Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Gorge
We will depart at 8 am from Marrakesh to Dades Valley. We drive via the High Atlas mountainsTizi n’Tichka pass – the high Atlas mountains. We will have time to enjoy impressive landscapesand Berber hamlets, also we will enjoy break for coffee or mint tea in nice area. In the afternoon we will get the chance to visit the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (as it has been named by UNESCO). This Berber Kasbah which is very important place for international filmmakers (more than 20 films was shot here). It was also one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory, salt. Then we’ll pass through city of Ouarzazate,which is called Hollywood of Africa. After Ouarzazate we will continue to Dades Valley , trough the megoun ,Skoura (berber villages around the valley) and we will spend the night in Dades Valley?.
Day 2: Dades Gorge – Todra Gorge – Merzouga
After breakfast we will drive through the valley to see the amazing rock formation – “the monkey toes” and also the still-standing 19th century Kasbah of Ait Yul. We leave the Dades Valley towards Tinrghir and the Todra Valley and you’ll see panoramic views of the old mud Berber villagesoverlooking this valley. In the Gorge we will walk under the 300 m high red cliff, where many Rock-climbers come to enjoy this sport.
We’ll continue on to Erfoud and Rissani where we’ll have lunch before we leave to village ofMerzouga where you will be welcomed with a glass of mint tea before checking into our Hotel/Riad.
Day 3: Merzouga area and the Camel trek
After breakfast we will start exploring the area, we visit the village of the Gnawi people, originally slaves from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle (Khamlia village). Near from this village you can see the lake of Merzouga, with its flamingos. You may also visit the nomad wire house where manyBerber handicrafts are selling their product for good prices. At the afternoon you’ll be ready for yourcamel ride , guided by an experienced camel guide, you’ll explore sand-sea of the Erg-Chebbi for 2-3 hrs before spending the night under the stars. If you prefer you can sleep in a traditional Berber nomad tent.
Day 4: Merzouga – Fes
Your camel guide will wake you up early in the morning and you will have change to watch best sunrise of your life. Then , you’ll enjoy camel-trek back to your hotel/riad ,crossing unique dunes of Erg Chebbi – changing with the light as the day progresses.
After tasty breakfast in the local guest-house we will travel to Fes via Erfoud , Aoufous and Errachidia along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock and through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt. We will stop in Zaida to enjoy a barbecue and refresh with a glass of mint tea ,then we continue to Azrou, a Berber village in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Here we’ll stop to see the Barbarian apes in the famous Cedar forest. Then we drive to Ifrane – “the French village”, stopping for a picture and drink before we arrive to Fes ,where the tour ends.