Kasbahs and Sahara desert Erg Chebbi
South of Morocco boats breath-taking gorges, valleys and Kasbahs- often featured in Hollywood blockbusters. It is a passageway that justifies a destination unto itself to those seeking adventure, tranquility and other world experiences.
Option A 6 Days/5 Nights
Day 1: Marrakech » Ait Ben Haddou (180 km)
Pick up from Marrakech to start the journey towards Ouarzazate via the Tichka Pass (2260m) the highest road pass in Morocco. On this highly scenic drive we pass many small villages that merge into the mountains. These homes of Berber people are simple made of mud dwellings. Today we have the opportunity to visit two magnificent Kasbahs that played and important part in Moroccan history. The crumbling Kasbah of Telouet and amazing UNESCO protected 16th century sight of Kasbah AitBenHaddou. Take a walk or hire a donkey to carry you across the river to this Kasbah. Stroll the winding streets to the upper level for awe inspiring views. Hotel, dinner
Day 2: Ait Ben Haddou » Kelaa M'gouna » Dades Gorge (150km)
After breakfast we travel to the city of Ouarzazate known as the doorway to the Sahara Desert. Here if you are interested possible visit of the movie studios and the Kasbah Taourirt, once a palatial residence of the Pasha from Marrakech. From Ouarzazate we take the road known as Thousand Kasbah that will take us to the Skoura Oasis. Here we propose a short off road that takes you through the oasis and to the most famous Kasbah Amerhidil, featured in many brochures about Morocco as well as on one of the Moroccan bank notes. After our visit we continue our travel to Kelaa M'Gouna via the ancient trails of a thousand Kasbahs and the off-road trails of the Rose Valley. El Kelaa is well known for the rose perfume distilled from the petals that grow in the area, hence the name "Rose Valley ".
Continue to the gorges du Dades, carved out over centuries by the Dades River. We travel along the zig zagging road of red rock looming over the river. Dinner, Hotel
Day 3: Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge (90 km)
Today we will travel short drive to Dades Gorge, along scenery dotted with deserted Kasbahs, palmeries and mud-brick villages, creating a photographer's paradise. We will follow the zig zagging road of the Dades Gorge, the red and mauve rock towering above the road. After our visit in Dades Gorge we will travel the less traveled route that will take us off road to the Todra Gorge. It is a route that cuts through the barren, arid region, beautiful off road, where you will discover many hidden treasures unable to see from pave road. You will see caves and perhaps even tents of local Nomad people that live in this region. The Berber people that move their herds of animals looking for food. After this amazing drive we will arrive to Todra Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surrounds Tinerhir. The cliffs loom above as you approach the mouth of the Todra Gorge. Rising 300m, the honey-colored hues of the sheer face change constantly as the sun moves across the sky. Hotel, dinner
Day 4: Todra Gorge Erfoud » Rissani » Merzouga (110 km)
This morning we set for our Desert adventure. We will travel towards the city of Erfoud known for its date palms and to the ancient city of Rissani that thrived from the 8th to 14th century. Today before our camel adventure we will also visit one of the typical villages of the region, Khamila where we have the opportunity to listen the black descendants of slave playing the Gnaoua music so typical of this region. Then we reach the great "sand sea" of Merzouga, a beautiful area of fine, apricot colored sand stretches as far as eye can see. Here before the sun set when the weather cools down we head off into the vastness of the dunes on a camel caravan accompanied by a camelteers. You can ride your camel or walk alongside as you slip into the pace of the caravan led by Berber guide and marvel at the awesome spectacle of the desert and solitude and silence that comes with it.
Day 5: Merzouga » Tamnougalt (260km)
We recommend to wake up early to watch the spectacular sunrise over the swelling dunes of the desert, waking up and lighting the landscape. Today's journey will take us across the volcanic mountains of Sarhro and the Draa Valley to Tamnougalt close to the city of Agdz. We will be traveling along dramatic rock formation and gorges of superb views. These mountains are very different to the Atlas Mountains. Then eventually the scenery will change as we see the first palm trees of the Draa Valley. The longest river valley in Morocco lined by many palm groves especially dates and small Sub Saharan Berber villages where the tradition and culture are passed for centuries between families
Day 6 Tamnougalt » Marrakech (350 km)
Today visit the Kasbah Tamnougalt the Kasbah with distinct wall decorations, and have unusual tapering towers. Then we start heading towards the city of Ouarzazate and Marrakech. We will cross the High Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech. Drop of at your hotel/riad.
Option A 4 Days/3 Nights
Day 1 Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Tamnougalt (350km)
Morning pick up from your hotel/raid to start our adventure of Morocco. We set our travel towards the High Atlas Mountains, the tallest mountains of Morocco, home to the second highest mountain of Africa. The drive across the mountains is full of amazing scenery at every turn. The highest point of the Tizi Tichka is 2270m and the views over the region overwhelming. After reaching the peak we start descending towards the Kasbah of AIt Ben Haddou, the best preserved and most visited Kasbah of Morocco. Upon arrival you will understand why. This traditional stronghold was once full of busy life and offered shelter on the caravan routes. Then we visit the nearby city of Ouarzazate, very modern before continuing the journey of Morocco to Agdz. The road will take us through high peaks of barren mountains and we be most grateful to our driver for the safely driving over these challenging roads. Then we descend into the Draa Valley lined by millions of palms. Spend the night in the tranquility and beauty of the palm trees.
Day 2 Tamnougalt - Nekob - Merzouga - Erg Chebbi
Today we will partly follow the Draa Valley and views of palm trees to Nekob. The scenery will then change as we start approaching the Sarhro Mountains - a seemingly bare and barren volcanic landscape that actually boasts a great variety of plants and animals which survive through in a harsh and hostile environment. Yet, the scenery will change again as we approach Merzouga and the desert landscape will take over. We might get excited seeing the first sand dunes from the road. Here we arrive in auberge, where guide and camels take us for about 1 hour camel trek across the desert to our oasis for the night. Views of the sun set,coloring the sand from yellow, orange to red and brown. Night in the camp, a night that will be remembered lifetime.
Day 3 Merzouga - Rissani - Khamila - Tinerhir
Waking up before the sun rise gives you a unique treat watching the sun lighting the sand dunes into life. We will return from our oasis in the desert back to Merzouga for breakfast and to shower. Today we will be discovering mainly this wonderful region of Tuaregs and Nomads. Visit the ancient city of Rissani, the old ruins of Kasbahs and perhaps the market that takes place 3 times a week. Listen to the descendants of black slaves playing the Gnawa music so typical of this region, full of rhythm and drums. Then we depart in the afternoon to Tinerhir, where we visit Todra Gorge. Considered one of the most dramatic sights one can come across in the whole Morocco. The gorge was carved out by the Todra river forming cliff-sided canyons on its final 40 km through the mountains. The final 600m of the gorge are stunning as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 10m wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls. Hotel rooms in cave, dinner
Day 4 Todra Gorge - Dades Gorge - Rose Valley - Marrakech
Journey today to another tall gorge of Dades. It is another impressive gorge that is carved by Dades river through the red and brown rock creating photographer's paradise and real challenge to capture it all. The drive today will take us to the Rose Valley, Kella Mgouna know for this growth of roses, and passing in April, May the whole valley smells of roses. Road of Thousand Kasbahs will take us to Ouarzazate and to the Hight Atlas Mountain that we cross back to Marrakech to end our authentic tour of Morocco.
