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SAHARA DESERT TREKS 2012
Having spent much of the last three years in M’Hamid, and in association
with Iguidi Tours, a small nomad family run business; (endorsed by Rough
Guide, Guide Routier, and Trip Advisor) I am offering a hassle- free
trip and desert trek in the South of Morocco. M’Hamid el Ghislane is at
'the end of the road' into the Sahara - and is fantastic for trekking,
star gazing, local culture, and a very warm welcome.
The
price is £400 per person excluding flights. This includes:-
* Transfers Marrakech Airport / Hotel
* Overnight B&B in Hotel Ali
* Return Transport Marrakech / M’Hamid
* 2 nights at Iguidi desert camp (all meals and water included)
* 4 day trek (all meals and water included)
(Please note - I receive no commission or other remuneration.)
You
will be met from Marrakech airport. Average flight costs to Marrakech
are less than £200 (return) and you may find for considerably less.
We
overnight at the Hotel Ali, next to the famous D'jmaa el Fnaa,
convenient for the souks, reasonably quiet and very atmospheric, as well
as having BATHS! We'll do a little sight seeing in Marrakesh, and have a
mosey around the souks, beautiful, and great for jewellery, clothes and
sandals for the holiday.
A
group could be anything from 4 people to 12. and I accompany the groups
at all times, including on the trek.
The
drive down through the Atlas Mountains via Ouarzazate and Zagora to
M'Hamid is super spectacular. We'll arrive at the Iguidi camp in the
evening, have dinner in the salon, and be shown to our tents (or rooms).
Their website is www.iguiditours.com - in French with an automatic
translate, which is odd but fun, and salient info is all there. Iguidi
is run by Abdoulouahab Bouhouda, and his brother Mohamed, and all the
family help with the cooking, housekeeping, feed the camels and mule and
fetch sweet drinking water from the town, and from the well (for showers
and toilets.)
Traditional welcome with dates and camel milk
Next morning the guides and cameleers load up the camels. You'll take a
rucksack with comfy walking clothes, something warm for the evenings,
and good worn-in walking sandals or shoes if possible.
Please respect the dress code in the South, by not wearing shorts,
vests, and low cleavages. Loose baggy trousers, and long sleeved shirts
are best. The toilet on the trek will be 'au naturel.' All bedding,
tents, water and food will be provided.
You will need your own travel insurance. (There is no danger of bandit
attack or kidnapping in this neck of the woods.)
The 4 day trek to Erg Ez-zahar (approx 80 k) provides a deep and
unforgettable experience of the Sahara's topographical features - oases,
serirs or regs (gravel-covered plains), plateaus, mountains, sand
sheets, dunes and sand seas(ergs). With any luck, we may see some of the
mammal species found in the Sahara such as gerbil, jerboa, the desert
hedgehog, common jackal, or sand fox. Or catch a glimpse of an eagle!
Numerous types of reptiles, lizards, chameleons, skinks, and cobras are
to be found among the dunes and rocks, although it is extremely rare to
see more than the traces in the sand!
We leave early via the Kasbah, stop for 'siesta' , and continue walking
to the evening camp, in time for sunset and quiet time in the dunes
relaxing or watching stars before dinner. We are very much ‘off the
beaten track’ rarely meeting other people, or tourists for the whole 4
days.
Any problems walking or other health issues please let me know. The
camels are normally used for portage on the way out, although people are
welcome to ride them on the way back. However we can make special
arrangements if necessary.
We arrive back for a special dinner, with dancing, music, drumming and
Saharan singing in the camp.
We depart next morning at 6.15 a.m. for Marrakesh.
We’ll give any help we can with extensions and independent travellers
are most welcome.
More Info and bookings:
jan@scoraig.com or tel. 0771 7055039
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