Atlas, Gorges & Dunes

Description

Atlas, Gorges & Dunes (4 days)

Day 1: Marrakech – Todra Gorge via Dades Gorge

Depart after an early breakfast through the High Atlas Mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka and the beautiful 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.  Visit one of the most extraordinary sights of the High Atlas Mountains, the famous Kasbah Telouet. Built in 1860, it is one of the former residences of Pacha Glaoui and perhaps with the best examples of Islamic architecture in Morocco. Stop for lunch and continue to the stunning Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a photo. Continue through Ouarzazate and 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 to the Kasbah of Ait Youl Glaoui in the Dades Valley with its multicolored rock walls and ancient kasbahs. Arrive at your guesthouse Todra Gorge in late afternoon for dinner and the night.

Day 2: Todra Gorge – Merzouga

After 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 through the Tinejdad palm grove, Tizi Ntalghomt, and the beautiful Ziz Valley, wedged between prehistoric cliffs dating back to the Jurassic period and scattered with ancient kasbahs and ksars lining the palmeraies, which are plentiful with dates, pomegranates, figs, and quince farmed there. Stop for lunch in Er Rachidia, one of Morocco’s most ancient and famous cities, known as the date capital of Morocco. Continue through Erfoud to Merzouga to meet your cameleers who will guide you to your desert camp for sunset over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a desert dinner followed by traditional Saharan music around the campfire and night under the stars or in desert tents.

Day 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate

After watching sunrise over the dunes and a desert breakfast, depart for Ouarzazate via the village of Rissani, crossing the vast palm oasis of Tafilalet, with many ksours, and vast mineral Massif Bougafer to reach Alnif. On to Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley oasis, one of the longest and largest oases in the world, and through Tansikht and Agdz. Stop at an ecolodge near the village of Agdz for an ecotour and lunch. Arrive at your guesthouse in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon and relax before a traditional Moroccan dinner and the night.

Day 4: Ouarzazate – Marrakech via Telouet

After a breakfast, depart early morning for Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka and the beautiful 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.  Stop at the stunning Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a photo. Stop for lunch along the way and continue to Telouet to visit one of the most extraordinary sights of the High Atlas Mountains, the famous Kasbah Telouet. Built in 1860, it is one of the former residences of Pacha Glaoui and perhaps with the best examples of Islamic architecture in Morocco. Continue over the High Atlas Mountains and arrive in Marrakech in late afternoon.