12-Day Great Southern Sahara Desert Tour

Experience Itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Marrakech to Agdz (via Ait Ben Haddou)

   • ›Morning pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad in a 4x4.
   • ›We climb south into the High Atlas Mountains and cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
   • ›We then stop at the famous hilltop kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO site used as a film set for Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile and Gladiator.
   • ›After lunch near the kasbah we drive on through Ouarzazate and the edge of the Anti-Atlas down into the Draa Valley.
   • ›At Agdz, watched over by Jbel Kissane mountain, we head off-road into the palm gardens.
   • ›You can also visit the 18th-century Tamnougalt kasbah museum.
   • ›Dinner and overnight in a traditional kasbah or boutique guesthouse in Agdz.
2. 2

   Day 2 — Agdz to M'Hamid

   • ›After breakfast we leave the road and drive off-road along the Draa Valley, following the river south toward the Sahara, where it disappears underground.
   • ›We make detours to see small villages and old ksars where pastoral life carries on as before.
   • ›Optional visit of the Tissergate museum with farm tools, dress and silver jewellery.
   • ›Lunch in a riad garden in Zagora, the last big oasis town before the desert.
   • ›After lunch we visit the famous Berber pottery in Tamegroute, run by local families and decorated with henna dye.
   • ›We continue along smaller roads over rocky ridges to a guesthouse in the palm groves near M'Hamid el Ghizlane, where the tarmac ends and the Sahara begins.
   • ›Breakfast and dinner included.
3. 3

   Day 3 — M'Hamid to Erg Chigaga camp

   • ›Free morning by the hotel garden and pool, with optional quad biking on the small local dunes.
   • ›After lunch we leave M'Hamid in the 4x4 and drive about 50 km deep into the desert.
   • ›We cross stony hamada, small dunes and open wilderness until we reach the high dunes of Erg Chigaga.
   • ›On the way we stop at the sacred oasis with its natural spring and old marabout tomb.
   • ›We spend the night in a comfortable bivouac camp with the local Blue Men nomads.
   • ›Time for a short camel ride, to climb the 300 m high dune for the sunset, or to try sandboarding.
   • ›Dinner is served in a big tent with songs around the fire.
   • ›The tents are private, woven from camel wool with real beds and comfortable mattresses.
4. 4

   Day 4 — Sahara day at Erg Chigaga

   • ›A full free day to enjoy the Sahara at your own pace.
   • ›You can stay at the camp, read, rest and walk in the dunes, or join a camel trekking day with a Sahrawi guide and a picnic lunch among the dunes.
   • ›You will learn about the simple life of the Sahrawi nomads, share their songs, stories and games, and try baking flat bread under the hot sand.
   • ›Second night with dinner back at the main camp at Erg Chigaga.
   • ›Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
5. 5

   Day 5 — Erg Chigaga to Tata

   • ›Early breakfast in the camp and departure before the sun gets too high.
   • ›We cross the Sahara in 4x4 over the dry bed of Lake Iriqui, following the old tracks of the Paris-Dakar rally.
   • ›At Foum Zguid we join the tarmac road and head west along the Jbel Bani ridge into the historic Sahara province of Tata, rich in Berber and Sahrawi culture, with carpets, woven baskets and silver Tuareg jewellery.
   • ›We reach our 500-year-old guesthouse by lunchtime.
   • ›In the afternoon you can relax in the courtyards and terraces, walk in the oasis, or head off-road with a local guide to look for prehistoric rock carvings hidden in the desert.
   • ›Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
6. 6

   Day 6 — Tata to Tafraoute

   • ›From Tata we drive north along the Tata river gorge to Ighrem, or we take the western road via the lovely oasis and gorges of Tazegzaute, known as the enchanted valley.
   • ›Both routes pass small Berber villages with very few tourists, in unspoilt countryside.
   • ›Picnic lunch at Tazegzaute (in spring and autumn only) or lunch in a local restaurant in Ighrem.
   • ›In the afternoon we reach the Anti-Atlas village of Tafraoute.
   • ›You stay in a charming traditional guesthouse with pool, or in a small hotel.
   • ›Accommodation is simple but the landscape of pink granite all around is amazing.
   • ›Breakfast and dinner included.
7. 7

   Day 7 — Tafraoute activity day

   • ›Free day for hiking or for short trips from the guesthouse.
   • ›You can hike to the famous Painted Rocks of Tafraoute, big granite boulders painted in blue by a Belgian artist, or visit a local family in a nearby village.
   • ›With a picnic lunch and a local walking guide we can also explore some of the 26 villages of the beautiful Ameln Valley, set against high granite peaks, cliffs and strange rock shapes.
   • ›Rock climbing lessons can be added (minimum 2 extra days).
   • ›Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
8. 8

   Day 8 — Tafraoute to Mirleft

   • ›We leave Tafraoute and drive west toward the windy Atlantic coast.
   • ›We cross the Anti-Atlas mountains through a wonderful series of gorges and the Kerdous pass, until we reach Tiznit for lunch.
   • ›Tiznit is a 19th-century walled town famous for its hand-made silver jewellery.
   • ›From Tiznit, less than one hour brings us to Morocco's southern Atlantic coast at Mirleft, a small surf and fishing village.
   • ›Free afternoon at the beach or by the pool.
   • ›Dinner at your hotel facing the ocean.
9. 9

   Day 9 — Beach day in Mirleft

   • ›Free day at the beach, around the hotel pool, or for short local trips.
   • ›You can drive about 30 minutes south to Sidi Ifni and have lunch at Legzira Beach, famous for its huge natural sea arches carved by the waves.
   • ›Dinner at your Mirleft hotel.
   • ›This day is optional and can be removed from the program.
10. 10

    Day 10 — Mirleft to Essaouira

    • ›Today we drive from Mirleft up the Atlantic coast to the lovely fishing port of Essaouira.
    • ›The road is one of the most beautiful in Morocco, with rocky cliffs, lighthouses and fishermen's caves on one side, and argan and pine forests on the other.
    • ›We stop for lunch in the resort town of Agadir or, if you prefer, in the surf town of Taghazout, with its small street cafés.
    • ›After about 5 hours we reach Essaouira in the mid afternoon.
    • ›In the evening you can try the famous outdoor fish grills at the port.
    • ›Stay in a traditional riad or hotel in Essaouira.
11. 11

    Day 11 — Free day in Essaouira

    • ›Free day in the calm white medina of Essaouira.
    • ›You can stroll inside the old walls, watch the blue fishing boats in the harbour, sit in a beach café, or visit the many art galleries, surf shops and craft stalls.
    • ›Meals are not included today, to let you try the wide choice of restaurants in town.
    • ›Extra activities such as windsurfing, horse riding or cooking classes can be added.
12. 12

    Day 12 — Essaouira to Marrakech

    • ›Your private tour ends with a road transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech (about 3 hours) in time for your departure flight at Marrakech airport, or to your hotel for an extra night.
    • ›You can also choose to end the tour in Agadir or to continue with another Moroccan adventure tour.

Know Before You Go