Discover the edge of the Sahara Desert on a 3-day budget tour from Marrakech, and explore the dramatic landscapes of the Dades Valley and Kasbah of Ouarzazate. Ride across the dunes of Erg Chebbi by camel, and sleep at a desert camp surrounded by high sand dunes.
Day 1: Marrakesh, Tizi ‘n Tichka, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Dadès
Pickup begins early in the morning, at which point you depart from Marrakesh towards the Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, passing by the collar of Tizi Ntichka and High Atlas Mountains along the way. Many stops are made during the journey, which includes the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 11th century. It is a striking example of the architecture of the traditional Moroccan South, and a picturesque site filled with emotion.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue your drive through Ouarzazate, known as the Gate of the Sahara,the scenic drive along the road to Boumalne Dades, where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stop.
Day 2: Dadès, Gorges of Todra, and Merzouga
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Toudra Gorge. The gorge is naturally constituted from high limestone cliffs that have been hollowed out for millennia and is a delight for climbing enthusiasts.
Following lunch, your journey continues to the dunes of Merzouga – a village marking the beginning of the Sahara. On your way to Merzouga, stop at one of the most fascinating sites in Morocco, which contains unreal sculptures created by the German artist Hannesjörg Voth. Once having arrived at Merzouga, your vehicle is replaced with a camel upon which you enjoy a traditional 1-hour camel ride.
You then cross the dunes and admire the sunset, which consists of a multitude of colors that change over time. After a traditional dinner accompanied by Berber rhythms, spend the night under the stars in a nomad tent in the middle of the desert.
Day 3: Merzouga, Ouarzazate, and Marrakesh
Your day begins with a sumptuous sunrise before a traditional breakfast is served. Once having traveled back to Merzouga by camel, continue through the Draa Valley and the Berber village of Agdez to reach Ouarzazate, where you visit the Kasbah of Taourirte.
Admire the exterior architecture of this 17th-century monument, which is a sand castle with bronzed walls rising to the sky. Crossing the Atlas chain, take the road to Marrakesh safely and comfortably before arriving at your accommodation in the evening.
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