An ocher sea of  peace

Itinerary

Marrakesh – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Merzouga Desert – Erg Chebbi- Ziz Valley – Midelt – Azrou – Fes

• DAY 1: MARRAKESH – AIT BEN HADDOU – OUARZAZATE

  After breakfast in the Riad, we head to the South on our 4×4 vehicle. We drive over the High Atlas Mountains through Tizi N’tichka mountain pass (2,600 m) up to the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a beautiful walled medina that served as military defense and where several internationally known movies were filmed, such as Obelix, Gladiator, and Sahara… Lunch on your own. Continue our way to Ouarzazate. Upon arrival and leaving the luggage, you can relax or go to visit Taourirt Kasbah. Overnight and next day breakfast in Riad Darchamaa.

• DAY 2: OUARZAZATE – SKOURA – DADES GORGES

  Continue to Skoura, located in the heart of the Valley of the Palms, an extensive oasis with luxuriant vegetation covering secret kasbahs. You can visit Skoura’s Kasbah if desired. From here, keep on to the Valley of Roses (famous for marvelous roses growth) and then to the Dades Valley taking a break in the impressive Dades Gorges. Overnight, dinner and next day breakfast by the Dades River in hostel Auberge Chez Pierre.

• DAY 3: DADES GORGES – TODRA GORGES – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA DESERT

  After breakfast, we will go along the Boumalne shores, from here starts a road full of kasbahs (walled city) and ksours (fortress) with breathtaking ocher, red and mauve landscapes. We will be surrounded by rocky plateaus where dromedaries graze. After a journey full of ksours, oasis and palm trees, we will be in Tineghir (where the Todra Gorge is) at 1,350 m high and surrounded by a palm grove. Go on towards Erfoud (the city of fossils and desert gate) and after passing through Rissani, we arrive in Merzouga to the impressive Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight, dinner and next day breakfast in Auberge du Sud hotel facing the dunes.

• DAY 4: MERZOUGA – ERG CHEBBI – MERZOUGA

  After breakfast, 90 km of 4×4 ride by tracks around the dunes being able to visit: the two oasis of Merzouga, a nomadic deposit, Khamlia village (known as ‘black people’ village), Mifiss mines, desert plateaus, and also we will meet Berber nomads from the desert, finally Tissardmine oasis. Way back to the hotel around 3 pm. During the afternoon, we will go deeper into de dunes riding dromedaries while enjoying the sunset. After two hours, arrival in a wild oasis in the heart of the dunes. Magical dinner and unforgettable overnight in a nomad tent under the stars hearing the silence of the desert.

• DAY 5: MERZOUGA – ZIZ VALLEY – MIDELT – AZROU – FES

  By 5.30 am, get ahead with the sunrise to gaze at the incredible sun rising spectacle over the sand sea. Being at the top of the Great Dune at this moment is one of the top best in Merzouga desert. After a typical breakfast in our bivouac (nomad tent), we go back to the hotel by camel trek. After a shower, we head to Fes, passing through the beautiful Ziz valley, Errachidia, and Midelt mountain pass until the cedar forest where we will have a break to visit the famous ‘Gouraud’ cedar. We keep on through the Middle Atlas. Afternoon arrival in Fes, the intellectual and historical capital of Morocco, is made up of three areas: Fes-Bali (old walled medina), Fes-Jdid (new medina and Jewish quarter) and the Ville Nouvelle (modern city). Find out more interesting Fes places to visit on our blog Morocco Heritage section.