SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S TRIP 2026 TO THE MOROCCAN DESERT

Departure at 9:00 AM* on a direct flight from Barcelona to Ouarzazate. Arrival at our destination at 11:20 AM. After passing through passport control and collecting our luggage, we will be picked up at the airport in 4x4 vehicles with a driver and depart for Ouarzazate, where we will have lunch.

Later, we will visit Aït Ben Haddou, a Ksar declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the setting for several film productions such as “Gladiator” and “Lawrence of Arabia.” We will then continue to Boumalne Dades, a town located in the Valley of the Birds at an altitude of 1,612 meters. Accommodation and dinner at the 4-star Hotel Xaluca Dades.

*Flight schedules may vary slightly and will be reconfirmed 21 days prior to departure.

Today we'll venture off-road into the heart of the Central High Atlas Mountains, discovering spectacular landscapes. We'll visit Berber villages like Boutaghrar and Amskar, where time seems to have stood still. We'll see mountains, canyons, and valleys, as well as caves still inhabited by mountain nomads. We'll hike through the M'Goun Gorges for an unforgettable experience. Lunch will be a picnic. Accommodation and dinner at the 4-star Xaluca Dades Hotel.

Continuing the tradition of solidarity on this trip, we invite you to contribute by donating a piece of warm clothing. Each year we make this donation in a different mountain village. We're not asking you to buy anything, but rather to donate warm clothing you no longer use: coats, fleeces, hats, gloves, etc. One or two items per person, as baggage weight is limited by the airline.

This morning we'll travel through the Dades Valley to the end of the gorges, where we'll have tea at the viewpoint. On the way back, we'll stop at the "Monkey's Paws" rock formations. Lunch will be at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we'll depart on paved roads towards Erfoud. We'll pass through Tinerhir, a town offering a beautiful panorama of contrasts with its pink houses and palm groves. It's the ideal starting point for exploring the famous Todra Gorges. We'll visit the gorges and continue our journey to Erfoud, a city known as the "Gateway to the Desert." Accommodation and dinner will be at the Kasbah Xaluca, considered unique in Morocco for its distinctive features.

Today will be a day immersed in the desert. We'll travel along one of the tracks used in the Dakar Rally, visiting villages and desert nomads. We'll stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries, which are 360 ​​million years old. We'll have a picnic lunch in an oasis and continue on to the great Erg Chebbi, a desert of incredibly fine sand dunes. There, we'll exchange our 4x4 vehicles for camels to venture into the heart of the dunes and witness an unforgettable sunset. 

We'll arrive by camel at the Belle Etoile Bivouac and stay in traditional Berber tents, like those used by desert nomads. A special Berber dinner with local folklore awaits. Spending a night under the stars is truly spectacular.

Today's "A Date with Sunrise" is highly recommended to wake up early and watch the sunrise from the dunes. We'll depart in 4x4 vehicles to circle the Erg Chebbi dunes to the abandoned village of Merdani. We'll continue to Khamlia, home to people originally from Mali, who will treat us to traditional dances and mint tea. Later, we'll visit the Rissani Market, unique in these latitudes, where desert tribes and nomads stock up on supplies. Its donkey "parking" is a curious sight. Lunch will be at the most authentic Berber pizzeria, Des Dunes, in Erfoud.

We'll then arrive at the Kasbah Xaluca to spend a few relaxing hours and prepare to ring in the New Year. We can enjoy the heated pool and jacuzzi. Optional services such as the Hammam (Turkish Bath) and massages can be booked. The more adventurous can take quad bike excursions through the dunes surrounding the hotel. Optional Excursion: New Year's Eve dinner and party.

This afternoon, shuttle cars will be available for those who wish to visit Erfoud, a craft shop, or take a stroll through the town. The 13th annual "San Silvestre" race will also take place, offering a fun family sporting event to close out the year.

This morning we'll climb to a natural viewpoint to bid farewell to the desert with a beautiful panoramic view. We'll return to Erfoud where we'll have the opportunity to stroll through an authentic centuries-old kasbah and visit a Berber crafts museum. Lunch will be at Kasbah Xaluca.

At the agreed time, transfer to Errachidia Airport for our return flight. En route, we'll pass through the Ziz Valley, home to more than 10 million palm trees. Departure is at 6:00 PM and we'll return to Barcelona. Arrival in Barcelona is expected around 8:35 PM.