Itinerary:
DAY 1: MARRAKECH
Arrive Marrakech, transfer to hotel. Overnight: Marrakech (D)
DAY 2: MARRAKECH - OUARZAZATE
Depart Marrakech and travel southeast across the Haouz Plain. Enjoy an exhilarating drive up the twisting roadway to the Tizi ’n Tichka pass (2260m) and descend gently alongside the Assif Imini to the ‘Beau Geste’ city of Ouarzazate. Ouarzazate has served as the centre of international filmmakers, when shooting desert and semi desert scenes in movies like The Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky.
Overnight: Ouarzazate (BLD)
DAY 3: OUARZAZATE - DRAA VALLEY - ZAGORA
After breakfast, travel through the Draa Valley to the edge of the Sahara, Zagora. (Don’t miss the sign telling you the number of days by Camel to Timbuctou!) Visit the Tamegroute Mosque which houses a Koran written on strips of vellum, some original maps of Alexandria and an original maths primer. Spend the night in the desert Hamada town of Zagora, once an important
stop for the caravans with their gold, salt and slaves.
Overnight: Zagora (BLD)
DAY 4: ZAGORA - ALNIF - ERFOUD
Travel northeast skirting the Sahara between the Jbels Sarhro (The Dry Mountain) and Beni. Lunch in the small village of Alnif. Travel via Taffi lalet Oasis to Erfoud, a French Foreign Legion outpost. Optional tour by Land Rover to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in the Sahara, to witness a spectacular sunset or sunrise.
Overnight: Erfoud (BLD)
DAY 5: ERFOUD - TODRA GORGE - TINEGHIR
Travel through the almost lunar landscape along the High Atlas Mountains to the Todra Gorges. The Todra Gorge is clearly one of the most dramatic sights in Morocco, some 300m high but only 10m wide at its narrowest point and with a crystal clear river running through it.
Overnight: Tineghir (BLD)
DAY 6: TINEGHIR - DADES GORGES - ROAD OF 1000 KASBAHS - OUARZAZATE
Travel along the fabled road of Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate. Lunch at the entrance to the impressive Dades Gorges.
Overnight: Ouarzazate (BLD)
DAY 7: OUARZAZATE - KASBAHS AND KSOURS - MARRAKECH
Explore the ex French Foreign Legion town of Ouarzazate. See the Kasbah Taourirt, once the home of the all-powerful Glaoui Family made famous by Gavin Maxwell in his book “Lords of the Atlas”. Continue to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the backdrop to many Hollywood movies. Depart for Marrakech. Afternoon visit to the Medina and the fabulous Djmaa El Fna Square with its myriad of street performers, soothsayers, storytellers, snake charmers and henna painters.
Overnight: Marrakech (BLD)
DAY 8: MARRAKECH
Departure transfer to Marrakech Airport. (B)
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