3-Day Morocco Desert Adventure from Marrakech with Erg Chigaga

• Leave Marrakech, the Red City and one of the most important former imperial cities in Morocco's history. Situated at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, it marks the beginning of a drive through these mountains for miles and miles, with the fascinating presence of superb and scattered Berber villages along the way.

• Almost halfway, see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, a fortified village dating back to the 11th century.

• Visit Ouarzazate, the Hollywood of Africa, about 35 km from Aït Benhaddou Kasbah. The drive continues along the kingdom's longest valley, stretching 1,052 km, and passes through the biggest palm tree oases.

• Arrive in Zagora, where the remains of an Almoravid fortress can still be seen.

Night stay and dinner at our guest house.

• Pass by Tamagrout, situated on the Draa River. In this small town, visit one of the oldest libraries in the kingdom.

• Drive along the Draa Valley to M'hamid, a very modest village that is not much different from the villages passed before arriving there.

• From a vast plateau, admire the impressive sand dunes of Erg Chigaga appearing on the horizon. You can go for a camel ride to discover one of the most fascinating dune landscapes and enjoy the superb sunset.

Stay overnight in the Berber camp.

• From Erg Chigaga, drive along the dunes and through the peaceful and fascinating wilderness.

• Pass by the natural dried lake of Iriki. Thirty years ago, this lake was full of water and different kinds of birds.

• After a long off-road drive, rejoin the paved road and pass through the small town of Foum-Zguid, a quiet and sleepy Berber town.

• Stop in Taznakht, a former trading post for this vast region. This little Berber village is one of the biggest centres for carpets in the kingdom.

• From Taznakht, drive for almost 90 km along quiet oases and several Berber villages to reach the junction between Marrakech and Ouarzazate.

• Cross the High Atlas Mountains to return to Marrakech.