Description
This trip will delight you from start to finish with travel through the Atlas Mountains, visiting Berber Villages and kasbahs, including Kasbah Ait ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue on to the desert for an overnight at a nomadic camp amidst the sand dunes, complete with camel trekking and a campfire under the stars. Continue your journey from the desert to the waterfalls of Ouzoud.
Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate
You will leave your accommodations early in Marrakech to head towards the Atlas Mountains. We will climb through the scenic and windy mountains to the pass of Tichka Tizn at a height of 2260 meters. Once over the pass we will leave the main road and we will take a side road to the Kasbah of Telouet. We will continue on through the Ounila Valley to the largest and oldest Kasbah in Morocco, Kasbah Ait ben Haddou. This kasbah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have lunch in Ait ben Haddou and after walk through the Kasbah. After that we continue our journey to the city of Ouarzazate. Where we will overnight at a riad.
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Merzouga
After breakfast, we travel south to Agdz. Here in the Dra’a Valley begins the 1000 Kasbahs. We will visit the Kasbah Tamnougalte near Agdz. Through the old caravan route we travel to Tansikht, driving along the Bani mountains to the dunes of Merzouga. We will pass several Berber villages, N’Qob, Tazzarine, and Elnif, Rissani. We have lunch in one of dezde Berber villages. We will arrive at Merzouga ”erg Chebbi”, where we are welcomed with a glass of mint tea. After tea ride a camel to the nomad camp where we enjoy the sunset, a delicious dinner, folklore and traditional music at a campfire. We overnight in the nomadic camp.
Please note: If a long Camel trek and overnight stay in the camp is not for you, you can enjoy the sunset in Erg Chebbi with a shorter camel trek or a walk and spend the night in the hotel near the dunes. If the itineraries that we offer do not match what you are looking for, please contact us and we will prepare the trip to meet your needs.
Day 3:
Merzouga – Gorge Toudga
Rise early to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the dunes. After breakfast travel to Gorge Toudga. We pass the Berber village of Erfoud known for the date festival in October. Erfoud is also known for its many fossils that are found throughout the area. In Gorge Toudga you can enjoy a walk through the gorge, enjoying the river and gardens. This evening you will dine and spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 4: Gorge Toudga – Ouzoud Waterfalls
After breakfast we travel north to Tamtattouchte. In the mountains south of Imilchil, is a city where there is the marriage festival in September. The road is very beautiful, but slow and windy. During the winter months the snow can make roads impassable. We reach Kasbah Tadla on the main road from Marrakech to Fes. Shortly after Kasbah Tadla we will reach Beni Mellal, where we visit Ain Asserdoun waterfalls.
These falls are a source for drinking water for the surrounding villages. The falls are located in a well maintained and beautifully designed park. From the ”castle” get a panoramic view of the city and the fertile plain with olive and orange trees. We continue our journey back into the High Atlas, enroute to the beautiful Ben El Ouidane. Here you can stroll along the lake enjoying the peace and nature. We will continue our journey to the waterfalls of Ouzoud where we will dine and spend the night.
Day 5: Ouzoud Waterfalls – Marrakech
After breakfast visit the waterfalls of Ouzoud, one of the most spectacular naturally beautiful places in Morocco. The surrounding countryside offers red cliffs, oleander and wildlife. If you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of some Barbary macaques. A short walk takes you to the top of the waterfall where you can see the river flowing into the distance.
On the way back to Marrakech we will stop at Imi-n-Ifri, which in the local dialect means “door to the cave.” It is a natural rock bridge formed by an underground cave system. Another three-hour drive will take you back to your hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
What is included?
- Private A/C Vehicle, 4WD + fuel
- Evening accommodations
- Guide/Driver
- Pick up & Drop off at your Marrakech accommodation
- Camel Trekking for sunset and sunrise
- Dinner and Breakfast are daily included
What is not included?
- Lunches
- Drinks
- Tips
- Entrance fees to monuments, studios and Kasbahs
