In the morning we will leave Marrakech and drive southeast. The journey will take us past palm and olive groves and you will soon see the snow covered peaks of the High Atlas in the distance. After crossing the pass and the impressive countryside of the Tizi-n-Tichka, we will arrive in Telouet, where you can visit the famous Kasbah of El Glaoui, which was once the residence of one of the most powerful Berber leaders. The artful Moorish-style interior design with stucco decoration, ceiling décor carved from cedar wood and wonderfully painted and colourful faiences is very impressive. The subsequent tour across the still very primeval Ounila valley will lead us to Ait Benhaddou, where you can take the time for visiting the world-famousKsar (fortified village), one of the most picturesque in Morocco and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In the provincial capital of Ouarzazate you are able to discover another exceptional monument of Southern Morocco, the Glaoui Kasbah Taourirt. From Ouarzazate we will drive to the Fint oasis which is located close by. Spend the evening with a relaxed walk across the oasis. You will spend the night at a traditional hotel.
After a bendy journey across a wildly ragged rough mountain landscape and crossing the Tinififft Pass (1700 m), we will reach the small town of Agdz. A visit of the Ksar with the Kasbah Tamnougalte, the former centre of the tribal region of the Mezguita Berbers, is worthwhile. Along the Oued Drâa (Morocco’s longest river), we will pass by the Drâa village, one of Morocco’s most fertile valleys. Marvel at the gapless chain of date trees grows along the river and the wonderful oasis and well-kept clay fortresses. The town of Zagora, which used to be an important and legendary camel trail station, lies in the midst of a palm oasis on the banks of the Drâa and the edge of the desert. A detour to the Ksar Amezraou, which is known for its silver jewellery workshops, is worthwhile. After a short drive we will arrive at Tamegroute, which is famous for the Zaouia of the Nassirya order from the 16th century that can be visited just like the adjoined Koran library. We will continue driving into the desert until we get close to M'hamid, the most southern desert oasis of the Drâa valley. This is where the journey to the closest sand dune region starts. A camel tour until dusk is perfect for exploring the desert. You will spend the night in a nomad’s tent under the stars.
After breakfast our westbound journey will take us to the great dune field of Chegaga. The journey will lead us across sand roads and stone deserts, deep into the Moroccan Sahara. On the way we will stop in the midst of the desert to rest at a wonderful oasis that is supplied by the Source Sacré. We will then arrive at the mighty dunes of the Erg Chegaga, where there are still nomads living with herds of camels today, you will enjoy the rough beauty, the endless vastness and quietude of the desert. You will experience the constant change of light depending on the position of the sun that turns this archaic countryside into a bizarre dream landscape. Our trip will lead us across the even plane of Lac Iriki, a dried-out lake in a solidary desert landscape glistening white in the sunshine. We will pass by a fossil site and drive across the gravel desert until we reach the small oasis village of Foum Zguid, where you will spend the night in the hotel.
After breakfast we will leave small settlements in the midst of palm groves behind, we will cross the Antiatlas and arrive at Tazenakht, which is known for its beautiful carpets and Ouzguita Berbers. From here the road winds its way up weathered rock formations to out Ouarzazate. In the afternoon we will return to Marrakech through the famous Tizi–in-Tichka pass over the High Atlas Mountains. The range has snow on its peaks most of the year. Appreciate the beauty of the timeless landscapes on the twisted roads through Berber villages. Arriving Marrakesh where the tour ends.
