Trip 7 days and 6 nights from Ouarzazate to Marrakech via south of Morocco and old kasbahs
DAY 1: OUARZAZATE – DRAA VALLEY – MERZOUGA DESERT – NIGHT IN NOMADIC HAIMAS
Arrival at the airport of Ouarzazate where our departure will take place towards the Draa Valley, where we will see one of the longest rivers in Morocco. We will make several stops to contemplate the beautiful adobe kasbahs and Berber villages that dot the route and the wonders of the Draa Valley. After lunch at Nkob or Alnif, we will follow a 2 hour route until we reach the impressive dunes of Merzouga ” Desert of fine sand dunes ” where we will change the car for other animal traction ” Dromedaries ” to enter the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset. We will arrive with the dromedaries at the camp where we will stay in Haimas ” tents made of dromedary hair ” like those used by the nomads of the desert. Dinner and overnight in Haimas in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.
DAY 2: MERZOUGA DESERT – NOMADIC FAMILIES – VILLAGE OF KHAMLIA – RETURN OF ERG CHEBBI
Today will be a day of Total Desert. We will wake up before dawn to watch the sunrise from the Great Dune. Return on camels to the village of Merzouga. After a copious and rich breakfast, we will surround the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a stretch of sand desert where the Great Dune of Morocco is located, more than 250 meters high, and we will connect by track with part of the route followed by the old Paris-Dakar and with the mountains that border with Algeria in the background. We will stop at the oasis of Tissardmine where we can find fossil races that are still in this region and we will follow the route to a nomadic settlement where we will learn some of its secrets and customs. Later stop at a panoramic point where we can contemplate the Erg Chebbi as a whole. We will arrive at the village of Khamlia, originally from Mali, where we will relax with a cup of tea while enjoying a small concert of spiritual music from Gnawa. Return to the hotel and free afternoon to walk around the village or climb the dunes nearby to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3: MERZOUGA DESERT – RISSANI MARKET – TODRA GORGES – DADES VALLEY
After a delicious breakfast, we will say goodbye to the desert and leave for Rissani where we will visit its market (if we are lucky and it will be one of the market days: Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday), we will follow the road to Erfoud where you will have the possibility to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. 1 hour later we will arrive at one of the strongest points of the High Atlas: The Todra Gorges. The Todra riverbed has formed a gorge with vertical walls of enormous proportions and great beauty, it is a climber’s paradise and a unique place. Lunch on site and a half hour walk would be recommended to see and enjoy the Gorges in detail. In the afternoon we will continue to the Dades Valley, also known as the Valley of Figs because of the many fig trees found in this valley. Passing by Boumalne Dades we will stop at the ”paws of monkey” Dinner and night in the Dades Gorges.
DAY 4: DADES VALLEY – ROSE VALLEY – SKOURA PALM GROVE – HIGH ATLAS – MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we can enjoy one of the best views of the Dadés Valley. We will do it from one of the most strategic places that the mountains offer us. From there we will be able to observe the quantity of kasbah that there is and the picturesque thing of each one of them. After several stops to enjoy the route of the Thousand Kasbahs, the Valley of the Roses and the great palm grove of Skoura, we will arrive at Ouarzazate and we will visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, old residence of the Glaoui or Pasha of Marrakech, Studies of the Cinema and Museum of the Cinema if they are interested. Lunch in the village and in the afternoon we will leave again to Marrakech crossing the mountain pass of Tizi N’Tichka with stops to take pictures. Here we will leave behind the lunar landscape that will give way to the predominant green, ochre colors…etc. Arrival in Marrakech, end of our services.
DAY 5: MARRAKECH
Day in Marrakech with local guide. Let yourself be carried away by the charisma of the red city, it is one of the most important cities in Morocco. The city has the largest traditional market in the country and one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Jema el Fna, []enjoy your senses by letting yourself be carried away by an unrepeatable amalgam of aromas, sounds and sensations. The city also has many places to wander and enjoy: the Majorelle Gardens, the Menara, the Saadies Tombs, walks in the medina or the Mellah (the old Jewish quarter), the route of the walls. Free afternoon in Marrakech to enjoy its Medina. Dinner and overnight at the Riad
DAY 6: MARRAKECH – ESSAUOIRA – MARRAKECH
Departure at 8 a.m. from the selected Riad. After about 3 hours, we arrive in Essaouira, we go to the old port of Mogador, built by the Portuguese on a narrow peninsula next to a huge crescent of fine sand. Perfectly sheltered by its impressive 18th century French-built walls, the city is largely pedestrianised and is divided into different neighbourhoods by its grid pattern. From the top of the Skala you can see the colourful fishing port, the fortresses and the Spanish guns.
Essaouira is also famous for its refined craftsmanship, especially objects made of lemon wood, ebony, mother-of-pearl or copper or silver wire. If you like fish, you will enjoy a tasty meal in the port. In the afternoon return to Marrakech, dinner and overnight at the Riad
DAY 7: MARRAKECH – AIRPORT
Breakfast and free morning until the agreed time, transfer to the airport where we will accompany you to check your luggage and show you the boarding gate, here our services end and the trip ends.