It’s arrival day! We will meet you today at the Marrakech airport after your arrival. We know you’re probably pretty tired, so we’ll transfer you to your riad, where you can relax. Few cities are as dynamic as Marrakech, and your first introduction to it comes just in being here! Don’t worry, we’ll be doing a full tour after we return from the Sahara.

Today, our gals are arriving at different times, so if you have an early flight you will have much of the day to yourself to relax.

Meals: D

Today after breakfast, we will start your journey southward to Dades valley via Tizi n’Tichka pass. Along the way, we’ll visit the Berber village of Ait Benhaddou, established in the 11th century. Its position on the main route (Marrakech to the Sahara) was an ideal stop for traders carrying salt across the desert and returning with goods such as gold and ivory.

After lunch you will continue to Dades valley through the Rose valley. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, we’ll depart in the morning to the Sahara desert via the Todra Gorge, where you will take a walk to explore these magnificent and narrow gorges.

After lunch, continue to Erfoud city for a visit to a local fossil craft workshop.

Lastly, we’ll visit the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, where you will ride camels at sunset and spend the evening in a desert camp. Tonight, we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Moroccan dinner, followed by a party with drumming and dancing. It will be an unforgettable experience, starting the new year in the Sahara desert.

Overnight in a private tent.

Note: Sleeping in the Sahara is a magical experience. Our camp will have facilities for using the bathroom, but you won’t have a full shower until we return. It also gets cold at night, so pack warmly!

Meals: B, L, D

It’s a new year! 

Celebrate by watching the first light of the new year dance across the golden sands of the Sahara desert. After enjoying the sunrise and having breakfast, you will start an amazing trip alongside the dunes while passing by the oasis to stop and see an old system of irrigation that local people still use to irrigate their fields in the oasis.

We’ll continue to Khamlia village to listen to Gnaoua musicians, then take a short drive to Rissani for a visit to the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif; the founder of the Alaouite dynasty, and experience the authentic local market.

Lunch in Rissani and return to the hotel where you will spend the night.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, we’ll start our return journey back to Marrakech. Our drive today will take us through Agdez and Draa valley junction where we’ll head north to Ouarzazate via the Atlas Mountains. Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, you’ll have dinner and spend the night in Riad.

Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast today, you’ll have time to explore Ouarzazate, which is known as Africa’s Hollywood. We’ll be passing by Ait Ben Haddou once again, so if you didn’t get the photos or souvenirs you wanted, now’s your chance!

Finally, we’ll take the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the Atlas Mountains to return back to Marrakech with a stop in the mountains for lunch. Dinner and overnight stay will be in our hotel in Marrakech, which we will reach by 6 p.m.

Meals: B, L, D

Today you will have a guided tour of Marrakech Medina including Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Minaret, The Medina, Souks, and Majorelle garden. In the afternoon we will visit the dynamic Djemaa el Fna square where you will get to see the famous snake charmers, singers, acrobats, dancers, and storytellers that frequent the area. Overnight at the same riad.

It’s departure day, and we’re bummed. But we saw and did so much! After breakfast at the riad/hotel, we will transfer you to the airport, depending on your flight departure.

After our trip, we will set up a group chat to keep in touch, share photos, and continue to grow these awesome friendships we formed.

Meals: B