Tilila Travel offers an 8-day Sahara Camel Trek in Morocco, providing an immersive desert experience. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Itinerary Highlights:
While there might be slight variations, a typical 8-day Sahara Camel Trek with Tilila Travel generally follows this route:
- Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech. You’ll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your accommodation in Marrakech, with a welcome dinner and an introduction to the journey.
- Day 2: Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou to Ouarzazate. Journey across the High Atlas Mountains, visit the UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, and then continue to Ouarzazate (the “Gateway to the Desert”).
- Day 3: Ouarzazate to Dades Valley. Travel through the Valley of Roses into the Dades Gorge, enjoying short hikes and stops in Berber villages.
- Day 4: Dades to Todra Gorge to Merzouga (Start of Camel Trek). Explore the Todra Gorge before heading to Merzouga, the gateway to Erg Chebbi. Here, you’ll begin your camel trek into the dunes and spend the night in a traditional Berber desert camp.
- Day 5: Full Day in the Sahara Desert. Trek deeper into the dunes, visiting nomadic groups, fossil beds, and oases. Enjoy a picnic lunch and learn about the desert’s geology and ecology. You’ll spend another night at a new campsite.
- Day 6: Desert to Rissani to Draa Valley. Bid farewell to the Sahara and travel towards the Draa Valley, with a stop in Rissani to explore its souk. Spend the night in a kasbah hotel along the river.
- Day 7: Draa Valley to Ouarzazate to Marrakech. Return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains, with scenic stops along the way. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Marrakech.
- Day 8: Departure from Marrakech. Depending on your flight schedule, you might have time to explore Marrakech further before your airport transfer.
Some itineraries might focus more heavily on the camel trekking itself, with multiple days spent deep in the desert, such as treks through Erg Ait Ouneir, Erg Ezzahar, Erg Zmila, Erg Laarida, and Ras Nkhal dunes. Another itinerary might include the Erg Chigaga dunes instead of Erg Chebbi.
What’s Included (General):
Based on common inclusions for similar tours and Tilila Travel’s offerings, you can generally expect:
- Accommodation: This typically includes nights in hotels/Riads in cities like Marrakech and Ouarzazate and multiple nights in Berber desert camps (which can range from standard to luxury).
- Transportation: Private air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle with a dedicated driver for transfers between cities and desert entry points.
- Camel Treks: Camels for each person during the desert trek.
- Meals: Often includes daily breakfasts and dinners, and some lunches (especially during the desert trekking days, which might be picnic lunches).
- Local Guides: Professional and experienced local guides, especially during the desert trek and for city tours (like Ait Ben Haddou, Todra Gorge).
- Airport Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation.
What’s Usually Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches on certain days (it’s important to confirm this with Tilila Travel)
- Drinks and snacks (private expenses)
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Entrance fees to historical sites (confirm this as some tours might include them)
- Sleeping bags (sometimes, though camps usually provide bedding)
Cost:
The cost for Tilila Travel’s 8-Day Sahara Camel Trek is “on request” as they specialize in tailored itineraries. However, based on similar 8-day tours from Marrakech offered by Tilila Travel, you can expect prices to range from approximately €950 to €1,500+ per person, depending on the level of accommodation (standard, upgraded, or luxury), group size (private vs. small group), and specific inclusions. For instance, a “Morocco 8 Days Desert Tour From Casablanca” listed on TourRadar (operated by Tilila Travel) shows a price of US $2,080 for a group of up to 8 travelers. Private tours will generally be more expensive per person.
Reviews: 8-Day Sahara Camel Trek in Morocco
Tilila Travel generally receives very positive reviews from travelers, with many highlighting the professionalism, responsiveness, and friendliness of their drivers and guides. They are praised for their ability to customize itineraries and provide excellent service, even with last-minute requests.
It’s always recommended to contact Tilila Travel directly for the most accurate and up-to-date itinerary details, inclusions, and pricing for their 8-Day Sahara Camel Trek.
