8 days/7 nights: ‘Kasbahs, gorges, desert nomads and the sea’

The journey takes us over the High Atlas and the 2,260-metre-high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass with its breathtaking views. The steep road, lined with oak forests and nut trees, leads past the mud and stone houses of Berber villages and rushing mountain streams.  Once the pass has been crossed, the steep road descends into the almost moon-like landscape of the Anti-Atlas and we reach our first destination, the Kasbah of Telouet; located along the former caravan route, this was the seat of power of the El Glaoui family, hence sometimes also called the Palace of the Glaoui (you can visit the Kasbah if you wish). We continue to Ait Benhaddou, a kasbah built of mud bricks. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered the most beautiful and famous kasbah in Morocco and has served as the backdrop for films such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and ‘Gladiator’. After the tour, we will have lunch and continue through date palm oases, past beautiful old kasbahs that gave this region its name – into the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Via Skoura and Kelaa M’Gouna – famous for its roses and rose products – we will head to the Dades Gorge. Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in the Dades Gorge.

After breakfast, we set off on our day hike in the Dades Gorge.  You start with your guide from your riad and hike along narrow paths through the canyons (without water), fields and oases of the Dades Gorge. You stop for a picnic and return to your riad in the afternoon. The hike can be adapted to your personal needs. Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in the Dades Gorge.

After breakfast at our riad, we drive via Boumalne to the enchanting natural landscape of Jebel Saghro and the Tizi-n Tazazert Pass. The route offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the Jebel Saghro. After 70 km, we reach the Tazazert Pass at 2,283 m, where the steep descent begins with hairpin bends and sensational views: first the Tagourt plateau, then the mountain peak of Tazlout, which resembles a pyramid, followed by the gorges of Acca n’Akhbache and finally the two rock towers of Bab n’Ali. We reach Nkob and finally the Draa Valley. The waters of the High Atlas have formed an elongated oasis, the Draà Valley, which stretches from Ouarzazate to Mhamid. The most beautiful part of the oasis, with millions of date palms, stretches from Agdz to Zagora. The dates from the Draa Valley are very famous and sought-after, and during the harvest season (September to December) they are sold everywhere along the roadside. Don’t miss the opportunity to try this extraordinary fruit, which is said to have aphrodisiac properties. We drive past Zagora, Tamegroute and the dunes of Tinfou to Mhamid, once a lonely oasis and an important stop on the old caravan routes.  From Mhamid, we continue into the desert; on an adventurous journey in a Land Cruiser on the desert tracks and between the dunes of the Sahara, we reach the sacred oasis after about 50 km and then the dunes of Erg Chigaga, which stretch for about 40 km. The golden dunes reach a height of 300 m and our bivouac is located in the middle of the dunes. We reach Erg Chigaga at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay in the desert camp with nomadic romance and campfire.

After breakfast at the desert camp, you will set off on your day’s hike with the dromedaries. You will visit a nomadic family and get to know the authentic nomadic life of the few people who still live as nomads. After about 2 hours, you will reach the nomads, who will prepare lunch for you. After lunch and a rest, you will return to the desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chigaga. You will have your own riding camel and can ride it or walk alongside the caravan like the local camel guides. If the return journey is too strenuous for you, you can also be taken back to the camp by jeep. Overnight stay and dinner in the desert camp.

After breakfast, your excursion takes you to the largest dune of Erg Chigaga. Here, too, you can either ride a camel or walk alongside the caravan like your local guide. You will reach the foot of the large dune, where tea and a picnic will be prepared for you with fresh bread baked in the hot sand in nomadic style. Climb the large dune and enjoy the view. If you wish, you can also try sandboarding down the dune. Return to the desert camp in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in the desert camp.

After breakfast, we continue on our journey along the old Paris-Dakar Rally track. Passing once again through the dried up salt lake of Iriki to a truly unique mountain of fossils. Once back in the pavement we journey to Tazenakht. Here we will stop for lunch and have another golden opportunity to collect some of the rugs Morocco is world famous for. This region is known for producing the finest woven rugs. This is your chance to buy them straight from the source, the quality simply cannot be overstated.  From here we head to Taroudant, a walled mountain city.  Here you will spend the night in a traditional Riad bed and breakfast.

After breakfast in the garden of our Riad, we pay a visit to the attractive town of Taroudant, with its walls and medina with its souk. We resume our journey to the Atlantic Ocean, and head along the coast to the north until we reach Essaouira. Overnight accommodation in a Riad in the medina of Essaouira.

After breakfast, we’ll have time to visit the beautiful town of Essaouira, on the Atlantic Ocean, a destination rich in charm and fascination. Among its attractions are the fish market and harbour, with the small fishing vessels which bring the fresh fish and all the abundance of the Atlantic to the land. The ancient fortifications, ramparts and, above all, the imposing medina, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2001, are unforgettable sights. As we walk the narrow lanes of the medina, we can admire the picturesque white houses with blue doors and window frames and the many shops and cafes. Return to Marrakesh.