A three day expedition to the Sahara is an enriching way to get a taste of southern Morocco and is one of great ways to escape Marrakech for a few days. Bright and early we wandered into the square, red light glowing from a mini bus and Hicham Alsa readily waiting for us.
For the next three days we wandered the High Atlas Mountains, stopping off at cultural and heritage points of interest. Be ready to tip a few guides. Sometimes it gets annoying, but you don’t have to dig too deep in your pockets to make sure locals benefit from tourism.
The first nights hotel is really chill, and a good place to catch up on sleep after a long day. Stuff yourself during breakfast and be ready for a day of real adventure.
Lots of beautiful stops, photo ops and socializing with locals before getting your butt up on a camel. Let yourself wander once you get onto the dunes. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the sand while the guides watch over your camels.
Back for tea and supper, then a night of drumming and dancing. We brought some champagne to drink under the stars, grab a blanket from the camp and spend time soaking in the setting before calling it a night.
You’ll be up bright and early for the sunrise, make sure to bundle up to enjoy the cool morning air and Hicham Alsa‘a camel guides will take you to a lookout hard to forget.
Pro Tips:
Pack extra snacks for the bus ride.
Eat lots of breakfast to save $$$ at lunches.
Don’t feel pressured to shop, but be prepared to be marketed to.
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Tinghir City
Stop At: High Atlas Mountains, 40000 Morocco
Take pictures
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Visit Kasbah of Ait ben hadou
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Visit optional ( Kasbah of taourirte , studios of cinema )
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Tinerhir, Tinerhir, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Overnight at Tinghir city
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: hotel 4¤ : Hotel Bougafer or Similar
Day 2: Tinghir City – Merzouga
Stop At: Tinghir, Morocco
Visit Tinghir Ouasis with local guide
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gargantas del Todra, Tinghir, Tinerhir 45800 Morocco
Visit Todra gorges with local guide
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Camel ride in the sunset , Dinner , Ambiance music , overnight in Merzouga
Duration: 14 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at La Source Camp or Similar
Day 3: Merzouga – Marrakech
Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Camel ride in the sunrise , Breakfast in the auberge
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa Region
Stop in Ouarzazte
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
NOMAD SKETCHBOOK 
I love your night walk through Cairo at Ramadan and have watched it multiple times. I have a question: Out of the thousands of people at the celebration, many with cell phones and many taking selfies, what is it about you that attracts so many to wave at the camera, smile, and want to interact with you? Are you wearing a tee shirt that says something inviting? I am simply fascinated by their friendliness towards you.
Thank you for providing hours of wonderful entertainment and education.
Rick Buxton
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So glad you took the time to share how much you love my walks. That week in Cairo was the third time I had visited, and was made all the more awesome because of the celebrations going on every night of Ramadan. As for why I get SO much attention, I have to admit it’s my blond hair and freckles that stand out for everyone else.
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Thank you for the speedy reply.
We will never have the opportunity to visit Egypt, but in the unlikely event we find ourselves there, I’ll be bleaching my hair before arriving. My partner is already a natural blonde, but I’m not going to let him have all the fun.
We have just discovered your videos and intend to watch your travels regularly. You are providing a valuable service for us travel-challenged people. The Ramadan video alone was a genuine learning experience to witness a culture far removed from our daily lives.
Thank you for the adventure and the fun of seeing how others live.
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I would be even speedier if I kept the wordpress app installed. Unfortunately I only see comments after checking my email (haha don’t judge I’m very mobile).
My partner also has dark hair and locals (in Egypt, Turkey, Georgia, etc…) often assume he’s my tour guide — so def get that hair bleach out.
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Also you are so welcome, and we thank you for coming along on these adventures. Just got back from Sicily and heading to Mexico City (CDMX) in two weeks. Wish us a good time.
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