Departure from Marrakech then drive through the High Atlas Mountains, Where Aït Ourir, a charming Berber village , soon after seeing views of the olive groves of the Oued Zat, we will begin ascending onto the Tizi–N–TichkaPassRoad.
After breakfast and then prepare for an early morning departure from Marrakech. Drive through the High Atlas Mountains. Heading south of Marrakech you will pass Aït Ourir, a charming Berber village where you can stop to take some pictures of the Atlas foothills.
Back on the P31 you will pass the Grouka hunting reserve and ForestryDepartmentBuildings that are a reminder that the Frenchpresence was once felt in the High Atlas. Soon after seeing views of the olive groves of the Oued Zat, you will begin ascending onto the Tizi–N–TichkaPassRoad
Next we will drive to the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Lawrenceof Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains.
after visiting the kasbah we will continue towards Ouarzazate and the sleepy town of Skoura and admire its impressive palm groves and ruined kasbahs surrounded by palm trees, fig, birch and tamarisk. We will also pass El–KelaaM’Gnouaand surrounding valleys, open up your window to inhale the strong scent of Persian roses permeating through the mountain air. In spring we can make a pit-stop to take pictures of the spectacular landscape overlooking El-Kelaa M’Gnoua whose two distillation factories use 3000 to 4000 of the rose petals produced by the town each year.
Morning departure from Dades Gorges
Continue the journey passing the Todra river, oases of impressive kasbahs, valleys lined with date palms, olive terraces, pomegranate and almond and fruit trees. Back on the main road, look for signs for Er-Rachidia. Here the palm groves of the Ziz and Tafilalt begin and you can catch a glimpse of the Er-Rachidia’s administrative and military center built by the French in the early twentieth century.
Other sights to look for include lovely stretches over the fertile Todra Gorgeand a dramatic backdrop of rocks framing the slender towers of the Tamnalt Kasbahs.
Stop in Rissani for lunch and try Madfouna, southern Morocco’s version of pizza: griddle- fried wheat flour bases topped with onions, tomatoes, olives, minced lamb and cheese.
Overnight in a Luxury Desert Camp in Merzouga in the heart of the Erg Chebbi Dunes.
Wake up early and head out to an Oasis by camel to trek across the Erg Chebbi Dunes before dawn. Watch the sunrise over the dunes.
Depart Merzouga and stop in the center of Rissani to purchase Berber jewelry with iconic designs of the desert. Stock up on dried fruits and other snacks at the local souk to enjoy a relaxing ride back to Ouarzazate.
Meet a local Berber family, sip tea in the Saghro Mountains, and dine on couscous. Then explore and tour the village by foot. Walk in the green fields and see how the traditional Berbers live with their gardens of herbs, livestock, and henna plants.
After lunch, you can have your hands and feet painted with hennaor your hair adorned with saffron by a local village artist and relax. Experience the tradition of Berber perfume made from musk and amber along with the villages own spices.
N’kob is a village in the Middle Atlas Mountains which boasts prehistoric rock-carvings to explore. If geology is your passion then stopping in Tazzarine, Alnif and Rissani to explore the rocks, fossils and minerals found in shops along the roadside is a priority. Trilobites are the areas main export. Besides fossils, you will also have a chance to see a circuit of ksour- Asserehine, Zaouiet el Maati, Irara, Gaouz, Tabassant, Tinrheras and Ouirhalne.
Overnight in a Boutique Riad or Guesthouse in Nkob.
Rise early and take the road through the DraaValley
En route to Ouarzazate, pass the Draa Valley, known as Morocco’slongest river. The formation is that of the Dades River and Imini River and flows from the High Atlas Mountains southeastward to Tagounit and from Tagounit mostly westwards to the Atlantic Ocean somewhat north of Tan-Tan. The Draa Valley is the road of the old caravans that once traveled to transport dates and other goods from the Draa Region to Marrakech.
Continue to Marrakech via the kasbah ait ben haddou where we will stop to explore this world heritage fortified village site and have lunch, after lunch, we will continue to Marrakech through the high atlas mountains, arrival at Marrakech and drop off at your accommodation.
TOURS
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