Marrakech - Ait Ben Haddou - Skoura - Rose City - Boumalne Dades to the Accommodation

Medina of Marrakesh - After enjoying breakfast, depart from the vibrant royal city of Marrakech and journey southward through Morocco. Travel along the N9, crossing the High Atlas at the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, and arrive at Ait Benhaddou at the southern foothills. After passing through the provincial capital of Ouarzazate, continue along the mountain range to reach the palm oases of Skoura, Rose Valley, and Boumalne-Dades for an overnight stay with breakfast included.

Route: Marrakech - Tizi-n-Tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Skoura
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 5 hours

Tizi n Tichka - ATLAS CROSSING: TIZI-N-TICHKA
Begin by driving through fertile plains and pine forests, ascending further into the Atlas Mountains, accompanied by gnarled juniper trees. Cross the High Atlas at the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, which stands at an altitude of 2,260 meters. Snow is often present here during winter and spring.

• Continue driving to Telouet

Telouet Kasbah - Follow a smaller road to Telouèt through the rugged, barren mountains.

Kasbah du Pacha el Glaoui - Visit the Pacha el Gloui Kasbah.

• Continue to Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.
• In the valley, the Ounila River is bordered by a green band of vegetable gardens and oasis fields, contrasting with the red-brown rocks of the canyon. Enjoy several stops to take in the stunning views of the picturesque valley.

Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou - TOUR KSAR AIT BENHADDOU
Arrive at Ait Benhaddou around midday and pause for lunch before exploring the clay village. Learn about Kasbahs and Ksur, and admire the rammed earth architecture. Enjoy a guided hour-long tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ksar Ait Benhaddou. Discover the maze of houses, kasbahs, towers, and granaries, and take in the scenic views over the village and the mountain landscape.

• Continue to Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate - Visit the Kasbah of Taourirte, then proceed.
If interested, take a short tour of a film studio.

• Continue to Agdz

Skoura - ROAD OF THE 1,000 KASBAH
In the southern High Atlas, follow the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs. A picturesque landscape unfolds: on one side, the red-brown rocks of the Atlas Mountains rise, while in front, the arid stone desert stretches out. A band of green date palms provides a striking contrast.

Kasbah Amridil - Capture photos from the outside at Skoura Kasbah Amridil, then continue to Rose City.

El Kelaa M’gouna - VALLEY OF THE ROSES
Near Kalaa M’Gouna lies the charming Valley of Roses, in full bloom during April and May. Learn about the cultivation and harvesting of rose cultures. Farmers process the flowers into the popular, sensually scented rose oil and rose water. During a coffee break in Kalaa M’Gouna, sample and purchase the region’s typical products.

• Continue to Boumalne for accommodation

Boumalne Dades - End the day by heading to accommodation.
The traditional clay building Kasbah-Hotel is situated on a hill at the edge of the Dades Valley. Spend relaxing hours in the blooming garden or on the roof terrace. From there, enjoy a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view over the palm oasis dotted with ksurs and kasbahs, and the mountains beyond.

Boumalne / Dades Valley / Dades Gorge / Tinrhir - Todra Valley and Gorge / Arfoud / Merzouga Desert to the Accommodation

Boumalne Dades - After breakfast, visit the Dades Gorge.
The Road of 1,000 Kasbahs leads to the Dadès Valley near Boumalne, flanked by the High Atlas in the north and the Djebel Saghro in the south. After a short drive on the N10, the Todra Gorge near Tinerhir awaits.
A beautiful oasis town marks the entrance to the Todhra Gorge. Continue via Erfoud, the rust-red oasis town with 300,000 date palms, into the desert and the sand dunes of Merzouga. Switch to dromedaries and ride for 30 minutes to the tent camp. (If preferred, luggage can be transported to the camp by jeep.) Comfort tents for 2 people are available, equipped with electricity and a sink. Enjoy meals around the campfire and occasionally some music under the 360-degree starry sky. If guests prefer to stay in an auberge, that option is available. However, the camp is recommended as a highlight, even for those inexperienced in camping.
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 7 hours

Dades Gorges - A green band of orchards, grain fields, and vegetable patches winds over 30 km into the High Atlas near Boumalne. On a hike lasting about an hour and a half, experience the tranquility and perseverance with which the Berbers have cultivated this beautiful land for centuries. At the river oasis’s edge, witness the impressive “Monkey Fingers” rock formation and original kasbahs with expansive views of the valley.

• Continue further

Boumalne Dades - Drive over the High Atlas to Boumalne, an oasis at an altitude of 1,342 m. After your hike, stop for refreshments at a restaurant in the Dadès Valley. From the terrace, enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the green belt below. It contrasts with the red-brown, sometimes bizarrely shaped rocks. Mighty Kasbahs tower over the river, and simple houses in the mud villages nestle on the slopes.

