9Days Tour From Marrakech To Casablanca

Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka Pass – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

Leaving the “pink city” behind, the road soon leads up the dramatic High Atlas Mountains with steep climbs and awe-inspiring views. The drive is over the highest vehicle pass in Morocco, the Tizi-n’Tichka Pass – stop for photos! Once over the high Pass, descend through the starkly beautiful Ounila Valley; see the partly restored Kasbah Telouet once seat of the powerful Glaoui dynasty, with stunning tile, wood & stucco restorations. Continue to the UNESCO protected World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, this iconic red mud-brick ksar is used in many international films such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones”. Take a walk to the top of the hill for a true perspective of its location and sense the history. Lunch here or along the road.   At Ouarzazate visit Taourirt Kasbah, and international film studios (both optional), before driving to the Dades Valley and your accommodation for the night

Dades Valley – Dades Gorge – Route of a Thousand Kasbahs – Todra Gorge/Tinghir

Depart After breakfast in your auberge, drive up the valley to see the dramatic Dades Gorge with its strange rock formations in the Tamnalt Hills – the Monkey Fingers – and the famous zig-zag road climbing high above the narrow gorge; time for a walk and photos. Return to the Dades Valley, a historically rich route known as “The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” for its traditional buildings and villages almost unchanged for generations. Continuing towards the Todra Gorge, have lunch along the way. The route winds between the High Atlas Mountains and the equally daunting Jebel Sarhro to the mighty Todra Gorge, its tall vertical cliffs offering a challenge for rock climbers and trekkers. Time for a walk along the river under the towering cliffs. Overnight at your hotels

Tinghir/Todra Gorge – Jebel Sarhro – Tamegroute – Desert Camp Erg Chegaga

Depart After breakfast, we begin the exciting journey to the desert. Leaving the great mountains & gorges behind, drive through and/or over the forbidding Jebel Sarhro Mountain range with newly opened routes allowing access to places until recently not accessible.  On reaching the Draa Valley, have lunch with a local family. The final 2.5 hrs is off-road across the outer desert where Berber shepherds may be seen with their herds. Later in the afternoon reach the majestic sands of Erg Chegaga and the Atta Desert Camp where you will stay in the main camp.  Be welcomed with glasses of hot sweet Berber tea, then the activities are up to you – explore your “neighbourhood” or try sand-boarding perhaps? Climb a nearby high dune before sunset to watch the sun sink below the distant horizon – bring your camera/phone! After dinner gather round the camp fire to enjoy Berber entertainment. Stroll back to your accommodation when you are ready under the vast canopy of the night sky.

Note: Kids may try their hands at traditional clay pottery making at Tamegroute. Plenty of opportunities crossing the outer desert for photos stops, camels.

Erg Chegaga – Desert Explore – Visit nomads   

Rise early to climb the high dunes behind the camp and watch the sunrise. Enjoy your breakfast, then when you are ready, drive by 4×4 across the outer desert to visit a nomad family and share hot sweet Berber tea with them, visit the nearby school.  On your return to camp have lunch then enjoy a 1hr camel ride and free sand-boarding. Perhaps walk to the very high dunes not far from camp (to heights of approx. 300mts) and enjoy the stunning panorama. Enjoy another freshly cooked dinner before entertainment with the staff after dinner around the campfire again. Be humbled by the infinite canopy of the brilliant night sky.

Desert Camp – free day – picnic lunch

Today is a relaxed day, so take time to get into “camp mode” and explore the nature around you. Lunch may be an oasis picnic, weather permitting. Perhaps enjoy walking to the high dunes if you did not do it yesterday… learn to bake bread in hot sand with the camp staff. Before dinner watch your last desert sunset on the nearby dunes and after this traditional Berber meal, join the staff around the campfire again. Be awed by the immense night sky as it stretches above you in the silent desert night with countless stars, satellites, and shooting stars. 

Note: Activities at camp are often flexible, depending on the weather and how you feel

Desert Camp – Fossil Mountain – Lac Iriki – Foum Zguid – Tazenakht – Taliouine

Leave the desert approx and head towards the coast driving across the dry salt lake bed of Lac Iriki. Stop to see marine fossils embedded in a ridge of ancient black rock while in the remote area, proof this region was once under vast oceans. Lunch along the road. This is a day of contrasts, from the remote desert to the scenic Anti-Atlas Mountains and Morocco’s saffron “capital” of Taliouine where this “red gold” is grown. Overnight in this small town Taliouine.

Taliouine – Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira

Depart Leave Taliouine after breakfast, skirting the mountains, then follow the fertile Souss Valley with its extensive market gardens around Taroudant producing fruits and vegetables for local and international markets. As the road approaches the coast, drive through famous argan forests, the only place in Morocco where these valuable trees grow and where goats may be seen high in the trees as they reach for the fruit, in season. Lunch along the road. Continue past Agadir following the coast to Essaouira. 

Essaouira – Free day

Free day to explore the busy fishing port, solid rock ramparts, the small medina, and shops. With a rich Portuguese history, this small port is always bustling with activity so wander along the wharf when the fleet comes in and see the fresh catch unloaded. Seagulls love it!  Take a stroll on the solid ramparts protecting this busy port from the often unrelenting Atlantic weather. This is a mecca for windsurfers. Enjoy the many café/restaurants along the waterfront as Essaouira is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants. At low tide, the wide expanse of flat sand becomes a local playing field.

Essaouira – Casablanca

Transfer to Casablanca via coastal drive or freeway. At Casablanca visit the beautiful Hassan II Mosque on the waterfront – even the kids must be impressed!  Maybe time to see the Corniche/waterfront and for kids to stretch their legs. This tour will end at your accommodation Or Airport.

Note: Discuss with driver/guide time to leave – drive time approx. 4.5hrs.