An unforgettable two-day adventure across both the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas Mountains to reach Erg Lihoudi, the “Moroccan Sahara” - ride a camel across the dunes and spend a night in a Berber tent under the stars
Drive across both the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas Mountains to reach Erg Lihoudi, the “Moroccan Sahara”, ride a camel across the sand dunes and spend a night in a Berber tent under the stars. This is an unforgettable two-day desert adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of spending the night in the “Moroccan Sahara”. With the air so crisp, clean and clear, and the stars so close that you feel you could almost touch them, the silence is almost overwhelming.
Morocco
Erg Chigaga (M’Hamid)
Duration
2 days
& Culture Tour
Leisurely
Intro to Erg Lihoudi Desert Trip
Drive across both the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas Mountains to reach Erg Lihoudi, the “Moroccan Sahara”, ride a camel across the sand dunes and spend a night in a Berber tent under the stars
This is an unforgettable two-day desert adventure with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of spending the night in the “Moroccan Sahara”. With the air so crisp, clean and clear, and the stars so close that you feel you could almost touch them, the silence is almost overwhelming. Ride a camel across the dunes, watch a breath-taking sunset, spend a night at our camp in a Berber tent, and then watch the sun rise again over the dunes the following morning.
Even more than this, on the way to the desert you will cross over the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, the highest motorable road in Morocco, taking you over the High Atlas Mountains, and visit Kasbah Taourirte, the largest kasbah in Morocco.
On the return, you will visit Tamgroute, famous for its Koranic school, old library and potters’ quarter, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross the High Atlas via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit Kasbah Taourirte, the largest kasbah in Morocco
- Experience a camel ride on Erg Lihoudi
- Sleep under the stars in the “Moroccan Sahara”
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Ouarzazate – Erg Lihoudi – Tamgroute – Draa Valley – Aït Benhaddou – Ounila Valley – Marrakech
KEY INFORMATION
- Pick-up from your Marrakech accommodation on Day 1 at 7.00am
- You can start your tour on any date you wish
- This trek is available throughout the year
- Blankets provided at the desert camp, although you may bring your own sleeping bag if you prefer
- If this itinerary is not exactly what you had in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Full escort: our tours are fully escorted by an English-speaking driver and by a guide for your camel trek
- Meals: dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2
- Accommodation: 1 night at a desert camp
- Transport: a modern, air-conditioned minibus or 4×4 vehicle with a professional driver
- Activity: guided camel ride
- Provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour and facts about the country
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips
- Soft drinks and items of a personal nature
Best Season
January to December
PRICES
Trek only
Including Add-ons
BESPOKE
BESPOKE
Maximum group size – 12
Bespoke, private tours: Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
DAY 1
Drive from Marrakech to M’Hamid via Ouarzazate and Zagora
Your driver will collect you from your accommodation in Marrakech and drive you over the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass, the highest motorable road in Morocco, taking you across the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate.
Once in Ouarzazate you will stop to visit Kasbah Taourirte, the largest kasbah in Morocco, before continuing your journey over the Anti-Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tiniffift and along the Draa Valley to reach the desert town of Zagora.
Before sunset, you will arrive at Erg Lihoudi, just outside M’Hamid and ride your camel across the sands in time to see a beautiful sunset over the dunes. Spend the night on the dunes in a desert Berber tent.
DAY 2
Drive from M’Hamid to Marrakech via Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou and Ounila Valley
After enjoying a wonderful sunrise and with breakfast at the foot of the dunes of Erg Lihoudi, we depart for the village of Tamgroute, famous for its Koranic school, old library and potters’ quarter. Afterwards, we drive back along the Draa Valley, studded with kasbahs and lined with beautiful date palms and fields of henna.
After crossing back over the Anti-Atlas Mountains, we drive up to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou. This traditional fortified settlement (or ksar), is surrounded by high walls and impressive corner towers, and is the best-preserved example of a ksar in Morocco.
Next, we drive along the verdant Ounila Valley, the historic route followed by caravan trains arriving from as far away as sub-Saharan Africa. Lined by imposing sandstone cliffs and barren hillsides, the valley is peppered with traditional, pise-constructed houses and crumbling kasbahs.
Finally, we head back over the High Atlas Mountains and return to your accommodation in Marrakesh.
Erg Lihoudi Desert Trip
With add-ons
Our Erg Lihoudi Desert Trip is also available with add-ons which include:
- Airport pick-up upon arrival and transfer to a riad in the medina of Marrakech
- 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a riad in Marrakech before your trek
- 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in a riad in Marrakech at the end of your trek
- Transfer back to the airport for your departure from Morocco
- All transfers are taken in a modern, air-conditioned minibus or 4×4 vehicle with professional driver.
