A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents.
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John F.K. International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
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After breakfast in your riad, you’ll leave Fes and head towards Ifrane, known as “the Switzerland of Morocco.” From there, we’ll travel to Errachidia via Azrou and Midelt. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountains. We’ll stop in Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of Morocco’s largest cedar forest, where you might spot Barbary apes. As we approach Errachidia, the scenery will shift, revealing hints of the desert. We’ll spend the night in Villa Midelt, with dinner, bed, and breakfast included.
Enjoy breakfast by the hotel pool before traveling along the lush Ziz Valley, with stops for panoramic views. We will drive through welcoming Berber villages to Erfoud and then to Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty, Morocco’s current ruling family. Rissani is surrounded by 360 ksar (fortified villages with many towers) and has a large souk (open market) held three times a week.
Once called Sijilmassa, Rissani was a key meeting place for salt caravans coming from Timbuktu in Mali. Here, you’ll walk through the souk, where spices, vegetables, and cloth are sold. Visit the donkey park and enjoy a madfouna (a local pizza specialty) for lunch. Then, continue your journey through the open black desert to the village of Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi sand dunes.
Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon, where you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into your riad. (BDB)
After breakfast in the riad, you will begin an explorative journey of the area. First, you’ll visit the Gnawa people, originally slaves brought from Sudan, to experience their unique music and lifestyle. Not far away, there’s the lake of Merzouga, home to diverse bird populations. You may also visit the nomad wire house, where many Berber handicrafts are priced lower than in the big cities.
In the afternoon, you will mount your camel, guided by an experienced camel man, to explore the sand sea of Merzouga. Enjoy a wonderful sunset over the golden dunes and spend the night at our luxury desert camp in isolated sand dunes away from the villages. This is an incredible experience, offering a real taste of the desert with breathtaking views of the dunes. Dinner, bed, and breakfast are included.
Wake up in the morning to another day in the desert. After breakfast, enjoy sandboarding on the dunes or take a unique excursion through the desert. You can walk alongside our camel leader or ride a camel to visit the nomads, having a picnic and learning deeply about nomadic life. Alternatively, you can opt for a 4×4 excursion. Return to your camp later and stay overnight at the same luxury camp. Dinner, bed, and breakfast are included.
Early in the morning, if you like, we will wake you up to watch what might be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. Along the way, you’ll appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes as they change with the light throughout the day.
After breakfast in the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges—the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge, we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes.”
Continuing through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M’gouna and Marrakech, the route, known as the way of the thousand kasbahs, offers numerous opportunities to capture some of your best photographic shots of the trip. We’ll stop at Kalaa M’gouna, “the rose city,” where you can purchase rosewater to keep your linens smelling wonderful long after your trip is over.
We’ll arrive in Skoura in the late afternoon, where you will overnight in a Kasbah hotel.
After breakfast in the Kasbah, you will start your day by visiting the famous Kasbah of Amredil, a well-preserved 17th-century kasbah that stands as a great symbol of the Skoura oasis. As you continue through Skoura and the Birds Valley, you can enjoy some hiking in the valley and stop at a restaurant overlooking the whole valley for lunch.
Next, we’ll head to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” for its geography and stunning landscapes that have attracted many world-class movie producers. Here, you may choose to visit the film studios, which contain props used in movies you may have seen, such as “The Mummy,” “Gladiator,” and “The Last Temptation of Christ.”
Your overnight accommodation will be in a local riad, Riad Ksar Ighnda, where you will enjoy dinner, bed, and breakfast.
After breakfast at your riad, travel to Marrakech through the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah and the Tizi Ntichka Pass over the High Atlas Mountains. Your first stop will be at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest kasbah in Morocco, built by Et Thami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century. This historic site is now home to many Glaoui people.
Your journey will then continue through the majestic Tizi Ntichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, leading you to Marrakech. The tour concludes upon your arrival at your hotel.