Departure from Agadir to Taroudant, known as “The little Marrakech” for its red walls and narrow alleys. It is spectacular for its massive ramparts and beautiful medina. Taroudant, a city with so much history, built by the Saadian dynasty, the same one that built Marrakech in the sixteenth century. Our explorative journey starts by visiting the Kasbah and the Ramparts and then a walk through the alleys of the Medina. Unlike the other Moroccan cities Taroudant has a Berber Souk and an Arab one. After visiting the Souks we will visit the tanneries before taking lunch at the main square. In the afternoon we go for a carriage ride around the ramparts. Dinner will be in a restaurant outside the walls, overnight accommodation at the hotel or riad.
After breakfast you will leave to Ouarzazat through Taliouine - the heart of the saffron growing area of Morocco ”Saffron Cooperative” and carry on to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. The kasbah is one of the most intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient road of the Kasbahs, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Lunch by the Kasbah and then continue to Ouarzazat - “The Hollywood of Africa”. Here you have the option of visiting the studios to see props used in some movies you’ve might have seen, such as “Gladiator”, “Jewel of the Nile” and “The Sahara”. Overnight accommodation will be at the hotel or riad in Ouarzazate.
After breakfast, we will depart to Zagora passing the Tizi-in-Tiniffit pass at 1660m elevation. The road descends to the Draa Valley, where Morrocan Jewish families settled along this fertile valley and used to live in harmony with Berber tribes. We will lead to Agdz, situated at the foot of the extraordinary rock formation called Jbel Kissane. The road follows the Oued (river) Draa. Marvel at the date palms, laurel bushes and numerous kasbahs and ksars. Continue to the Zagora oasis, the real "Gate of the desert". Overnight at a riad or hotel.
We will leave for Merzouga after breakfast, driving via Tazarine, Alnif. Will enjoy the sightseeing of the fascinating Draa Valley which has hundreds of Berber Kasbahs. We will stop by the famous kasbah Tinzouline. The trip continues through Er Rissani, where we will stop for mint tea. After a break we continue to Merzouga where our camels will be awaiting us. After welcoming refreshments, just before the sunset, we mount camels and trek through the desert dunes accompanied by an experienced camel man. In two hours we'll arrive at oasis and Berber encampment among the dunes. Delight in a delicious slow-cooked Berber meal and African drumming music under the stars.
Our camel man will awaken us early in the morning to enjoy what well may be the best sunrise of your life. After breakfast in the nomad tent we will mount our camels again and trek to a black stony desert. A Bedouin family will graciously share their hospitality. Spend a night in their traditional tent.
Breakfast with the Bedouin family, then we will trek back to the village of Merzouga appreciating the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. Continuing to the holy city of Er Rissani, a site where the Alauite Dynasty are buried in the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sheriff. We will explore the area, visit the ruins of Ksar Abbar, a kasbah that dates from the 17th century. Rissani is surrounded by 360 ksars (a fortified village with many towers) and it has a big open market held three times a week. Tour Er Rissani’s famed palmeria and enjoy a glimpse of life as it is lived on the fringe of the Sahara Desert. Stay overnight at the village of Merzouga in auberge or riad.
After breakfast we are on the road again to the spectacular Dades Gorge, passing through Tinjdad, with its exotic kasbahs and palm groves. After visit of the Todra Gorges with their rugged escarpments, take a short walk under the towering red cliffs. Continuing through the biggest oasis, we will enjoy the majestic rock formations. Overnight accommodation – hotel, Dades Gorge.
Departure to Ouarzazate after breakfast, passing through the Dades Valley, the line of kasbahs that give this extremely popular route its nickname as valley of a thousand kasbahs. Just before the town of Skoura, visit Kalaa Mgouna, the rose city, where you can purchase local rosewater. Then continue 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 Marrakech and overnight accommodation will be at your riad or at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will start exploring Marrakech, the red city of Morocco. It is also known as the pearl of the south. Our driver will ensure that we see the most important places of historical and cultural interest: the Saadien tombs, the palaces of El Bahia and El Badi, and the Ben Youssef Coranique school. In the afternoon visit the gardens at Majorelle, the Menara and the Koutoubia tower. Overnight stay at the riad or at the hotel in Marrakech.
Transfer to Agadir international airport for your return flight after breakfast. End of our services.
