Tour C · 3 days
Aït Benhaddou, salt lakes and fossils
Take your time for Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO World Heritage Site which served as a backdrop for films such as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Gladiator". After a short break at a nomadic family stop for tea in the dunes of Erg Chigaga, continue…
The journey
Aït Benhaddou, salt lakes and fossils
Take your time for Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO World Heritage Site which served as a backdrop for films such as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Gladiator". After a short break at a nomadic family stop for tea in the dunes of Erg Chigaga, continue to the salt lake Lac Iriki, which reveals the wonders of the grade increase between death and life.
3 stages
Day by day
The route exactly as our guides have driven it for years.
- 01
Marrakesch > Hoher Atlas > Ouarzazate > Tamnougalt
The journey goes over the High Atlas and over the 2260m high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass with an overwhelming view. The steep road, lined with oak forests and nut trees, leads past the mud and stone houses of the Berber villages and rushing mountain streams. Once over the pass, the steep road descends into the almost lunar-like landscape of the Anti-Atlas and we reach our first destination, Ait Benhaddou a adobe Kasbah. This, protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is considered the most beautiful and most famous Kasbah in Morocco and served as a backdrop for films such as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Jesus of Nazareth" or "Gladiator". After sightseeing, lunch and drive to the Draa Valley. From the waters of the High Atlas has formed a long oasis, the Draà Valley, which stretches from Ouarzazate to Mhamid. The most beautiful part of the oasis with millions of date palms stretches from Agdz to Zagora. From Agdz we drive to Tamnougalt, here you can visit an old kasbah and we make a trip to the date palm oasis. Dinner and overnight in a riad typical of the region.
- 02
Tamnougalt > Draa-Tal > Zagora > Mhamid > Erg Chigaga
After breakfast on the terrace of our riad, we head south towards the oasis of the Draà Valley. The journey continues towards the desert, past Zagora, Tamegroute (if you want you can visit a ceramics workshop where you can see the potters at their craft) at the dunes from Tinfou to Mhamid, once a lonely oasis and an important stage on the old caravan routes. From Mhamid we drive into the desert; in an adventurous jeep ride on the desert tracks and between the dunes of the Sahara we reach the holy oasis Iriki after about 50 km, where we get our lunch prepared in the open air. If the opportunity arises, we will make a stop at a nomadic family for tea and then continue to the Erg Chigaga dunes, which stretch for about 40 km. The golden dunes reach a height of 300 m and our bivouac is located in the middle of the dunes. Sandboarding on the dunes and dromedary rides into the sunset. Enjoy the hospitality of the nomads, with the famous mint tea, the whiskey berbère” as a welcome. Dinner and overnight stay in the desert bivouac as well as nomadic romance with a campfire.
- 03
Erg Chigaga > Lac Iriki > Tazenakht > Marrakesch
After breakfast we continue our journey on the old Paris-Dakar track and arrive at Lac Iriki, a salt lake that has mostly dried up for many years, only to come alive in times of increased rainfall. Continuing our journey, we arrive at the fossil mountain, where you can collect some smaller fossils as souvenirs. We leave the desert and come to Tazenakht; Lunch break and return to Marrakech in the evening.
Included
What's included
2 nights (1x in a riad, 1x in a desert bivouac), airport transfer, transport with driver and English-speaking guide in jeep, camel caravan with cook and camel guide, entrance fees
From the legacy brochure, unchanged.
Good to know
Bookable privately
Every route can be reshaped around your dates, your pace and your preferences. Families, private groups and solo travellers are all welcome.
All prices per person.
Map
The route on the map
Every stop of this journey.
Check your dates
Does this route fit your travel window?
One message with your dates and group size — we reply with availability and a firm price.
Keep exploring
Similar journeys
High Atlas peaks and a night in the Draa
Experience the high Atlas at over 2200 meters in altitude and experience the might of the mountains. Overnight stay in the valley in the oasis known as the Draà valley. A short but eventful tour. 1 night in a desert bivouac, airport transfer, transport with…
Valley of the Roses to Merzouga
Through switchbacks in the Dades Gorge, we pass the Valley of the Roses further to the Sahara Desert. You will spend the last evening in the tents in the Sahara desert, from where you will return home on camels. Transport, hotel overnight with dinner and…
Anti-Atlas descent to Erg Chegaga
When the pass is crossed, the steep road descends into the barren landscape of the Anti-Atlas and we reach our first destination, the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. From Mhamid we drive into the desert; in an adventurous…