• Continue to Tinghir

Tinghir - EXPLORE TODRA GORGE
Back in the vehicle, follow the Todra River. About 15 kilometers after Tinerhir, reach the narrowest and most spectacular passage of the Todra Gorge. Here, the river has carved deep into the rocks of the High Atlas. Walk into the narrow area and cross the river on a concrete ford. On both sides of the gorge, which is only a few meters wide, the red-brown rocks rise almost vertically up to 300 meters.

• Continue to Arfoud

Erfoud - Continue via Erfoud, the rust-red oasis town with 300,000 date palms.

• Continue to Merzouga

Merzouga - Arrive in the desert on the edge of the sand dunes of Merzouga.

Merzouga Desert - Venture into the desert and sand dunes of Merzouga. Switch to dromedaries and ride for 30 minutes to the tent camp. (If preferred, luggage can be transported to the camp by jeep.) Comfort tents for 2 people are available, equipped with electricity and a sink. Enjoy meals around the campfire and occasionally some music under the 360-degree starry sky. If guests prefer to stay in an auberge, that option is available. However, the camp is recommended as a highlight, even for those inexperienced in camping.

Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Tamgroute - Agdz - Zagora - Ouarzazate to the Accommodation

Erg Chebbi Dunes - To experience the magical sunrise, rise early. After breakfast outdoors in the mild morning sun, either ride a dromedary back to Merzouga or drive an off-road vehicle. Then, travel via the former capital of the Tafilalt, the caravan station Rissani (visit).

• Continue to Alnif

Alnif - In Alnif, visit a fossil workshop. Your tour guide will explain how the fossils in the black marble were formed. Cut and carefully polished, they create artistic souvenirs, fine decorations, and furniture. At a sales exhibition, purchase finished bowls, decorative pendants, mirror-smooth tables, or even fountains with rock inclusions.

• Lunch break (food on request).
• Continue to Tamgroute

Tamgrout - Cross the Djebel Saghro mountain range further to Tazarinr. Continue along the mountains and through extensive rocky desert areas to Tamgroute. Detour to Tamegroute (Zaouia with its famous library), 22 km away.
Tamegroute has been a religious center since the 11th century. The Nasiriyya zawiya was built in the 17th century as the seat of religious learning.

Zagora - Continue through Zagora along the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate. Over a million date palms grow in the Middle Draa, along with fruit trees, almond, and olive trees. The journey passes through old villages and stone deserts, past herds of camels.

• To the accommodation in Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate - For accommodation in Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate - Demnate - Ouzoud - Marrakech to the Accommodation

Ouarzazate - After breakfast, depart and drive on a smaller road via Demnat, Ouzoud, and further to Marrakech, experiencing the authentic Morocco. In the valley, the river Rssat is bordered by a green band of vegetable gardens and oasis fields, contrasting with the red-brown rocks of the canyon. Enjoy several stops to take in the wonderful views of picturesque Morocco.

Demnate - On the way to Demnat, pass through small villages, some of which are very traditional.
The provincial capital, with a population of around 40,000, is nestled on the edge of the 4200-meter-high Hoch-Atlas. Demnat is the center of Berber nomadic agricultural production and has always been an important trading and market place. Nomads once rested and traded here on their way through the Atlas, selling their goods and stocking up on provisions.

• Continue to Ouzoud

Imi-n-Ifri Natural Bridge - Discovery

Ouzoud - Inspection

Cascades d’Ouzoud - In Ouzoud, enjoy lunch or a drink at a restaurant with a view of the waterfalls (not included). After experiencing one of Morocco’s natural highlights, continue the journey to Marrakech and be dropped off at your accommodation. End of the journey.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

• Gratuities

Embark on a 4-day adventure through the captivating south of Morocco on this round trip. Starting from Marrakech, you’ll journey in an air-conditioned minibus over the High Atlas Mountains to the Route of 1,000 Kasbahs. As the name implies, numerous impressive clay fortresses stand against the rugged mountain backdrop, with lush palm valleys winding through the Atlas below.

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ksar Ait Benhaddou, trek through the fertile Dadès Valley, explore rose cultivation in M’Gouna, walk amidst the towering rocks of the Todra Gorge, and take in breathtaking views. Your southern Morocco tour then heads towards the Sahara.

• Discover irrigated agriculture and learn about the historical trade practices of nomads in the ancient caravan town of Zagora. Transfer to a dromedary for a 50-minute ride to a tent camp in Erg Chebbi, where you’ll spend an unforgettable night among towering sand dunes.

• Explore the mosques and palaces in Marrakech.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.