Starting
from Marrakech,
you'll explore offroad by 4x4 across the High Atlas to Dades Valley and Tinehir,
traverse the remote Anti Atlas Saghro mountains taking routes rarely seen
by other tourists, then head further south through the Erg Chebbi dunes for
an overnight camel trek, before finishing the tour in Fez. This spectacular
route is an extra-fine mix of gorges, volcanic mountains, remote Berber villages,
Nomadic tribes, wild desert, rocky hamada and dune fields. Optional camel
trekking available. 5, 6 and 7+ day excursions available.
View 7 day itinerary |
return to Offroad
Tours
September
15 to May 15 departing any day with 2 or more persons to a maximum
6 passengers per car. We welcome vegetarians, use air conditioned vehicles,
and unique boutique hotels. Email your requests
or questions.
JOIN
A TOUR
If
you book a new tour starting any day, we will post your dates online
and invite others to join you to a maximum of 6 passengers.
SAMPLE
ITINERARY
MARRAKECH
to FEZ 7 days / 6 nights:
Book
this tour
(Fez
to Marrakech also possible)
PRICE
Please email for prices and for 5 or 6 day itineraries.
Includes:
Transport and fuel costs by 4x4 seating 6 passengers; experienced driver;
ensuite hotel rooms with air conditioning/heating; swim stops when available;
desert bivouac; breakfast and dinner; personalised extended walks and exploration
of oasis palmeries and kasbahs, markets and medinas; camel trek with guide
and camels.
Day 1
We will meet you at your Marrakech riad or hotel at 8:30am, depart Marrakech
and transport over the High Atlas mountains Tizi nTichka
pass, taking time to stop and enjoy impressive landscapes, and have coffee
and fresh-squeezed orange juice. We’ll take a side road visit to tour
World Heritage Site Ait Benhaddou. This village of clustered
Berber Kasbahs has been used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and was
one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road
where caravans brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to
Marrakech and beyond. Stay this night in Ait Benhaddou.
Day 2
After lunch our next destination is Dades valley. You will
pass through many Berber villages, and in the desert, see riverside oasis,
and barren red rock formations clustered with kasbahs (fortified dwellings
that house many families and their livestock). Stay in Dades valley upper
gorge auberge (small country inn) with Moroccan dinner on the terrace, overlooking
the valley gorge and gardens.
Day 3
Today we rise early and leave the main road to off road, crossing the High
Atlas desert mountains to Tazzarine, then follow the winding
road down to Todra Gorge, where sheer limestone walls rise to 300 m in its
narrowest part. You’ll have a visit in the gorge, then continue to Tinehir.
Visit the market in Tinehir and old kasbah quarter. We will have a late afternoon
arrival to stay in an old kasbah with evening Moroccan dinner by the pool.
Day 4
We will again go off road, leaving the tourist route behind for the Saghro
massif, one of the most remote regions in Morocco, populated by the
Ait Atta nomad tribes. We’ll visit their camps and perhaps be invited
in for tea. The traverse climbs a rugged trail off-road, crossing high plateaus,
volcanic cones, ridges, and we'll take time to enjoy spectacular views over
this area. Stop for a picnic lunch near Bab n’Ali, two ancient weathered
volcanic cores. Stay in NKob hotel.
Day 5
Today we drive east of the stark Saghro Massif. This route is peppered with
isolated villages and towns, rocky mesas and acacia trees. We will have lunch
near Rissani before departing for the Erg Chebbi
dunes. Our late-afternoon destination is the auberge (small inn) near Merzouga,
where you meet your camel guide to ride into the dunes at sunset to the bivouac
(camp). Upon arrival you will be served a traditional tagine dinner (vegetarians
welcome), prepared under the evening stars shining brilliantly in the above.
Climb the big dune and watch the moon rise before retiring to your bed in
a nomad wool tent.
Day 6
Return by camel at sunrise to the auberge for breakfast and shower. Today
we’ll take the 4x4 off road, and explore around the Erg Chebbi
sand sea, visiting Nomads for tea along the way (if they
can be found). You can visit the village of Hamlia, and experience
the Gnaoua music of the Sufi tribes. This night you are back in the desert
auberge for dinner.
Day 7
Back on the tourist route, you’ll depart for long days drive to Fez,
traveling through the Ziz gorges into the Middle Atlas mountains.
You can stop in the the alpine town of Ifrane, before descending
to the hilly lowlands where the ancient city of Fez is situated. We can arrange
for your stay in a traditional old riad in the heart of the Fez medina and
arrange for a guide for the next day if you wish. (extra cost[s]).
Add more days:
Want to chill in the Sahara? Take another day (or more) to explore and enjoy,
or include a daytrip from Fez to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Extended
Camel Treks
Experience the ancient ways of the desert on a camel trek in Erg Chebbi
dunes or the Draa Valley on the Old Salt Road caravan route. These
tours run with 2 or more people, an English speaking guide, and all meals
enroute, plus transport to and / or from Fes or Marrakech. Prices available
for 5 (3 day trek + 2 transport days) or more days.
For more information contact
Telephone
Morocco:
GSM: +212 66 770 5212
Telephone
inside Morocco:
GSM: 0 66 770 5212
Telephone
Canada and voice mail:
+1 604 393 3715 (Pacific time)
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