11-Day Off the Beaten Path and Erg Chigaga Desert Cultural Tour from Marrakech

Overview 

This tour is your chance to get away from the tourist trails you’ll find on standard tours, and get literally off the beaten track as you head off-road in 4x4s, to uncover the extraordinary hidden people and places of Morocco. And the great thing about a tour in the desert ? The little added bonus of guaranteed winter sun.
The off-road and Erg Chigaga Desert Cultural Tour helps you discover the very best of Moroccan culture thanks to the local knowledge and invaluable experience of your local guides. Explore Marrakech and its labyrinth Medina, as well as the picturesque gorges of Imi n’Ifri and the jaw-dropping sight of Amridil Kasbah, Morocco’s 17th-century gem.
From there, you’ll drive via The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the dramatic gorges of Dades and Todgha, then you’ll set your compass for Morocco’s wildest desert. Pass the Draa valley and reach Erg Chigaga, an otherworldly stretch of towering dunes and golden sand, and the largest sand sea in Morocco.
Your route back to Marrakech, will take you to explore Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, and the stunning 11th century UNESCO site of Ait Benhaddou. The drive includes Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, at an elevation of 2,200m this narrow winding road is not for the faint hearted, but rewards you with jaw-dropping views over the Atlas Mountains.
Most importantly though, you’ll get to know the authentic Moroccan culture as you live like nomads on the sand dunes, learn about the legendary Paris to Dakar rally trail, meet with local families and eat the same food that they do. An opportunity you can’t find on your own, you’ll leave Morocco with countless memories of this beguiling, beautiful country.

Highlight:

• Live like the nomads at the largest sand sea in Morocco and drink in the Saharan sunset.
• Discover the old Paris-Dakar rally trail and endless dunes of golden sand.
• Explore old fortified Kasbahs and desert oases featured in your favourite films.
• Watch musicians, acrobats, and snake charmers in Jemaa el-Fna Square..
• Get to know local life, culture and cuisine as you get off the tourist trail.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Marrakech Airport Arrival

Welcome to Marrakech, Morocco’s vibrant capital of tourism and often the first stop for many travelers discovering the country’s wonders. Upon your arrival at Marrakech airport, a shuttle will be readily available, with your driver holding a personalized card bearing your name for easy identification. From there, you’ll be swiftly transported to your chosen hotel or riad, allowing you to settle in and unwind before we embark on our unforgettable journey together.

Day 2 : Marrakech walk & talk Medina Guided Tour

Today is your first truly Moroccan experience as you explore with your private Marrakech-born guide, seeking out bustling markets, ancient mosques and the maze-like Medinas.
You will discover the Red City from at its oldest point, wandering the Medina’s narrow, atmospheric alleyways that lead to hidden gems, tombs and religious monuments decked out in marble.
Bahia and El-Badii Palace and Saadien’s Tombs will no doubt be the highlights. Afterward, your driver/guide will pick you up to explore the Majorelle garden, Museum Saint Laurent, and Berber Museum.
While in Marrakech you will encounter thousands of motorcyclists and horse-carts in the city, creating a whirlwind of energy that is truly addictive and fun to explore.
Spend the evening in the vast square of Jemaa El-Fnaa, where it’s carnival night every night, and musicians, acrobats, storytellers and acting troupes tap into the frenetic pulse of the Medina

Day 3 : Marrakech – Demnat – Skoura

Your adventure in Morocco truly begins today. You will be picked up by your driver/tour guide and drive east of Marrakech to the central high Atlas, passing through Demnate, a lively town to explore.
After Demnate you’ll arrive at the picturesque gorges of Imin’Ifri, and a natural travertine ‘bridge’ that formed over the Tisslit River 1.8 million years ago.
The paths are clearly marked and you will have the opportunity to explore the area, you can walk down into the gorge and see the natural rock formations and caves.
From there you’ll follow the road to Skoura, an incredible range of imposing Kasbahs. The Ameridil Oued is an extraordinary sight even from the road and is the grandest and most extravagantly decorated Ameridil Kasbah.

