Southern Morocco: Marrakech, the Atlas Mountain & the Sahara - 8 Days

Itinerary

• Days 1-0: Marrakech: An introduction to MoroccoArrival Day

  Images of desert palms, camels and exotic food float through your head as you make your way from the airport to the hotel. See the mix of the old and new as you pass modern buildings and ancient structures that begin to tell the story of this bustling city. We welcome you to Morocco, and invite you to embrace all of the new cultural traditions, landscapes and delicious food that await. Arrive to Marrakech at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a local restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner accompanied by traditional music, storytelling and entertainment that will set the tone for the adventure ahead.

• Days 2-1: Dades Gorge: Gateway to the Sahara

  See the landscape change dramatically as you pull away from Marrakech, passing verdant green farmland and rocky desert outcroppings before crossing the Atlas mountains along a winding road. You arrive to Ouarzazate, considered to be at the crossroads of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert, where the land becomes more stark as you approach the striking valley of the Dades Gorge. Drive from Marrakech to the Dades Gorge via the Atlas mountains, stopping in Ouarzazate along the way for lunch and a chance to stretch your legs. Make your way to Dades and enjoy an afternoon walk through the gorge before dinner.

• Days 3-2: Merzouga: Desert Camp

  Keep the camera handy as you continue east to the sprawling expanse of the Sahara Desert wilderness. There is something magical about the sea of sand for as far as the eye can see, and particularly stunning at sunset. Reaching your comfortable desert camp by 4x4 and riding a camel up the dunes for sunset will be an unforgettable experience, and watching as the sky starts to glimmer with stars as you take it all in from around a campfire. Drive to Merzouga with a stop in Arfoud for lunch and a brief visit. You arrive in Merzouga and continue by 4x4 to the desert camp. Climb a nearby sand dune riding on the back of a camel at sunset and enjoy a mint tea accompanied by melodies from bedouin musicians as you settle into the evening.

• Days 4-3: Merzouga: Your OMG Day

  The people who live in this area have thrived despite the harsh environment, settling near natural oases where water and date palms provide some essential elements to survive. Set off into the dunes in 4x4s where you'll have the choice to focus more on the cultural traditions of the Sahara meeting with nomads and villagers, or to focus more on the natural history of the desert, exploring an oasis and meeting with a local farmer. Choice of activity in the morning, both including lunch. Enjoy some free time in the late afternoon for optional sandboarding or a buggy ride before settling into camp again for the night.

• Days 5-4: Aït Ben Haddou: The Caravan Route

  Leaving the desertscape behind, you'll head back through farmland and dusty, rocky terrain on the way to the ancient kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Wandering the narrow alleyways next to massive clay buildings, picture yourself in one of the many famous movies or tv shows which have been filmed here, all of which the locals will be thrilled to tell you about. Drive from Merzouga to Aït Ben Haddou and take a guided tour of the site. In the evening enjoy dinner, likely of traditional tagine at a nearby local establishment.

• Days 6-5: Ouirgane: The High Atlas

  The views are stunning as you head up into the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Amazigh villages and along lush valleys on the way to Ouirgane. The town itself sits next to a reservoir of the river amongst olive trees, and is the perfect base for exploring the area. Travel to Ouigane with some stops along the way to take in the beautiful Atlas Mountain scenery, visit a tree nursery, and enjoy lunch made by women of the the tour operator—supported Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative. Here, you'll get a sense of how this project is changing peoples' lives and enjoy a brief carpet weaving demonstration while hearing stories from members of the cooperative. Arrive to Ouigane in the late afternoon and choose to enjoy a stroll in the beautiful and fragrant gardens of the hotel before dinner.

• Days 7-6: Ouirgane: Amazigh Villages

  The picturesque mountain scenery will be your playground as you set off on a hike through olive and juniper trees and quaint villages. Immerse yourself into the daily life of a Amazigh family and enjoy a tea demonstration while hearing stories about their lifestyle and traditions. Share a delicious traditional meal with them before hiking back down to Ouirgane. Hike from Ouirgane in the surrounding mountains and spend time with a local family in a Amazigh village. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the garden of the hotel in the evening.

• Days 8-7: Marrakech

  Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Morocco will live on. Drive to Marrakech in the morning, where the tour ends on arrival. Outbound flights should depart no earlier than 2pm.