We Love —
- Starting this tour in the ancient imperial city of western Morocco, the famous Marrakech.
- Exploring and marvelling at the majestic peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
- Taking a timeless break in the vastness of the Merzouga Desert.
- Delight your taste buds with the delicious spicy flavours of Moroccan cuisine
Customer reviews —
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Experience an extraordinary trip to Morocco and discover two extremes in one country: the majestic Atlas Mountains and the eternally vast desert of Merzouga.
On your journey through Morocco, landscapes await you that are as varied as they are impressive.
Immerse yourself in the warm Moroccan culture and discover the cultural riches of this fascinating North African country.
Choose from the following stay durations:
Round trip in 5 Nights / 6 Days:
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech - Tiz N'Tichka - Ouarzazate - Boumal Dades - Tinghir
Day 3: Tinghir - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga (180 km)
Day 4: Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - N'Kob - Agdez - Ait Benhaddou
Day 5: Ait Benhaddou - Telouet - Marrakech
Day 6: Departure
Round trip in 7 Nights / 8 Days:
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Day 2: Marrakech - Tiz N'Tichka - Ouarzazate - Boumal Dades - Tinghir
Day 3: Tinghir - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga (180 km)
Day 4: Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - N'Kob - Agdez - Ait Benhaddou
Day 5: Ait Benhaddou - Telouet - Marrakech
Day 6 and 7: Marrakech
Day 8: Departure
Please note that the order of the activities can be changed, but the individual programme points remain the same in any case.
Bon Voyage!
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Arrival at Marrakech airport, welcome by our representative and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2: MARRAKECH - TIZ N'TICHKA - OUARZAZATE - BOUMAL DADES - TINGHIR
Your driver will pick you up after breakfast at 08h00, and you will drive to the High Atlas Mountains and the plains of Ouarzazate and Skoura.
As soon as you leave Marrakech, the road immediately dips into the plains of Alhaouz and continues over some small rivers (wadis), the only springs in the region that irrigate the wheat and barley crops, as well as the olive, apricot or orange plantations. Near these traditional irrigation systems are underground drainages that have their origins in the Sahara. Landowners have since invested in pumping stations and dams near these rivers.
Your first stop is just past Ait Ourir, at Toufliht Park - with a great panoramic view of the Touama streams and the vegetable terraces. The drive continues into the Atlas Mountains, one of Morocco's mountain ranges - and the highest in North Africa, sometimes referred to as 'the roof of Morocco'. It stretches over 750 km. A second stop is scheduled in the village of Taddert before you climb the trail to Tizi N' Tichka (2260 metres above sea level).
Arrive in Ouarzazate at noon and stop to enjoy a traditional lunch. Visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, built by the Glaoui tribe; it looks like a huge sand castle against the backdrop of the desert. A former palace of the "Lords of the Atlas", this kasbah built of mud and straw was the main residence of the powerful pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, in the 19th century - today it is a UNESCO cultural treasure.
Drive on to the Skoura oasis, where palm trees and silver olive trees crowd around the ruins of ancient kasbahs. Cross dry, barren land and occasionally spy the nomads at the foot of the hills and the magical town of Kelaa Mgouna ahead. It lies in the middle of a large green valley, also known as the Valley of Roses. Its people are Berber, speak Amazigh and are famous for their annual festival held every May.
On your last stop of the day, you can learn about beauty products made from indigenous delicate plants. You will spend the night in a traditional guesthouse in Tinghir.
Dinner and overnight at the Kasbah Tomboctou Tinghir Hotel.
Day 3: Tinghir - Todra Gorge - Erfoud - Merzouga Desert (180 km)
Departure from Tinghir to Merzouga straight after breakfast.
The first panoramic stop of the day is in the Valley of Tinghir. Several photo stops will follow in the very dense palm groves of Todra.
Enjoy a refreshment in the Todra Gorge, on the banks of a river that is 200 km long and flows mostly through the mountains.
Stretch your legs on a pleasant hike through the canyon, before continuing on to Tinejdad and Erfoud, the latter which is famous for its fossils. Around the town you will find numerous shops selling fossils and fossil-derived products such as tables and home accessories.
Enjoy a lunchbreak at your leisure (not included).
After leaving Erfoud, the tour will drive through the vast oasis of Tafilalt, which is famous for its dates. Enjoy a surprise activity in Merzouga - a dreamlike palce with its golden dunes of Merzouga.
In the evening, settle down in a cosy nomad camp to enjoy a traditional drum show, admire the sunset and spend a relaxing night in a nomadic traditional tent.
Dinner and overnight at Merzouga Experience Camp (or similar).
DAY 4: MERZOUGA - RISSANI - ALNIF - N'KOB - AGDEZ - AIT BENHADDOU
Rise and shine very early today, if you want to see the sunrise over the Sahara!
After a nomadic breakfast, drive from Merzouga to Rissani to visit the ancient Ksar of Moulay Ali Cherif, who was grandfather of the Alaouite kings (from whom the current King Mohammed VI is descended).
