This 6-day desert tour from Marrakech offers a diverse journey through mountains, valleys, and the Sahara. The trip begins by crossing the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass and traveling through the Draa Valley to the village of Nkob. The next two days are spent hiking from Nkob to Igli and Tifdassine, where you’ll discover traditional Berber villages, beautiful landscapes, and unique rock formations like Bab n’ Ali and Tadaout n’ Tblah. On Day 4, the tour transitions to the desert, driving to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride and a night in an authentic desert camp. Day 5 involves watching the sunrise over the dunes, then traveling to the Todgha Gorges and the Dades Valley. The final day includes exploring the Dades Valley, visiting the Kasbah of Taourirt and the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, before concluding with the return journey to Marrakech.
Day 1: Marrakech –Tizi n Tichka- Nkob
Your journey begins with a pickup from your riad or hotel in Marrakech. You will travel over the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260m), offering stunning views of traditional villages and valleys, with plenty of opportunities to take photos. The drive continues towards Ouarzazate, where you’ll stop for lunch either there or in the famous Draa Valley, known for its palm groves. A short 40-minute drive after lunch will take you to the village of Nkob, where you will spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 2: Nkob – bab n Ali – Igli an altitude of 1750m
The day begins with a short one-hour drive from Nkob to the mountain of Bab n’ Ali, where you’ll be greeted by your muleteer team. This is the starting point of your 4-5 hour hike toward Igli. The trek takes you through the stunning Afourar gorges before arriving in the village of Boualouz. This part of the journey is your first opportunity to immerse yourself in the Amazigh (Berber) culture and observe their way of life in this picturesque valley. The day concludes with setting up camp for the night by a scenic river, providing a tranquil setting to unwind.
Day 3: Igli – Ighazzoun – Tifdassine
We depart from our campsite near the river and its beautiful almond fields, which are in spectacular bloom during April. The path offers a “magical view” of the rocky peaks of Tadaout n Tblah as it leads you toward Tizi N’Taggourt, a pass at an altitude of 1700 meters, which provides a stunning vista of the Ighazzoun valley. After enjoying the view, you’ll descend into the valley to meet your cook for lunch. The 5-hour hike concludes by continuing on to the Tifdassine valley, where your camp will be set up for the night.
Day 4: Tifdassine – Nkoub – Alnif – Merzouga
In the morning, a car will pick you up and drive you along the Tifdassine valley back to Nkob. After a brief stop in Nkob, you will hit the road again, this time heading towards the Merzouga dunes, crossing a rocky, dry desert landscape. Just before sunset, you will begin a one-hour camel ride to reach your authentic camp, where you’ll spend the night in the middle of the dunes and have dinner.
Day 5: Merzouga – Todgha gorges- Dades valley
Rising early to catch the sunrise over the dunes, you’ll then take a camel ride back to a hotel in Merzouga for breakfast and a shower. The journey continues through the Ziz Valley and various villages before reaching the Todgha Gorges. Here, you can take a stroll through the impressive canyon, with its imposing walls reaching over 200 meters high. After exploring the gorges and the valley, you will continue on to the Dades Valley, where you will spend the night in a hotel.
Day 6: Dades valley- Ouarzazate- Ait ben Haddou- Marrakech
After breakfast on the final day, the tour continues its exploration before heading back to Marrakech. You will travel through the Dades Valley, following the “road of a thousand kasbahs” and passing through El Kelaa Magona, also known as the Valley of the Roses. The journey includes a stop for a photo opportunity at the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate, followed by a visit to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Ben Haddou. The trip concludes with the drive back to Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass, with an expected arrival in the early evening.
What's Included
- Round-trip Transportation between the trek and your accommodation in Marrakech.
- Expert summer guide, English-speaking
- Berber Cook
- All meals on the trek
- Accommoadtion in the Desert.
- Travel insurance.
- Soft/alcoholic drinks & Water
- Tips and personal expanses
- Mules and muleteers to carry your luggage.
