Marrakesh

Sahara Camel Trekking Kingdom of sand and wind, the desert is a fabulous meeting place. An unforgettable experience, its power and infinite beauty take us somewhere deep within us ,opening us to all our surroundings, whether we are just passing through or staying. In the Sahara in southeastern Morocco, there is a village called el M'Hamid Ghizlane, which is 470km far from Marrakech. The paved road ends here! Like the time! It is here that our caravan starts. We borrow the bed of the Oued Draa and walk along the palm before entering the desert. Our secret hope to reach this distant line where sky and earth merge ... The stones of the hamada cry under our feet. The sun loves us a little more from hour to hour. We stop under a tamarisk tree planted in the middle of nowhere! Just the time to understand that one orange becomes the most precious on earth. The key is slowly replacing the superfluous, so that when we reach the sea of sand, we are ready, finally, to hear the silence ... As an echo of the starlight. Bread, sand and hot tea, we give the second breath needed to offer our bodies to dance before sleep, friend, convince us to follow up tomorrow ... SAMPLE CAMEL TREK TOURS from 1 night or 3 – to 6 days starting from Mhamid :   What you need to know for your Sahara Camel treks: Here is a checklist of things you need to know and things you will need to bring or buy for the trek:   The Treks • The Sahara camel treks run from October to April. • Please allow 1 day for travel to reach the desert from the start point and 1 day to return. • All our camel tours are full board and based on bivouac tents for two people. Tents and bedding with plenty of blankets are provided. • Daily trekking time is approximately five or six hours with plenty of rest stops and a long break for lunch in the shade.   What to Wear A long cotton scarf to wrap around your head is recommended if it is windy and the sand is blowing. You can buy a traditional Moroccan scarf for about 50-100 dirhams (depending on size) They do a great job keeping sand out of your hair, nose and eyes. It is more comfortable to wear longer pants when riding on camels. Between November and April, the desert can be very cold at night, so bring warm clothing for this time of year: sweater and jacket, hat and gloves; and in December, January and February particularly, you'll also need warm socks, long pants and a warm coat.   What to bring Make sure your bag is lightweight, tough and resistant; your main bag will be carried by camel. You will also need a smaller backpack for your daily trekking needs: Lightweight breathable T-shirts and shirts with long sleeves (to avoid sunburn). Lightweight pants

Day 1: Marrakech to Skoura Palm grove. 215 km around 4 hours driving . Leave Marrakech after early breakfast. Drive from Marrakech to Skoura Valley. Traverse the High Atlas mountains via the highest main road pass in Morocco, at 2260m altitude, offering stunning views and exhilarating driving. The route passes lush valleys & traditional adobe Berber villages by the road-side. to reach Ait Ben Haddou. Ait Ben Haddou is essentially a living museum, comprising numerous ksar (series of earth dwellings) and has been used as the backdrop in many international films. After lunch and visit to the Kasbah we continue to Ouarzazate where you can stop, for visit the kasabh of Taourirt or take photos . Finally you will be taken to the palm grove of Skoura, about 20 kilometers from Ouarzazate, to a charming guest house with pool where you will dine in bio-aromatic gardens. DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Marrakech, Morocco THEME Sahara & Kasabh Destinations Chegaga Desert Physical rating 2/5 STYLE Original AGES Min 4 GROUP SIZE Min 1 - Max 16 TRIP CODE 1A5A INCLUSION Meals 4 Breakfast 0 Lunches 4 Dinners ACCOMODATION Hotel/Riad (1 night) Camp (1 night) TransportTravelling in an air- conditioned vehicle with an English speaking experienced guide/driver.

