Description:
Celebrate the New Year in the enchanting Sahara Desert on this 4-day private tour from Marrakech. Journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains, ancient kasbahs, and the vast sand dunes of Erg Chegaga. Welcome the New Year with an unforgettable celebration under a starry sky, accompanied by Berber music and traditional festivities.
Tour Highlights:
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass
- Visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and Telouet Kasbah
- Discover the lush Draa Valley and its historic villages
- Explore the dunes of Erg Lihoudi and Erg Chegaga on camelback
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a campfire, live Berber music, and traditional cuisine in the Sahara
Program Details:
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Ouarzazate
Start your adventure with a drive from Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Stop at the Telouet Kasbah in the scenic Ounila Valley, then continue to the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Explore this historic site with a guided tour of the ancient Berber architecture. After lunch, head to Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood of Africa,” where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night at a local hotel.
Travel Time: 5–6 hours
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Zagora – M’hamid Sand Dunes
After breakfast, explore Ouarzazate, a major center for Moroccan cinema. Continue your journey through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to Agdz, and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Draa Valley, dotted with kasbahs and lush palm groves. Stop for lunch in Zagora and visit the historic Tamgroute, home to a Quranic library and pottery workshops. Continue to M’hamid, the gateway to the Sahara, and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a Berber tent at Erg Lihoudi sand dunes.
Travel Time: 5–6 hours
Day 3: M’hamid – Erg Chegaga Sand Dunes (New Year’s Eve)
After breakfast in M’hamid, embark on an off-road journey into the Sahara Desert, heading toward the magnificent Erg Chegaga dunes. Arrive at the dunes before sunset for a camel trek and capture stunning photos of the desert landscape. In the evening, celebrate New Year’s Eve with a traditional dinner and live Berber music around a campfire under the starry sky. Overnight in a comfortable Berber tent.
Travel Time: 4–5 hours
Day 4: Erg Chegaga – Taznakht – Marrakech
Wake up early to witness a magical sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast, drive through the desert via the famous Lac Iriki route, popularized by the Paris-Dakar Rally. Stop in Taznakht, a village renowned for its handcrafted Berber carpets, for lunch. Continue your journey back to Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains, and conclude your tour with a drop-off at your hotel.
Travel Time: 8–9 hours
Tour Features:
Inclusions:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off service
- Transport by an air-conditioned private vehicle
- Professional English/Spanish-speaking driver
- Camel trek in the desert
- Accommodation: 2 nights in hotels and 1 night in a Berber desert camp
- New Year’s Eve celebration with dinner and live Berber music
Exclusions:
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
Celebrate the New Year in the magical Sahara Desert, surrounded by its serene beauty, and create lasting memories with this unique and festive tour!