Our small group journeys
moroccan sahara discovery
March 30th – April 3rd, 2025
The Sahara – 5 Days & 4 Nights of Sprawling Dunes, Blazing Sun, and Endless Blue Skies
A DESERT ODYSSEY:
Moroccan Sands to City Serenades….
The Sahara Desert: a name that itself evokes images of sprawling dunes, blazing sun, and endless blue skies. And this five-day adventure will have you experiencing all three. You’ll start off travelling by foot, camel, and 4x4 to a desert camp near an oasis where you’ll sleep beneath the stars. There, you’ll witness some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets on Earth, while also feeling like you’re on another planet all together as you explore this vast, storied corner of Morocco. Perfect as a standalone experience or combined with another Morocco adventure, this trip to the Sahara will blow you away.
Read below for the details of where we'll be and what we'll experience on this extraordinary adventure.
WELCOME
Surrender to the Silence and Splendor of the Sands
Embrace the allure of Morocco as you embark on a journey from the vibrant heart of Marrakech to the entrancing silence of the Sahara. Your adventure starts with the camaraderie of a welcome meeting and as night falls, the tranquil Hotel Les Jardins awaits your dreams of dunes and oases.
Rise with the sun and delve into the world of movie magic at Atlas Film Studios, where epic scenes from silver screens were born. Then, the desert summons you to Zagora, where your voyage transforms; aboard private vehicles and camelbacks, you encounter the limitless horizons of Erg Lihoudi. Picture yourself wandering amidst the ever-shifting sands, as you surrender to the desert’s mystic charm, and settle into a camp aglow under a canvas of stars.
Awaken to a day where the timeless rhythm of the desert takes hold. Traverse the expanse to the oasis of Rass Nkhal, a night under celestial stars punctuated by fireside stories and melodies. Each moment of this Berber desert journey is a dance with the ancients—a tale etched in sand and stone.
Transitioning from the stark beauty of Skoura’s palm-fringed landscapes, the journey culminates as you're enveloped once more by Marrakech's embrace. Whether bidding farewell at the airport or lingering in the city's embrace with post-tour whispers, the memories of Morocco—a symphony of earth and wind—remain, a memento of an odyssey woven through the soul of a traveler.
TRIP DETAILS
The Itinerary of Saharan Splendor
This trip includes 5 days & 4 nights
DAY 1 - March 30TH: Marrakech to Ouarzazate
Arrival Day. Make your way to the joining hotel for a brief welcome meeting before driving to Ouarzazate for an overnight stay at our accommodations there. Please arrive at the hotel meeting point before 2:30PM.
Please plan for your flight to arrive at the airport in Marrakech no later than 12:30PM.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate (or similar)
(D)
DAY 2 - MARCH 31ST: Ouarzazate to Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp
In the morning before leaving the group will explore the famous atlas film studios in Ourzazate and learn a bit about the film making in Morocco. Discover the sets of blockbusters from years past at Atlas Film Studios, the largest film studio in the world. Get behind-the-scenes access to the sets and props used in the making of films like Raiders of the Lost Arc and Gladiator (2000), as well as TV show Game of Thrones. Wander past jetplanes, through a colosseum, and into a tomb as your guide reveals the scenes that they were used in and how they were built.
Drive to Zagora and then to Mhamid via private vehicle. From there head out into the vast landscape of the Sahara, one of the world's largest deserts and walk along the sand dunes around you. Make sure to bring your camera for some fantastic photos of the desert's formidable landscape of sand.
The walk will take about two hours and we will arrive at the camp around sunset for 2 nights of camping under the stars. Any luggage will be brought to camp by jeeps. Enjoy a cup of tea and watch the colors change in the sky as the sun slips below the horizon. Eat dinner around the fire and enjoy a quiet night beneath the starry skies.
Overnight at a Desert Camp in Erg Lihoudi. Our camps will be comfortable, but still somewhat basic. You’ll see some spectacular night skies.
MEALS INCLUDED (B/D)
Day 3 - APRIL 1ST: Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp to Rass Nkhal Oasis.
Wake up to a stunning sunrise, enjoy some breakfast at camp and then start the day. This is our second day of the Berber desert journey. Then you have a choice of walking or riding a camel to our lunch stop. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sahara as you travel like people have for millenniums. After lunch we’ll enter the 21st century again and travel to the next desert camp by 4x4. Arrive at the oasis of Rass Nkhal to catch sunset before having dinner fireside with stories and music.
Rass Nkhal Oasis Overnight - After travelling by foot, camel, and 4x4 we'll arrive at the Rass Nkhal Oasis. This temporary overnight camp is more basic, and has been set up just for the group. Catch another desert sunset, enjoy dinner and stories around a fire and spend another night in tents under the stars.
