deen +212 706 564102 eva@berberadventuretours.com
+212 706 564102 eva@berberadventuretours.com

3 days desert hiking from Merzouga private tour

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From 350€

  • 3 days
  • Private Tour
  • Sept-May

Overview

  • 2,5 days, 2 nights
  • From Merzouga, Arrival on the day before
  • Hiking over hills and dunes
  • Sleep in a guesthouse or igloo tent in the dunes
  • Family friendly (kids 8+ years)

Included

  • 2 nights in a guesthouse or igloo tents in the dunes
  • Transfer from/to Merzouga
  • 2x breakfast, 3x lunch, 2x dinner
  • Hiking guide

Not included

  • Drinks except water and tea with meals
  • Tips

What to expect

  • The silence of the desert, relax without any artificial noises
  • Diverse landscapes for amazing photos
  • Yummy food to strengthen your body after the hikes
  • The night sky with more stars than you’ve ever seen before

Itinerary

Day 1

Start after breakfast, car ride south, we will get out of the car early and start hiking (ca. 3-4 hours). The luggage will be transferred to the accommodation. Lunch once we reach the guesthouse right next to the empty sand dunes.
Afternoon free to relax. Climb the dunes for sunset (if you like). Dinner and traditional music. You have the option to sleep in a small tent in the middle of the dunes and just use your room for rest during the day and showers.

Day 2

Go for a 3-4 hours hike around the nearby hills in search of nomad families with their goats. Enjoy amazing views from the hill tops. Lunch at the guesthouse, afternoon free to relax.

Day 3

Hike to the next village in the morning (1.5-2 hours), crossing the river bed. Watch the women make bread and our lunch. Or explore the small oasis and the ruins of the old kasbah. Berber pizza lunch at a local family’s house. Pick up and drive back to Merzouga in the afternoon with a stop in the Gnawa music village and the option to visit a small art gallery.

Map

Frequently asked questions

How fit do I have to be?

For our level 2 and 2-3 hikes, you should generally be an active person. The terrain varies between sand, rocky plains and some smaller mountains. We will hike between 3-6 hours per day with 1 or 2 breaks.

Good fitness is required for the camel trekking tours. The daily stages are between 4-8 hours with 1-2 breaks.

It also requires a certain amount of mental strength to be out of reach for long periods of time with limited resources.

What will the temperatures be like?

In times of climate change, this question is difficult to answer. We hope for daytime temperatures between 25-30°C in October and March, 20-25°C in November and February, and 15-20°C in December and January. Night-time temperatures can drop close to freezing point in the winter months.

What kind of equipment do I need?

For camel trekking tours, we will send you a detailed packing list after booking. In general, however, we recommend good hiking boots, a sleeping bag, hiking poles (good for reducing swelling in the hands), long-sleeved/long-legged lightweight clothing and sunscreen. For short tours, only good shoes and sunscreen are necessary.

How do I get to the starting point?

Depending on which tour you have booked, you will either be picked up in Marrakesh or you will have to make your own way to Merzouga or Zagora. There are several options for this. The Supratours bus runs from Marrakech to Zagora and Merzouga and from Fes to Merzouga. CTM runs from Marrakech to Zagora. Ryanair flies several times a week from Marrakech to Errachidia, and RAM offers a daily flight from Casablanca to Errachidia. From there, you can continue by taxi or we can organise a transfer.

What kind of people hike with BAT?

Our hikes attract active and adventurous people of all ages. People who enjoy being outdoors and don’t mind a basic level of comfort. The desert offers plenty of space, so our trips are also suitable for people who normally travel individually or alone, as there are plenty of opportunities to hike away from the others and enjoy the solitude.

What happens after I book?

To confirm your booking, we require your full name, a few other infos and a deposit of 25% of the total trip price. The remaining balance is due 1 month before the trip.

Can I extend my trip?

Yes! We can design an extension that suits your travel style and budget.

Do I need insurance?

We strongly recommend that you take out at least good travel health insurance. Not just for our trip, but for all trips in Morocco and around the world. Make sure that it covers repatriation to your home country in the event of serious problems so that you can be treated at home.

Also consider taking out travel cancellation insurance in case you fall ill or are injured immediately before your trip and have to cancel.

What about snakes and scorpions?

Snakes and scorpions are very rare and mainly active during the summer months. Nevertheless, it is advisable to always wear shoes (or at least flip-flops) when walking on sand. And be careful when lifting stones, as scorpions may be hiding underneath them.

Where/how do we go to the toilet?

We don’t bring a toilet with us on our hikes, so you’ll have to use the big toilet. Small business is easy, you just hide behind a dune or a bush. For big business, you first dig a hole and then cover it with sand, soil or stones. We collect all toilet paper in plastic bags so that we can dispose of it properly when we return to the city.