Overview
Would you like to discover the Moroccan desert? Don’t hesitate to contact our Marrakech excursions agency for a multi-day trip to the Merzouga dunes. You’ll experience the stunning dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) along with other remarkable regions in the Atlas Mountains and the southern parts of Morocco.
Highlights
- Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi-n-Tichka – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley
- Day 2: Dades Gorges – Tinejdad – Erfoud – Merzouga
- Day 3: Merzouga – Marrakech
Itinerary
At 7:00 AM, we depart from your hotel towards Ouarzazate, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260m above sea level). You'll witness contrasting landscapes as we descend through several Berber villages. We’ll stop for lunch and visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch, we continue our journey through the city of Ouarzazate with its beautiful kasbah, then head towards the Dades Valley and the Dades Gorges, passing through rocky desert terrain, the Skoura palm grove, and the Valley of Roses.
After breakfast, enjoy a stroll through the Dades Gorges. We will then continue our journey toward the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, the Merzouga dunes. From there, mount your camels for a trek through the dunes, admiring the sunset along the way. You will spend the night in Sahraoui tents at “Les Dunes,” with dinner and accommodation provided.
Return early to enjoy the final moments in the sand as the sun rises in a Sahraoui setting atop your camels, before heading back to Marrakech, arriving around 7:00 PM.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech.
- Transport in a modern, air-conditioned minibus (17 seats) or (7 seats).
- Guided tour at Ait Ben Haddou (2€ per person, to be paid on-site).
- Overnight stay in tents with dinner and breakfast.
- Camel ride in Erg Chebbi to observe the sunset and sunrise.
- Accommodation in the camp at Erg Chebbi, with dinner and breakfast included.
- Half-board.
- Private room (at the Dades hotel) and private tent (in the camp).
- English- and French-speaking guide/driver.
The Cost Excludes
- Tickets
- Meals and drinks
- Tips for the driver and personal expenses
- Your travel and medical insurance
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.