MEALS INCLUDED (B/L/D)
Day 4 - APRIL 2ND: Rass Nkhal Oasis to Skoura
After another sunrise out in the desert and some breakfast at camp the group will travel to Zagora by 4x4. Enjoy some free time to shower, freshen up, and relax by the hotel pool. It's the perfect way to feel refreshed after our desert adventure.
After lunch continue on to Skoura. Explore this oasis city famed for its date palms. Wander the town, visit the palm plantations, visit the markets, and imagine discovering this haven after days or months travelling through the desert.
Have dinner as a group in Skoura.
Accommodation: Skoura Lodge (or similar)
MEALS INCLUDED (B/L/D)
Day 5 - APRIL 3RD: Skoura/Marrakech
After breakfast the group will travel directly to Marrakech. The tour ends on arrival to the airport around 1pm, or at the Marrakech hotel for those have booked post-tour nights.
Please do not book any departing flights earlier than 4PM
MEALS INCLUDED (B)
GROUP HOST
Meet Shawna
Join me, Shawna Flinkert, as together we set off on an awe-inspiring journey into the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. As your companion and fellow explorer, I'm just as new to the vast dunes and silent skies of this mystical place as you are, ready to discover its secrets with fresh eyes and an eager spirit.
As we navigate the shifting sands and spend our nights beneath a blanket of stars, we'll be creating our very own narrative in the vast canvas of Morocco. I'm here to discover with you, to share in the surprise and beauty of each new discovery, and to ensure our journey is as authentic as it is unforgettable.
In the quiet grandeur of the Sahara, each day promises a new adventure, a chance to forge deeper connections—not just with the mesmerizing landscapes but with one another. Together, let's seek out new horizons and in the tranquillity of the desert, let's open ourselves up to transformation. Each footstep we take is an invitation to embrace new stories waiting to be written in the golden sands, guided by the shared rhythm of our travel heartbeat.
What’s Included:
Film Studio visit in Ouarzazate.
Welcome Tea and bonfire at Erg Lihoudi desert camp.
A camel ride and 4x4 jeep excursion to desert oasis camp.
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
4 nights of accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share - Hotels (2 nts), Desert Camp (2 nts).
4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners.
An English Speaking G Adventures CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout the trip
Not included
All airfares, departure taxes & fuel surcharges, seat selection
Personal items
Optional Tours
Meals unless listed in itinerary
Tips & Gratuities
Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 2pm and check out 10am)
Travel Insurance
Changes in Government/local taxes
Any future fuel surcharges on land arrangements or additional costs due to COVID rules (if applicable)
Visa/passport handling fees
Investment & Further Details
Moroccan Sahara Discovery
$839 CAD pp - Shared Room
+$129 CAD for ‘My Own Room’
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops. Only 2 ‘My Own Room’ options available.
A $350 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to hold your spot. (FULL PAYMENTS ARE DUE January 27, 2025)
You will be contacted to complete booking details.
The remaining balance is due by January 27, 2025.
Flights and pre or post hotels can be arranged. Please reach out to Shawna for a quote.
Important notes:
Rooms are double or single occupancy; if you are not reserving a private room please let us know if you intend to share your room with another participant on the trip, otherwise, you will be assigned a roommate.
This small group journey is open to men and women and is not exclusive to Wander and Soul, but we will be joining it. It can be booked as an add-on to our small group trip 'Spain, Portugal and Morocco Journey" or can be booked on it's own. Other dates may also be available.
Full tour information about this small group journey can be found here.
It is mandatory for all travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing an all-inclusive plan that covers cancellation/interruption insurance as well.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 14
Age Requirements
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Have more questions?
No problem. Email Shawna at shawna.flinkert@travelbestbets.com or complete this inquiry form and she will be happy to assist you.
Seize the opportunity to extend your journey with our optional additions.
Should time allow, embark on a grand adventure that begins with the gentle caress of the sea breeze, as you set sail across the Canary Islands' clear, blue waters. Navigate the seas, exploring the untamed beauty of volcanic isles and the peaceful rhythm of waves - an idyllic preface to the wonders ahead.
Continue your voyage as it gracefully transitions from sea to land with the Spain, Portugal, and Morocco Journey. Dive into a mosaic of cultures that span buzzing medinas, verdant valleys, and resonant history - each step through these vibrant nations setting the stage for the majesty yet to come
And, as if tracing the grains of time, wind your way to the grand finale on the golden sands of the Moroccan Sahara. It's here, after traversing the lively heart of southern Europe and the colorful bustle of Moroccan life, that the tranquil expanse of the desert offers a soul-stirring epilogue to a journey of epic proportions.
Each leg of your sojourn is meticulously curated to enrich the next, inviting you to flow seamlessly from sea to sand, culture to tranquility, crafting a personal narrative as timeless as the lands you’re exploring.
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All travel reservation services are provided by Shawna at Wander and Soul Travel - Connected Agent at Travel Best Bets, BCPCA #3287