A compact, adventurous Morocco — Marrakech to the Sahara and back, cutting through the High Atlas. Drive the Tizi n'Tichka pass, walk the Todra Gorge, sleep in a Berber desert camp under Saharan stars, ride a camel at sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes, and return through Aït Benhaddou — the UNESCO kasbah that films like Gladiator made famous. Designed for travelers who want the desert without sacrificing the comfort of a private 4x4 and quality riads.
This is Morocco at 4,000 metres and 400 kilometres from anywhere. The Tizi n'Tichka pass cuts through the High Atlas at over 2,200m, the Todra Gorge is a 300-metre-deep canyon barely wide enough to walk through, and the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga rise 150 metres above the desert floor. You camp at the base of them in a Berber-style tent and wake up to sunrise over the Sahara.
This is not the Sahara most tourists see — you drive deep into the desert, past the tourist day-trip point, and sleep well beyond the crowds. The private 4x4 handles the off-road sections; the driver-guide is from the region and knows every landmark between Marrakech and the Algerian border.
Arrival: Land at Marrakech Menara Airport. Transfer to your riad in the medina.
Evening: Optional walk to Jemaa el-Fna. Early night before the long drive tomorrow.
Overnight: Marrakech.
Early Morning: Breakfast and departure. Drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m).
Late Morning: Stop at Aït Benhaddou — the UNESCO-listed kasbah used in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and dozens of other films. Guided walk through the ksar.
Afternoon: Continue through Ouarzazate (the "Hollywood of Africa") and the Valley of Roses. Arrive at Dades Valley.
Evening: Dinner at your hotel. Star-gazing from the terrace.
Overnight: Dades Valley.
Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Short drive to the Todra Gorge — a 300m-deep canyon where you can walk along the riverbed between sheer rock walls.
Midday: Continue to Merzouga (approx. 4 hours). Stop for lunch at a desert town along the way.
Late Afternoon: Arrive at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Camel trek into the desert as the sun sets.
Evening: Arrive at your luxury desert camp. Berber dinner around the fire with traditional music.
Overnight: Erg Chebbi desert camp.
Early Morning: Sunrise camel ride over the dunes. Breakfast at the camp.
Mid-Morning: Depart for Marrakech (approx. 9 hours including stops).
Afternoon: Long drive with stops for photos and lunch. Pass through Ouarzazate again.
Evening: Arrive in Marrakech. Check into your riad.
Overnight: Marrakech.
Full Day: Breakfast at riad. Full free day to explore Marrakech independently. Optional: hammam and massage, cooking class, or a visit to the Ourika Valley in the Atlas foothills.
Evening: Farewell dinner.
Overnight: Marrakech.
Morning: Breakfast at riad. Check out. Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport.
Farewell: Depart with sand still in your shoes. Bslama!
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Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Country: Morocco
Continent: Africa
Experiences: Adventure, Desert Safari, Mountain, Cultural Tour
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What our clients love about us.
"From the first interaction through a friend referral the service was excellent. Mike was wonderful and timely from airport pick up to drop off. The office staff were great. The tour planning and guidance came handy. Everyone I interacted with was very professional."
"This is an excellent guide and car service which we used in Nairobi and also on an overnight trip to the Homa Peninsula. They came highly recommended by an NGO that works in Kenya and we are glad we hired them. Mike was an exceptional driver on many different road conditions! We travelled in a comfortable Land Cruiser Prado to rural dirt paths and crazy urban traffic jams. He also was very knowledgable. It was reasonably priced and very flexible with our changing schedule."
"The trip was amazing had fun. The driver who is also a guide really helped. The hotel and crew were friendly. Highly recommend to anyone planning for a vacation"
"Being one of the staffs at Hike N Pic Tours and Safaris, i really thank the team for the time we have been together, the knowledge gained can't take it as a granted. I'm a tour guide/tour consultant staff whereby i prepare quotations for our customers, itineraries, air tickets and can offer guiding services when needed. The company also have several fleets that runs in the market with the help of our able captains. We also offer car-hire services. The teamwork for the whole staff is amazing."
"Upon Meeting our driver cum guide, it was a wonderful introduction session then being briefed of our safari. Of course it was amazing to learn more about animals and nature."
