Marrakesh - High Atlas Mountains - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate
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Marrakech
Depart at 08:00 from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate via the High Atlas mountains Tizi n’Tichka pass throughout the high Atlas Mountains we will have time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes and Berber hamlets, and break for coffee and mint tea. In the afternoon we will get the chance the visit the universal Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou Kasbah as it has been named by UNESCO in 1987. This Berber Kasbahs which has been used as a very important destination for international filmmakers for more than 20 films was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory, salt and silk from sub-Saharan countries to Marrakesh and beyond. We’ll pass through Ouarzazate, or what we call Hollywood of Africa since it’s has been as well a very famous destination for filmmakers. Here you will get the chance to visit many filmmaking studios and we spend the night in Ouarzazate.
Duration: 7 hours
Ouarzazate - Valley of Roses - Boutaghrar - Dades valley
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Ouarzazate
From Ouarzazate We drive towards Dades Gorges but before we drive along the valley of Roses, here you can get the chance to visit a rose factory to see how those locals make different products from the Persian rose. After passing Kalaa Magouna Town we curve to the left before we drive on an off-road for about 25 Kms. We get directly to Dades valley where we will enjoy the beautiful green fields of figs and almonds. We will pass through many hamlets and villages along the way before we arrive at Dades Gorges. Here we spend the night.
Duration: 7 hours
Dades valley - Todghra Gorges - Tamtatoucht
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Merzouga
From Dades Gorges we start to drive towards Todgha gorges along with the arid landscapes and mountains before we pass through a town called Tineghir the nerve centre of the area. We head along Todgha valley which is huge by its oasis and palm grooves. Why not a short walk across the palmary with a local guide to explore the daily life of the locals, women in gardens gathering herb for cows, old men gathering dates in October or olives in January to February, small kids riding donkeys. We continue up through the canyons of Todra which is famous for rock climbing until the Berber village of Tamtatoucht where we spend the night in an Auberge.
Duration: 8 hours
Tamtatoucht - Todgha Gorges - Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi)
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Merzouga
From Tamtatoucht through Todgha gorges we head towards Merzouga through arid landscapes and along many oases of palm grooves. We pass Erfoud or what we call the capital of fossils as it’s very known with its fossil’s factories where they make beautiful shapes and pieces from rock of mountains. Then we’ll head for the Erg Chebbi sand sea. We continue deeper into the desert landscape until dunes appear in the middle of nowhere. When we arrive at our auberge you meet your camel guide and ride into the bivouac (camp).under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the clear night sky. Climb the dunes and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in a nomad tent.
Duration: 7 hours
Merzouga – Ziz valley – Ifrane - Fez
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Zagora
After enjoying the amazing sunrise among the sand dunes, you ride back your camels back to the auberge. After having breakfast and a shower we drive along a different road. We drive towards Fes, we stop on the road to enjoy having tea with a nomadic family before we passing through the High Atlas mountains again. We stop by a town called Midelt where we’ll have lunch. This town is a very impressive mountain city at 1488 meters of altitude, well situated lower down the Jbel Ayachi (3737 m). In the afternoon we’ll continue to the legendary city of Fes. Arrival to Fes is the end of the trip.
Duration: 8 hours
