Our first stop takes us to the Erg Ouzina dunes, a sea of golden sand extending all the way to the horizon. These dunes are famous for their peace and calm, far removed from mass tourism. We can wander around, take unique pictures, and soak in the Saharan silence. To enjoy the landscape at its fullest, our driver takes you along in offroad 4×4 vehicles. If you travel by your own offroad vehicle, our professional desert driver can guide you through your first steps of driving in sand dunes. In a controlled setting, we can gear our courses both to beginners and to experienced drivers who strive to acquire new skills in the adventure of sand racing.
Paris-Dakar rally course:
With your freshly honed skills, our excursion continues along the nostalgic tracks of the legendary Paris-Dakar rally, crossing the remote desert landscapes and discovering all their beauty. The famous desert trails, on which adventurers from all over the world have written history, allow us to follow one of the most mythical motorways across the Sahara. Nowadays, the tracks offer a unique experience of freedom and adventure, allowing travellers to feel the vastness of the desert and to relive the Paris-Dakar rally spirit in an authentic and rarely frequented part.
Meeting a nomad family Only accessible through sand trails and desert 4×4 routes, we reach a nomad family still living off-grid in the desert. Here we are welcomed with traditional Amazigh tea, smiles and stories of their lives in the Sahara desert. We are invited to feel Amazigh hospitality and get in touch with the nomadic way of life.
Mines of Tijekht:
Next, we visit the old barite mines in Tijekht, which stand witness to the past and present of mining in the Sahara. With its brilliant white, yellow and ocre rocks, the mountains of Tijekht seem almost like a lunar desert landscape. Nowadays, the barite mines of Tijekht are not exploited industrially anymore, but offer a glimpse into the long tradition of artisanal mining in the desert. Morocco continues to be a global leader in barite production and export, supplying minerals crucial to the glass and chemical industries worldwide. Much of this production stems from artisanal mines like those in Tijekht. A visible testimony to the mineral wealth, local labor and desert economy of the Sahara region.
Bourika oasis We now reach the Bourika oasis, one of the most refreshing and marvellous stops of our Sahara desert excursion. Hidden behind a mountain range in the open, arid plains, the desert oasis is a true “green lung” of the region. Thanks to an underground water reservoir, life flourishes here, nourishing its lush palm trees in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara.
The lost kasbah of Oubahallou:
We continue towards the abandoned kasbah of Oubahallou, lost in time in the Moroccan Sahara desert. Perched on top of a hill overlooking the plains, this historic kasbah is not only an old architectural site, but a strategic fortress through which its former residents controlled the trans-Saharan trade routes and movement through the desert. Its weathered walls tell stories of caravan routes and ancient defensive systems that today form an important part of the cultural and historical heritage of the Moroccan Sahara.
Erg Ramlia – village and dunes:
Entering the zone of Erg Ramlia dunes, we are struck by the imposing dunes that surround the small village of Ramlia, one of the most isolated in southern Morocco. Here in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara, the Ramlia oasis is known for its village and traditional Amazigh lifestyle deeply connected to the desert environment.
We enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch in Ramlia, prepared with local ingredients. In this moment of relaxation and conviviality, we can savour genuine desert hospitality. After the meal, we visit the Ramlia oasis, a peaceful place surrounded by date palm groves, where life revolves around water management and traditional oasis agriculture.
Panoramic view of the Saharan river. The excursion now leads us to a natural viewpoint overlooking each of the different spectacular landscapes. We see the Erg Ramlia, the iconic acacia trees and the Oued Griss valley. The acacia trees, iconic to this region, are one of the symbols of the Sahara desert. Providing natural shade and shelter, their remarkable ability to survive with little water makes them a sign of life and hope in the desert landscape.
From this point, we can fully appreciate the unique location in which the inhabitants of Ramlia have chosen their home. Below Ramlia, the Griss and the Ziz river unite and as one of only a few rivers in Morocco, they continue their final kilometers to mouth not in the sea, but below the Sahara desert sands.
Discover Oued Ziz:
Turning our gaze now northwards, we see the valley of the Oued Ziz, one of the most important waterways in southern Morocco. Rising in the Atlas mountains, the Ziz river flows through the desert, giving life to palm groves, Saharan oases and fertile valleys in stark contrast to their arid surroundings. We humbly observe the extent of the vast dry lake that in certain seasons fills with water, but which with its large white and grey surface almost appears covered in salt during most of the year. Crossing the rugged lake surface, we return through this characteristic region of the Moroccan South, and enjoy the surprising and very photogenic landscape.
Return to the Riad Ouzina TGM:
After leaving the viewpoint, we continue towards Riad Ouzina TGM, crossing the Asgin dunes, where we make another panoramic stop on top of one of the dunes. From this privileged spot, we enjoy a stunning view of the famous Tajin Mountain, a natural rock formation whose shape resembles the traditional tajine, an iconic symbol of local cuisine.
We complete our excursion by returning to the Riad Ouzina TGM in the late afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 pm, with unforgettable memories and a deep dive into life and history of the Sahara. We close the excursion by sharing a traditional hospitality tea, a symbol of Amazigh welcome, and take a short break to relax. You are welcome to climb the dune located next to the Riad Ouzina TGM to conclude the day with a memorable sunset in this peaceful Sahara desert retreat.
