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MoroccoThe Tafilalet Desert & Jebel Sahro
12 Day Trip
Itinerary:
Day 1
Fly Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca into Ouarzazate Southern
Morocco. Transfer the short distance from the airport in our 4x4
vehicles to our Hotel - 1 night Hotel Mercure (B/B)
Day 2
Possible dawn shoot from our Hotel over the Kasbah of Taourirt in
Ouarzazate. After breakfast make the journey south, crossing the
Tizi’n’Tinififft Pass. The Pass offers us wonderful views of the
Jebel Sahro Mountain range. Continue our drive down the Draa Valley,
to Amezrou – a small village close to Zagora. We spend one night as
guests of Anotine Bouillion, a French Anthropologist who has now made
his home here. 1 night in the small Maison d’hote Dar Raha (H/B)
(shared facilities)
Day 3
Time spent exploring the village and surrounding region. We leave
Amezrou and head eastwards across the Tafilalet Desert. We have two
days travelling on desert pistes. Journeying through the
Tizi’n’Tafilalet our route once formed part of the trade routes across
the Sahara, before the caravans would head north across the Atlas to
Marrakech and beyond. 1 night in a small Auberge near Lac Maider
(H/B) (shared facilities)
Day 4
Our journey continues eastwards on piste through Remlia and Ouzina
to Merzouga. There are a small number of nomadic families still
living in this region – We continue onwards to the small town of
Merzouga, and spend 1 night in a small Hotel (H/B). Merzouga is
located at the southwestern end of Erg Chebbi – the largest sandsea in
Morocco.
Day 5
This morning we visit the small village of Khemliya to the south.
A small community whose roots are from the Sudan. They welcome
visitors with their music and traditional dances. After lunch – we
embark on our 2 day Camel Trek into Erg Chebbi – 1st night BIVOUAC
(H/B)
( The camel ride is about 2 hours each day)
Day 6
Sunrise and morning shots in the dunes, then after lunch continue
eastwards on our camel trek to our second small camp on the eastern side of Erg Chebbi – 2nd night BIVOUAC (H/B)
Day 7
After sunrise and breakfast we head out on foot, the short distance
to the Hamada (black stony desert to the East). Here we rendezvous
with vehicles our 4x4 vehicles and return to the town of Merzouga.
After freshening up back at the small Hotel, we’ll take lunch and then
leave Erg Chebbi behind. We head north to the town of Rissani and
then westwards to the small village of N’kob, on the south side of the
Jebel Sahro Mountains. 1st night Hotel Kasbah Imdoukal (H/B)
Day 8
Dawn shots from the Terrace of our hotel, wonderful views of the
village below and the mountains to our north. Today we drive up into
the Jebel Sahro Mountains on mountain piste. This fascinating range of
desert mountains, forming part of the Anti Atlas is a wondrous mixture
of granite and conglomerate ridges and boulders. The route takes us
through small villages to the region of Bab’n’Ali. Take our time
exploring this region on foot. Return to N’kob for sunset over the
mountains and our 2nd night at Hotel Kasbah Imdoukal (H/B)
Day 9
Head westwards through the small town of Agdz and re-trace our
route back across the Tiz’n’Tinififft Pass. Pass through Ouarzazate
and onto Ait Benhaddou. This fortified village once commanded the
trade routes that came up from the Sahara to cross the Atlas
Mountains. The silks and spices would have been taken on to Marrakech
and further north to the other imperial cities. We will arrive by
mid-late afternoon for sunset shots of the Kasbah. – 1 night Kasbah
Hotel Ait Benhaddou (H/B)
Day 10
After early morning shots and breakfast we make our way across the
Tiz’n’Ticka Pass. We drop down over the pass and wind our way into
the valleys beyond and onto Marrakech, this jewel at the foot of the
Atlas Mountains. We aim to arrive mid-afternoon time to catch the late
afternoon light. 1st night Riad/Hotel (B/B)
Day 11
A full day to enjoy this vibrant and delightful city. Once the
capital, it still bears witness today to the past splendour of its
fascinating history. A chance to explore the Medersa, minarets,
palaces and gardens, and soak up the infinite variety of aromas and
scents. Enjoy the uniqueness of the Jemaa El Fna, and experience the
delights of the markets and souks. – 2nd night Riad/Hotel (B/B)
Day 12
Depart for home
N.B. Flights
Royal Air Maroc fly daily from London, via Casablanca and into Ouarzazate.
They operate daily flights out of Marrakech back to London.
Links to Airlines
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