Atlas & Greater Southern Morocco

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Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate

Depart early morning from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, through the High Atlas mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka and Telouet where you will visit the famous Kasbah Telouet, one of the former residences of Pacha Glaoui. After lunch continue through the Ounila Valley, a part of the main caravan route from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech, and the narrow river valley connecting Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou. After arriving in late afternoon in Ait Ben Haddou, visit the stunning Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a photo. Continue to your guesthouse in Ouarzazate for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 2:  Ouarzazate –Dades Gorge

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, depart from your hotel in early morning for the multicolored rock walls of Dades Gorge, along Lake Ouarzazate via the road of kasbahs. Pass through Skoura, a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves, to reach the home of Morocco’s Rose Festival, El Kelâa M’Gouna (commonly referred to as the Valley of Roses). Continue through the Rose Valley and Ait Said, Tourbist, and Tamalout to reach the village of Bou-Thahrar. Enjoy a walking tour beside the River M’Goun, then continue to the Kasbah of Ait Youl Glaoui in the Dades Valley with its colorful rocks and ancient kasbahs. Arrive at your guesthouse in Dades Gorge in late afternoon for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 3: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge  

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, enjoy an hour hiking, to reach the canyons of Dades Gorge and the stunning scenery of the area. Have lunch and continue to the Todra Gorge via the village of Tinghir. Arrive at your guesthouse after a stroll through the impressive gorges and relax before a traditional dinner and night.

Day 4: Todra Gorge – Merzouga

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, hike the magnificent palm grove of Tinghir, which stretches 30 miles (48 km). Visit the traditional adobe architecture of the ancient Jewish quarter of Tinghir. Then on to the village of Tinghir and the Tinejdad palm grove and the village of Jorf Erfoud. Arrive in Merzouga late afternoon for a camel ride to the desert camp and sunset over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Traditional nomad dinner and night under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 5: Merzouga – Zagora

After watching sunrise over the dunes and a traditional nomad breakfast, depart for Zagora via the village of Rissani, crossing the Tafilalet and vast mineral Massif Bougafer to reach Alnif. Stop for lunch in Tazzarine or N’Kob, as you desire. On to Tansikht through the Draa Valley oasis to Zagora. Arrive at your guesthouse in Zagora in the late afternoon for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 6: Zagora – M’Hamid el Ghizlane

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, depart early morning to M’Hamid el Ghizlane. Enjoy a visit to Tamegroute to visit the Koranic library, the manufacturing location of the unique green pottery of Tamegroute and the underground streets of the village. Continue through Foum Takat and the vast oasis of Ktaoua, Ksar Nesrat and Beni Sbih, the former home of the largest Jewish population in Morocco in the early 20^th century. Take a relaxing walk in the Ktaoua oasis and continue to lunch with locals through our homestay program in M’Hamid, the last palm grove of the Draa Valley. Arrive at the desert camp in time for sunset on the dunes, followed by a traditional nomad dinner and a night under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 7: M’Hamid el Ghizlane – Erg Chigaga

After a traditional nomad breakfast, depart early morning by 4×4 to the big dunes of Erg Chigaga. Stop for a picnic lunch in the dunes then continue to Erg Chigaga. Trek by foot or by camel in the dunes to the desert camp before watching sunset over the dunes. Traditional nomad dinner and night under the stars or in nomad tents.

Day 8: Erg Chigaga – Ait Ben Haddou

After sunrise over the dunes and a traditional nomad breakfast, depart for Ait Ben Haddou along the track between Erg Chigaga and the old riverbed of the Draa River to Lake Iriqui, then to the village Foum Zguid. Stop for lunch at Taznakht, well known for its handmade Berber carpets and silver jewelry. Arrive at your guesthouse in Ait Ben Haddou in late afternoon for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 9: Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast, depart for Marrakech through the High Atlas mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka. Stop for lunch on the way and arrive in Marrakech in late afternoon.