Sahara Mini Adventure
Experience Overview
If you only have days to spare and the sand and stars of the Sahara are calling, then this three-day adventure is for you. Take a round-trip journey from Marrakech into the desert and over the dunes. Watch the sun set from the back of a camel, the sun rise over the Erg Chebbi dunes and camp under the North African stars. Along the way, visit the ancient ksar of Ait Benhaddou and the lush Todra Valley, sipping tea and breaking bread with members of special women’s associations in both spots. A locally based leader will accompany you in comfortable transport the whole way, offering insights into local culture, history and geography at every step.
Highlights
- Camp under the desert skies of the Sahara and travel by camel for incredible sunset views over the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Travel with an expert local leader and ride in comfort in a private vehicle from the bustle of Marrakech to the serenity of the Sahara.
- Visit the women of the Tawesna Association and a Todra women’s association to learn about the work they’re doing to support local Moroccan women.
- Make stops in the ancient ksar of Ait Benhaddou and the lush Todra Valley and get a feel for local life.
- Enjoy iconic Moroccan and Amazigh dishes each day and feel the warmth of local Moroccan hospitality.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Amal. Donations support them to provide women in Morocco with culinary skills training to help improve livelihoods. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3038
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Camel,Private Bus
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: XMHA
Starts: Marrakech/Todra Gorge, Morocco
Finishes: Merzouga, Morocco
Duration: 3 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (2), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Camp site (1 night),Hotel (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $240 ($80 /day)
Itinerary
Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. You’ll kick off your Short Break Adventure at 8 am in Marrakech this morning. Meet at your joining point before setting off in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with the rest of your group, your driver and your local leader. Head out of the city towards Todra Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Along the way, stop at Ait Benhaddou – this UNESCO World Heritage site was once an important stop for salt caravans crossing the Sahara. Take a walk through the winding streets of the Old Town and visit the Tawesna Teahouse on the river – a community-run establishment that provides local women with an income to support themselves and their children. Using ingredients sourced from local cooperatives, the women prepare delicious tea and pastries while sharing their stories. After, carry on to the Todra area, where you might want to take a refreshing dip in the hotel pool.
Included Activities:
- Kasbah Ait Benhaddou visit
- Tawesna association visit and lunch
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, join your leader for a walk through the valley’s farmland to the Todra Gorges – towering red-hued sandstone canyons up to 400 m high. Cap off your hike with a brunch picnic in the valley, featuring stuffed bread, mint tea and olive oil prepared by members of a local Amazigh women’s association. Next, it’s on to the Sahara! Drive through the barren mountainsides and watch the scenery change to fertile valleys until you reach Merzouga. Drop your bags at your overnight camp and hop aboard your desert-ready transport – your own camel. Head out on a 1-hour ride across the Erg Chebbi sand dunes as the sun sets around you and the surrounding sea of sand morphs through shades of red and orange. Back at camp, your hosts will prepare a hearty Moroccan feast. Then, you’ll spend the night in a simple but comfortable tent under the stars.
