The great South of Morocco
Description of the tour
This is the perfect route through Morocco to discover the Great South of this country, where the outstanding character of the past is still present at every turn. There are many regions in which they still live in the old ways, turning their back on the trappings of our digital age.
This is a tour of Morocco which is perfect to do with family, alone, with friends or just the two of you as you discover how the vastness and silences of the Sahara bring people together most, where hospitality is sacred and where they still know Venus, as the star of the guests.Experience a night in the Sahara Desert to the sound of drums, under a starry sky and immerse yourself in the calm of the dunes.
When you have had a taste of Southern Morocco you will start to notice how everything starts to change and how this experience will change you too!
General information
- 5-day round trip
- 4 Night’s accommodation
- 1,175km
- Valleys mountains – Oases - desert
- 4x4 exclusive use and camels
- Monuments (Kasbahs) – Film studios – arts and crafts
Itinerary
Day 1 Marrakesh - Ouarzazate
Departure from Marrakesh picking guests up from their accommodation to head in the direction of Ouarzazate, over the High Atlas, an obligatory route to reach our destination, where we cross through the highest mountain pass in Morocco, the Tizi’n-Tichka, with panoramic stops and spectacular views that will amaze you. We will take a break on the way for a mint tea and visit a local cooperative which produces argan cosmetics and oils from the nut of the argan tree.
We will then take the road that leads to Kasbah Telouet, where you can make a visit. Once upon a time there was a grandiose Palace, that of "The Glaoui family", which was built on an old Kasbah dating from the 18th century, and which controlled the salt routes from deep in the Sahara that had to pass up through the Drâa Valley.
From here the route continues through the Unila Valley with its wonderful landscapes and Berber villages, to Aït Ben Haddou, where we can stop for a leisurely meal and then visit the Kasbah, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with a local guide.
Afternoon arrival in Ouarzazate, dinner overnight and breakfast.
Day 2 Ouarzazate - The Todra Gorges
Departure after breakfast. Today we will pass through the Skoura Valley, called the "Route of a Thousand Kasbahs", Valley of the Roses, the Gorges of Dadès and Gorges of Todra.
Upon reaching the Skoura Valley, we will take a path among palm grove paths and villages until the Kasbah of Amridil, which we will stop to visit.
We cross the Valley of the Roses, known for the manufacture of products related to the flower of Damascus, a flower that is grown in this valley and gives work to many families. We then go off road up a track to visit one of the cave dwelling nomad families in the area, who survive with a little livestock and a common home. They usually invite you for tea and greatly appreciate any help you may receive.
We then take the road once again, passing through immense palm plantations until our route through Morocco reaches the Gorges of Dadès where we will stop for lunch.
Afternoon in the Dadès valley crossing Boumalne Dadès until we arrive at the Gorges of Todra.
Overnight, dinner and breakfast in Todra.
Day 3 Gorges of Todra – Oasis – Dunes of the Sahara
The route through Morocco continues along the Gorges of Todra, the deepest in Morocco where we will stroll a while by the banks of the river and enjoy the views of the magnificent rocky canyon.
We will then continue in our 4x4 to the palm groves of Jorf to visit underground channels - an ancient irrigation system that the people of the town used to take water to their lands. We will pass through the small town of Erfoud, known for its fossils, and in the afternoon arrive at the great dunes of Erg Chebbi, where the dromedaries await you to enter the dunes and enjoy the sunset.
A magical night in our camp, sleeping in the typical Khaimahs nestled by the dunes.
Dinner, overnight and breakfast.
Day 4 Sahara- Rissani – Nekob- Agdz
Early to rise today to enjoy the sunrise over the Sahara, breakfast and pack up before picking up our vehicle which will take us to the Drâa Valley. First stop is the charming village of Rissani ancient market town of nomads. We will continue through the Black Desert with its acacias until Nekob, an oasis with 45 adobe palaces or "Ksur", before heading through the Drâa Valley, whose river - the Drâa is the longest in southern Morocco, rising in the High Atlas and providing water for endless orchards and groves. We will make a last halt in Agdz to enjoy the sight of the palm forests and visit the Tamnougalt Kasbah belonging to the local mayor.
Dinner, overnight and breakfast in Agdz.
Day 5 Agdz – Marrakesh
After breakfast, depart from Agdz to Marrakesh, passing through the mountains of Aït Saoun, with its lunar landscapes and on Ouarzazate, film location capital, where we will stop to visit the studios "Atlas" where movies such as; Gladiator, Asterix and Cleopatra, The Jewel of the Nile, and many other titles were recorded.
All that remains is to cross back over the high mountain pass of the Tizi'n Tichka and descend into the valley again.
Afternoon arrival back at your riad or hotel in Marrakesh and end of our services