11 Days Discovery Morocco

Day by day

1. 01
   Day 1arrived in Marrakech Airport+

   Day1: arrived in Marrakech Airport, and transfer to the hotel/riad

2. 02
   Day 2Marrakesh – Essaouira+

   Departure at 9 o’clock in the morning when the driver will come to fetch you from whichever riad or hotel you might be staying in. You will take the motor-way, passing thousands of Morocco-specific argane trees on the way to this blue and white, very individual, sea-side town and port. Essaouira is many tourists’ darling! Previously known as Mogador to the Portuguese inhabitants, it is a charming place, well- known for local handicrafts, especially thuja wood furniture, carving and small artefacts, sold in innumerable shops along the windy streets. At the sea front, the customer chooses a selection of freshly caught fish to have prepared on the spot. Essaouira has a favourable micro-climate; mild in winter and cool in summer, although frequently windy, which makes it very popular among surfers.

3. 03
   Day 3Essaouira – Sidi Ifni+

   Leaving Essaouira after breakfast, you follow the coastal road south with constant views of the Atlantic, often battering the rocks and sending up picturesque spray as it beats against the rocks. We pass Agadir and continue south to Tiznit, the town famous for its silver jewelry. From here we turn towards the sea and take the particularly beautiful coastal road to Sidi Ifni. This is a little neat blue and white town with a distinctly Spanish feel to it. It takes its name from a local holy man and was the capital of the Ait Ba’arame tribe famous for its resistance against the Spanish.

4. 04
   Day 4Sidi Ifni – Tafraoute+

   From Sidi Ifni we turn north again back to Tiznit, where we stop to wander the soukhs. From here we enter the Anti Atlas mountains, passing Tighmi and the Kerdous pass, then Tizourhane until we reach Tafraoute. This road is one of the most beautiful roads in the Moroccan mountains.

5. 05
   Day 5Tafraoute – Taroudant+

   After breakfast we visit the famous painted rocks, colored in 1984 by the Belgian artist, Jean Verame. He used 18 tons of blue, pink, red, and black paint, helped in his project by men from the Tafraoute fire-brigade. This work of art has proved very controversial; people choosing to wonder at it, question its existence and to despise it. It is certainly an individual and “other” piece of art. We then set out northwards continuing to follow the spectacular road which the Ait Baha river to the town of the same name. Later we turn right towards Taroudant, “the little Marrakesh”, so called for the similarity of its ramparts and town walls to those of the “red city”. Here we spend the night having explored the town.

6. 06
   Day 6Taroudant – Chegaga+

   After breakfast we continue towards the desert. We cross the two passes of Tizi-n-Tighatine and Tizi-n-Ikhsane before reaching Kourkouda and Taznakht . This small town is famous for its Berber kelims and carpets, lunch in Foum-Zguid. From here we continue south and drive into the Sahara across the stony desert, “reg” and across the now dried-up Lake Iriqui. In the middle of this lake we can search for fossils. Arrive at the Chegaga dunes, where you take a camel ride and can clamber up to the top of the high dunes to watch the sunset. At the foot of the dunes, we have dinner and spend the night in a camp of nomad tents.

7. 07
   Day 7Chagaga – Ouarzazate+

   After breakfast in the desert camp, the itinerary crosses another 60 km of desert road via the Sacred Oasis to arrive in M’hamid You continue to north up the Draa Valley towards Zagora for lunch. This small town is the largest oasis in the Draa Valley and is particularly famous for its dates. From here we follow the ancient caravan route used by the caravans that had crossed the Sahara for days and weeks bringing treasures from Mali or Mauretania. The road passes between the river and the mountains past all the Kasbahs and the local gardens giving you a clearer impression of life here in this area of Morocco. In Agdez at the head of the Draa Valley, you can stop to visit the oldest and most famous kasbah in the valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte. It is still partly inhabited by about eleven families. You then continue to Ouarzazate crossing the Tizi-n-Tififte pass, where some scenes from the film “Babel” were shot. In Ouarzazate you stay in Hotel/Riad.

8. 08
   Day 8Ouarzazate – Marrakesh+

   After breakfast, driving north from Ouarzazate, you leave the main road and take a side road to Ait ben Haddou, which also belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family. This is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also well-known as being the backdrop to many Hollywood blockbusters, such as “Alexander”, “the Gladiator”, “the Kingdom of Heaven” The road then continues along the Ounila valley with beautiful and prosperous villages, stunning mountains and views to Telouet, where you will stop to visit the Kasbah and perhaps have lunch. We reach Marrakesh by the early evening.

9. 09
   Day 9Free Day+

   Free Day to explore Marrakech Red City with a guided tour!

10. 10
    Day 10Explore the Atlas Mountains+

    This morning from Marrakech, your Mountain guide and private vehicle will meet you at the hotel/riad at 09:00 in the morning to start the journey for 1h30, and then Your hike will first go up to the Tirst Plateau and down to Ouirgane forest, full of junipers and pine trees. Following, you will continue to L’khmis Village, the village of Torourd , and then up through the Azaden Valley with very nice views of Takhrkhourt (large forest) in Toubkal National Park . Then, it is on to the Tasa Ouirgane with a small village. Here, we will have lunch in a local Berber family’s home and finally head back a different route to the Marirgha and travel back to Marrakech. The total walking time will be five hrs.

11. 11
    Day 11Transfer to Marrakech airport+

    Transfer to Marrakech airport, and then fly home with plenty of fun!!

Options

• Should you wish to upgrade the hotels and accommodation for your trip, we have a selection of traditional-styled Riad/Hotels and Kasbah that can fit with this itinerary. In some places you also have the choice of deluxe or luxury accommodation.
• Please enquire for a tour price with a different standard of accommodation.

Photos