Archive for the ‘Sahara Desert Short Breaks’ Category

Exploring Morocco’s Sahara Desert, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Merzouga Sahara Desert, Erg Chebbi Dunes

The Sahara Desert is a region worth exploring in Morocco. Morocco’s Sahara Desert is vast and  extensive comprising of four peak desert dunes referred to as Merzouga, Zagora, M’hamid and Erg Chegaga.  Each part of Morocco’s Sahara Desert offers travelers a unique experience. Merzouga is known for it’s vast and golden Erg Chebbi Dunes that are hundreds of meters high. The regions of Zagora and M’hamid are known for longer, rolling more rustic and earthy colored dunes. Their sister Sahara Desert, Erg Chegaga has a legend of being primarily for the die-hard Morocco adventure traveler who wants to say they made it to one of the last regions. Regardless of which dunes are visited on a Morocco Sahara Desert trip any traveler is guaranteed to be enchanted with the region they choose to visit.

With a limited amount of time available for a Morocco holiday, the best way to explore Morocco’s Sahara Desert region is to begin by starting in Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate is one of the leading provinces in Southern Morocco and a former French protectorate administrative center. Ouarzazate is also considered the door to the Sahara Desert and used as a starting point for all Sahara Desert trips and excursions.

To maximize a Sahara Desert regional experience a six day Morocco adventure is most advisable. Travelers can start their desert trip in Ouarzazate with a visit it’s famous Kasbahs. Ouarzazate is known for it’s UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Benhaddou Kasbah along with the Glaoui Kasbahs  called Kasbah Taourirt and Kasbah Tamadaght. Kasbah Tifoultilte is another Kasbah that is worth visiting for tea and a sneak inside at it’s magical interior.

Not to be missed when exploring Morocco’s Sahara Desert region of Ouarzazate is the Atlas Film Studios. The Atlas Film Studios is where David Lean filmed Lawrence of Arabia in the early 1960’s. Since then many famous directors have followed in his footsteps to exploit the magnificent scenery. International blockbusters shot here in recent years include: the French version of Cleopatra, Bertolucci’s Sheltering Sky, Scorsese’s Kundun, Gillies MacKannon’s Hideous Kinky, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Black Hawke Down, Oliver Stone’s Alexander The Great, Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, and Penelope Cruz’s Sahara.

Camel Trek Sahara Desert

The finale of any Sahara Desert trip is a camel trek on the back of a dromedary into the either the Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes or those located in Zagora, M’hamid or Erg Chegaga. Each region has several excellent bivouac camps both luxury and budget for an overnight stay. All those who visit the Sahara Desert are guaranteed a Tuareg guide or a Berber guide who will assist a Sahara journey across the silent, mystical dunes.

If time allows then a few other places not to be missed on a Sahara Desert exploration are the Rissani, Erfoud and the Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine. The Souk, the Madid Ksar and fresh bread called  Madfouna are three things not to miss doing in Rissani. For Erfoud, a pitstop to this capital of fossils is a must. For those who truly want to see the “real Morocco” then considering a bread baking lesson, henna time and lunch in the Berber  village of Ait Ouzzine with a Moroccan family is a must.

For more information about Morocco’s Sahara Desert region

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

 

Short Breaks & Excursions to Morocco’s Sahara Desert, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

The Sahara Desert is one of the top Morocco travel destinations for westerners.  If you are traveling to Morocco for the holiday season or for a long needed vacation, a short break or excursion to Morocco’s Sahara Desert should be top on your list! Here is a list of the 5 most important things to consider when traveling to the Sahara plus an overview of various Moroccan tour itineraries to the Sahara Desert.

The Top 5 Things To Consider When Planning Your Sahara Desert Short Break or Excursion:

#1: Morocco’s Sahara Desert is wide and vast. When traveling by 4×4 in Morocco on a Sahara Desert Trek make sure to give yourself at least 4 days from Marrakech or Fes to guarantee a full Sahara experience. If you are willing to begin your Sahara Desert tour from Ouarzazate then a 2 or 3 Days Sahara adventure is plenty of time.

#2: There are three parts of the Sahara Desert that are most traveled by westerners for a Sahara Desert excursion or short break. The Top Sahara destinations and dunes are:

–       Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Dunes)

–       M’hamid (Erg Chegaga Dunes)

–       Zagora (Dunes of Tinfo)

#3: The best time to travel Morocco’s Sahara Desert is in spring or fall. The season of spring when it is best to travel in Morocco’s Sahara begins on or around March 10th – May 15th and the season of fall when it is best to travel Morocco’s Sahara begins on or around September 15th – October 31st. The best months to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in each season depends on the annual weather forecast. Traveling off season in the Sahara such as in the months of winter, summer, spending Christmas in the Sahara Desert or New Years Eve in a bivouac in the Sahara are definite options but require additional travel gear and patience with Morocco’s summer heat and winter’s cooler weather.

#4: Morocco’s Sahara Desert requires minimal travel gear regardless of the season. Listed below is a recommended short list of what to bring when traveling to Morocco’s Sahara region of Merzouga, M’hamid or Zagora. For a fully detailed list of Morocco Travel Gear

–       Brimmed hat, Visor, Hat, or Headscarf

–       Windbreaker or warm sweater for cooler months and evening weather when the Sahara Desert cools off

–       Travel Footwear: broken in sneakers or hiking shoes, sandals, socks

–       Sunscreen (SPF 30 + )

–       Sunglasses

–       Camera & Electronic Gear for Sahara photography

–       Personal Identification (Passport, Drivers license or Visa

–       Moroccan Dirhams (you can request Moroccan currency (the dirham) when you arrive or your Travel Exploration Morocco guide can assist with this.

#5: Morocco boasts three fabulous parts of the Sahara. These Saharan destinations are Merzouga, M’hamid and Zagora. All three destinations offer a unique Sahara Desert experience by camel trek or in 4×4.  For the die hard Sahara Desert fans, a visit to M’hamid’s Erg Chegaga Dunes which are the furthest point in the Sahara and align the border of Algeria are a must see. For a Sahara Desert adventure to the most majestic and golden dunes visit the Erg Chebbi Dunes in Merzouga which are the most popular and will not disappoint. For those who want a Sahara Desert adventure that will enable you to see slightly smaller dunes and a thriving Sahara town, its pottery cooperative, Tamagroute and a spiritual Zaouia site then choose Zagora.

Various Moroccan Sahara Tour Itineraries:

–      Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Marrakech

–       Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Fes

–      Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Ouarzazate

For More information about Sahara Desert Short Breaks & Excursions to Morocco on Travel Exploration

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, andOuarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.