6 DAYS: THE HIGH ATLAS & THE SAHARA AT CHEGAGA

Marrakesh is an exciting, exotic city, full of colour and with non-stop activity. To spend some time in the centre of Marrakesh, in and around the Medina and the old city walls, provides interest at every turn. It is here that cultural contrasts are most evident, great visual and mental stimuli. Some hours spent here offer memorable sights and experiences.

Options include Jemaa el Fna Square (a lively entertainment square), the Medina and its Souks, a Traditional Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque (outside only for non Muslims), Medersa Ben Youssef (Koranic School), Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace. All easily reached on foot. You are led by an official City Guide.

The Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren) is about 30 minutes walking from the Medina (optional; let us know if you wish this to be included).

An enjoyable experience is a Caliche trip, a horse drawn carriage tour around central Marrakech (optional; let us know if you wish this to be included).

Overnight in Marrakech

NOTE: Being a bespoke, tailor made, private tour, you will have your own private transport and driver (English speaking – other languages by request) throughout your travelling tour.

The High Atlas contains dramatic mountain scenery on a grand scale. Only an hour's drive south from Marrakech, you enter their foothills. High peaks and deep, water cut valleys abound. Look out for Toubkal, the highest peak (4,167m). The mountains are home to the Berbers, who live in this beautiful but challenging land. Their villages cling on to steep mountain slopes. Aït Benhaddou kasbah, by contrast, was once a chief & stronghold, a most impressive structure.

Near the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m) there are great panoramic views over the mountains as well as the snaking N9 road. Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco (dating from the 11th century) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important part of the ancient trade route over the High Atlas between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara. Berber life is fascinating; on the upper slopes sheep and goats graze whilst, near the valley floors, the terraced fields show lush green as the river water irrigates the grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Overnight in Ouarzazate

Travelling over the Tizi-n-Tinififft Pass (1,660m) in the Anti Atlas and entering the Draâ River valley, the contrast between barren and fertile land could not be more dramatic. From bare, rocky mountains to fertile river soils is a complete colour change! The Draâ is famous for its date palmeries, a very high-value crop. Beneath the palms, small plots are intensely cultivated. The importance of the River Draâ’s waters can not be over-stated. A grand vantage point is gained to view the dense, rich palmeries that cover the river valley’s floor.

Onwards to Zagora, an impressively prosperous small city, much of its wealth based on the date palmerties just passed. Leaving Zagora, a visit is taken to Tamangroute. This small Saharan town is famous for its "sub-terranean" homes, homes built very close together so as to provide shaded passageways between the homes to guard against the strong tropical sun. The renowned Islamic Library can be visited here too. The Islamic Library contains many ancient texts, many on hide as well as on vellum e.g. a 15th century Egyptian book of illustrated astronomy, a book of medicine and a Quran written on gazelle-hide from the 11th century. Tamangroute is also renowned for its unique pottery glaze, a rich green. A visit is made to the potters’ area to see the clay being prepared, turned with great talent, glazed and finally kiln fired.

Soon you are then in the Sahara at Chegaga's extensive sand of sea; time to take a camel ride to your Bedouin Camp for overnight. How much more exciting can it get! Chegaga is a vast area of sand dunes forming a great sand sea (an erg), the largest in Morocco’s Sahara. These sand dunes are migrating with the wind and can pose a challenge to the Bedouin. Only camels and 4 x 4 vehicles can access Chegaga.

A camel ride (included) can be taken from your Bedouin Camp to a high sand dune to watch the glory of the sunset; riding back to camp is particularly atmospheric as quickly the sky turns an inky dark blue and the myriad of stars begin to appear.

After your evening meal, traditional drumming can be enjoyed, often round a campfire and under a myriad of stars. It doesn’t get much more exotic than this.

Overnight in a Bedouin Camp

This is a most brilliant and adventurous day indeed. You are away from it all, amongst wilderness, in an environment that is very unforgiving. It is awesome. The Iriki area is a dried up salt lake bed, fascinating in its landforms and its changing climate. Fossils are to be found in ancient rocks that were once formed on the floor of a great ocean.

Plenty time is taken to stop, look, take short strolls in order to fully “feel” this exquisite wilderness area and to appreciate its beauty, at all scales, and to listen to its silence. Lake Iriki offers excellent photo opportunities; if there has been some rain (it can happen!) then its waters offer reflections whilst its dry areas offer mirages. A stony area of the desert (reg/hamada desert) is a great place to pick up some stones, to enjoy their beauty and to feel their wind and sand polished smoothness.

Passing on northwards, leaving magnificent Chegaga, it is then towards the date palmeries of Foum-Zguid and on through the Jbel Bani towards to Tazenakht.

Tazenakht is a town famous for its woollen carpets. There are several ladies’ carpet co- operatives here and a visit can be made to one. Here the weaving technique can be seen as well as trying yourself. The carpets are simply beautiful, authentic … and very tempting!

Crossing the Tizi-n-Bachkoum Pass (1,700m), more fabulous scenery is encountered, valleys and peaks. Today’s journey ends in Ouarzazate.

Overnight in Ouarzazate

Climbing back over the High Atlas never fails to impress, not only in the stunning landscapes and vistas seen but also the amazement felt as to how the Berbers can possibly make a living from such a demanding environment.

Argan oil is unique to Morocco; only Morocco has argan trees. In the villages of the High Atlas many co-operatives, operated by women, have been established to process the fruits of the argan trees. In Taddert you can visit one such cooperative and see how the argan nuts from within the fruit are processed to gain the argan oil. Argan oil is used both for cosmetics and for culinary products.

Some very special and unique time can often be spent in a Berber village, well off the tourist route. To visit such a village is a unique experience offered by Anzal Tours. Seeing the village close up  allows you to become truly understanding of the village, the villagers and their traditional and changing lifestyles. As well as taking easy strolls to their fields, an invitation into a Berber home can sometimes happen. If so, you will become “part of the family” for a short while and experience their hospitality which might include delicious tea and some foodstuffs that may have been grown within metres of their Berber home.

Then, all too soon, it’s time to travel back to Marrakech and its bustle and clamour.

Overnight in Marrakech

In the morning, depending on your flight’s schedule and after a fantastic kaleidoscope of scenery, culture and encounters, you'll perhaps have some final moments to explore Marrakesh Medina before heading out to the airport for departure.

A great and popular treat is to take a Hammam Spa and Massage experience. So wonderful after your days of travelling.

Just let us know what inclusions you might wish to have included for your final day in Marrakech and we can work this in to your bespoke tour itinerary. Private transport and driver to Marrakech Menara Airport.