Included Activities:
- Todra Gorges visit
- Local Amazigh Brunch in the valley
- Sunset camel ride
- Dinner at camp
Accommodation:
- Camping (Number of Nights: 1)
You’ll want to rise early this morning and get yourself to the nearest dune for a spectacular sunrise over the Sahara. Once you’ve greeted the day, fuel up with a traditional breakfast at camp and begin your return journey to Marrakech, where you’ll be dropped off and your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities:
- Breakfast at camp
- Sunrise dune walk
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Hanna - Traveled, October 2024
You’re lucky to get Fatima as your tour leader!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/01/2024
Wiktoria - Traveled, October 2024
Fatima and our driver were lovely. Great (amazing!) value for money, great group, really zero complaints.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2024
Hannah - Traveled, September 2024
The Sahara mini adventure was so fun- we saw such a range of landscapes (deserts, sandy mountains, green leafy farm land). The ladies who joined the tour with me were all great fun and our guide Mohamed was super friendly and had an answer for all of our questions. Our driver was also a very sweet man and drove safely. Thank you all!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/07/2024
Matt - Traveled, September 2024
Would absolutely recommend this to anyone who fancies a quick trip to the desert, gives a great chance to see a lot of Morocco but do expect long travel days!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Philip - Traveled, September 2024
Truly a spectacular and fun adventure. The only downside is the long ride back on day three but not sure how you can avoid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Holly - Traveled, September 2024
This was a great trip! We experienced a lot in a short amount of time and got a real feel for the country. Exceeded my expectations!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2024
Kendal - Traveled, September 2024
A short and sharp adventure. Each place we stayed exceeded expectations and the Sahara experience was once in a life time. Adel was a wonderful guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2024
Mary - Traveled, September 2024
Our tour was nothing short of fantastic. From all the inclusions to the overall experience, I felt like everything was very well thought out. Will definitely be recommending this to family and friends. Our leader Rachid and driver Mustafa were excellent. Couldn’t have asked for a better leader and driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2024
Alan - Traveled, September 2024
This was my first time in Morocco and Rashid and our driver Mustapha were an amazing team and their enthusiasm, humour and pleasant personalities made me feel very relaxed from the moment that we started our journey. We also had wonderful travelling companions who quickly became our friends. I will always look back on this trip as being one of the highlights of my life. Thank you everyone!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/08/2024
Mary - Traveled, September 2024
Our tour was nothing short of fantastic. From all the inclusions to the overall experience, I felt like everything was very well thought out. Will definitely be recommending this to family and friends. Our leader Rachid and driver Mustafa were excellent. Couldn’t have asked for a better leader and driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/07/2024
Luisa - Traveled, September 2024
Incredible experience of travelling in Morocco! The tour leader Ayoub was excellent giving us a genuine experience in the country. Besides tasted wonderful food the experience in the desert was amazing. Also thanks to the driver who made our journey in Marrakech and in the long dive to the desert very safe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/05/2024
Clare - Traveled, September 2024
This is a great tour to book if you want to get a good sense of Morocco but are short on time. There are long but comfortable journeys, with plenty of stops along the way. Ayoub, our leader, was very courteous, knowledgeable and organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/19/2024
Emily - Traveled, August 2024
Karim was a wonderful tour guide, we had a great driver, the food was incredible and it was great to support female-run organisations. The camel ride in the Sahara was definitely a highlight.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/30/2024
Jessica - Traveled, August 2024
Fatima is an amazing tour guide, she did such an amazing job in sharing her knowledge, catering to the group and making multiple stops during the drive in order to stretch our legs. She’s such a genuine beautiful person! We loved the three day trip, it was such an amazing experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/20/2024
Sophie - Traveled, August 2024
Excellent trip for those going to Morocco who only have a short amount of time and want to visit the Sahara. Lovely guide, great accommodation and amazing activities that immerse you in the Moroccan culture. Also amazing value for money! Would highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2024
Abby - Traveled, August 2024
Amazing trip such great value and I learnt so much. Our guide was fabulous.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2024
Sophie - Traveled, August 2024
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide Jawad and would definitely recommend this trip to others!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/06/2024
Elizabeth - Traveled, August 2024
Where lifelong memories are formed! 3 days I’ll remember for the rest of lives. I booked the trip in search of adventure to see the beautiful rolling dunes of the Sahara, but it delivered so much more than expect! Our guide Hamza welcomed us into Moroccan life, showing us so much more than we ever expected! He made us feel connected to this beautiful country and its community. Our hearts are full.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2024
Jackson - Traveled, July 2024
This trip was awesome! the Sahara Desert was breathtaking and the overall journey was amazing and well worth it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2024
Claudia - Traveled, July 2024
I had been looking for a safe and comfortable way to experience Morroco and a trip to the dessert, and I came across Intrepid in a travel shop. I was delighted by the description of the tour, the people I met were fun and adventurous and our tour guide was exceptional, in history, culture and experience, the locals we met and the experience nourished my Soul.. Review submitted 19 Jul 2024
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2024
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