Sahara Desert Trek, Group 1

Trek over 100km in 5 days and uncover the epic through palm gorges, you'll join the dry Rhris views and fascinating communities of the River. Guided by the river, you head towards an Desert. oasis of tamarisk trees as you make your way to the dunes of Boulaàdam. Your challenge takes you beyond the Jebel Saghro region, a forbidding landscape You spend your final walking days trekking along punctuated by stark peaks, formidable gorges the Tikertouachene River, until you meet the last and bright oases. Situated south of the Atlas and camp where you will be driven back to Dades Gorge, the region was originally volcanic for one night’s stay in a hotel. Then a and the last defence before the Sahara. morning transfer back to Marrakech for one more night’s stay and a celebration dinner. This is the land of the famous Ait Atta tribe, a nation of great warriors who migrate here from International Flights the Mountains in the winter. Led by Flights are not included as part of the challenge costs. Hassou Ba Salem, the tribe resisted French You will need to organize your own international Occupation and retreated to the rocky stronghold flights to arrive in Marrakech at any time on Day 1 (see of Jebel Bou Gafer in 1933. below). Please contact us at [email protected] BEFORE you commit and pay for your flights. We can help you organize your flights and put you in touch with our Arriving in Marrakech Morocco, you will be partners at Flight Centre. transferred by road to the start of your trek. You'll spend your first day crossing the Maider El Kbir plateau, passing rose dunes en route. The region is speckled with the tents of nomadic people, who move here once the first snows start falling on the High .

Day 1: Nov 18th 2019 Canada to Marrakech, Morocco Upon arrival in Marrakech you will need to be transferred to the local group hotel where you will settle in to your new surroundings and stay overnight.

Dinner today will be included. Overnight in hotel.

A challenging climb up Jebel Lamrakeb is rewarded with spectacular views of the multi- coloured rocky desert landscape. Walking

Day 2: Nov 19th 2019 Marrakech city tour The Marrakech city tour will start at 9 am. Before departing, the guide will split the group in half for the city tour. Each half group will have their own minibus and certified city tour guide. You will visit Koutoubia Mosque, Saadien Tombs and Bahia Palace. Then you will continue to visit the souks and the famous Djemaa El Fna square. Lunch will be served in a local Restaurant in the Medina. Optional guided shopping trip through the traditional markets during the afternoon. Overnight in hotel.

Day 3: Nov 20th 2019 Marrakech to Ouarzazate You will leave Marrakech after breakfast and will be driven approx. 5 hours to Ouarzazate where you will stay the night. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Nov 21st 2019 Ouarzazate to Lahfira Camp Berber guides. Approx. 6 hours of walking, covering 23 km. Overnight in camp. You will leave Ouarzazate by 4x4 vehicle and transfer to

Achbarou, the "Door of the Desert", via the Tizi n'Tinifift Day 9: Nov 26th 2019 Return to Ouarzazate pass. You will continue along the Draa Valley – Glaoua The 4x4 vehicle will meet you at the camp and transport Country – until reaching Tansikht. You will then leave the you along the Tafilalet Road via Tineghir and the Kasbah Draa Valley via the Nkob Road, enjoying the panoramic trail until you arrive at Ouarzazate. Here you can explore views of Jebel Saghro – a volcanic massif. You will then the town and enjoy a night stay at a local hotel. Driving continue for two hours until Fezou and Lahfira camp. time approx. 4 hours. Overnight in hotel. Glaoua country is full of palm groves along the Draa River giving life to the Glaoua inhabitants living nearby. Driving Day 10: Nov 27th 2019 Ouarzazate to Marrakech time is approx. 4 hours. Trekking time into camp will be After a leisurely breakfast you will check out of the hotel approx. two hours walking covering 9 km. Overnight in and be transferred back to Marrakech where you will stay camp. in a locally owned and operated hotel for a final night and nd a celebration dinner. Approx. 5 hours driving. Overnight in Day 5: Nov 22 2019 Maider El Kbir Plateau hotel. This morning you will start walking by the first sand dunes and tamarisk trees, traversing the Maider El Kbir plateau. Day 11: Nov 28th 2019 International departure There is also the possibility to see some of the nomadic Your international flights can be organized to leave from tents that dot the area. The nomadic people move here Marrakech at any time today. Our services finish at 9 am with their animals from the High Atlas to the South at the local time today. beginning of autumn when the snows begin. Lunch will be taken near the Jebel Ouchane massif. This afternoon you enjoy a walk across an ancient lake bed and arrive at camp, near the bottom of Jebel Lamrakeb. Approx. 6 hours of walking, covering 16 km. Overnight in camp.

Day 6: Nov 23rd 2019 Climb Jebel Lamrakeb Today is a tough day of trekking. In the morning you will traverse Jebel Lamrakeb – with good views of the multi colored rocks, black and red, and out to the desert landscape. You will then walk down the valley down to the O'Hare Gorges to camp in the Palm groves. Approx. 7 hours of walking, covering 28 km. Overnight in camp.

Day 7: Nov 24th 2019 Rhris River Continuing the trek, you will pass Tizi n'Iguidou to join the dry Rhris River. Today you will walk across some of the biggest dunes in the area and camp at the bottom of them. Approx. 7 hours of walking, covering 27 km. Overnight in camp.

Day 8: Nov 25th 2019 The dunes of Boulaàdam Today you will leave the dunes and trek across the open desert plateau. You pass through lots of nomadic and Berber villages along the way. Arrive to Anoun El Fraolia where your trek finishes at the camp. In the evening you will celebrate around the fire with your team and local N.B. The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary; however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your expedition leader will have the final say.