Description
The five-days circuit of southern Morocco, is one of the best things to do in and around Marrakech.
You will enjoy the beautiful landscapes between Marrakech and Erg merzouga desert. driving through Tizi n’ Tichka pass in the high Atlas mountains.
You will also visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, and admire the beautiful landscape . Then, experience a camel ride in the erg chebbi desert and sleep in a camp under a fully starry sky.
Itinerary
Your trip will cross through the dramatically beautiful landscapes of the High Atlas region, passing through old Berber mud villages and over the Tizi n Tichka Pass, at altitude 2,260 M. *Once through the pass and over the mountains,you will reach Telouet Kasbah which was the birthplace of the High Atlas mountain's most powerful family in the 19th century, the Glaoui family. Built of stone and crude cement and It was the seat of the powerful Thami El Glaoui family .It stands at an elevation of 1,800 M occupying a strategic position in the High Atlas. *later on you will arrive the spectacular UNESCO world heritage ksar village of Ait Benhaddou,it lies in the Ounila valley. It was called the “salty valley of Morocco” due it’s role as an essential meeting place for rest and relaxation for travellers and traders who used to transport goods, silver and slaves from Africa to Europe. The village of Ait Benhaddou with it’s fantastically well preserved red earth Kasbahs has been used as a film location for numerous films over the years including Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and many many others. The day will end at Ouarzazate known as the Hollywood of Africa and the gate of the Sahara desert. * You will continue your trip between two range of mountains the hight atlas mountain to the iconic berber mud brick villages and earth castles to the "Oasis of Skoura". It is an UNESCO protected and is famous for its numerous majestic Kasbahs and here we will stop to visit the "Kasbah of Amridil". (overnight in Skoura ).
On this day you will see the captivating town of boumalen dades which is famous for its beautiful and charming landscapes, as well as its idyllic gorges. also observe along the valley, amazing rock formations known as the Monkey fingers. * visit the rose valley and Kalaat Mgouna, known as the rose’s capital, also known for the annual festival during the rose harvest in may to choose Miss rose of Morocco. *Heading toward Todgha gorges known as a most spectacular canyon and has been used for several international movies such as the "Mummy". *You will depart for the town of erfoud which is consedered as the centre of one of the richest and most extensive fossil fields in the world .You will visit a local fossil craft workshop. * The last destination on this day will be Merzouga Sahara desert sand dunes known as Erg Chebbi. (overnight in Merzouga).
In this day you will continue exploring the sahara desert by learning more about the culture of the berber people .You will see berber farms and fields ,also underground water and irrigation system, for family agriculture and for spectacular date palms. * Discover "Flamingos Lake" which attracts many species of birds during spring like Falcons, desert Sparrows and many more. * Heading towards the african village “khamlia”,an area famous for its Gnaoua singers, where you can listen to their beautifully spiritual music, watch, and, if you wish, join in with their traditional dancing. * Visit a nomadic berber family, share a cup of tea with them and be enchanted by their lifestyle, their traditional tents and the harsh environment in which they live. * having lunch of berber pizza which is a food specialty of the desert town of Merzouga (with a berber family if it is possible). *Returning to your kasbah in late afternoon for relaxing for a while, you will be taken by 4-wheel drive vehicle to your Morocco desert camp located in the eastern wilderness preserved section of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here you can take a camel ride into the sand dunes of the sahara desert to watch the sun setting over the desert or relax at your camp. (overnight in Merzouga desert camp).
On this day you will head towards rissani town which was an ancient strategic cross roads destination on the trans saharian trade route, linking western Africa with Europe and Asia from the 8th to the 16th centuries. It is known for traditional markets and souks where are displayed gifts, spices crafts,local fresh produce and Moroccan sweet dates. continue your journey towards Ouarzazate via Nkob exploing the immense Kasbahs inside the old village, and the captivating Draa valley which stretches from the high Atlas mountains to the sahara desert. After having lunch in this beautiful area you will head towards the town of Agdz where you can easily observe in the shade of the palms and an incredible multitude of bird species. A perfect place to rest, enjoy the fresh air, do nothing, be simply in harmony with the nature where life goes slowly. Also you will find on the main square the date souk, the vegetable souk and a lot of shops. At the city exit, the big souk attracts the population of all surrounding villages. On late afternoon you will arrive to Ouarzazate city (holly wood of africa) . (overnight in Ouarzazate).
You will be back through tizi ntichka pass to Marrakech city .Tour end