Marrakech & the Sahara
Marrakech & the Sahara
Marrakech & the Sahara
8 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, Zagora
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AMS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the grandeur of the Sahara on a journey that takes us from Marrakech and across the High Atlas Mountains. En route, explore the historic ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou, before a camel trek and night under a thousand stars at a camp in the Sahara. On our return to the city, we stop in the remote mountain village of Tighza to enjoy a peaceful walk and authentic hammam. Finally, there is time to explore Marrakech, one of the great cities of the Arabic world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Akabar Hotel (or similar)
The adventure begins at our hotel in Marrakech. We have a welcome briefing this evening, in which we gather as a group for the first time and meet our tour leader. If you have time beforehand, there’s a pool at the hotel for a post-flight dip, or you could catch a five-minute taxi to Djemaa El Fna, the central square, where you can explore the souks and watch the world pass from a cafe.Accommodation: Hôtel Palais Al Bahja (or similar)
Day 2 : Across The High Atlas To Ait Benhaddou
Location: Atlas Mountains
Accommodation Name: Rose du Sable (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With time to explore Marrakech at the end of our adventure, we leave the Red City and head into the Atlas Mountains. Our destination for the day is the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular landmarks in the Atlas and the filming location for several Hollywood movies, including Gladiator (2000). Our route takes us over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest in Morocco, and we arrive mid-afternoon.We then join our tour leader for a tour of the ksar, navigating the maze of alleys as we make our way to a hilltop granary, where we can enjoy views back over the site and to the Atlas Mountains. We then return to our hotel for dinner.Accommodation: Rose du Sable (or similar)Drive time: Four hours
Day 3 : Hike Through Todgha Gorge; Lunch With A Local Family
Location: Sahara Desert
Accommodation Name: Camp Chez Le Pacha (full-service camping)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Ait Benhaddou after breakfast, we travel through Ouarzazate, nicknamed the door to the desert because it used to be a crossing point for African traders on their way to Europe. It is now home to the Atlas Film Studios, the setting for many Hollywood films and Game of Thrones.We then carry on to Todgha Gorge, a spectacular river canyon with towering limestone walls. Here, our tour leader takes us on a 1hr 30ming walk and we join a food-loving family at their home for lunch.Accommodation: Hotel Kasbah Taborihte (or similar)Drive time: Three to four hours
Day 4 : Camel Trek Into The Sahara; Night At A Bedouin Camp
Location: Zagora
Accommodation Name: Hotel Chez le Pacha (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We journey to the largest hot desert on Earth after breakfast. Upon arrival, we explore the dunes and desert landscape on a one-hour camel trek with expert handlers showing us the ropes and guiding our convoy.The trek ends at our desert camp, where we are sleep on beds in Amazigh-style tents. Surrounded by silence and millions of stars, we can appreciate the immensity of the desert and enjoy dinner in the communal dining tent.Please note: You need to pack an overnight bag for the Sahara – your remaining luggage stays with the vehicle.Accommodation: Yasmina Chebbi camp (full-service camping)Drive time: 4hr 30min
Day 5 : Transfer To Zagora; Optional Walk In The Draa Valley
Location: Atlas Mountains
Accommodation Name: Tighza gite (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We wake in the desert silence. Rise early to climb a nearby dune and catch sunrise from the top, a magical experience. After breakfast, we return to our vehicle and drive to Zagora, a town in the Draa Valley.After a night in the desert, you might like to relax in the hotel gardens or take a dip in the pool. Later in the afternoon, we can take an optional walk into the valley and around this famous desert outpost.Accommodation: Hotel Chez Ali (or similar)Drive time: Four hours
Day 6 : Walk To Tighza In The Atlas Mountains
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Akabar Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we travel west through the Draa Valley to join the Ounila Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. We then leave our vehicle for a hike with short, steep inclines, which takes us through a series of small mountain villages. After about 1hr 30min, we arrive at our gite (a simple inn) in the village of Tighza, where we spend the night.From the terrace, you can look down into the valley and watch the sun set over the mountains. It is a peaceful retreat and provides the opportunity to meet local villagers and share their way of life.In the evening, we visit the village hammam, built with money raised by our groups. This is a truly authentic experience. It is very much a traditional hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. Please don’t expect a spa treatment. A standard treatment is included, but you need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 Moroccan dirham (US$2) and pay a customary tip of 20 dirham. We return to the gite for our dinner in the mountains.Accommodation: Tighza giteDrive time: 4hr 30min
Day 7 : Explore Marrakech: Djemaa El Fna, Bahia Palace And Souks
