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ROUTE 1 : Valleys of the draa and the dades,
chigaga dunes. 7 days. |
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Day 1: |
MARRAKECH => OUARZAZATE |
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Day 2: |
OUARZAZATE => MHAMID |
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Day 3: |
MHAMID => CHIGAGA |
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Day 4: |
CHIGAGA => ZAGORA |
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Day 5: |
ZAGORA => TINGHIR |
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Day 6: |
TINGHIR => OUARZAZATE |
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Day 7:
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OUARZAZATE => MARRAKECH |
MARRAKECH – OUARZAZATE Day 1
Departs from Marrakech, through Ouarzazate and
to:
Mountains of the High Atlas. These natural
fortifications in the south of the imperial city
offer the most beautiful mountain landscape in
Morocco. At 2260m, the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass is the
highest road passage in the country.
Visit the famous GLAOUI kasbah Telouët. Follow the
Inmiter path (an ancient path used by caravans
from Timbuktu on their way to Marrakech),
located in the heart of the valley of the Ounila
and the Atlas. Breathtaking landscapes,
fascinating and ever-changing colours.
Stopover in Ait Ben-Haddou, a Unesco protected
village.
Ait Ben-Haddou is a beautiful world heritage
Ksar, flooded in a peaceful and calm atmosphere.
Sunsets are nothing short of spectacular. The
village is renowned and valued among film makers
worldwide and was used as a location for film
such as “Lawrence of Arabia”.
Ouarzazate (sleepover)
Ouarzazate sits on a high plateau at 1160m
and enjoys a fantastic climate.
Not to be missed, Ouarzazate is an ideal spot to
begin an enchanting journey towards the southern
oases as it is just at the meeting point between
the Drâa and the Dadès rivers. |
OUARZAZATE – MHAMID Day 2
The valley of the Drâa stretches through an
endless succession of oases. All the way from
its origin in the Atlas mountain to Mhamid (famous
for its camel market), an ancient meeting place
for nomadic tribes of the Sahel and Sahara.
It is where what used to be the longest Moroccan
river mysteriously disappears in the sand,
looking for a way to carry its course through
the mountain. From Agdz its small stream goes
through an Oasis for almost 200km, before
disappearing in the sand.
 In
times of floods the rivers returns to its
ancient bed and
crosses the desert before reaching the ocean.
The ghost river,
as it is known, runs 750 km between Mhamis and
the Atlantic
ocean.
The tour of the Valley is 250 km long and goes
through Agdz
and Zagora (which is known to be 52 days away
from Timbuktu
by camel). It is from this point that the
Saadans conquered the
Sous region (Agadir) and the rest of Morocco
before setting on
their long journey to Timbuktu.
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Zagora is the starting point of many excursions.
Mhamid on the edge of the desert is at 40km from
the Algerian border. It is where the reign of
the wind and the sand begins, from the huge
desert plateau of the Drâa (possibility for
camel rides) to the Dunes of the Jew (bivouac,
dinner and evening around campfire). Meeting
with nomadic tribes, nomadic folklore. |
MHAMID
- CHIGAGA Day 3
From Mhamid to the Erg Lihoudi dunes (also known
as the dunes of the jew). Possible camel ride.
Stopover in the dunes, meeting with nomadic
tribes, picnic Then trhough the sacred Oumlalag
oasis. Arrival in Chigaga for sunset.CHIGAGA – ZAGORA Day 4
Leaving Chigaga towards Zagora through the
village Tagounite and visit of
Tamegroute (in the past the dunes of Tinfou were
located 7 km from Tamegroute). Also visit of the
Coranic library Zaouïa Naciria (manuscripts in
gazelle’s skin). Visit of a pottery factory.
Dinner and night in Zagora. |
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 ZAGORA-TINGHIR - GORGES DE TODGHA
Day 5
Passing through fortified villages (Tinghir)
then heading towards Alnif through impressive
mount Bougafer to reach the imposing Todgha
gorges with their two 300 m high cliffs, in
which one enters as in a gigantic cathedral
whose vaults would have disappeared to make way
for the sky. The creases in rock are bright
orange and mauve, like stained glass.
Dinner and accommodation. |
TINGHIR – OUARZAZATE Day 6
Visit of the gorges and oases. Road towards
Boumalne through
the Dades valley and return to EL Kalâa M’Gouna
through the
Valley of the Roses. Onto the road of the
“Thousand and One
Kasbahs”, their number and their beauty make the
uniqueness
of this area.
A truly enchanting area in which a river threads
between two
high ramparts. Palm trees, almond trees and
poplars thrive in
these gardens and represent colourful spots on
an ochre
mountainous backdrop.
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OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH
Day 7
Return through the High Atlas through mountains
and villages.
Visit of Marrakech
City that gave Morocco its name, rich with
cultural and economic exchanges.Choices of
visits include:
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- the Ménara (small 19th century
pavilion where viziers and sultans
used to retire for holiday). Various
possible evening shows (outdoor
light and special effects, dancers,
acrobats, comedians and riders)
- Koutoubia which for 8 centuries
has dominated Marrakech from the top
of its 77 m, great symbol of the
city.
- the Bahia Palace and its
Mooresque garden, the El Badi
palace.
- Saadians tombs (splendid 11th
century necropolis).
- Museum of Marrakech.
- Madrasa Ben Youssef, one of the
most interesting monuments in the
city.
- the most famous Souks in Morocco.
- tanners’ District.
- the famous Jemâa El Fna square.
- the Medina
- Tour of the ramparts in a horse
cart.
- Tour of the palm grove
- the garden of Majorelle
- the gardens of Agdal
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