Day 4 : Skoura -Dades Gorges

Today you’ll travel through the valley of a thousand Kasbahs. The Dades valley stretches out between the peaks of the High Atlas and the Jbel Sarhro mountain range and is a prominent oasis valley. Here, traditionally, the people lived in small Kasbah settlements scattered across the fertile river plain. Many of these Kasbahs are now deserted, but some are still inhabited and maintained in perfect condition.
You will come to Kalaat M’gouna, which means Valley of the Roses and the city itself is named after the nearby Mount Mgoun.
In the late spring months, the city is literally covered in roses. A pink carpet as far as the eye can see dots the otherwise brown landscape. It is believed that pilgrims who arrived in Morocco from Saudi Arabia in the 10th century brought the variety of roses that are grown in this region, and they continue to play a part in the city’s culture today.
After that, we go off-road and into the Atlas and the M’goun Mountains, where you can glimpse some of the best views along hidden livestock tracks, to the ancient rust-red and crumbling Kasbahs & Ksour that line the valley of Dades.
Another essential stop is the natural rock formations known as Monkey Toes before you head to your accommodation, where after a cup of mint tea at your hotel you have the option of hiking the beautiful canyons of the Dades gorges.

Day 5 : Dades Gorges – Todgha Gorges – N’Kob

This morning, you’ll have the chance to see Todgha Gorges by daylight, with its gigantic rock walls changing color to magical effects as the day unfolds. Later on, you will leave Todgha Gorges and drive through the stunning Saghro Mountains. This road offers breathtaking landscapes, with dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and scattered Berber villages.
As you continue your journey, you’ll arrive at the rambling Ksar of N’kob, known for its prehistoric rock-carving sites and 45 mud-brick ksours. N’kob’s name originates from a cave that once served as a lodging for nomads, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

Day 6 : N’kob – Draa Valley – Zagora

Start your day in the morning from Nkob, ensuring you have a full day to explore the attractions. Head towards the Draa Valley, a picturesque drive through captivating landscapes. The journey itself is part of the adventure, offering stunning views of mountains and desert scenery. Stop at Kasbah Tamnougalt, an ancient Kasbah that is a significant historical site. Explore its architecture, learn about its history, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Visit some of the prominent Kasbahs and Ksar in the road to Zagora,
Continue through Draa Oasis, which is known for its lush palm groves and gardens to Zagora, a town famous for being a gateway to the Sahara Desert.

Day 7 : Zagora (Tilogui) – Tamegroute – M’hamid El Ghizlane – Erg Chigaga

Today, you’ll strike out southeast to Morocco’s wildest desert via the Draa valley, a 125km belt of palm trees, oases and small settlements that eventually merges into the Sahara near M’hamid.
We’ll stop in what was once the most important settlement in the Valley of Draa thanks to its green pottery artisans and craftsmen. The Zawiya Naciria is still a site of pilgrimage, and you’ll also find a working Quranic school with a library that was once the richest in Morocco, made up of ancient illuminated texts containing 4000 books.
Leave Temegroute through a dauntingly bleak landscape of sun-scorched rubble to the end of the paved road at M’hamid El-Ghizlane. Here, you reach the climax of the tour and the gateway to the towering dunes of Erg Chigaga.
Be prepared to begin your off-road journey to Erg Chigaga, a splendid stretch of towering dunes and a golden sand sea, and incidentally the largest sand sea in Morocco.
At night, you’ll stay in a traditional Berber camp, where you’ll drift off to sleep while watching the twinkling stars after dinner by the campfire.
On this section of the tour, you’ll feel as far off the beaten track as it’s possible to get, with no civilisation for miles around and only the sounds of the desert accompanying you at night.

Day 8 : Erg Chigaga Desert

Riding a camel is by far and away the best way to live the nomad life, explore the desert and listen to the eerie wind whispering its way through the dunes.
Today you will have the chance to live a real desert experience with your camel guide, heading out to discover the fauna, flora and history of the desert.
Lunch will be served in what must be the definition of the middle of nowhere, set amongst in the 300 meter-high dunes offering endless views to the horizon.

