5 Days Tour in Morocco – Sahara Desert

HELLO TRAVELERS! 

Here I share some information about my trip to Morroco, a country located in the north of Africa, specially known about its amazing landscapes (which includes Desert, Oasis, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and lots of beautiful Mountains), spices and Berbere culture.

HOW TO GET IN MOROCCO 

If you are leaving from any of the Americas probably the best way to get there is making a quick (or not) stop in Europe.

I took the chance when I was traveling in Spain, as it is one of the nearest European countries to Morocco (distance around 760km – 472miles). Other good country to combine in your trip to Morocco is Portugal (distance around 558 km – 347miles).

To get there I decided to take a flight from Barcelona to Marrakesh.

Another option to get in Morocco is to take a ferry from Gibraltar, a British Territory located at the southern edge of Spain/Iberian Peninsula.

TOUR 

I looked up some information about guided tours, and I am glad that I found Al Desierto con Omar, the responsible for the best experience I could ever had in Morocco! Al Desierto con Omar have different kinds of tours, so it can fits in the period you saved for your trip.

I share below the 5 Days Sahara Desert Tour:

Day 1 – Marrakesh to Dades Gorge

Road trip starts. Departure from Marrakesh Menara Airport to Tizi n’Tichka, a mountain pass in Morocco located at 2.260 meters (7,415 ft) above sea level, that links the south-east of Marrakech to Ouarzazate.

Through the way you can watch the beauties of the High Atlas Mountains, Oasis and kasbahs. We also made a quick stop to enjoy the view of Tizi n’Tichka and drink the traditional Berber Tea.

By the end of the day our tour group arrived at Auberge Kasbah Tifawen, which has good accommodation, wifi, nice restaurant with typical food. After dinner they also offered a nice African music experience.

Day 2 – Dades Gorges to Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

As I arrived in Auberge Kasbah Tifawen by night, I had no idea that the accommodation had such a breath taking view. So the second day started with this nice landscape surprise, and I had the best time having breakfast and enjoying the Oasis view.

After breakfast, we hit the road again in direction to Todra Gorge, a beautiful canyon on the east side of the High Atlas Mountains. The mountain goes up to 160 m/(525 ft) above the road and the river in the Gorge.

The road trip continues heading to the final destination: Merzouga, a berber village in Sahara Desert, where you can take a camel safari into the dunes.

In the way to Sahara Desert, we went through Tinghir, one of the widest palm grove in Morocco, and stopped in little tents to buy the famous berber scarf and  to learn how to wrap Berber Nomad turban in the Desert.

Once the group got into the desert tents, we were welcomed with an amazing dinner, wine, Berber music around bonfire and stars. The tents were new, wide, clean and included hot water shower and toilet.

Day 3 – Merzouga – Valle de Draa – Ouarzazate

We started the third day leaving Sahara Desert in a 4×4 Off Road Sand Dune Driving. Our next stop was in Rissani, economic capital of Morocco and first imperial city of the country. Of all cities I have been in Morocco, Rissani was the one where the muslim culture was really highlighted. Very few women out of their houses and all of them dressed with burkas.

The nicest thing about Rissani was the spice’s market, where I had the opportunity to learn about Moroccan Spices and taste new flavors.

On sunset, we made a quick stop on the road, where the guide gave us the sweetest melon to eat while the group appreciated the Mountain’s view in Zagora.

Day 4 – Ouarzazate – Ait ben Haddou – Marrakesh

Early in the morning we visited the ksar (group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls) of Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province. Gladiator, Aladin, Alexander, and Game of Thrones are some of the movies/series shot in this fortified village [you can see the list of all movies here].

After feeling like Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons in the set of the second city of the Slaver’s Bay [GOT reference] we took the road back to Marrakesh.

I got in Marrakesh near sunset, so I quick left my luggage on the hotel and went to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square of Marraquesh, in the medina quarter, where you can find snake charmers, belly dancers, magicians, monkeys, shops…

The cities I went before Marrakesh and the desert were really peaceful, so it was a little bit shocking going right through Jemaa el-Fnaa [the most busy and crowded place in Marraquesh] without taking some minutes to get oriented in the city.  It was worth though, I had a great time enjoying the sunset with really good food and juices, watching all the movement in square.

Dia 05 – Marrakesh

In my last day in Morocco I took a walk through Marraquesh, passing by Medina, Palais de La Bahia, Palais el Badii and others tourists attraction.

I also saved a time to try a original shawarma and bargain in the souks (arab marketplace), where you can find everything: purses, shoes, carpets, scarves, tea pots…

Another places to visit are Le Jardin Secret, House of Photography in Marraquesh, Tombeaux Saadiens, Le Jardin Secret, Yves Saint Laurent Museum…

This 5 day trip had an amazing cost-benefit! And if you are planning to travel soon and want to take the best of you are trip in the meaning of time and money you may like the post Best travel apps!

Let me know if there is anything that I can help you 🙂

Have a safe trip