Marrakech and Sahara 8 days – Private Tour

Following breakfast, we travel to Ouarzazate.  After lunch, there is a chance for either an optional tour of the film studios, famous for films such as Gladiator, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights, Quad biking or just explore Ouarzazate. Depending on time, it may be possible to do more than one of these optional activities. Overnight Ouarzazate (Breakfast & Dinner included).

Excitement is in the air as we head towards the mighty Saharan Dunes. En-route we stop off for lunch and in the summer, we may even have time for a relaxing swim. It is then time to head towards the great desert dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga where we transfer to our camels and trek in to the vast Sahara Desert in time for sunset. We then return to our authentic Berber Camp on the edge of the desert to spend the night enjoying local food, music and an amazing night out under the Saharan stars. Overnight Berber camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).

After a wonderful breakfast in the dunes, we leave the desert and stop along the way to visit ancient irrigation wells where you can see how they were created from an intricate network of underground canals running from the Atlas to the Sahara, more than 300km and dating back to the 14th Century. We move on to stunning Todra Gorge and have lunch at our hotel, set amongst the Palmeries and hemmed in by 300M high cliffs. We have time to explore the gorge after lunch or go for some optional rock climbing. We will visit Tizgui, one of the old villages of Todra and visit a local carpet cooperative where we learn how to make Moroccan tea and Berber rugs. Overnight Todra Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).

We have a leisurely departure from Todra this morning as we make our way to Ait Benhaddou. On the road, also known as the road of a thousand Kasbahs, we will stop at Kasbah Amridil. This is one of the best Kasbah examples in Morocco and once featured on the Moroccan 50 Dirham bank note. We arrive at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in time for lunch. We will take a guided tour of Ait Benhaddou in the afternoon, a traditional pre-Saharan habitat of an earthen walled dwelling fortified by surrounding walls and guarded by 4 corner towers. This evening, we will enjoy dinner and soak up the atmosphere of this inspiring place. Overnight Ait Benhaddou (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included).

We will depart this morning traversing the mighty and impressive High Atlas Mountains en-route to Marrakech. You can enjoy a free afternoon by the pool in Marrakech, experience the hustle and bustle of the Medina, eat in Djemaa el Fma square, shop, visit Jardin Majorelle, or if you prefer a quieter time, relax with a hammam spa at the hotel. An optional cooking class can take place this evening on a family home visit. This is a mutual exchange where we learn how to cook a tagine and about family life in Morocco and our cooking class cost helps the family out too. Overnight Marrakech (Breakfast included).

There is time today to book a sunrise hot air balloon ride before breakfast followed by an optional morning guided city tour of Marrakech which takes approximately 3 hours and includes the Medina and souks, a pharmacy visit, and a walk around the Koutoubia Mosque. Bahia Palace entry is extra. Or explore the sights for yourself and soak up the incredible atmosphere on your last free afternoon.

This evening, we have our final group meal in the Djemaa El Fna, the legendary main square full of acrobats, snake charmers, juice sellers and various open-air restaurants.

Overnight Marrakech (Breakfast & Dinner).

Your adventure tour ends after breakfast and it is time to say goodbye. (Breakfast included).