Express Sahara One day excursion
Overview
This one day excursion across the Sahara desert is a unique experience. Starting at Zagora, we will visit the historic village of Tamegroute, and see the Koranic library, a Kasbah, pottery workshops. Then you travel towards the dunes riding 4×4 trucks, where we will find an oasis and enjoy a camel riding excursion.
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION Starts: Zagora
DEPARTURE TIME Please arrive by 8:00 AM for a prompt departure at 8:30 AM.
RETURN TIME Approximately 6:30 PM.
WEAR Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat, jacket and sunscreen.
Included/Excluded
- Transport To and From Your Accommodation
- 4×4 Air-Conditioned Transport and Fuel
- English/French/Spanish speaking Driver/Guide
- Guide Fees
- 1-2 Hour Camel Excursion
- Desert Lunch, Fruit Juice, Mint Tea
- Tips
- Drinks / Lunches
- Entry Fees for Monuments
Plans
Day 1
After breakfast Hassan will meet with you at your accommodation in Zagora, to begin the journey further south. We stop at the historic village of Tamegroute, an 11th century seat of Islamic learning, to visit the Koranic library. The library houses a priceless collection of 10,000 ancient manuscripts.
Thereafter, we tour the atmospheric, ancient underground Kasbah and community. The Kasbah is currently inhabited by 10 families. You will be instantly transported back in time, as you wander through the narrow alleyways of the Kasbah, with your guide. Exchanging light for shadow, shadow for light, experiencing the atmosphere of Kasbah life.
We then visit the artisan pottery workshops, medieval outdoor kilns and fire pits, within the grounds of the Kasbah. The pottery produces pots and ceramics decorated with henna and the traditional green glaze, typical of Tamagroute Pottery.
The different sights and atmospheres you will experience at Tamegroute while visiting the Kasbah, Library and medieval Pottery are without a doubt unique, even under Moroccan standards. Before leaving for the Sahara, we stop and take tea with the Kasbah residents.
The tour then proceeds through agricultural and pre Saharan desert landscapes, later heading ‘off road’ and driving into and over the Lihoudi dunes.
On arrival, it will be time to ‘saddle up’ for an hour or two, to take a camel excursion over the beautifully patterned dunes of Lihoudi.
On your return, a Saharan lunch will be cooked, you are welcome, as you like, to involve yourself with the cooking or not and lunch of course will be eaten in the unique setting of the desert. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy the fact you are experiencing the Sahara!
Before returning to Zagora, there may be time to visit M’hamid. M’hamid is the last Southern oasis before the desert begins, after that, there is nothing but the great Sahara! We will return you to your accommodation in Zagora in the early evening.