Desert & Mountains

Description

Day 1: Ouarzazate – Todra Gorge

Depart by 4×4 in early morning for the sheer rock walls of Todra 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 by 4×4 to the Kasbah of Ait Youl Glaoui in the Dades Valley. Continue to Boumalne toward Tinghir and walk through the impressive Todgha Gorge. Arrive at your guesthouse in Todgha Gorge in late afternoon for a traditional dinner and the night.

Day 2: 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 3: Merzouga – Ouarzazate

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