After the stunning High Atlas Mountains we drop down and over to the beautiful Erg Chebbi dunes then heading into the wild, open, deserted desert with its big scenery, stunning rock formations and serious lack of people. This is the true, beautiful, peaceful South Morocco.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Marrakech to Ouarzazate
At 8am our driver collects you from your Marrakech accommodation in an air conditioned, comfortable 4×4, you will travel across the High Atlas Mountains and over the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass (2260m). From these mountains, you will see the most spectacular views of the valleys and the Berber villages which are sat on the edges of the sides of the mountain but appear to be part of the mountain – an awe inspiring sight.
After the Tichka pass, you will take a side road to the Telouet Kasbah, which now stands in ruins after the last Pasha left following the departure of the French. It once belonged to the Lords of the Atlas – the Glaoui family. The next stop will be Ait Benhaddou which is approached down a brand new road and there you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou.
This Kasbah is the most famous in Morocco and has been used in many Hollywood films. It was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan routes – where traders brought salt, ivory, gold and slaves from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond.
Lunch will be in Ait Ben Haddou and our night will be spent in Ouarzazate.
Day 2 – Ouarzazate to Merzouga
We depart from Ouarzazate to Skoura where we visit the architectural Emridil Kasbah, and then on across the Valley of the Roses and the “1000 Kasbahs” road to Kela’a M’Gouna where rose oil is made along with beauty products.
We will stop and have lunch and visit the lovely Todra Gorges and then take the road to Erfoud, well known for it’s fossils and we’ll take a museum visit here.
The road then takes you to Rissani where the royal dynasty come from heading over to Merzouga and the beautiful sand dunes.
Dinner and overnight in Merzouga and a ride on a majestic camel in the dunes.
Day 3 – Merzouga, Taouz to Oasis de M’harech
Big open desert space today and after breakfast we drive through Taouz and Gnaouna village and onto Ouzine. We follow the Paris-Dakar tracks to Ouzine and have lunch.
In the afternoon we follow the Ziz river up to the Oasis of Remilia and then cross the Gheris river to the M’harech oasis where we stay over in an Auberge in the middle of no-where.
Day 4 – M’harech, Lac Maider to Zagora
After breakfast we head off on the Oumjrane track crossing over the dried lake Maider, which leads us to the dinosaurs valley where someone discovered the biggest T-rex.
We stop for lunch at the Oasis of Zguilma and in the afternoon we head through more wide open spaces of wild desert to Zagora.
Overnight in a hotel in Zagora.
Day 5 – Zagora to Marrakech
After breakfast we take a Draa track crossing the villages and the rich palm fields along the Draa river.
We stop for lunch in Kasbah Tamnougalt and then head to Marrakech through Ouarzazate and it’s Kasbah Tifoultoute up into the High Atlas Mountains and arriving at your hotel by the end of the day.