8 DAYS TO IMILCHIL VIA SAHARA DESERT
- 8 Days of absolute adventure from Marrakech to the hidden town of Imlchili. This tour is the perfect tour from Marrakech, a chance to explore the majestic Sahara desert and meet the Nomads and learn about the Berbers of the High Atlas Mountains and travel in time to learn about the legends of the Atlas.
Duration
8 Days
Tour Type
Daily Tour
Group Size
30 People
Departure
Marrakech
DESCRIPTION:
Join Ethnic Morocco Tours for an unforgettable 8-day expedition from Marrakech to the enchanting town of Imlchili via Sahara Desert. This immersive journey will take you deep into the heart of the Sahara Desert, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet nomadic tribes and experience their vibrant culture firsthand.
As you navigate the stunning landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll gain insights into the rich traditions of the Berber people and hear the fascinating legends that define this breathtaking region. Each day promises new adventures and authentic encounters, making this tour a perfect blend of exploration and cultural discovery. Experience the magic of Morocco with Ethnic Morocco Tours!
PROGRAM DETAILS:
After breakfast, we drive through the mountains over the Tiz'N'Tichka pass, which can reach an altitude of up to 2,260 m. We pass to visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This Kasbah is one the UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site, a spectacular fortified village (Ksours) then we continue to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
At 9 am you will start your adventure with Ethnic Morocco Tours to explore the hidden south east and the pearl of the High Atlas Mountains. On this day as we make our way towards the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi we will follow the footsteps of the ancient caravanners as we drive via the Trans-Saharan-Trade Route passing the beautiful Ait Sawn Pass to reach the Berber town of Agdez where we will stop for a panoramic view overlooking the beautiful Draa valley and Jbel Kissan – Kissan Mountain – then we will cross the Draa valley to head south east towards Merzouga, stopping in the town of Alnif for a coffee, then we continue via the arid plateau to reach the twon of Rissani, the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty the current ruling family in Morocco. Upon your arrival to Merzouga, you will camel trek across the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi to your camp. Half way to the camp your camel man will stop for you to contemplate the most marvelous sunset you will ever see in your life. Night at the camp with Berber music around the fire. Overnight in Merzouga
Early in the morning, the stuff at your luxury camp will wake you up so that you can attend what will be the best sunrise in your life. After breakfast Ethnic Morocco Tours will take you in off-road adventure to explore the Sahara Desert and get to know the quotidian lifestyle of the Berber nomads of the Sahara with whom we will have a cup of tea under their traditional camel wool tents, then we will visit the abended French mines of Mifis and have a panoramic view overlooking the majestic dunes of Erg Chebbi. Then we will visit the Berber village of Khamlia, where the black people of Bambara tribes who became part of the Moroccan Berber society hundreds of years ago will play their spiritual Gnawa music for you. Lunch will be the traditional Berber Pizza. Then we will drive to the nearby ancient town of Rissani to visit its ancient market and stop at a traditional herbs pharmacy , where you will have an idea about the use of the herbs of the Sahara and the spices. Early afternoon, we will go back to Merzouga to check in to your hotel located at the edge of the dunes, where you can enjoy relaxing by the swimming pool or do sandboarding at the nearby dunes. Overnight in Merzouga
At 8:30 am your Ethnic Morocco Tours adventure continues as we leave the majestic Sahara desert to embark in a journey deep inside the High Atlas Mountains. As the dunes of the Sahara reflected on our car side mirrors, we will drive by the Berber town of Erfoud, known as the capital of dates in Morocco as it hosts the international dates festival and also known for being the center of fossils in Morocco, where we will stop at a fossil place so that you have an idea about what kind of prehistoric animals used to roam the area. Then we will continue our tour to stop by the oldest sophisticated irrigation system in Morocco called Khotarat dates back the 11th century. Upon arrival to the town of Tinghir we will drive along the beautiful lavish green Toudra Valley, stopping at panoramic views and then we will stop for a walk at the majestic Toudra Canyons, before we continue our drive via small Berber towns to join the mythical town of Imilchil. Night in Imilchil
After a late breakfast, Ethnic Morocco Tours will take you in an exploration journey for Imilchil and the area. We will drive to see the beautiful Isli Lake and Tisslite Lake, two separated lakes which are linked to a love based myth that the common memory of the people in the area share. Two lovers belong to two different tribes which are in a state of hatred and war. The lovers wants to be together however their tribes refused the bounding to exist, so each one of the lovers took a spot in the mountains and cried a lake of sadness over a lost love, the tribes after the tragic outcome of their refusal, decided to come together and commemorate the lovers by hosting an annual engagement festival where the tribe lovers can register their bounding officially. The Imilchil Engagement festival is a pure picture of love. During this day we will also stop by the local village of Imilchil to walk around and meet the locals in order to observe their quotidian lifestyle. Overnight in Imlchil
At 9:30 am your adventure with Ethnic Morocco Tours continues as we leave the mythical town of Imlichil, crossing the High Atlas Mountains to the beautiful Dades Valley. Along the day we will drive by several Berber towns then we will drive by one of the windiest roads in Morocco, called the Tissadrin Pass. Then we drive along the beautiful green Dades Valley with its majestic sandcastles standing in the middle of the valley to stop by the strange rock formation locally known as the monkey toes. Continue our drive to reach the town of Dades. Upon arrival to the Hotel in early afternoon, you will have time to relax and use the swimming pool or treat yourself with a massage. Overnight in Dades
At 9 am Ethnic Morocco Tours adventure continues as we will go off road to the heart of the mountains to visit the Boutaghrar Berber Nomands who still conduct an ancient lifestyle as they still prefer to live inside caves they dug inside the mountains, we will have a cup of delicious tea with them then we continue off road to join the Rose Valley. After lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Rose Valley, we will continue our journey towards the Skoura Palm grove via the road of 1000 kasbah where we will visit the 17th century Kasbah Amridil in the heart of the Skoura palm grove, before we continue our way to join the city of Ouarzazate.
On the last day of our adventure from Marrakech to Imilchil via the Sahara desert, after breakfast, we will visit a world-renowned cinema studio (Atlas studios) in Ouarzazate. Our trip continues to the ancient Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.
This fortified walled city was built right on the caravan path between Marrakech and the Sahara and was once a thriving trading post during the 17th century. Inside the high mud walls are 6 Kasbahs and a small number of homes.
Ait Benhaddou has appeared in several movies, including Gladiator & Lawrence of Arabia. Later we will drive to Marrakech city along the stunning Ounila valley passing via Berber villages to reach Telouet village where we can visit Telouet Kasbah built in the 18th and 19th centuries for the powerful el Glaoui family; Telouet Kasbah is a rare sight to behold.
Adorned in colorful mosaics and red stucco, the Kasbah had a strategic location on the caravan trail.
Take a Break there to have lunch in a local restaurant. Then, drive through the Atlas Passes, on the road we will make stops to enjoy the stunning views of the Atlas Mountains and Tizi N’tichka pass (2260m).
In the afternoon we will arrive in Marrakech (the red city)
- Included
- Private 4*4 Transport & Airport Transfers: Fully-Escorted
- Professional driver English speaking
- 7 Nights Authentic, Stylish Accommodation
- 1 Night in a luxury desert camp ( Berber Tent )
- Healthy fresh Moroccan meals
- Certified Marrakech Medina Guide
- Camel ride ( camel per person ) in the Desert
- Free visit to the women coopeeratives in Kelaat M'gouna and Tinghir
- Mineral water provided throughout the trip
- Added peace of mind with Excellent Trip Advisor reviews












