4-Day Tour to Marrakech (one-way)

Day 1: Fes - Azrou - Erfoud

After breakfast we start the day in the Middle Atlas and pass through Ifrane, the ‘Switzerland’ of Morocco on a route offering spectacular scenery including the impressive forest of cedars at Azrou. Much of the landscape is arid, however, the Valley of Ziz is rich in contrasts; alongside the sandy terrain are verdant palm groves.

Finally we will arrive in Erfoud, the gateway to the desert. Here you will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Erfoud - Rissani - Merzouga

After taking breakfast in your hotel, we will visit a factory outside Erfoud where they will explain the history of marble from this area and how they use the fossils found in the valley.

Our next stop is in Rissani, a traditional Berber town. We will visit the market where the Berbers sell all manner of articles; handicrafts, clothes, animals, household wares, etc. This market is held 3 times a week.

Moving on we visit Khamlia, a small town inhabited by people whose forefathers were originally brought north from sub-Saharan Africa as slaves. Here we will drink mint tea while listening to a short demonstration of Gnaoua music.

Next we continue to your hotel where you will start your one-and-a-half-hour camel trek into the outer reaches of the desert. We will witness the majestic setting of the sun over the dunes as you arrive at your overnight stop. We will enjoy traditional Berber dinner and music before spending the night in traditional tents (haimas).

Day 3: Merzouga – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorge

You will be woken early so that we can once again mount our camels and ride to the dunes in time to watch the spectacular sunrise. We then return to the hotel on camels and, after breakfast and showers, we set off towards Todra Gorge.

The gorge is a canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains near the town of Tinerhir. In places the gorge is only 10 metres wide and the sheer sides are up to 160 metres high. It is a popular area for locals to escape the heat of the desert in its shady areas and for children to play in the cool waters. It is also common to see the local women doing the washing in the river.

On leaving Todra Gorges we embark upon the Route of 1000 Kasbahs. There will be ample photo opportunities en route to our next stop, Dades Gorge.

You will spend the night in a hotel in Boumalne Dades, the town at the head of the gorge.

Day 4: Dades Gorge - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech

After a leisurely breakfast we set off towards Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. This Kasbah is a UNESCO heritage site and is famous for its solid construction. It has been the backdrop for many international films.

Next we cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi N’Tichka, a pass at 2,260m above sea level. The views are spectacular and the arid mountains are a complete contrast to the green valleys below.

Finally we arrive in Marrakech in the early evening.