Grand Moroccan Escapade

DETAILS

The Travel Scientists are proud to present a nine day desert adventure in Morocco that will see you explore the Atlas mountains, scale windswept Saharan dunes and look upon the timeless landscape of the desert.

Either in locally sourced vehicles, or one of your own, this superb ‘minimal assistance’ event through the south of this fascinating country harks back to the old days of the Paris-Dakar Rally challenge including your team spending two nights in Berber tents in the solitude of the Sahara under the endless stars of a desert sky.

The Grand Moroccan Escapade is another amazing rally challenge from the Travel Scientists and in aiming to bring you an off-beat desert adventure Morocco was the obvious choice. Its stunning selection of historical monuments, coupled with its glorious culinary culture and some of the most famously hospitable people on the planet, all make it the perfect place to explore erratically.

From the Atlantic ocean to the sea of sand that is the Sahara, this desert adventure in Morocco will take you on an epic odyssey featuring everything from canyons to camels, souks to sand dunes, beaches to Berbers and with our diverse crowd you’re bound to make friends as well as memories as you work together to complete the Grand Moroccan Escapade.

HIGHLIGHTS

Focusing on off the beaten track, natural and historical interests, culinary experience, exciting desert driving.

Drive through the Atlas Mountains.
Explore gorges and canyons.
Enjoy the amazing Moorish and Berber architecture.
Explore the ancient Ksar of Ait Benhaddou.
Climb the sand dunes of East Morocco.
Rediscover old Paris-Dakar routes through the Sahara.
Maybe even switch your car for a camel for a bit.
Sleep under the stars of a clear desert night.
Indulge in the flavors and scents of Morocco.
Party in cosmopolitan Agadir.
Wander through the narrow lanes of mysteriou

ITINERARY

Day 1

Marrakech to Quarzazate
Wander through the oriental markets and get lost in the labyrinth of the old town between snake charmers and the smell of exotic food. Leaving Marrakech behind, we drive up winding roads crossing the imposing Atlas Mountains. Our next checkpoint is Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village along a former caravan route and now a famous movie location for Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many more.Tonight’s destination Ouarzazate with its great eating and shopping possibilities is the place to relax and recharge before leaving civilization for quite a while.

Day 2

Quarzazate to Boumalne Dades
Drive along the road of One Thousand Kasbahs through a valley dotted with small oases and countless of the ancient fortifications. Don’t miss the chance to get to know the traditional kasbah life before we head on to the mesmerizing scenery of Toundoute. A drive through the Valley of Roses leads us to Boumalne Dades.

Day 3

Boumalne Dades to Erg Chebbi Dunes
Passing through the Dades Valley and the Gorges du Todra, both unique formations carved into the rock by rivers over the millennia, we’ll finally hit the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, which rise up to 150 m high. And that’s where we’ll spend the night, right in between the Dunes in a traditional Berber camp.

Day 4

Rest Day in Erg Chebbi
A night in the desert can be a bit cool, but on the next day we’ll quickly warm up with some more adventures on camels or quad bikes for the brave ones or just by letting the sun shine in our faces and relax, since this is our rest day.

Day 5

Erg Chebbi Dunes to Mhamid el Ghizlane
Be ready for some off-road-action on the old Paris-Dakar piste on our way to Mhamid, the “End of the road” (of the route national N°9), an ancient caravan stop and today a small oasis town, and further on to another Berber camp, where we’ll spend the night under a million stars in the silence of the Sahara.

Day 6

Mhamid el Ghizlane to Tata
Chances are, that the only oncoming traffic you’ll meet today on the piste between Mhamid and Foum Zguid are some random stray camels. This day will test your navigation skill and your skills on sandy tracks as well as on rocky terrain.

Day 7

Tata to Tafraoute
Also this day is packed with breathtaking desert landscapes. A special highlight is surely the Ait Mansour Gorge with its green oasis spreading out at the valley bottom. Another stop are the Blue Rocks, a Belgian widower’s tribute to his late wife spread out in the middle of the desert.

Day 8

Tafraoute to Agadir
An amazing beach drive will lead you from the quiet desert to the buzzing city life of Agadir – prepare yourself! Agadir is said to be one of Morocco’s most modern and progressive cities, while still embracing its Moroccan heritage and culture – so nothing stands between you and you enjoying a cool beer on the beach promenade!

Day 9

Agadir to Marrakech
We’ll have some more time to explore Agadir, before we head off back to Marrakesh, where we’ll finish an epic rally with what else than a great party.