Day 1: Marrakech Airport Arib will meet you at the airport in Marrakech , and welcome you to Morocco. Transfer to your nice Riad in the Medina and rest or small tour around , night and dinner in the Riad . Day 2:Marrakech to Skoura Palm grove. 215 km around 4 hours driving . We pick you up at your Riad at 9:00am and travel towards the High Atlas Mountains. Cross the mountains via the highest road pass in Morocco Tizi n Tichka (2270m) which offers a spectacular scenery of mountains, valleys and Berber villages We then visit the extraordinary sight of the Atlas Mountains Kasbah Telouet; the crumbling Kasbah belonged to the powerful Glaoui tribe remembered as the "vulture" sultan and his son who lived there until the 1950's. Then we Continue through the Road of the Caravans via the Ounila Valley which offers unparalleled views of green valleys, river and remarkable colored slopes and hillsides. On your tour we also visit the amazing UNESCO protected 16th century sight of Kasbah Ait BenHaddou; take a walk , where you can stroll the winding streets of the Kasbah to the upper level for awe inspiring views. After the visit to the Kasbah we continue to Ouarzazate where you can stop, for visit the kasabh of Taourirt or take photos . Finally you will be taken to the palm grove of Skoura, about 20 kilometers from Ouarzazate, to a charming guest house with pool where you will dine in bio-aromatic gardens. DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Marrakech, Morocco THEME Beaches & Sahara Destinations Chegaga Desert Physical rating 2/5 STYLE Original AGES Min 4 GROUP SIZE Min 1 - Max 16 TRIP CODE 1A6A INCLUSION Meals 11 Breakfast 0 Lunches 11 Dinners ACCOMODATION Hotel/Riad (1 night) Camp (1 night) TransportTravelling in an air- conditioned vehicle with an English speaking experienced guide/driver.

Leave the vibrant city of Marrakech and drive through lush vegetation, olive and orange trees, orchards and through genuine villages. The scenery is completely different off the beaten tracks or on the road, - barren light brown plateaux, a true stone desert. The locals call it Agafay desert: it well could be Sahara as well, because of the feeling of loneliness you can experience there. For all those who haven't got enough time in Morocco to go for a Sahara tour, all the way south then the Agafay desert is an excellent alternative. The Agafay desert is not a sand desert - but more sandstone and earthen plateau. You will discover, traditional earth-built villages, dusty riverbeds are interspersed with spectacular sumptuous pasture and vegetation in springtime. There we can appreciate a tea with the locals and experience trekking by camel. ITINERARY The team will collect you at your riad / hotel in Marrakech. There is less than one-hour drive to reach the stony Agafay desert. There, your camels will be waiting for you to make a lovely ride around an amazing landscape in order to reach your final destination: a gorgeous panorama where you will have the chance to stop for tea with locals and enjoy the sunset from there. Distance 40 km DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Marrakech DEPARTURE TIME Start at 4pm. - Finish at 7/8pm Duration 4 Hours INCLUDED Travelling in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking experienced guide/driver. Camel ride in the Agafay desert for about 1 hours more or less Tea at the local tents in the Agafay desert NOT INCLUDED Dinner Quad Tips

Dates and tour destinations are flexible. Join part of it or extend it for few more days. Day 1: Casablanca – Rabat (90 km - 1 hour) or pick up in Marrakech We will meet you at the airport in Casablanca, and welcome you to Morocco. There is much to see in Casablanca. But our first stop will be the outside of the Great Mosque of Hassan II, which was started in 1963 and inaugurated in 1993. It is a truly magnificent building built partly on land and partly on a rocky promontory and it is one of the largest mosques in the world. From the mosque's grounds, you can also see the el Hank Lighthouse sitting on its little island about a mile out to sea. You will also see the old town and Port in the Anfa district and stroll down the famous Boulevard de la Corniche, with its many restaurants, cafés, and luxury hotels. We will visit the United Nations square and the massive Mohammed V Square with its central fountain and thousands of pigeons and gulls in fierce competition for bread and couscous! And then make our way to Rabat, an hour's drive away, where we will stay for the night. DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Casablanca, Morocco THEME Morocco Experience Destinations Casablanca Physical rating 2/5 STYLE Original AGES Min 4 GROUP SIZE Min 1 - Max 16 TRIP CODE 11A10A INCLUSION Meals 13 Breakfast 0 Lunches 13 Dinners ACCOMODATION Hotel/Riad (12 night) Camp (1 night) TransportTravelling in an air- conditioned vehicle with an English speaking experienced guide/driver.