Description
This 10-day expedition will enable you to learn about the Amazigh culture and enjoy the diversity of the dramatic landscape that southern Morocco has to offer. This will take you to the heart of the country – to meet people with rich hearts and warm hospitality. You will enjoy travelling through vast, arid landscapes – with dry, fine air. Sleep under an unspoilt sky, revealing millions of stars. This expedition starts and ends in either Marrakech or Casablanca, and it is possible to extend it to 12 days. Welcome to enjoy Morocco as we enjoy it, Marhaban.
Day 1: Arrive at Marrakech
Upon arrival, we will pick you up and drive you to your riad in the Medina,where you can check in and relax . After dinner, you will have the option to walk around the Jemaa El Fna Square, entertained by magicians; storytellers; musicians and many more
Day 2: Exploring Marrakech
After breakfast in the riad , you can start exploring Marrakech “the Red City of Morocco”. Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, including the famous Jemaa El Fna Square , the Saadian tombs; the Palaces of Bahia, and the Ben
Youssef Coranic school. Lunch near the square, at a restaurant of your choice, then in the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, see the Koutoubia tower and have a short tour in the new town of Marrakech.
Day 3: Day trip Ourika Valley and the Berber Trail
We will meet you at your riad/hotel in Marrakech and start travelling to Ourika Valley via the villages of Asni and Tahnaout. This tour will take you through the three valleys including Tahnaout valley, the Mulay Brahim Gorge and the Berber village of Asni, you will also have the opportunity to visit a Berber family and experience our culture. During, your journey, you will experience the breathtaking scenery and the fascinating views
of the Toubkal and Oukaimden Mountains -the highest peaks in North Africa. By lunchtime you will get to Ourika Valley – one of the richest valleys in Morocco with flowing water, luxuriant trees, magnificent flowers, blooming bushes, and delightful waterfalls… After lunch here, you have the option to take a 2 hour hike. Walking through the Berber village of Setti Fatma, and within the fields where you may well see the monkeys in the wild, and experience great views of the waterfall. Afterwards, we will head back to Marrakech. Overnight at your riad as above.
Day 4: Marrakech – Ijoukak – Tizi n Test – Taroudant
After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Taroudant via the Tizi n’Test Pass over the High Atlas Mountains. Today, you will be experiencing amazing landscape through the second highest pass in Morocco, the home of many Berber tribes. Your first main stop will be at the TinMal Mosque, a 12th century historical site. Now a UNESCO heritage site, Tin Mal area was the base of the Almohad dynasty before they succeeded the Almoravid empire. Your journey continues over the High Atlas Mountains and then through the Argan fields before you get to Taroudant.
Day 5: Exploring Taroudant
After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring the city of Taroudant “The little Marrakech”. There is no must-see monument here, so the highlights of this town like most of any other place is the social daily life of the people; you will walk the souks , take a tour around the walls and wander the small square of Alaouine, known as “Assarag square”. You will be walking the alleys of the Medina and visit the Berber Jewelry market. Taroudant is the foundation of the Saadian dynasty before they used Marrakech as their capital; this and because the red color of its
buildings and narrow streets, it is always referred to as the “Little Marrakech”. In the afternoon, you have the option to take a bike tour around the walls of the city or just walk around and enjoy watching the sunset colors over the walls.
Day 6: Taroudant – Foum Zguid- Chegaga Desert Foum Zguid – Chegaga Desert
After breakfast in your hotel, you will start travelling to Chegaga Sahara desert. Today you will be travelling through the black moonscape desert; which has attracted many world movie producers to film here. You’ll see camel caravans and nomads along the way. After crossing the dry lake of Irikki, you will get to Chegaga for the sunset. Here you will have the option to take a camel ride into the dunes to watch the sunset before you have dinner in your desert camp.
Day 7: Chegaga – Mhamid – Tamgroute – Zagora
Early in the morning, your guide will wake you up to watch the sunrise over the dunes before you continue your journey east. After breakfast in your camp, you will start travelling to Zagora via the old village Tamegrout; walk within the village and then visit the Islamic library, the oldest in the area, which served as a school and the source of Islamic education for many decades. Your visit continues to the hand-made pottery works where you will see men using traditional methods. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Zagora.
Day 8: Zagora – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate
After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Marrakech via the Draa valley and then through the High Atlas Mountains. Today, your journey will take you through the fascinating Draa valley to Agdez and then through the Ait Saouen pass to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. Here you will have the opportunity to visit this old mud site, a UNESCO heritage site now. The Kasbah was built by T-Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains who dominated the whole region. He used the Kasbah as a stop during his long trading caravans from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakech. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah – Marrakech
After breakfast in your riad, we’ll head to Ait benhaddou village, and visit the World Heritage Site, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ksours (fortified villages). Continue to Marrakech with a detour to the traditional High Atlas Berber village of Telouet and visit the Kasbah el Glaoui and crossing the high Atlas mountain.
Day 10: Marrakech and Departure
After breakfast in your riad, we will drive you to the airport for your departure flight. Your tour ends at the airport.
What is included?
- Pick up & Drop off at Marrakech Menara Airport
- Private A/C Vehicle, 4WD + fuel
- English/French/Spanish speaking driver during the tour
- 4 x overnights Riad in Marrakech
- 2 x Overnight in Taroudant hotel
- Overnights in the dunes of Erg Chegaga, bedouin tents
- Overnight in Zagora Hotel
- Overnight in Riad Ouarzazate
- Camel Trekking for sunset and sunrise
- Dinner and Breakfast are daily included
- Free time to explore the sites, Breaks for photos
What is not included?
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tips
- Entrance fees to monuments, studios and Kasbahs
Extra information
- Please note:if a long Camel trek and overnight stay in the camp is not for you you can still enjoy the sunset in Erg Chebbi with a shorter camel trek or a walk and pass the night in the Hotel at the dune line. If the itineraries that we offer does not match what you are looking for, contact us and we will prepare the trip to your needs and requirements.
- Cancellation / prepayment: Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to tour type. Please check our booking terms.
- Groups: When booking for more than 12 persons, different policies and additional supplements may apply.
