7 Days : Marrakesh -OUARZAZATE-DADES- Merzouga – Chgaga – Taroudant – Marrakesh

Morning after breakfast we continue across the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2260m). Stopping along the way for photos and enjoying the panoramic views of High Atlas Mountains along with Berber villages, through kasbah telouet, is a Kasbah along the former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. The kasbah was the seat of the El Glaoui family’s power, thus sometimes also called the Palace of Glaoui, The passage of the merchant caravans, which connected the desert with the large cities situated on the other side of the Atlas, and the proximity of the salt mines, made the wealth of the Pashas inhabiting Telouet.

Through the ounila valley , the Ounila river has transformed the landscape. A rich variety of green crops line the valley floor, contrasting with the rusty red rock of the canyon-like walls,we arrive to ksar ait ben haddou (the UNESCO World Heritage Centre where movies such as Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth were filmed).

The ksar, a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. The houses crowd together within the defensive walls, which are reinforced by corner towers. Ait-Ben-Haddou, in Ouarzazate province, is a striking example of the architecture of southern Morocco, we continue to ouarzazate,felming location and the official residence of the Glaoui family (cinema studios , kasbah taourirt).

Leaving early in morning ouarzazate ,through skoura(Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves. The Kasbah Amerhidil is part of Skoura palm grove alongside more), we arrive to roses valley , stop photos in mgoun river (kasbahs,gardens,bérbér daily…..), River flows through the valley quenching a miraculous, winding path of fruit, walnut, wheat, silver birch and almond trees,we continue to to tinghir , visit gorges of todra(canyons), through tinjdad , arfoud famous for its fossilized marbles we arrive to merzouga and the desert where you can watch the sunset over the dunes. Dinner and overnight at the berber tent in bivouac.

If you are in the middle of the desert, it’s worth getting up early to enjoy watching the most spectacular sunrise ever seen on top of a dune near the camp and enjoy this landscape that is a gift of nature.
This is a full day desert. . After sunrise, we return to Merzouga on camels, where a good breakfast awaits us. After all go around the Erg Chebbi  » wonderland of sand » is ideal place for camel trekking ,hiking ; visit souk and ksars , visit tafilalt pal grove , Arenotherapie cure, a large expanse of sandy desert where the Great Dune of Morocco, which has more than 250mts high. Then continue along the road formerly used for “Paris – Dakar” and ends in the mountains bordering Algeria. Then continue down a path in which we can see nomadic settlements and learn their secrets and customs. The next stop will be at Khamilia then people originally from Mali, where we can have a cup of tea while relaxing heard a concert of spiritual music Gnawa. Transfer your accommodation and free afternoon to enjoy the city or nearby dunes to the hotel to see the sunset.

Departure to rissani ancient capital of Tafilalet(big oases in africa), A former major caravan center, Rissani remains a major commercial center in the region, with a large souk, particularly lively on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It is noted for its leather and goat skin trading.
The mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, third great-grandfather of Moulay Cherif, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco, is located on the southern edge of town.Through msissi nkob the beautiful desert and mountainous landscapes, Oasis, kasbah we arrive to tansikht begenning the draa valley adventure , Following traces of river draa , a stunning oasis home to Berber villages, sumptuous Kasbahs , lush green plains , palm trees .
the big dunes of Chegaga will give you the chance to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside, desert wild life, sand dunes with Tamarix trees that are very exceptional in the southern desert of Morocco,
stop in tamgrout village historically served as a hub of learning and religion through its famous Sufi zawiya. This was a historical center of the Nasiriyya order, one of the most influential (and at one time one of the largest) Sufi orders in the Islamic world. Tamegroute’s glazed ceramics are also very well known.
Mhamid village is a small oasis town in Zagora Province, M’Hamid was always a center for traveling nomads and caravans. Today the town is the starting point for tourist camel and 4×4 safaris into the desert.
Chegaga, the highest dunes in southern Morocco (300m high),crossing this océan of sands with car 4/4 and camel ride to arrive to bérbére tent in the bivouac .

Following traces of river draa and  road of  paris- dakar ralley , we arrive to iriqui lake, foum zguid village , arrive to taznakht to discover this bérbére town and his famous carpet .

—  Taliouine is famous for its production of saffron and is one of the main exporters of this spice worldwide. The town celebrates Anmugar Amadal N Zafran, Le Festival International de Safran every year in winter (usually November), the season in which the saffron flower germinates. the value of Talaouine saffron is recognized worldwide.

— Taroudant The town is known as the « Grandmother of Marrakesh » because it looks like a smaller Marrakesh with its surrounding ramparts. In the sixteenth century, the Saadi dynasty briefly used Taroudant as a capital before it moved its royal seat onwards to Marrakesh. Today, the city has the feel of a small fortified market town on a caravan route.

The town walls are nearly 6 kilometres long and are set with bastions and punctuated by nine gates that are still in use.Outside the wall is a small tannery mainly in the business of travel equipment for camel riding, such as goat skin, camel hide sandals, leather bags and belts.

The Berber market, called Jnane al-Jaami, sells spices and dried fruits but mostly clothes and household goods. The Arab souk, however, specializes in handicrafts such as terracotta, wrought iron, pottery, brass and copper, leather and carpets, rugs and jewellery.

We leave taroudant and the plain of souss to jbel siroua(montains),the road becoms  even morewinding and bumpy, climbs inexrably towards the tizi n’tast.

the village of Tinmel which is a must for any history lover. Home to the Almohad dynasty, the restored ruins of its mosque are worth visiting. Its architecture served as a model for the emblematic mosques of this dynasty that are the Koutoubia or the great mosque of Seville whose minaret is now known as the Giralda.

Past ljoukkak, the road becomes more sinuous and more spectacular. The lake which dams Ouirgane gives way to Oued N’Fis which has dug over the millennia an impressive canyon. After an hour’s drive, we reach the village of Ouirgane

After Asni village ,The road reaches a first plateau at Moulay Brahim, where a few houses constitute a popular holiday resort for Marrakech on the Weekend.

After tahnaout and amzmiz we arrive to Marrakech.