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation Name: Akabar Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
There is time to relax on the terrace this morning, enjoying wonderful views across the fertile Tighza Valley.Alternatively, we offer an optional three-hour trek through the villages of this remote area, passing fields cultivated by the Amazigh women, with the peaks of the High Atlas as a beautiful backdrop.We leave the gite after lunch, making the scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech, with some stunning scenery along the way.In the afternoon, we have a walking tour to see the spectacular sites of Marrakech. Our city guide leads us to the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs, which date to the 16th century. We see the outside of the Koutoubia, the largest mosque in Marrakech. We continue through the labyrinthine of souks where you can barter for souvenirs.We can then have dinner together in a restaurant overlooking the square. Alternatively, you may prefer to head off on your own today and take a calèche (horse-drawn carriage) to Yves St Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens.Accommodation: Hôtel Palais Al Bahja (or similar)Drive time: 5hr 30min
Day 8 : End Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our journey comes to an end after breakfast. Hop into your free transfer to Marrakech Airport to catch your flight. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the Red City.
What's Included
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All breakfasts and three dinners
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All accommodation
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Tour leader throughout
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Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
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Single supplements
Food
The included meals are listed on the day-to-day itinerary.
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices.
Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
Dinners:
In cities: 80-200 dirhams (US$8-US$19)
In small towns and villages: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10)
Drinks in restaurants
Soft drinks: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$1.90)
Beer: 30-50 dirham (US$2.85-US$5)
Wine: 150 dirham (US$14) and more
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian cous cous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements, you should inform us prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (eg coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.
Accommodation
On this Moroccan adventure, we spend five nights in hotels, one night in a gite and one night in a Sahara camp. The normal accommodations used are on the day-to-day itinerary.
However, the highlight for many is our night in the Sahara, where we can stargaze and spot shooting stars. Distractions are few, which allows everyone to share, what is for many, a bucket-list experience.
We also spend one night in a mountain gite, the name for modest rural accommodation (like a refuge or hostel) in Morocco. Here, we receive a lovely welcome from our hosts, who bring us tea as we sit on the terrace taking in countryside views. Our rooms are basic and sparse, and you could be sharing with other group members depending on room availability; however, the spectacular location and chance to spend a night in a traditional village is reason enough to visit.
Worth knowing
There are shared bathroom facilities at the Sahara camp and mountain gite.
Single supplement not available in the desert camp or mountain gite.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
During the tour, you will stay in a mix of accommodations including five nights in hotels, one night in a mountain gite, and one night in a Sahara camp. The gite is a modest rural accommodation where you may share rooms with other group members, and both the Sahara camp and the gite have shared bathroom facilities.
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Will there be any opportunities for stargazing during the tour?
Yes, there will be an opportunity for stargazing during your night at the Sahara camp. The camp is located in a remote area with minimal light pollution, providing a perfect setting to observe the stars and possibly see shooting stars.
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What is the camel trekking experience like on this tour?
The camel trekking experience involves a one and a half hour camel ride into the Sahara Desert, where you will spend the night at a Bedouin camp. The trek allows you to appreciate the vastness and silence of the desert.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes cultural experiences such as visiting the ksar of Ait Benhaddou, exploring the souks of Marrakech, and visiting a traditional hammam in the village of Tighza, where you can interact with local villagers.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes all breakfasts and three dinners. Meals are typically Moroccan, with breakfasts consisting of bread and jam with coffee or tea.
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Is there a specific dress code or items I should bring for the hammam visit?
For the hammam visit, you will need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 Moroccan dirham (approximately US$2) and pay a customary tip of 20 dirham. It is a traditional hammam experience, so it is advisable to dress modestly and be prepared for a communal setting.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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