Nights in the Sahara dunes

Who it is for

For a week in Morocco that trades the imperial cities for the desert.

Not for anyone who can't handle long drives, since the road to Erg Chebbi is long.

The strategy

Marrakech comes first, and the route to Erg Chebbi crosses the Atlas. Plan the road stages and breaks before allocating nights. After the desert, you still need to reach your departure airport: include that return within the week and avoid combining the long journey with a flight on the same day.

What you will see

• Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh. A square of about 4 ha, in continuous use since the 11th century, between the medina and the kasbah.
• Erg Chebbi, Sahara. Morocco's tallest and most accessible dune field: about 28 km long by 5–7 km wide, with crests rising some 150 m above the plain.

Day by day

Marrakesh

1. 1
   Day 1: The imperial medina, from the Koutoubia to the kasbah

   1. 2Saadian TombsEssential
   2. 6El Badi PalaceWorth a visit
   3. 7Bahia PalaceUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 1Jemaa el-FnaEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Souks, trades and the north of the medina

   1. 5Ben Youssef MedersaWorth a visit
   2. 9Marrakech Museum and Almoravid KoubbaUp to half an hourIf there is time
3. 3
   Day 3: Gueliz, gardens and the Atlas on the horizon

   1. 8Jardin Majorelle and Musée Yves Saint LaurentWorth a visit

Sahara

1. 4
   Day 4: From the Ziz valley to the first dune

   1. 5Ruins of SijilmassaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 5
   Day 5: Taouz, the carvings and another night in the erg
3. 6
   Day 6: Souk, Gnawa and the edge of the erg

   1. 6Zaouia of Moulay Ali CherifUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 3KhamliaUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 9Dayet SrjiUp to half an hourIf there is time
4. 7
   Day 7: West, through the gorges

   1. 8Todra GorgeWorth a visit