Sand, Stone and Sea – for groups (including airport transfer Marrakech)

HIGHLIGHTS

• 8-days excursion through the south of Morocco, including airport transfer in Marrakech
• Ideal for groups

DESCRIPTION

Day 1: Pickup at airport Marrakech Menara

Your driver will pick you up at the pre-agreed time from the Marrakech Airport and take you to your riad, which is close to Jamaa el Fna Square.

Day 2: Marrakech -Tadart – Telouet – Aid Ben Haddou – Ourzazate – Oasis of Fint

Pick up at Marrakech at 8:00 am. We will drive for approximately two hours through the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi ‘n Tichka pass, stopping for photos along the way and stopping to have breakfast. We will stop to visit the town of Telouet and its ancient 17th century kasbah.

Then we will go in the direction of Ourzazate, where we will visit the UNESCO protected Aid Ben Haddou Kasbah. We will have lunch there and then visit the Atlas Film Studios. Then forward to the Oasis of Fint, a magnificent mountain oasis 10 km from Ouarzazate, an expanse of greenery in the middle of the rocks. You’ll close your day with dinner and spend the night in a guest house.

Day 3: Oasis of Fint – Tamnougalt – Zagora – Tamegroute – Tinfou desert camp

After a good breakfast on the terrace with a breathtaking view of the Oasis of Fint, we will visit this mountain oasis. Contrast the greenery of the gardens and the palm trees with the very arid, rocky mountain. You will then ride through Agdez and many Berber villages, including the Draa Valley and it’s Palmeraie, on the way to the Kasbah of Tamnougalt, where you will have lunch. From there we’ll go to the center of Tinfou, where you will leave your driver and meet your dromedary for an hour and half ride to the desert camp. The dromedaries are friendly and can be the best way to experience traveling through the dunes. If you decide not to go by dromedary, you may go by car.

Day 4: Tamegroute – M’hamid – Erg Chegaga

You need to wake up early to see the sunrise, but the vivid, amazing experience is worth it. Then you will have breakfast and say good-bye to the camp in desert. We’ll move on to visit the village of Tamegroute, including the pottery kilns, the Koranic library and the underground Kasbah. You’ll have tea and lunch with a Berber family, my family (the Aabi family), and then set out via 4WD on the Paris – Dakar race road. We’ll continue to M’hamid, a small village, which is at a major Draa oasis and the last town before the vast wasteland of Erg Chegaga. Your desert trip will continue 50 km on off-road routes, from M’hamid to Erg Chegaga, the largest group of Sahara dunes. Dinner and the golden sunset of Sahara precede a night in a Berber tent camp.

Day 5: Erg Chegaga – Erg Lihoudi – Tamegroute – Taroundant

You may, if you wish, get up early to see the beautiful sunrise on the dunes. There will be more time to admire the dunes and the desert scenery after breakfast, before resuming your journey. On the return to Tamegroute, we will take a different route across the desert to enjoy different landscapes, taking a break at the dunes of Erg Lehoudi. From here, we’ll find the road back to Tamegroute. Lunch will be with the Aabi family or in the city of Zagora. From there you’ll continue to Taznakht, known for its carpets and Safran, passing fields of argan trees. We will stop for photos along the way and also for lunch. This evening you’ll enjoy dinner in Taroundant and a night in a comfortable Riad after your long day of exploring.

Day 6: Taroundant – Essaouira

After breakfast your driver will pick you up and drive you towards Essaouira, a small old city at the Atlantic coast, also called Mogador. It is located 275km from Taroundant. Along the way you will have lunch in Agadir, a modern city of Morocco, known for its beaches and surfing. Next, following the coastline towards the castle, where Jimi Hendrix stayed, located southeast of Essaouira. This evening, you’ll have time to explore the historic medina and discover a location for dinner from among the many good restaurants in Essaouria. Relax in the night in a comfortable Riad.

Day 7: Essaouira – Marrakech

After breakfast, take your time to explore Essaouira, from the city ramparts to the fishing port and to the beach, and all the paths of shopping in between. After lunch – perhaps a lunch of fresh fish, caught by the local fisherman – you’ll depart Essaouira for the 2 ½-hour drive back to Marrakech, arriving in the late afternoon at your Riad. From here you are free to explore Marrakech, have dinner, and enjoy the night.

Day 8: From Riad to airport Marrakech Menara

After breakfast your driver will pick you up and transfer your group to the airport.