MOROCCO AND THE WESTERN SAHARA
THE LAND OF THE DESERT
November 01 - November 12, 2022
Led by Lecturer, Guide and Historian, Mohamed Halouani

Few places on earth compare to the Sahara Desert, a natural wonder of vast plains and heated dunes that controls the south and eastern regions of Morocco. The Western Sahara is a territory of northwestern Africa bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria in the northeast, Mauritania to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. This 12-day program takes you on a journey to discover some of the most unknown parts of the Sahara, forbidden for decades to foreigners. We are proud to be the “first ones” to bring intrepid travelers to the vast, rocky and sandy regions of Saguia El Hamra, Tiris Zemmour, and Rio de Oro, now Saharan provinces of Morocco. A real “off the beaten tracks” expedition for passionate travelers and Sahara lovers that combines real adventure with refined cultural encounters. Accompanied by reliable guides and following a carefully planned itinerary, you will safely explore these vast lands. Crossing the desert, you’ll experience genuine encounters with nomadic tribes, explore stone citadels and prehistoric rock art sites, and navigate along emerald lagoons that divide ocean and dunes. This itinerary is the result of ten years’ research, both bibliographical and in the field; through scouting, contacts with nomads, local tribes, and former fighters, allowing us to share with our travelers the most interesting places of this large region full of history, linking prehistoric times with a contemporary era.

Trip Grade:
III Challenging - parts of the trip will be physically challenging, involving walking over sand in a hot climate and presence of insects. There will be long drives over rough roads and sand dunes with no defined roads. You will be camping and sleeping on cots with a thin mattress. Lunches may be simple, cold picnic lunches. Expect primitive or no bathroom facilities along the road and remoteness from modern towns or cities.

LODGING Level:
*-**** Basic-Deluxe - basic camping (individual tents with shared shower-tent and toilet-tent) to hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards (3 to 5 stars.)

Special Trip Remarks:
Tourist facilities are very limited in the remote regions of the desert and small villages you will be visiting. There are few first-class hotels outside the cities. Hotel air-conditioning in this region does not cool a room to American standards of comfort. In the heart of the desert, there are no standard accommodations and you will be camping. However, we will do our best to ensure your comfort. Tents will be equipped with beds, carpets, and a separate dining tent and seated tented toilet.

Participants should understand that this trip involves long drives in hot weather traveling over virgin sand dunes in 4x4 vehicles. The physical shape you are in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of your trip. There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote regions, such as sickness and lack of modern medical facilities. If you have any chronic health problems (respiratory or cardiac problems, a bad back, or diabetes), we recommend you consider a different trip. It is highly advisable to purchase travel protection insurance for such a journey. In addition, many routes are sand and this can cause breathing and eye irritation from the dust. By signing up for such tour, you are admitting to accepting these challenges and that you are agreeing to be tolerant, flexible and patient with any possible arising inefficiency. Knowing the nature of such off-the-beaten track journey, all travelers joining this tour will require a high level of flexibility and tolerance and willingness to go with the flow when things change. Anyone joining this trip are acknowledging their full understanding and acceptance of all terms and conditions are admitting that they are in good physical and mental health, and are equipped with an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a tolerant and patient spirit to cope up with the tour. We retain the full right to make any necessary changes to the itinerary, to the sequence of visits, to the choices of hotels and sites or activities previously described in the itinerary.