Sahara with Desert Nomads

Camel Riding Adventure (ref. 03z)

Summary

Off the beaten track; three days in the saddle - get away from it all and slow down.

START / FINISH - Marrakech.

Activity code: Nomads - 03z

Duration: 3 Days

The Sahara feels like such a distant image from Marrakech but with Rediscover the World's Sahara adventures a visit to the real desert in Morocco's deep south is possible. The nearest section of the Sahara is just a little south of Zagora and it is in this region that you would visit on this extended meharee of three days. Slow your pace, get away from the crowds, experience the nomadic life for a few days in the southern region of Morocco. This itinerary is the only one with multiple days riding on camels and visits places not included elsewhere.

What's the journey like?

From your hotel or riad in Marrakech your journey will begin across the Glaoua Plains and up via the winding road over the High Atlas Mountains through the Tichka Pass at 2260m. From this high point you will see the dramatic changes in the countryside - from high mountain ranges to semi-desert and oases. Along the way you will stop at the magnificently exotic kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site; here Hollywood has shot many of its films, including “Lawrence of Arabia” and "Gladiator". Continuing further south you will pass through Ouarzazate and then down the beautiful Drâa Valley to the small oasis town of Zagora.

Where will you stay?

Your first night is in genuine nomad tents, hosted by a local Bedouin family; the second night is at the Authetic Erg Tizi camp with all the facilities - Importantly, neither accommodation on this trip is "deluxe" but it will be clean and safe. The sunsets and sunrises in the rarefied air of the desert can simply take your breath away, the nights may be spent in our carpeted, nomadic tents or out in the open under an awesome canopy of the starlit heavens.

Important Information

All travel to and from the desert is by air-conditioned, 4WD vehicle, most meals and sightseeing are included and, crucially, there are multiple meharees (camel rides) into the desert with overnight stays in traditional Bedouin tents in beautiful and peaceful settings. All our desert trips are based on including private transfers from Marrakech; please contact us to arrange accommodation - we are experts for small hotels and riads across Morocco.

We recommend you bring the following: day pack (for camera, water bottles, hat, etc.); windcheater (seasonal), broad-brimmed hat (or you may purchase a 'Cheche' before you set out from Zagora); personal toiletries and towel; hygienic wipes (and/or gel); small First Aid kit; head torch with batteries; filled water bottle(s); sunscreen, sunglasses; nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred. Extra toilet rolls could come in handy! For those who wear contact lenses, perhaps it would be a good idea to bring along a spare pair of glasses.

Clothing: Comfortable clothes for travelling, loose clothing for the camel ride and warmer layers for the colder desert nights.

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Prices from £637 per person

  • Supplement for Deluxe Tizi Camp on Day 2: £ 57 per person

What does your Desert Adventure include ?

  • Transport throughout by air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • English-speaking driver & guides
  • Experienced chamellier & trained dromedary throughout
  • Lunches on all three days
  • Dinners & breakfasts at desert camps
  • Bedouin tents on day 1
  • Desert camp on day 2
  • Camel meharees on all three days
  • Variety of activities and tasks with Bedouin family on days 1 & 2
  • visit of Ouarzazate and the Ksour at Ait Ben Haddou.
  • All local taxes
  • 24hr local representative services

Itinerary

Rendez-vous with your driver and depart in an air-conditioned 4WD across the plains, up into the High Atlas and through the Tichka Pass. Visit the Kasbahs of Tamdakhte and Ait Ben Haddou en route to Ouarzazate where a tasty lunch will be served. Afterwards, head up and over the lunar landscape of the Tizi n'Tinififft and into the Draa Valley with its wide-open vistas and palmeraies to  reach the village of Agdz. At Tansikht your driver will take you off-road for the final leg of the journey. Meet with our camel drovers near Zagora and depart on a 2 hour meharee to the home of a nomadic family, a real cultural discovery!

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Evening of Day 1 - once you have been welcomed into the nomad camp you will be encouraged to assist the family with some of their daily tasks, like preparing the evening meal, to really discover their way of life; this will also include sleeping at home in the tents according to their tradition. 

Day 2 - after observing a truly wonderful sunrise you will have breakfast prior to participating in some of the daily activities of your host family, such as fetching water and feeding cattle or collecting wood. Enjoy lunch before mounting your camels once more for a 2-3 hour ride accross the plateau behind Jebel Bani to arrive at the authentic Tizi camp in the late afternoon.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Evening of Day 2 - after your incredible and fascinating time with the nomads it is time for a night in a charming desert camp, where a hot shower is guaranteed. Tonight you will have the opportunity to admire the sunset on the great dune before spending the evening chatting with the chameliers by the campfire with music.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, a small 30 minutes camel ride and then rejoin your driver for the journey back up the Draa Valley, stopping at Agdz, continuing to Ouarzazate via Tizi n'Tinififft with lunch en route.  In the late afternoon you will continue your journey across the High Atlas at the Tizi N'Tichka to Marrakech.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

End of tour on arrival in Marrakech in the early evening of Day 3.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Trusted Service

  • ATOL cover for flight inclusive holidays.
  • One of us at Rediscover the World is very likely to have visited the hotels and travelled along the routes on your itinerary.
  • Dynamic, comprehensive travel app with all your documents, maps and much more.
  • Full financial protection for your holiday (TTA).

Why book Sahara trips with us ?

  • Transport throughout by air-conditioned 4WD with English-speaking driver.
  • Extended duration camel ride with experienced chamellier & trained dromedary.
  • Overnight in deluxe Bedouin tents (with proper beds) in a beautiful and peaceful setting.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.