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Day Trips
Around Ouzina
1- Nomads and Ouzina Desert Excursion
Ouzina Desert Nomads – Paris Dakar Rally Track – Barite Mines – Cave Engravings – Lunch at a Berber family’s house – Dune Trekking and Sunset in Erg Ouzina
In the morning after breakfast, we will go by track to see the authentic Nomads of the desert who live in the area of Ouzina and then we will go to the Baritina mines, to see the mine and how they work (the baritina is a mineral that is extracted there in the mine and taken to Europe, where they make crystal). Then we will continue our route until we reach some marvellous rock carvings, which are next to the village of Jdaid. From there we will return to the village of Ouzina, where we will have lunch at a Berber family’s house (Berber Pizza and Tea). Here we can also get tattooed with Henna, by a person specialised in this art. If you are interested you can go for a walk in the village of Ouzina and its oasis. In the afternoon we will go to the dunes of Ouzina to see the sunset and make an adventure excursion in the Erg of Ouzina.
Accommodation at Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA with dinner and breakfast.
2- Oasis, Mines and Abandoned Village Excursion
Excursion to the nomads of the Ouzina desert – Paris Dakar Rally track – Barite mines – Bourika Oasis – Oubahlou abandoned village – Ramlia Oasis – Ouzina desert.
In the morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will go by track to see the authentic desert nomads, who live in the Ouzina area. Then we will go to the baryte mines, to see the mine and how they work (baryte is a mineral that is extracted in the mine and taken to Europe, where they make glass). Then we will go to the Oasis and the Bourika palm grove, where we will have a Pic-Nic (Moroccan salad or similar and grilled chicken). After lunch we will go to see the Lost City Oubahlou (the lost city or the Portuguese city), which are ancient Portuguese ruins. We take a walk there and in the afternoon we arrive at the Oasis of Ramlia, where we can have tea in a café and walk around the village and its Oasis. In the afternoon we will go on an excursion to the dunes to see the sunset in Erg de Ouzina, and to enjoy the peace and quiet of this wild desert.
Overnight at Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA with dinner and breakfast.
3- Oasis and gorges excursion
Excursion to the nomads of the Ouzina desert – Paris Dakar Rally track – Ramlia Oasis – Sand river – Tafraoute (Sidi Ali) – Mharech Gorges – Oubahlou abandoned village – Barite mines – Ouzina desert.
In the morning after breakfast, we will go by track to see the authentic desert nomads who live in the area of Ouzina, then we will go to the Oasis of Ramlia, where we can have a tea in a cafeteria and we can also take a walk around the village and its Oasis. We will cross the sand river, which is about 4 kms of fesh-fesh and fine sand, until we reach the plain of Ahanou, where we will stop to see the panoramic view and take pictures of the plain and the dry lake of Lac Maider. Then we will arrive to the village of Tafraoute (Sidi Ali), we will continue our route until we arrive to the Mharech Gorges (gate of Belen), there we will have lunch in a restaurant inside the gorges. In the afternoon we will go to the Lost City Oubahlou (the lost city or the Portuguese city) which is an ancient Portuguese ruins. We will take a walk there, and go to the Barite mines, to see the mine and how they work (barite is a mineral that is extracted there in the mine and taken to Europe, where they make glass). If we arrive in time to the desert of Ouzina we can make an excursion through the dunes to see the sunset in the dunes of Erg of Ouzina, to enjoy the tranquility and peace of this wild desert.
Accommodation at Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA with dinner and breakfast.
4- Begaa Rock Carvings & Fossils Excursion
Day trip to discover the dunes of Erg Ouzina, the rock engravings, the mines and the fossils of the Begaa.
Departure in the morning after breakfast, crossing the sand through the dunes (Erg Ouzina), along a range of black mountains, until we reach the first rock engravings of Jdaid, where we will make a short stop to admire the palm grove. Then we continue by track to another site of engravings near Taouz, passing by places where we will find fossils (layers of Orthoceras and Crinoids), we will also visit the vein 12, and mines of lead, vanadinite and barite. We will then visit the ancient city of Ouawfilalte, and head east to the village of Begaa, where we will visit a Jurassic layer (the fossilised bones and teeth of some animals). We will stop at an oasis to rest and enjoy a wonderful Pic-Nic (Moroccan salad or similar and grilled chicken). After lunch we will return by the Dakar track to Taouz, from where we will go to the Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA, where we will enjoy a musical evening.
Accommodation at Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA with dinner and breakfast.
5- Rissani Market & Merzouga Excursion
1 day excursion to discover the souk of Rissani and surroundings, and the desert of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) – Excursion in motorbike, buggies, or quad by Erg Chebbi, Merzouga – Visit of the village of Khamlia – Rock carvings – Village of Jdaid – Desert of Ouzina.
Departure after breakfast to the city of Rissani (you have the option to go by road to Rissani or by road to Taouz, and then take the tarmac road). Arrival in the city of Rissani, capital of the region of Tafilalet, an area of palm groves, dates and handicrafts.
The city is located in the heart of Tafilalet, which played an important economic role in the history of Morocco, as it is situated on the ancient route of gold and the great caravans coming from Sudan and Guinea. We will visit the main market (Souk) of Rissani (market days are: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday), on market day you can buy everything at local prices and quality. We will visit the market and the parking of the donkeys, sheep, goats and the spices area, where we can book a Madfouna (Berber Pizza) for lunch. After lunch we will go back to Merzouga, there if you are interested we can stop for an excursion in Quad or Buggies through the dunes of Erg Chebbi, and then we take the 4×4 and go to the village of Khamlia, where the Gnawa live, musicians of sub-Saharan origin (Black Africa), who will delight us with their music and dances, while we savour a mint tea (Berber whiskey). Afterwards you can buy a CD of their music, which costs 10 € or give them a tip of at least 5 €. We then continue to Taouz, from where we take the old track of the Paris Dakar Rally to see some marvellous rock carvings, and pass through the village of Jdaid until we reach Ouzina.
Accommodation at Riad Hotel PORTE DE SAHARA OUZINA with dinner and breakfast.
6- Merzouga & Erg Chebi Desert Excursion
1 day excursion from the desert of Ouzina to the desert of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi).
In the morning, after breakfast, we will go by track from our Auberge Porte De Sahara Ouzina to Jdaid, then we will arrive to the wonderful rock carvings of Jdaid, where we will make a stop to visit them. Then we will continue to Taouz, where we will make another stop if you are interested, from there we will continue through Asphalt, to reach the village of Khamlia, where the Gnawa live, musicians of sub-Saharan origin (Black Africa), who will delight us with music and dances, while we enjoy a mint tea (Berber whiskey). Afterwards you can buy a CD of their wonderful music, worth 10€ or give them a tip of at least 5€. Afterwards we will go to the village of Merzouga, where you can enjoy an excursion by quad, buggy or motorbike through the dunes of Erg Chebbi. After lunch we will go for a ride in 4×4, through Erg Chebbi. We will reach the nomads who live behind Erg Chebbi, there we will stop to enjoy a Berber tea and see how they live and how is the life of the nomads. Then we will continue to the abandoned village (Mifis), where we can take a walk through the village (it is a ruins, most of the houses are abandoned) and has a mine of baryte and lime. Then we continue along the track until we reach the village of Talghamte, from where we continue in the direction of Taouz. In the afternoon we will return to Ouzina, where we will spend the night.
Accommodation at Riad Porte De Sahara Hotel with dinner and breakfast.
Visit us:
- Ouzina, Merzouga - Morocco
- portedesahara@gmail.com
- 00212 661 737 692 / Whatsapp available
- 00212 668 605 934