5-Day Dakar Track and Merzouga Desert Trip
Day 1: Marrakesh - Aït Benhaddou - Ouarzazate
On the first day, we'll leave behind Marrakech in the morning to hit the road towards Ouarzazate. On the way we cross the striking Atlas Mountains, crossing through the stunning Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, 2,260 metres high.
Shortly after crossing the Atlas, we turn down a road towards Telouet Kasbah. Cross numerous Amazigh hamlets until we get to Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, the most impressive 800-year fortified city in all Morocco, and backdrop to movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
At the end of the visit, we'll head to Ouzarzazate, home to the well-known Atlas Studios. We'll spend the first night here.
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Agdz – Draa Valley – Tazarine – El Mharech Oasis
After a healthy breakfast and visiting the splendid Taourirt Kasbah, we'll make our way to Zagora by crossing the Anti-Altas mountain through the Tizi n-Tinifift mountain pass, 1,600 meters high.
Delve into the magnificent Draa Valley along a dirt road and admire various Amazigh villages and kasbahs flanking the narrow waterway. Leave charming villages behind like N’kob, Tarazine and Alnif and drive to Mharech Gorges. The original Dakar Rally track normally runs past these beautiful landscapes.
Complete the day by spending the night in a typical riad in the middle of the desert.
Day 3: Mharech - Ramlia Oasis - Ouzina Dunes - Merzouga
On the third day, we'll pursue the tracks of the Dakar Rally and marvel at tiny villages, crossing wadis, oasis and the Ouzina Dunes.
Visit the well-known village of Khamlia, founded by the descents of African slaves and enjoy typical folklore music from this area.
From Khamlia, we'll drive to Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco. Upon arrival, hop on a camel, which will take you to the camp situated in the middle of the large sea of dunes. It'll take approximately one and a half hours. You'll sleep in an authentic Amazigh camp.
Day 4: Merzourga – Rissani – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley
After witnessing a breathtaking sunrise in the dunes, ride your camel back to the jeep. We'll stop at a hotel to refresh and shower (depending on the type of camp, breakfast and the shower might be before the camel ride).
Feeling refreshed, the driver will head to the town of Rissani, where the Alawi Dynasty is originally from. Rissani was also the first imperial capital of Morocco.
Take the road to Erfoud, famous for its marble quarries until you arrive at the palm grove of Tafilat.
Visit the Todgha Gorges and then make your way to the Dades Valley, where you'll spend the fourth night in a camp next to the dunes.
Day 5: Dades Valley – Valley of the Roses – Skoura – Marrakech
Leave Dades Valley behind along the Route of the Thousand Kasbahs and drive past the Valley of the Roses until you get to the palm grove of Skoura, where the most famous kasbah of the area is situated.
From here, we'll head back to Marrakech.
Accommodation
Standard hotels:
- Ouarzazate: Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate / Hotel La Perle Du Sud / Hotel Saghro or similar
- Mharech: Riad Nomad / Riad Les Jardins de Tafraoute / Kasbah Ramlia
- Merzouga: Standard Haima Tent Camp
- Dades / Valle del Roses: Dar Essyaha / Hotel Babylon / Kasbah Tifawen or similar
Luxury hotels:
- Ouarzazate: Kasbah Dar Chamaa / Hotel la Perle du Sud / Le Petit Riad or similar
- Mharech: Riad Nomad / Riad Les Jardins de Tafraoute / Kasbah Ramlia
- Merzouga: Azawad Luxury Desert Camp or similar
- Dades: Xaluca Dades / La Perle du Dades / Auberge Chez Pierre / Dar Rihana / Ksar Sultan or similar
The standard rooms have shared bathrooms, whilst the luxury accommodation comes with private bathrooms.
If a single-person booking is made, a single supplement will be applied, as well as if someone in the group wishes to sleep in a single room.
You can view photos of both camps following the below links.
Both hotels and tents are double occupancy only, there are no single rooms. You can however ask for a triple room or a family room if you prefer. The standard category rooms have communal showers in the camp, while the superior category rooms have a private bathroom in the haimas and showers in the camp. Also, air-conditioning in the luxury camps has an additional charge of € 30 (US$ 31.20) per person.
Discount
Children between 5 and 10 years old have 50% off. Please contact us if you would like to book this activity with children up to 10 years old.
Closure of The Taourirt Kasbah
Due to the recent earthquake in Morocco, the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate is currently closed. However, you can still take pictures from the outside.
