3 days merzouga desert tour

3 days merzouga desert tour program :

Day 1 : Marrakech, Telouet – Ait ben haddou - Skoura et Bouman Dades

• Note Merzouga meorocc south circuit of 3 days, begins with the crossing of the High Atlas via the track of Telouet and the Tichka Pass, the highest pass in North Africa with 2260 m altitude.
• Visit of the kasbah of Ait Ben haddou. The kasbah Ait Ben haddou is located on the edge of the Sahara. Perched on a hill and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Ben haddou is one of the most emblematic sites of Morocco. It was once an important stop for passing caravans as they transported salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. The city has a long list of film and television credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Enjoy a guide-led walk through the winding streets of the old town of Ait ben haddou, heading to the top of the hill, where you can enjoy the view of the surrounding plains.
• Lunch in Skoura.
• Visit of the Palmeraie of Skoura: in the valley of the 1000 kasbahs, immense oases welcome in their bosom ksours and kasbahs, in the oasis of Skoura (42 km east of Ouarzazate), a vast palm grove, the kasbah ben Moro, on the edge of the road, is one of the most accessible. It is used today as a stable and as a barn and its owners, who live just next door, will make you visit it with pleasure for a modest sum.
• Overnight stay in a hotel in the area of Bouman Dades near the Dades Gorge.

Day 2 : Bouman Dades - Todra et Merzouga

• In the morning departure towards the Todra gorges, 300 m high but only 10 m wide at the narrowest point, the Todra gorges constitute one of the most beautiful natural sites of Morocco. It flows a crystal clear water. More and more climbing enthusiasts come to practice their passion. On the way admire the beautiful Todra Valley, which runs along the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and is dotted with mud brick villages perched on the hillsides. The remarkable landscape - sprawling green valleys and rocks carved into breathtaking formations by the wind.
• Lunch.
• Excursion to the dunes and discovery of Berber villages.
• Dunes of Merzouga. About 50 km southeast of Erfoud. The erg Chebbi and its dunes, some of which are 250m high, offer a first glimpse of the Sahara. They are particularly impressive at sunrise and sunset. The legend tells that they are the punishment inflicted by God to the inhabitants of the ancient village of Merzouga, guilty of inhospitality. A wind of sand rose and buried under these dunes the inhabitants and their houses.
  During the course of your southern Moroccan tour, you will have many chances to stop and admire the view of the kasbahs and palm trees (lush valleys with date palms, fields and orchards). Passing through border towns like Eerfoud and Rissani, you will see the landscape alternate between bare mountainsides and fertile valleys until you reach the small Saharan village of Merzouga. Upon arrival, you will leave your luggage, pack a backpack and saddle up for a one-hour camel ride into the desert at sunset. Erg Chebbi is home to huge windswept dunes that are quintessentially Moroccan, and are located only 20 kilometers from the Algerian border. Tonight you will sleep in a desert camp under the stars and our local friends will prepare a hearty feast for you.

Day 3 : Merzouga - Tamnougalte et Marrakech

• Crossing of the stone desert towards Alnif.
• Drââ Valley : After having snaked through the jebel Tifernine and crossed the pass of Tizi N'TInififft, the road goes down towards the valley and follows the oued Draa. All along its steep banks follow one another palm groves, kasbahs and fortified villages. Their houses, of an ochre color turning to red, are built in brick of earth, to which is mixed straw, the whole being bound by water. The ceilings are supported by palm branches, the walls by stones.
• Kasbah of Tamegroute: About 20 km south of Zagora. Its name means "last" in Berber. It takes it from its strategic place, which made it the last stop of the caravans before the Sahara. For centuries, Tamegroute was also a very important religious center, as evidenced by its sixteenth-century zaouia (religious brotherhood headquarters) and its library, which contains 4,000 manuscripts, some of which are several centuries old. The access is free, but at the goodwill of the guard, who would be ready to accept a tip...
• Discovery of the volcanic mountains of Jbel Saghro.
• Crossing of the High Atlas by the Tichka pass (2260m of altitude), which is the highest pass in North Africa.
• Return to Marrakech between 7 and 8 pm.