Southern Morocco: Marrakech, the Atlas Mountain & the Sahara

8 Days
From CAD 2749
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(5 reviews)

Experience Overview

Southern Morocco exudes natural beauty and sparks the spirit of adventure at every single turn. Imagine yourself on a movie set as you explore the ancient kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. Set off on a hike in the incredible scenery of the Dades Gorge and take a camel ride at sunset before sleeping in a desert camp in the Sahara under an array of stars. Walk amongst olive and juniper trees through the villages of Ouirgane and immerse yourself into daily life with a Berber family. If you're looking for the heart and soul of Morocco, this is it.

Highlights

  • Hike along the stunning scenery of the Dades Gorge
  • Take a camel ride up a dune for sunset in the Sahara
  • Set off in 4x4s over the sand dunes to your desert camp
  • Hike through the villages of Ouirgane and share a meal with a local family.

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 1919

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: Private vehicle, 4x4, walking

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: DCMG

StartStarts: Marrakech, Morocco

FinishFinishes: Marrakech, Morocco

DurationDuration: 8 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your OMG Day: Cultural Heritage of the Sahara or Oasis Exploration With Local Farmer, Merzouga Your Foodie Moment: Tagine Cooking Class, Aït Ben Haddou
  • Complimentary arrival transfer
  • Welcome dinner
  • Hike through the valley of Dades Gorge
  • Climb a sand dune at sunset in the Sahara
  • Guided tour of Aït Ben Haddou
  • Take a cooking class to learn how to make a traditional tagine
  • Aromatherapy wellness experience in Ouirgane
  • Hike in the surroundings of Ouirgane and share lunch with a local family
  • Farewell dinner
  • Departure Transfer
  • All tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Hotel (5nts), Desert Camp (2nts).
  • 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

  • Private vehicle, 4x4, walking

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2749 (CAD 344 /day)

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Marrakech: An introduction to Morocco

Images of desert palms, camels and exotic food float through your head as you make your way from the airport to the hotel. See the mix of the old and new as you pass modern buildings and ancient structures that begin to tell the story of this bustling city. We welcome you to Morocco, and invite you to embrace all of the new cultural traditions, landscapes and delicious food that await.
Arrive to Marrakech at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a local restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner accompanied by traditional music, storytelling and entertainment that will set the tone for the adventure ahead.

2

Day 2: Dades Gorge: Gateway to the Sahara

See the landscape change dramatically as you pull away from Marrakech, passing verdant green farmland and rocky desert outcroppings before crossing the Atlas mountains along a winding road. You arrive to Ouarzazate, considered to be at the crossroads of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert, where the land becomes more stark as you approach the striking valley of the Dades Gorge.
Drive from Marrakech to the Dades Gorge via the Atlas mountains, stopping in Ouarzazate along the way for lunch and a chance to stretch your legs. Make your way to Dades and enjoy an afternoon walk through the gorge before dinner.

3

Day 3: Merzouga: Desert Camp

Keep the camera handy as you continue east to the sprawling expanse of the Sahara Desert wilderness. There is something magical about the sea of sand for as far as the eye can see, and particularly stunning at sunset. Reaching your comfortable desert camp by 4x4 and riding a camel up the dunes for sunset will be an unforgettable experience, and watching as the sky starts to glimmer with stars as you take it all in from around a campfire.
Drive to Merzouga with a stop in Arfoud for lunch and a brief visit. You arrive in Merzouga and continue by 4x4 to the desert camp. Climb a nearby sand dune riding on the back of a camel at sunset and enjoy a mint tea accompanied by melodies from bedouin musicians as you settle into the evening.

4

Day 4: Merzouga: Your OMG Day

The people who live in this area have thrived despite the harsh environment, settling near natural oases where water and date palms provide some essential elements to survive. Set off into the dunes in 4x4s where you'll have the choice to focus more on the cultural traditions of the Sahara meeting with nomads and villagers, or to focus more on the natural history of the desert, exploring an oasis and meeting with a local farmer.
Choice of activity in the morning, both including lunch. Enjoy some free time in the late afternoon for optional sandboarding or a buggy ride before settling into camp again for the night.

5

Day 5: Aït Ben Haddou: The Caravan Route

Leaving the desertscape behind, you'll head back through farmland and dusty, rocky terrain on the way to the ancient kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou. Wandering the narrow alleyways next to massive clay buildings, picture yourself in one of the many famous movies or tv shows which have been filmed here, all of which the locals will be thrilled to tell you about.
Drive from Merzouga to Aït Ben Haddou and take a guided tour of the site. In the evening take a cooking class to learn how to make a traditional tagine for dinner.

6

Day 6: Ouirgane: The High Atlas

The views are stunning as you head up into the High Atlas Mountains, passing through Berber villages and along lush valleys on the way to Ouirgane. The town itself sits next to a reservoir of the river amongst olive trees, and is the perfect base for exploring the area.
Travel to Ouigane with some stops along the way to take in the beautiful Atlas Mountain scenery, arriving in the afternoon. Enjoy a stroll in the beautiful and fragrant gardens of the hotel before dinner.

7

Day 7: Ouirgane: Berber Villages

The picturesque mountain scenery will be your playground as you set off on a hike through olive and juniper trees and quaint villages. Immerse yourself into the daily life of a Berber family and take part in some of their routines like harvesting crops, mastering the art of tea-making, and creating of butter from freshly obtained milk before sharing a delicious traditional meal with them.
Hike from Ouirgane in the surrounding mountains and spend time with a local family in a Berber village. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the garden of the hotel in the evening.

8

Day 8: Marrakech

Today your adventure comes to an end, but the memories made during your time in Morocco will live on.
Drive to Marrakech in the morning, where the tour ends on arrival. Outbound flights should depart no earlier than 2pm.

Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.

In Business Since 1990

Reviews

 

Rachel S.  -  Traveled, July 2024

A wonderful, enriching experience for my first time in Morocco. I have a new found love for Morocco and its people. I am so grateful for Omar for the patience and guidance he gifted us with on this trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/17/2024

 

Jacob S.  -  Traveled, July 2024

It was magical, full of surprises, I can't wait to go back! We all felt so lucky to see and do so much in 10 days, and it left us wanting more! Omar was the perfect ambassador for his country, and the perfect host for a group of first-time visitors.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/16/2024

 

Aesha S.  -  Traveled, July 2024

Absolutely amazing! Eye opening!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/15/2024

 

Bianca G.  -  Traveled, July 2024

There was alot that I experienced that I know I wouldn't have had I not been on the Geluxe tour. It was an extraordinary trip, with unique experiences and I loved every moment, city and hotel.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/15/2024

 

Dimity S.  -  Traveled, July 2024

Trip of a lifetime! So grateful to have had this experience, thank you G Adventures <3

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/12/2024

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