An extraordinary unique Morocco tour, that takes us to the most fascinating areas of Morocco. From hiking to Berber Villages in the Atlas Mountains, Camel trekking in the Desert, to swimming in the Atlantic...

Starting from Marrakech, we cross the High Atlas, hike to some remote Berber Villages, visit Saffron farms, travel through the magical Draa Valley and its Palm Oasis, sleep under millions of stars at the Erg Chegaga desert, explore the wonders of the nomad traditional lifestyle, before we leave the desert towards one of the most beautiful beaches of Morocco on the Atlantic Coast, right at the charming town of Essaouira, where we spend the last two nights before travelling back to Marrakech.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Airport – Marrakech

Transfer from the airport to our accommodation. The first evening we will be able to spend by ourselves and explore the vibrant and colourful life of Marrakech.

Transfer via: Private and comfort minibus vehicle with A/C
Accommodation: Riad (traditional courtyard hotel)
Meals: Dinner at the Riad

 

Day 2: Marrakech to Ourika Valley

Pick up at our Riad in Marrakesh by our experienced and knowledgeable driver and guide, we travel from Marrakech towards the Atlas mountains. Gaining altitude after leaving the plain of Marrakech, we’re heading up the Ourika valley to Tazzitount, from where we start our 1 hour walking onwards to the Ait Oucheg Valley, with fabulous bird’s eye views over the villages of Anammer and Aguerd, literally carved into the mountains side. Lunch at Rachid’s house for a tantalizing Tagine in nature, cooked with fresh, local products and a dollop of pride in hospitality. After lunch we make our way through the high lands of the valley and the juniper forests to end this great hike of 2 hours back in the village of Tizi. Our guide’s intimate knowledge of the valley and long established links with the locals, allow us to fully appreciate this gentle exposure to the High Atlas foothills, landscapes, culture & people. We enjoy the homemade Tajine lunch and break bread with our village hosts. Great moments and a comfortable night’s sleep in a guest house of the village of Tizi n’Oucheg.
Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus vehicle with A/C Travel distance: Approximately 60 Km by vehicle and 3 h walk
Accommodation: Guest house
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and diner

Day 3: Ourika valley to Agdez in the Draa Valley

We get up early this morning to enjoy the sun rise in the beautiful village of Tizi, leave the village after breakfast and start with a morning walk of approximately 1 hour down the Ourika Valley, where we reach our minibus and after short transfer, stop for a visit to the Safran gardens and then drive on the Atlas mountain and its dense forests through one of the most winding and dramatic routes in Morocco, eventually traverse the High Atlas via the Tichka Pass (at 2260m), offering some exhilarating driving via lush valleys and traditional villages. After the pass, we take the route to Telouet * (visit the Kasbah Glaoua there) and then follow the course of the beautiful Ounila Valley, in the foothills, to reach Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate. Having driven through Ouarzazate, we continue south over Tizi-n-Tinififte pass to Agdez. Descending from the pass, you will be amazed at the view of the extensive oasis and the number of palm trees, all indicating the beginning of the Draa Valley with its thousands of date palms, producing an amazing 44 varieties of dates. The date harvest starts in September and lasts a couple of months, so that is the best time to stop in Agdez for the freshest ones.
*The route of the Ounila Valley was part of the main caravan trade route to Marrakech, from sub-Saharan Africa, and when the High Atlas were crossed at the Telouet Pass (centuries before the French constructed the road used today, across the Tichka Pass).

Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus vehicle with A/C Travel distance: Approximately 280 Km
Accommodation: Oasis Hotel with beautiful gardens
Meals: Breakfast lunch and dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Zagora / M’Hamid Village / Chegaga

After pick up from our hotel this morning we drive on the ancient caravan road between the river and mountains for a short while to gain a better idea of the Berber lifestyle, in the life-giving oases. The route follows the Draa southwards (the Draa is Morocco's longest river, flanked by glorious palm oases; crumbling Kasbahs). We stop at Zagora the largest town in the whole area, we pass through Tamegroute. In the afternoon, we drive further south still, to M’hamid, the very gate to the desert and the end of the paved road. From here, we leave our minibus and switch to 4WD vehicles and continue your adventure to the Erg Chegaga dunes with 60 km of off-road driving. This route passes different features of the desert, ‘erg’ (dunes), ‘hammada’ (stony desert), and oases. These dunes are far away from civilization, in the proper desert …and the silence and the expanse of the sand are overwhelming. Once there, we can take a short climb to the top of the dune to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and spend the night at a luxury camp with private bathroom, king-sized beds, beautiful Moroccan furnishing, and lamps tastefully arranged to enhance your enjoyment of the silence and beauty of the dunes.

Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus and 4WD vehicles with A/C Travel distance: Approximately 250 Km
Accommodation: Desert camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Desert day and camel trekking in Erg Chegaga Dunes

After breakfast, we enjoy a full day’s trekking in the largest Sahara Desert. We can ride the camels, or simply walk with them, as they carry everything needed to cook lunch, which will be prepared out in the dunes by your camel man. Walking time is approximately four hours, two hour and half in the morning and the two hours in the afternoon. In the afternoon, we return to the desert camp. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing in the desert camp. At night, we will have another special occasion to enjoy our time under the Saharan sky and next to the campfire.

Transfer via: Private, comfort 4WD vehicle with A/C Travel distance: Approximately 20 Km
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

DAY 6: Erg Chegaga to Foum Zguid village

Before breakfast, early birds may enjoy a morning sun rise and exploring the dunes by foot. After breakfast we leave the camp and drive off-road across the desert in the opposite direction to where we came, for 90km to the town of Foum Zguid, some of the finest remote sceneries in Morocco (including the vast dried salt flats, at Lake Iriqui, the imposing mountain ridges of the Jebel Bani and Madouar canyons, and acacia tree groves). We will also cross vast fossil beds, stopping to go fossil hunting.
Lunch at the end of the drive, and you can decide if you prefer to enjoy your afternoon by the pool of our hotel or do a walking activity of 1 h 30 in the Oasis around. Spend the night at Foum Zguid at a guest house.

Transfer via: Private, comfort 4WD vehicle with A/C Travel distance: Approximately 120 Km
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7: Foum Zguid Village / Taroudant

After breakfast departure to Taroudante, passing by Taznakhte, known for its carpets with dominant colour orange coming from the Saffron. Continuation by Taliouine located on fertile plateau of Agran trees. Stop at this small village for a short hike of 1 H 30 and discover this region of the Anti Atlas which is famous for its production of Saffron and is one of the main exporters of this spice worldwide. The town celebrates the International Festival of Saffron every year in winter (usually November), the season in which the saffron flower germinates. Take lunch, and then continue to Taroudante. We will visit this city, surrounded by its beautiful belt of the gilded of walls and its labyrinth of narrow streets with red houses. Spend night in guest house.

Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus vehicle with A/C
Accommodation: Riad
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: Taroudant / Essaouira

Early morning pick up and drive towards Essaouira, a small old city at the Atlantic coast, also called Mogador, it’s located 275 KM from Taroudante and we will pass from Agadir, the modern city of Morocco where we will have lunch. We will follow the coastline until the castle of Jimi Hendrix southeast of Essaouira.

Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus or 4WD vehicle with A/C
Accommodation: Riad Zahra or similar
Meals: Breakfast

 

Today we will have a walk around the town’s main pedestrian square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan, then go to the Skala Port, the fishing harbour, explore the Medina and see the local artists selling their crafts composed of thuya wood called Marquetry, which still remains the traditional craft of Essaouira! Then we will go the tranquil beach to enjoy the sun and the waves.

Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus vehicle with A/C
Accommodation: Riad
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Essaouira / Marrakech

On arrival to Marrakech, we get to our Riad and will then be taken a short orientation walk of some of the nearby souks in the medina. We have the rest of our day free to do some sightseeing, go souvenir shopping in at the souks, or enjoy a local Hammam
Transfer via: Private, comfort minibus vehicle with A/C
Accommodation: Riad
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Marrakech / Airport

Depending on your departure time, you will have free time on your own in Marrakech before heading back to your country. We will be picked up from our hotel to the airport.

 

Price: 1450€

Included

• Airport Transfer to Hotel
• Transportation via private and comfort bus and 4WD vehicle as listed in the itinerary
• Private English-speaking guide and driver
• Accommodation with daily breakfast and meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary (private English speaking guides for all visits)
• Entrance fees of the scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
• Private Transfers between hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area via private air-conditioned vehicle as listed in the itinerary.  

Not included

• Flights
• Drinks apart from water and tea offered on tours (Morocco is a muslim country, alcohol is mostly not available)
• tipps

ACCOMODATIONS

Please understand that we are staying in very charming small places, no big Hotels for mass tourism, there are no single rooms available, only double, and some triple.

We spend two nights in a desert camp, it is a beautiful camp, a great location in the middle of the desert, comfortable beds, great food, hot showers, but please be aware, this is not a 5 star Hotel,. but millions of stars above us. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS - REGISTRATION

• To participate in this tour it is important to read the full description for each day
• It is not a challenging tour, you have the choice to take part or not in the medium difficult ones and always have an easier option, but some fitness and adventure spirit is required
• Valid passport (not ID card) valid for at least 3 more month at the date of travel
• Health/travel insurance valid in Morocco
• Special health conditions need to be communicated to the tour leader when registering
• Food: There is always a vegetarian option, please let us know if you have any food intolerance