5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS MARRAKECH, ATLAS MOUNTAIN, ERFOUD, ERRACHIDIA, FEZ
Day 1 Marrakech via Atlas Mountains to Ourika Valley
Travel into the High Atlas Mountains and spend time in the Ourika region. Ourika is an attractive Berber village set in olive groves in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. The village is a good base for some easy day hikes or as a laid back stopover en route to the Tizi-n-Test pass.
Discover traditional Berber life, the Ourika National Park, Toubkal National Park and some of the most spectacular scenery to be found in Morocco.
The village of Imlil lies at the base of Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. The draw of the surrounding High Atlas peaks has transformed this small village into a bustling trailhead but without eroding its character. Set in picturesque walnut groves and watered by the streams of the Atlas, it is truly beautiful.
This morning travel on foot or by mule to the villages around Imlil and see the working co-operatives, with demonstrations by the local Berber women.
These co-operatives, set up through independent and government funding allow the women of the region to support themselves and be sustainably independent, as well as providing the opportunity for literacy education.
Day 2 Ourika Valley – Dades Gorged via Ourzarzate & Skoura
Depart Ourika for Dades Gorges.
Take a short tour of the city and movie studios, and Kasbah Taourirt, once one of the largest Kasbahs of the area, and once home to members of the Glaoui Dynasty, who ruled the vicinity. Parts of this Kasbah have been carefully restored by UNESCO and it is probably the main sightseeing venue of Ouarzazate.
From Ouarzazate travel through the beautiful Valley of the Roses and La Palmarie Skoura.
Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves that provide great views of the Atlas Mountains alongside deserted landscapes. It is renowned for the cultivation of roses.
One of the highlights of the South is the massive fault in the plateau that divides the High Atlas from the Jebel Sarhro, called the Todra Gorges, your destination for the night.
The crystal clear river emerging from the deep ochre and pink rock formations offer a dramatic landscape and great photographic opportunities. A lovely place to relax, enjoy and reflect on the surrounding beauty.
Day 3 Dades Gorges – Sahara via Todra Gorges & Tinghir
Enjoy the morning in exploring the Todra Gorges and Tinehir.
In Tinehir we organize a short guide tour for you for an hour or so to give you an overview of the ancient Berber culture and heritage that exist in the region. The city of Tinehir is known for being one of the most beautiful oases in Southern Morocco, boasting with canyons up to 300m high. The scenery here is truly breathtaking.
Arrive to the Sahara mid afternoon and settle into your accommodation.
Day 4 Overnight Sahara
Erg Chebbi is the large sand-sea which effectively marks the start of the real Sahara and some of the dunes in this area rise to over 245 metres. The colors of the rising and setting sun over these dunes make for a truly magical experience.
Enjoy a leisurely morning. Your driver is available for you all day which gives you the opportunity to explore the surrounding desert areas. Some thoughts might be the Rissani Kasbah Abdelhali and local souks (if it’s market day), local fossil digs, flamingo lakes or an exhibition of gnoua music at Khamila.
In the afternoon your driver will introduce you to your nomad guide for your overnight camel excursion. Your guide will take you into the desert, around a 1½ – 2 hour ride by camel. When you reach your bivouac you can relax, climb the dunes or just star gaze while your guide prepares your evening meal and sets up your campfire for you.
For lunch we suggest trying madfouna, a local berber style pizza – a specialty from the region – you can find at local bakeries in the area – again take the lead from your driver at to the best spot to find them!
Day 5 Sahara to Fez
After your night in the dunes return to your hotel for breakfast and freshen up before leaving for Fez. On your journey to Fez, travel through the Efous Oasis which offers amazing photographic opportunities and then through the Ziz Valley where you will experience spectacular views of fabulous rock formations.
Later, travel through the scenic and beautiful Middle Atlas Mountains, visit the Barbary apes in the Cedar forests and tour through Morocco’s ‘Switzerland’ called Ifrane before arriving at your destination of Fez.
