The Beaches & Deserts of South Morocco tour

A special journey south of the Atlas mountains leaves Marrakech and travels along the Atlantic coast to Essaouira, visiting Cap Rhir sandy beaches and surfing colonies, then head east of Agadir into the Anti Atlas mountains to Tafroute and Taroudant. Remote deserts, rare wild life viewing in the Souss Maasa National Park, (best birding in February to April and September to November) and search for ancient rock art – explore where few tourists go. This tour can expand to include a grand circle of the Sahara including Tata, Zagora, Erg Chegaga dunes and more. Throughout you will be immersed in Berber mountain and desert cultures closely tied to ancient traditions. You can bird watch, swim, surf, cycle, climb, wander Berber markets, explore ruins and cliff side villages, stay in medina riads, and desert auberge and seaside hotels. Transport by big roomy 4x4 vehicles with air conditioning. We can add more days or reduce the number of days to suit your flights and budget. Start and end in Marrakech or Agadir. Add on more days to start/finish from Casablanca.

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Sample Nine Day South Morocco Tour

This sample 9 day tour can be shortened to as little as 4 days to visit Tafraoute, or add any number of days.

Day 1
You will be met at the Marrakech airport and transfer to ESSAOUIRA (3 hours) on the Atlantic coast, famous for its grilled fresh seafood, Thuja wood crafts and artists colony. Waves crash against the old Portuguese ramparts that guard the walled medina, where you can watch silver craftsmen and wood carvers at work in one of the most charming towns in all Morocco. You can visit a traditional pharmacy and learn about natural medicines and cures, and a Women’s cooperative processing Argan nuts by hand into one of the rarest and most healthful oils in the world. Stay SIDI KAOUKI Beach.

Day 2
Depart Sidi Kaouki early after breakfast and head south down the Atlantic coast towards Agadir. You'll follow this beautiful winding road along magnificent beaches to Cap Rhir, famous for its surfing. Stop in Tamri for lunch, and perhaps see one of the rarest birds in the world, the Bald Ibis. After Cap Rhir continue south past the busy tourist center of Agadir and head south to stay overnight in a beach hotel at the Souss Masa National Park.

Day 3
Walk down the beach to the Souss Massa National Park. You are free to wander about, and might see oryx, ostriches, gazelles, flamingos, and many rare birds make this part of Morocco home. Back on the road, continue south and east into the Anti Atlas mountains to TAFRAOUTE. Stay in Tafraoute small and charming hotel.

Day 4
After a leisurely breakfast, you'll ride bicycles out to visit the blue rocks along a dirt path among the crazy shaped boulders and rock spires that Tafraoute is famous for, (alternately we can drive). Keep your eye open for wild hares, and desert dwelling foxes and birds. This is an easy gentle ride (downhill return). Return to TAFRAOUTE village.

Day 5
Rise early and take your bicycles in the 4x4 over the Tiwadou pass. From here you will spend the day exploring a very special places, hidden oasis, deep canyons, and small Berber villages sprinkled along this narrow winding route. Returning to Tafraoute you'll ride through the Tigharassme gorge and stop to visit an ancient cliff top village enroute. Stay in TAFRAOUTE hotel this night.

Day 6
This morning drive north through the beautiful Ameln valley with it's many hillside villages and gardens, toward the High Atlas mountains to TAROUDANT, the smaller sister city of Marrakech. Your stay will be in a rural farm auberge, with wonderful views of the High Atlas mountains from the poolside. Stay and relaxor ride your bike in to visit around Taroudant city walls, as well two markets (Berber and Nomad).

Day 7
Depart for MARRAKECH over the Test pass of the High Atlas, one of the steepest in Morocco. You'll stop at the top for lunch and to enjoy the incredible view, then its downhill all the way to Marrakech. The roads are slow, winding, and very beautiful in this part of the High Atlas, with many Berber villages and lush gardens. Arrive Marrakech. Stay medina riad in the heart of the old city.

Day 8
Wander the back street maze of Marrakech old city - visit Ben Youssef Medersa, the Koutoubia mosque, Saadian tombs and the Marrakech Museum. Afternoon is free to explore the vast souk (market). The Souk is comprised of many specialist areas e.g. metalwork, where crafters ply their trade; dyers workshops are strung with colourful skeins of wool; carpets, and carpet sellers entice you into their shops with a cup of mint tea; search tiny shops selling Berber jewellery, old silver, and African beads; or spices, olives, fresh herbs; or traditional apothecaries where you can buy potions to heal or cast spells of love or revenge. Stay in Marrakech medina private riad.

Day 9
Depart or add on more days.

Want to arrive and / or depart from Rabat or Casablanca or Fes?
Email or telephone your dates, and we can price practical itineraries and options.

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