of Moroccan architecture and has starred in countless films, from Lawrence of Arabia to Game of Thrones. You will have a guided tour to explore its labyrinthine alleys and climb to the top of the granary for a stunning view of the surrounding plains.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue our journey through the "Road of a Thousand Kasbahs" along the lush Skoura Palm Grove. Our day concludes in the dramatic Dades Valley, famously known as the "Valley of the Figs." You will spend the night in a hotel overlooking the stunning gorge, with its unique rock formations known as "monkey fingers."

• Overnight: Hotel in the Dades Valley
• Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

After breakfast, we take a short drive to witness the stunning sunrise over the Dades Valley from a strategic viewpoint. We then continue to one of the trip's most awe-inspiring natural wonders: the Todgha Gorge. Here, colossal limestone canyon walls rise vertically up to 300 meters, creating a narrow passage for the river below. You will have ample time to walk through the gorge, absorbing its immense scale and tranquility.

We then proceed towards the Sahara Desert, with the landscape gradually shifting from rocky hamada (stone desert) to the first glimpses of golden sand. Arriving in the frontier village of Merzouga in the afternoon, you will be greeted with a warm mint tea. In the late afternoon, you will leave your luggage at the hotel and meet your camels for a quintessential Saharan experience: a camel trek into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes.

As you sway gently with the rhythm of the camel, watch the sunset paint the dunes in shades of gold, red, and orange. You will arrive at your secluded Berber desert camp as the stars begin to appear. Enjoy a delicious traditional dinner of tagine under the vast, clear sky, followed by a evening of Berber music and drumming around a campfire.

• Overnight: Desert Berber Camp (Private tents with beds and blankets provided)
• Meals: Dinner & Breakfas

Wake up early to witness one of the most memorable sights of your life: a spectacular sunrise over the sea of sand dunes. After a simple breakfast at the camp, you will camel trek or walk back to the village of Merzouga.

Here, your morning adventure begins with a 4x4 Land Rover discovery tour of the unique surroundings. This off-road excursion will take you to see the nomadic black desert hamlets, visit a local Berber family to learn about their way of life, and see the fascinating fossil quarries where the desert floor is littered with ancient marine fossils. You may also stop at the panoramic views of the Erg Chebbi dunes from a distance and perhaps hear the unique music of the Gnawa people in the village of Khamlia, originally from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The afternoon is free for you to relax, perhaps take a refreshing shower at the hotel, or simply enjoy the quiet majesty of the desert.

• Overnight: Hotel/Auberge at the foot of the dunes in Merzouga
• Meals: Dinner & Breakfast

After a final Saharan breakfast, we begin our long but scenic journey back to Marrakech. We will travel through the Draa Valley, famous for its long, lush palm grove, and make a stop in Ouarzazate, known as the "Hollywood of Africa." Here, you will have the opportunity to see the Atlas Film Studios or the Taourirt Kasbah from the outside.

We will then retrace our path, climbing back up and over the High Atlas Mountains. We will stop for lunch and photo opportunities along the way. Expect to arrive back in Marrakech in the early evening, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation, filled with unforgettable memories of your desert expedition.

• Meals: Breakfast