9 Days Southern Morocco and the Sahara

D1 ARRIVAL MARRAKECH (D)

Upon you arrival in Marrakech Ménara airport you will be welcomed by your English speaking guide and by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Time at leisure till dinner and overnight

D2 - MARRAKECH (B,D)

Once the capital of southern Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sights. Our day-long tour includes the beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away; the beautiful Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace (part of which is still used by the royal family); and the Palace of Dar Si Said, a museum housing Moroccan art and artifacts. Mid-afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded with snake charmers, entertainers, storytellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruit, water, and spices. Dinner and overnight at your hotel

D3 MARRAKECH OUARZAZATE (B,D)

After breakfast departure to Ouarzazate, crossing many Berber villages through the beautiful landscapes of the Atlas mountains range . Cross the TiziN’Tichka pass over 2000 m high (lots of snow there in winter !). And start the descent towards the very different pre saharian scenery of the Southern slopes. 20 kms before Ouarzazate, turn left and stop for the visit of the Ait Ben Haddous Kasbah, a Unesco preserved site, huge fortified village that served as natural « décor » to the shooting of numerous Hollywoodproductions, like « Lawrence of Arabia » , « Romancing the Stone with Mike Douglas or more recently « the Mummy ». Time at leisure for lunch on site, then drive on to Ouarzazate, check in at your hotel and rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

D4 OUARZAZATE –ZAGORA (B,D)

Morning departure to Zagora, following - just after the rocky area leading to Agdz – the banks of the Draa River, where six palm forests form a long ribbon of greenery. Thanks to the proximity of the river; cereals, henna, vegetables, fruit and date palms are cultivated, either on the floor of the valley or on stepped terraces. Then the scenery becomes drier and sand gets more and more appearing ….and here is Zagora,only 80 days – by camel- from Timbuktu !! Check in at your hotel and lunch at leisure. In the afternoon visit the potters village of Tamegrout and the dunes of Tinfou . Dinner and overnight in your hotel.

D5 ZAGORA - MERZOUGA (B,D)

Early morning (07.00 am) departure To Erfoud, crossing the « regs » landscapes, typical ofpre Sahara landscapes, alternatingsand dunes and rocky tables, crossing small berber villages (stop for light lunch). Upon arrival in Rissani, cradle of the present reigning dynasty in Morocco, the Alaouits, See the outside of the Mausoleum of Moulay AliCherif and, time allowing,go inside the Abu AamKsar (fortified village). Then on to Merzouga , in the dunes of Erg Chebi, for your first experience of a Bedouin bivouac overnight under the traditional tents, including dinner. (The 3 and 4 stars version includes a « common » bivouac with other clients in other tents. The 5 stars version include a “private deluxe” bivouac).

D6 MERZOUGA –ERFOUD (B,D)

After breakfast, back to Rissani to complete the visit if necessary (Market on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday), then on to Erfoud, a beautiful oasis, centre of the dates trading. Market on Sunday.. Lunch at leisure on the way. Check in at your hotel, and afternoon at leisure toenjoythe amenities of your hotel, or pursue your visit of Erfoud. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

D7 ERFOUD - Todgha - Dadès- OUARZAZATE (B,D)

To day you will drive along one of the most beautiful itinerary of the whole Morocco, called “ The 1000 Kasbahs Valley” Up to Tinejdad, the landscape is still very dry and punctured by the mounds of the old irrigation system of the “khettaras”. Then after Tinerhir,, a former military outpost built on terraces above a magnificent palm grove, and gateway to the awesome Todra Gorge with its 300 m high cliffs, the desert and palm trees turn to flowers and orchards, first at El Kelaa des Mgouna where the speciality is the growing of the Damascus roses.The perfume PARIS, by Yves Saint Laurent, is made from the extract of these roses.Stop for rose products such as rose water, body milk and dried petals …. Then to Boulmane du Dades, a large town and local administration centre at the foot of the DadesWadigorge . The entire road is scattered with the remnants of huge kasbahs, these fortified households built in adobe on several floors, according to a very ancient knowledge and overnight on site.Diner and overnight in Ouarzazate

D8- OUARZAZATE-MARRAKECH(B,D)

Drive back to Marrakech . Arrival at lunch time (on own) and afternoon at leisure Dinner and overnight in Marrakech. (Optional Moroccan dinner)

D9 DEPARTURE (B)

Morning transfer to Marrakech Menara airport in time for your scheduled flight.