Silence, Sand, and Sunsets: Our Sahara Glamping Adventure

Glamping in the Sahara exceeded my expectations in so many ways.  While yes the definition of luxury was not that of the Four Seasons (where we finished our trip at), but it was still amazing.  

We started with a two day drive from Marrakesh with our amazing driver Ali. We had so much fun learning about the culture, experiences, language, and history of the areas we were traveling through as well as the lives of the people we were meeting along the way.  

I have never seen more friendly people!

Day one was driving along narrow roads to see old kasbah's and trade routes, as well as small mountain villages as we drove over the Tizi n' Tichka Pass and took in its beauty.  We spent the night in the Draa Valley with its endless 3 million date trees. It was stunning. 

Day two was more driving, only we were quickly coming to the end of civilization as we know it as we left the paved road in M'Hamid El Ghizlane. Since this was the home town of our driver we experienced a more local look at life and shopping as we bought our keffiyeh and not only learned the how but the why behind them. Then we hit the sand and off-roaded to our destination.  A luxury camp on Erg Chigaga. We arrived just in time to climb our first dune to have a sun-downer and watch a sunset. Stunning!!!

The next three days were total disconnect time. While the camp does have wifi we chose to leave our phones off and just take in the experience.  It is truly one of those times when words and pictures just cannot do it justice.  

We rode camels, visited nomads with whom we shared tea and sand bread, attempted to sand board, took naps in hammocks, ate way too much, and watched both sunsets and sunrises from the dunes. 

My most overwhelming moment was standing on the dune for sunset on our last night there.  We had rode camels to a dune we hadn't been to yet. Although the wind had been blowing it was one that stayed low to the ground and once at the top of the dune you could see it just roll over the top about an inch of the ground.  But the most awe inspiring moment came as I looked around I could see nothing but sand and just listened to the quiet.  It was the most peaceful and relaxed I have ever felt.