Day 1 : Marrakech - Telouet - Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - Skoura - Dades Gorges.

Departure from Marrakech around 07H30. we pass over the High Atlas Mountains via col Tizin Tichka(2260 m) of altitude. During the journey we will enjoy many beautiful scenes of the Berber villages, elevated views of the mountains. before to arrive to the fortified Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, there's another beautiful kasbah of Telouet.

there's a beautiful hidden kasbah in the middle of the atlas mountains at elevation of (1800 m) Telouet Kasbah is a Kasbah along the former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. The kasbah was the seat of the El Glaoui family's power, thus sometimes also called the Palace of Glaoui. Its construction started in 1860 and it was further expanded in later years. TICKET COST 2 EUROS PER PERSON.

before to arrive to Ouarzazate of 30 Km there is the fortified Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once upon a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of Kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004)

just pass through

We go to Dades gorges through 1000 Kasbahs, since there are enormous Kasbahs on both sides of the road. Some of those old fortified houses are restored but unfortunately a lot of them are ruins. A visit to one of those Kasbahs is Amridil Kasbah. We pass kelaa M’gouna valley of roses appearing with the green colors of its Alfalfa plants, olive trees, fig trees and grapes. This valley gives birth to a rose from which locals produces different cosmetic products like soap, perfumes and skin creams. Locals here celebrate this rose by organizing a national festival each end of April. Then we pass through Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains.

Luxury Riad Dades: private room with shower & toilet & A/C or Heater.

Dades Gorges - Todra Valley - Todra Gorges - Merzouga Desert.

We pass through Boumalen city situated on the edge of Dades valley which rises in the High Atlas Mountains, giving life to a huge Berber community by its rich agriculture. to the great canyons of Morocco Todgha Gorges are situated beyond the central high Atlas Mountains. Here, the contrasting landscapes remind visitors of the Colorado, with its high plateau, its gorges and great canyons, and its peaks sometimes splintered by erosion. Several peaks in this area exceed 4000 m, with Jbel Saghro 2500 m and Jbel Mgoun at 4068 m being the highest peak in this part of the High Atlas. The area is populated by Berbers. Here you can enjoy a hike among those fabulous canyons.

heading to Erfoud which is famous for its pottery and the interesting fossil quarries. Fossils are a major industry in Erfoud, some 350 million years ago the region around Erfoud was a part of the huge ocean.

Heading up to the red colored sand sea dunes of Erg Chebbi From a vast plateau you will get impressed by the huge sand dune of Merzouga appearing from the horizon. in the evening we go on a camel ride about one hours and half to meet one of the most fascinating sight we will ever seen, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga. Overnight in Berber tented desert camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.

-Merzouga Dunes Luxury Camp : Private Sleeping tent with shower & toile. -camel ride/4x4 in Sahara Merzouga.

Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Agdez - Oasis Fint - Ouarzazate.

If you wake up early enough, you can see the magic sunrise, when the color of the dunes and the play of shadow are awesome. Then take camel or 4x4 again for going back then meet your driver and go to enjoy the gnaoua music in Khamlia village.

Khamlia is a village of nomadic Tuareg black people .We shall stop by a nomadic family to have tea and see what a nomadic life looks like. Let’s discover the nomadic life of Touareg people by visiting Alkhamliya, a village where nothing has been changed through centuries.

Visiting Rissani and the Mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco, Moulay Ali Chrif in the 17th century. This silent town was the ancient capital of Tafilalet and its location as a crossroads between north and south brought the city to an important status of a former major caravan center. Up to now Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a large souk, particularly lively today on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday. It was noted for its leather and goat skin trading in ancient ages.

after three hours of driving from Rissani to Alnif village we stop for a break toilet etc.

lunch will be scheduled in this town in nice panoramic restaurant with the valley of Saghro.

a quick break for toilet ect;

Fint is magical Oasis far from Ouarzazate of 10 km off road, one you arrive there you forget the world and enjoy views and quietness, guided will help you to discover the area and its history.

after finish visiting all the sights we check to our wonderful hotel by the evening in Ouarzazate.

Riad Dar Chamaa : Private room with shower and toilet + heater/AC.

Ouarzazate - Marrakech.

the Kasbah was first built in the 17th century by the Imzwarn, a powerful local family. More certainly, however, the Kasbah was taken over and expanded by the Glaoui family in the 19th century. At the height of its importance in the late 19th century, the Kasbah controlled an important location at the confluence of several river valleys – including the Draa and the Dades – which were part of the Saharan trade routes. One of the members of the Glaoui family, Thami El Glaoui, was famously the pasha of Marrakesh during the entirety of French colonial rule over Morocco in the 20th century. After the end of French colonial rule and the end of Glaoui control over the region, the Kasbah was progressively taken over by squatters and began to decay. a small part of the Kasbah was restored in the 1990s with the help of UNESCO and is now open as a historical attraction. The Kasbah has appeared in movies including Gladiator and Prince of Persia.

Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, the door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent Kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century. Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005).

Afterwards we return to Marrakech and drop-off at your accommodation where your trip is up to end.