South Tour

Highlights

Gorges and valleys of oasis of Southern Morocco

Merzouga and sand dunes of Erg Chebbi

Scenic drives across Atlas mountains, Dra and Dadès valley

Culture and inherent natural beauty

 

Discover the south eastern part of Morocco where the fascinating desert and the High Atlas alternate with the fortified Kasbahs and the fertile valleys. Each day offers a complete different scenary and gives the chance to soak the atmosphere of the landscape of the Southern slopes of the High Atlas and the wilderness of the desert.

Guided tour, English or French speaking tour leader

 

Day 1  Marrakech - Zagora

-/L/D

07:30 Your tour leader and driver meet you at your hotel. Head southeast of Marrakech along the Haouz plain with its olive groves and drive up to the 2260 m high Tizi n’Tichka pass and cross hence the High Atlas mountain chain. The Southern slopes show varied geological landscape with different stratas and colourful hills. After lunch stop, drive across the Anti Atlas range, again some beatiful rock formations can be seen. The road follows the impressive Draa valley showing a multitude of Kasbahs and Ksours in the middle of the lush cultivated oasis and takes you to Zagora, the gate of the Sahara and in earlier times a traditional meeting point for caravans. The influence of berber and touareg culture is still visible. Driving: 360 km, approx. 7 hrs.

Overnight Riad Lamane

 

Day 2  Zagora - Merzouga

B/L/D

Today you will head back along the Draa valley up to Tansikhte, then turning east you will notice a complete change of scenary. A more desertic landscape with tiny oasis surrounded by acacias on the southern slopes of the arid Jebel Saghro shows a great contrast to the large green Tafilalet oasis. At the end of the journey, another dramatic drive takes you to Merzouga at the base of Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco. Your hotel is located right at the dunes and allows to soak the atmosphere of the desert. Driving: 375 km, approx. 6 hrs.

Overnight Auberge Tombouctou

 

Day 3  Merzouga

B/L/D

You have the opportunity to climb the high dunes to watch the sunrise before going back to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day is for relaxation at the hotel with its facilities or you can take an optional 4WD excursion around the massif of the dunes. Late afternoon you will go for another experience - a camel ride on the dunes to watch the sunset.

Overnight Auberge Tombouctou

 

Day 4  Merzouga - Ouarzazate

B/L/D

Today you leave the desert and will discover the Southern slopes of High Atlas mountains. A short stop is in Rissani, known as Sijilmassa and an old meeting place of the caravans. Then you head west to Tinghir on the southern slopes of the Central High Atlas. You visit the Todra gorge and drive then along scenic Dadès valley with its dominating Kasbahs. Finally, the day ends in Ouarzazate after passing El Kelaa Mgouna and Skoura. Driving: 380 km, approx. 6 to 7 hrs.

Overnight Berber Palace

 

Day 5  Ouarzazate - Marrakech

B/L/-

The day begins with another highlight: the visit of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a world heritage and very well known as film location for a lot of famous movies. Finally, you head back to Marrakech with a drive up the Ounila valley, an old trading route to Marrakech. If time permits, you will visit the Glaoui Kasbah at Telouet which witnesses another part of the history of the berbers of the south. The last part of this journey leads up to Tizi n'Tichka pass and back to Marrakech. Arrival late afternoon. Driving: 220 km, approx. 5 hrs. End of services.

 

Private tour: Prices per Person

1 Pers.  EUR 1780.- / USD 2210.-

2 Pers.  EUR 1123.- / USD 1400.- 

3 Pers.  EUR   905.- / USD 1130.-

4 Pers.  EUR   795.- / USD  990.-

5 Pers.  EUR   729.- / USD  910.-

6 Pers.  EUR   685.- / USD  850.-

7 Pers.  EUR   654.- / USD  815.-

sgl room  EUR 98.- / USD   125.-

 

Group tour: Prices per Person

24.02. - 28.02.13

25.02. - 01.03.13

04.03. - 08.03.13

05.03. - 09.03.13

4 - 7 Pers.  EUR 720.- / USD 900.-

sgl room  EUR 98.- / USD 125.-

 

Including

- English or French speaking tour leader for 5 days

- A/C mini bus

- 1 riding camel per person in Erg Chebbi

- 4 overnights as per itinerary, sharing double room (standard rooms)

- Meals: B breakfast / L lunch / D dinner