Desert, Kasbahs, Palm Groves, and Villages: Southern Morocco’s Authenticity
Embark on a 4-day journey to discover southern Morocco’s iconic landscapes, from Aït Ben Haddou’s kasbah to the Sahara’s dunes.
Tour Overview
Discover southern Morocco on this 4-day private tour from Ouarzazate, exploring iconic landscapes: the Anti-Atlas, Tizgui Waterfalls, Drâa Valley, Erg Lihoudi and Chegaga dunes, historic kasbahs, and Dadès Gorges. Travel by 4x4, enjoy walks, spend nights in desert camps, meet artisans in Tamegroute, and visit the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou kasbah. This journey offers a complete, unforgettable experience blending nature, culture, and adventure, ideal for travelers seeking authenticity, escape, and unique experiences in southern Morocco.
Price:
From €695 / person
Day 1: Ouarzazate – Tizgui Waterfalls – Drâa Valley – Erg Lihoudi Dunes
Depart at 8:30 AM from your Ouarzazate hotel, the “gateway to the desert.” Head south through the Anti-Atlas mountains, a dramatic range with lunar-like landscapes. Stop at Tizgui Waterfalls, a striking natural site where clear water flows between red rocks, offering a refreshing contrast to the arid surroundings. Continue to the majestic Drâa Valley, renowned for its lush palm groves, earthen villages, and traditional mud-brick kasbahs. This valley, one of Morocco’s longest, was a vital caravan route between the Sahara and imperial cities. Lunch at a relaxing Zagora riad with a pool, enjoying authentic Moroccan cuisine. In the afternoon, visit Tamegroute, a village famous for its green pottery, traditional kilns, and ancient Quranic library housing centuries-old manuscripts. Continue by 4x4 to M’Hamid, where the paved road ends and the Sahara begins. In the late afternoon, take a camel ride to the stunning Erg Lihoudi dunes for an unforgettable sunset. End the day with a traditional dinner at a desert camp, followed by a magical night under the stars in the serene Moroccan Sahara.
Day 2: Erg Lihoudi – Erg Chegaga – Moroccan Desert
After waking in the peaceful Erg Lihoudi dunes, enjoy a morning walk to admire the golden sunrise, immersing yourself in the Sahara’s tranquil beauty. Following breakfast at the camp, depart by 4x4 to M’Hamid, the last oasis before the deep Sahara. This traditional village marks the end of the paved road, with ancient mud-brick kasbahs and a serene Saharan ambiance. Lunch at a riad with a pool in M’Hamid, a refreshing stop before the desert crossing. In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable 66-km 4x4 journey through sandy tracks, regs (gravel plains), hamadas (rocky plateaus), and secret oases, immersing you in the Moroccan Sahara’s diverse landscapes, away from typical tourist routes. Arrive at Erg Chegaga, southern Morocco’s largest dune field, with peaks up to 300 meters. This wild, secluded site offers a breathtaking panorama. Walk to the dune summits for a spectacular sunset over the infinite sand sea. The evening features a traditional Moroccan dinner by a campfire, with nomadic music, and an overnight stay in a comfortable desert camp under the stars.
Day 3: Erg Chegaga – Lake Iriqui – Foum Zguid – Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Wake in the heart of Erg Chegaga, southern Morocco’s vastest dune field. After a Saharan breakfast, enjoy a morning walk in the golden dunes, bathed in the day’s first light. Depart by 4x4 along a spectacular track, following the dried Drâa River bed to Lake Iriqui, a vast desert expanse in Iriqui National Park, known for its mirages and unique ecosystem. Continue along the legendary Paris-Dakar rally track through hamadas and rocky plateaus, an iconic stretch for adventure enthusiasts. Lunch in Foum Zguid, a small Saharan town. Head to Taznakht, renowned for its handwoven Berber carpets, true works of High Atlas art. Arrive in the afternoon at the majestic Aït Ben Haddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This perfectly preserved mud-brick fortress, a filming location for *Gladiator* and *Game of Thrones*, is a masterpiece of southern Moroccan architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of this iconic site, perched on a hill by a river, before settling into a charming hotel for dinner and an overnight stay steeped in history, cinema, and Berber culture.
Day 4: Aït Ben Haddou – Skoura Oasis – Valley of Roses – Dadès Gorges – Ouarzazate
After breakfast overlooking Aït Ben Haddou’s UNESCO-listed mud-brick ramparts, head east to the Skoura Oasis, home to the stunning Amridil Kasbah, a prime example of defensive mud-brick architecture nestled in a lush palm grove. Continue to Kelaat M’Gouna, famous for its artisanal rosewater and women’s cooperatives. Wind through the Valley of Roses, known for its verdant landscapes, terraced fields, and typical southern Moroccan kasbahs. Follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to the majestic Dadès Gorges, renowned for their dramatic geological formations. Lunch at a restaurant with views of the Dadès Valley. In the afternoon, take a walk through the Fig Valley, shaped by water and wind, amidst cultivated gardens and perched Berber villages. Continue to the iconic “Monkey Fingers,” striking rock formations offering breathtaking views, a must for hikers and photographers. Return to Ouarzazate by late afternoon, filled with memories of Sahara dunes, mud-brick villages, stunning gorges, and Berber hospitality.
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