Day 9 : Erg Chigaga – Foum Zguid – Taznakht – Ouarzazate

Wake at dawn to watch the sun starting its daily arc, the cool blue morning sky replacing the Sahara shadows before becoming a glowing ball of fire.
You’ll leave Erg Chigaga and head north to Ouarzazate via a rough-road, 80 km across the long dry lake bed of Lac Iriki made famous thanks to the Paris-Dakar rally.
You will pass through the Sahel region to Foum Zguid, and then 85km north to Taznakht, a the Taznakht tribe are famous artisans and have been practicing the crafts of pottery making , wood carving and especially carpet weaving  for hundreds of years. One generation of craftsmen transfers their skill and expertise to the next providing sustainability for the tribe and ensuring that the ancient local art and craft culture is preserved. You will stop here for a quick snack and to take a look at the wonderful crafts and carpets for sale.
Your journey today will end in Ouarzazate, known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert. Its huge Taourirt Kasbah, with its 19th-century palace, has views over the spectacular rugged local landscape. This area has featured in many famous movies, and for this reason Ouazazate is known as the Moroccan Hollywood. Here you can rest and recharge after a full day of exploration.

Day 10 : Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Tizi N’Tichka – Marrakech

This morning you leave  Ouazazate and head to Marrakech through some of Morocco’s most stunning landscapes, beginning with Ait Benhaddou, the breathtaking UNESCO-protected red brick Ksar from the 11th century, you will se why this stunning location has been used as the back drop to so many film sets.
After lunch with a local family and a visit to the Ksar you’ll drive along craggy cliff tops to tiny Berber villages in North Africa’s highest mountain range, stopping off at the splendid Glaoui Kasbah in Talouate and the lush green Ounilla Valley.
You’ll drive virtually the full length of the incredible Tizi n’Tichka high mountain pass before you arrive back in Marrakech.

Day 11 : Marrakech departure

Today is not goodbye, it is merely “take care and see you soon” for another adventure.
Your guide will drop you off directly at the airport when you have checked out of your riad, and your amazing Moroccan adventure will come to an end.

Map

Accommodation

Unless a specific accommodation is requested, we reserve or recommend the best different authentic stays from the most quintessentially Moroccan accommodation available, reasonably priced, charming hotels/Riads in the Medina to the Kasbahs and Bedouin style tents in the Sahara desert with private bath, hot water, good service, value and sustainable management practices. Accommodation is based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room. Desert Camp feature full size walk-in tents for two or more persons with Bedouin-style bedding or sleeping pads. On trekking and camping trips tents, sleeping pads or mattresses, wash basins, toilet facilities, cooking equipment, lanterns, pack animals and portering gear are provided. Participants must furnish their own clothing, soft-luggage and day pack. Sleeping bags are necessary for some trips, but are usually available for rent. MSITravels reserves the right to substitute equivalent or superior hotels/Riads.

Nutrition

Morocco Social Impact Travel exists to authentically connect you, not only to Morocco’s incredible destinations. We want you to touch and feel the good quality of our local families home-cooked meals and to taste the ras el hanout and the saffron and more other commonly used spices in our Delicious local & seasonal cuisine, such as seven vegetable Couscous, flavorful Tagines & creative soups & vegetables, plus Tanjia and Rfisa, mint tea and pistachios. Plus, enjoy a hands-on cooking class so you can impress friends & family back home. Gluten free or vegan? We’ve got you covered!

Give Back

While in Morocco we are pleased to support the wonderful work of Ennajah Association and Chabab Time, two nonprofit organizations. the first one based in Zagora and aims to create sustainable development in community through The Fight Against School Dropouts of girls by providing transportation and providing water for the population …
The second one is based in Rabat but works all over Morocco and aims to motivate young people to actively participate in Public life. We may also pick a local Berber school to donate supplies & small toys, spreading joy in simple ways, and giving a bit back to the local people of the area.
Last but not least, we want you to have the opportunity to give back, to support vulnerable families in meaningful ways. To build authentic connections and know that your visit matters. That when you leave, you’ll take carpets and Argan oil and lanterns and photographs and memories, but you’ll also leave a mark that made a difference.

Transportation

We, in Morocco Social Impact Travel « MSITravels », care about our clients and their comfort. Thus, we offer different kind of transportation depending on the number of customers and the tour they’ve chosen. E.g. If the tour is off-road we will offer a 4 wheels drive car for each 4 customers maximum. Otherwise we have 7 seats Minivan, Minibus for 17 travelers and Coach for more than 17 travelers.