Go Beyond the Destination
This memorable tour, starting and finishing in Marrakech, takes you on an ancient journey in the south of Morocco, via the Atlas Mountains and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. You travel through Berber villages, palm groves, gorges, Kasbahs, canyons, oases and into the Sahara desert. During the tour you will visit some of the most interesting geographical, historical and cultural sites in Morocco. You will enjoy warm Moroccan hospitality and fresh cuisine: dates, olives, endless Berber whisky (mint tea), freshly baked bread and olive oil, generous breakfasts and tagines.
What is included:
- Pick up from hotel/Riad in a private, air-condition 4-wheel drive car
- English speaking guide
- Skilled driver
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Gorge dades with private room and private bathroom.
- Overnight stay at a hotel in Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah with private room and private bathroom.
- Overnight stay in Berber tents between the dunes of the Sahara
- Dinners and breakfasts
- Camel rides
- Mineral water
- Drop off at your hotel in Marrakech
Not includes?
- Lunches, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Entrance to monuments
- Tips
Highlights
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains and its Tizi Ntichka Pass
- Cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains
- Visit Ouarzazat studios
- Sunset camel trek to your desert camp
- Early morning camel trek back to hotel
- Spend night in Berber tent and sleep under the stars if you wish
- Enjoy a bonfire and live music under the stars
- Visit Todra Gorge and walk along the river
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou
- Discover the lifestyle of nomadic people
- Have your own private guide and driver
Itinerary!
Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazat, Rose valley and Dades gorges.
The tour starts at your hotel, Riad or other accommodation and heads towards the High Atlas Mountains through the col of Tizi-n-Tichka at an elevation of 2260m. Pass through Ouarzazat known as "the door of the desert". Ouarzaxat is a film-making location, with Morocco's biggest studios producing many international and Hollywood movies. These include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), the Mummy (1999) and many others. You have lunch in Ouarzazat after visiting the Atlas studio. Continue to Gorge Dedes where you will spend the night in a hotel between the spectacular Gorge of Dedes. Before arriving we stop at the rose valley of Kalat Mgouna, where people celebrate a rose water festival each May, and there are many beautiful rose products. Sleep in a hotel overlooking Gorge of Dedes.
Day 2: Dedes gorges to Tinghir, Todra gorges, Tinjdad to Merzouga
After breakfast, departure from your hotel. Drive through colourful Berber villages of Dedes valley and pass through Tinghir with its beautiful palm grove and Jewish Quarter. Then through Toudra Gorges where you will have the chance to have an easy 90 minute walk around the canyons which are nearly 300m high. The canyon is well known for rock climbing. After that you will have lunch in the town of Tinjdad and then leave to Erg Chabbi Sahara Desert. While you get to Merzouga, you will find camels waiting to take you on an overnight adventure in the Sahara dunes. Riding camels for one hour and half, you will enjoy the Sahara sunset on your way to the bivouac from the dune of Erg Chabbi.
After arriving at your Berber tents where we will spend the night, walk up and down the dunes. After dinner you will love the roaring fire and the Saharan music, and the unique opportunity to see the stars in the clear Moroccan sky.
Day 3: Merzouga to Agdez, to Ait Ben haddou
Wake up early to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over the Saharan dunes. Return by a 90 minute camel ride to the Intel in the centre of the village of Merzouga. Have a refreshing shower to wash off the Saharan sand, and enjoy a hearty breakfast. In a 4-wheel drive depart for Agdz via the Draa valley. You have the option of walking one to two hours between palm trees and the Berber villages. Enjoy lunch in Agdez. In the afternoon travel towards Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village. Here you will spend your third night in a hotel or guesthouse.
Day 4: Ait Ben Haddou to Talouat, Tizi and Tichka and on to Marrakech
After breakfast you can enjoy one hour walk around the old Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Ait Ben Haddou is an igharem (a fortified village) along the ancient caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. In Ait Ben Haddou you will explore the traditional Moroccan style of architecture in which the Kasbahs are built. It is an ancient trading hub, and a recent location for filming many films, including Game of Thrones. After this enjoy driving through scenic roads, colourful landscapes and Berber villages along the way. When we arrive in Talouat we shall stop to visit the Kasbah of Kaid lglaoui. After this, we travel back through the Atlas Mountain, returning to Marrakech at 16:00 hours.
Client testimonials
While I was studying abroad, I knew Morocco was somewhere I wanted to travel. Once deciding to go to Marrakesh, I started to look for activities. I was recommended this tour from another friend studying abroad. I am SO happy I did this. It is still one of my fondest memories of abroad and Elhoussain was better than any guide I could've asked for. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience I will never forget.
Best experience in Morocco if you are looking to wonderful landscapes, be fully immersed in the culture and open your mind. Loved it!