In the centre of Rissani is the main souk of the Tafilalt region, where vegetables, cereals and livestock are for sale. Stop for refreshment in Alnif, then drive through Djebel Saghro with its lunar landscapes of plains, mountain peaks and canyons to the villages of Tazzarine and then N'kob.
Enjoy a lunch break en route (lunch not included).
Later, further along the Draa, on the road of 1000 kasbahs, you will reach Tanssikht, the last stage of the Saharan caravans on their way south, the Berber country with its oases and palm groves following the river between the end of the Atlas Mountains and the desert. You'll pass mud houses, ksours and important fortified granaries, towers that recall the legal disputes of the courts of the past. You will make a short stop in the village of Agdez before continuing to Ait Benhaddou, where you will spend the night.
Dinner and overnight at the Kasbah Tamdakhte (or similar).
DAY 5: AIT BENHADDOU - TELOUET - MARRAKECH
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, the UNESCO citadel made of rammed earth that looks like a postcard. The bright red sun highlights the beige tones of the mixture of clay and thatch, and the past seeps into the present through the covered passageways and stone walls. Ksar Ait Benhaddou has served as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters. It was one of the most important fortresses on the ancient caravan routes of the Salt Road, where traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond.
You will then head towards the Ounila Valley until you find yourself on the old route that caravans used to bring the coveted goods to the Sultan's court.
Soon you reach Telouet to visit the Pasha's palace towering over the village, a fortified citadel that is both the microcosm of an empire and its downfall. It is said that the Pasha managed to eclipse the Sultan by controlling most of what is now Morocco, and decided to build a palace in the middle of nowhere, where his family originally came from. He employed the most skilled craftsmen to build and decorate his headquarters, and in his golden age armies and stables were confined to its walls, while a thriving Jewish community managed the nearby salt mines.
Later, make your way back through the High Atlas, this time on the national road, which used to be a camel trail and was converted into a real road suitable for vehicles with the help of the French Foreign Legion. The end of the route winds its way along rugged valleys and mountain peaks, heading back down to Marrakech later in the afternoon. Check-in at your hotel.
Lunch at a local restaurant en route is included.
Overnight at the Red Hotel (or similar).
Day 6: Departure or Marrakech (Round trip in 7 nights / 8 days)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel on what may be your last day (unless you decide to extend your magical journey by two nights).
If your adventure ends here, you will then take your included transfer to the airport and board your flight home.
If you have chosen Offer 2 (tour of 7 night duration), today you will discover the wonders of Marrakech.
A local guide will meet you at the riad for a half-day discovery tour of the souks and Medina, helping you navigate the small alleyways with many shops. Discover the city's famous historical, scenic and culinary highlights. Take a walk through the picturesque gardens of Marrakech, stroll through the alleys of the Medina and relax with lunch at a traditional riad restaurant in the Medina (included in the price).
DAY 7: MARRAKECH
Overnight at the Red Hotel (or similar).
Breakfast at the hotel.
Take advantage of this free day in Marrakech to explore the city at your own pace and discover more of the city's treasures at your leisure.
In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel at 20h00 for a farewell dinner at a Moroccan restaurant. Your dinner will consist of three courses and includes return transfers from/to the hotel.
Overnight at the Red Hotel (or similar).
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to Marrakech airport for your flight home.
Your Hotels —
Hand-Picked Just For You
During your adventure, you will stay in the following hotels (or similar):
Marrakech: Red Hotel (or similar)
Tinghir: Hotel Kasbah Tomboctou Tinghir (or similar)
Merzouga Desert: Camp Merzouga Expérience (or similar)
Ait Benhaddou: Kasbah Tamdakhte (or similar)
The maximum capacity of the room is 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child or 1 adult, 1 child and 1 baby. It is not possible to stay in a single room.
Your dining choices
Enjoy a carefree tour, with board type according to your itinerary.
Your Optional Excursions —
4X4 Safari on the Berber roads
At the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas, head out on an adventure on the Berber roads to meet the locals and discover their traditions.
Hot Air Balloon, Hammam and Massage
Created exclusively for Voyage Privé customers, enjoy a unique experience by discovering Marrakesh aboard a hot air balloon.
Prolong this feeling of escape with a visit to the Turkish bath for 45 minutes of exfoliation, in addition to a relaxing 30-minute massage.
Your journey to Marrakech, Atlas and Merzouga Desert —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Your Destination —
Morocco
Morocco will enchant you. Take the time to stroll through the medinas of Marrakech, Fez or the sublime blue city of Chefchaouen, discover the many treasures of its rich cultural heritage or climb the peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
Known for its cultural wonders and breathtaking panoramas, your stay in Morocco is also captivating from a culinary point of view - every stopover offers the opportunity to sample delicious specialities: Tajine, mint tea or pastries whose unique scent of orange blossom awakens the senses.
