Morocco desert tour - Sahara kasbah

Your desert adventure starts with pickup directly from your hotel in Agadir or from the airport. NB Transfers from Marrakech can also be arranged if necessary to start this tour in the afternoon (3 hrs’ transfer time). You travel inland for about 1.5 hrs, through the agricultural region and passing fruit farms of the Souss Valley to reach the walled city of Taroudant – known as ‘the grandmother of Marrakech’. The city was established as the capital during the Saadien dynasty, who ruled much of Southern Morocco during the 16th century before they moved on to conquer Marrakech. During the afternoon you will have a guided tour of the city’s ramparts and the Arab and Berber markets housed within the walls. The Berber market specialises in spices, fruit and clothing, while the Berber market consists mostly of arts, jewellery and crafts. After the walking tour you are free to relax at your hotel or take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage around the ramparts before dinner.

Stay: Guesthouse , riad or boutique hotel in Taroudant Meal plan: Dinner

Today’s journey heads east from Taroudant, east following the River Souss, through the Jbel Siroua region of the Anti-Atlas Mountains to reach the edge of the Sahara desert. The first stop along the way is the village of Taliouine which sits at approximately 1500 metres altitude and is know as the ‘saffron capital’ of Morocco. This is the only region in Morocco to cultivate saffron – crocus sativus – and it allegedly the finest quality in the world. Saffron is harvested at dawn during September and October, when the hillsides are blanketed with their purple blooms and local women are out gathering the flowers. In the village of Taliouine you will visit a co-operative to learn how to recognise the real ‘red gold’ over a glass of saffron tea. You learn also about its many health-giving properties and uses in cooking. The route then twists past gnarled argan trees, small towns, and through the Anti-Atlas mountains to reach the Berber village of Tazenakht for lunch. The village is famous as a centre for production and trading of hand-woven carpets produced by women of the local tribes in the Atlas Mountains. You can pick up some great bargains if you have good haggling skills and a keen eye. After lunch in Tazenakht, the road continues for about 1.5 hrs to reach the edge of the Sahara desert at Foum Zguid where the late afternoon and evening are spent relaxing at our boutique hotel in the oasis, with shaded gardens and outdoor pool. Choice of luxury bungalow or standard ‘tent’ room. NB you may like to spend a half day in Tazenakht to learn how to weave carpets using traditional local methods, working with a women’s artisan co-op. Hikers may wish to add an extra full day for trekking in the Anti-Atlas around Taroudant.

Stay: Boutique hotel in Foum Zguid Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

The morning is free for you to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the desert oasis. Lunch is at the hotel, before continuing your Morocco desert tour with an off-road safari across desert tracks of the old Paris-Dakkar rally route, the salt-flats of dried Lake Iriqui and barren wilderness for an exhilarating 3 hrs’ drive. You reach the majestic, billowing dunes of Erg Chigaga in time to enjoy a camel-ride, climb the dunes at sunset or try your hand at sandboarding in the Sahara! The night is spent in our very comfortable bivouac desert camp at Erg Chigaga, where you will be looked after and entertained by our team of local nomadic ‘Blue Men’ – all from families indigenous to the region. Around the campfire after a delicious dinner, you can play the drums, share songs, stories and jokes or just gaze at the blanket of stars overhead. Tents are private with up to 4 people per tent, they are woven from camel wool and have proper beds and comfortable mattresses.

Stay: Standard or luxury desert camp Erg Chegaga Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

Early morning breakfast at your desert camp in Erg Chigaga before heading off in 4×4 to continue for about 2 hrs off-road to reach the village of M’Hamid el Ghizlane at the foot of the Draa Valley. Here you can stock up on water and snacks for the road if required. You then head north through the palm groves and across the ridge of the Jbel Bani mountains. After a coupe of hours you reach Tamegroute which is famous for its traditional local pottery and also for its Koranic School and library. You will have the opportunity to visit both of these along the route before reaching the desert town of Zagora where you stop for lunch. You can choose to have lunch in a simple street restaurant in the town centre, or to have delicious lunch served in the gardens of a riad in the oasis at the edge of town. In the afternoon your Morocco tour continues with a beautiful scenic drive north, following the route of the Draa River through the palm groves. You stop to visit either the museum inside the mud-built, inhabited ksar of Tissergate just outside Zagora, or the 16th century kasbah of Tamnougalt before reaching Ouarzazate at the end of the day. Dinner is at your accommodation in Ouarzazate – hotel, riad or kasbah-style guesthouse. NB You can enjoy a full afternoon of hands-on pottery-making workshops at Tamegroute by adding an extra night to the tour here in Zagora.

Stay: Hotel or guesthouse in Ouarzazate Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

Today is a day for discovering unspoiled valleys, mountains and historic kasbahs before arriving in the bustling medina city of Marrakech. After leaving Ouarzazate, you head north and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This impressive stronghold once controlled the spice caravans en route from the Sahara. Ait Benhaddou has achieved world-wide fame through its role in the movies – it has featured as a backdrop in blockbuster films Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile and Gladiator. There are around 8 families still living here and some of the original construction dates back to the 17th century. Nowadays, a few houses ares still occupied and are open to visitors. You can walk through the narrow alleys to the grain store, or agadir, at the top of the hill which has incredible views across the surrounding desert landscape. From here you take the less-travelled route north via the enchanting Ounila Valley. Mud-built Berber villages, snow-capped peaks (in winter) and valleys filled with almond blossom and wild flowers (in spring) make this a spectacular drive which leads you to the restored Glaoui kasbah at Telouet. The kasbah has many magnificent mosaics, carved ceilings and well-preserved reception rooms. You can enjoy a delicious lunch nearby, overlooking the valley below. After a visit to the Telouet kasbah you join the main Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass which leads to Marrakech. The road twists across the highest point at 2260 meters with dramatic mountain scenery along the way. After about 2 hrs you descend into the agricultural plains of Haouz province and reach the exotic medina of Marrakech where you stay for the next two nights (or more if required). Dinner awaits at your hotel tonight.

Stay: Traditional riad or hotel in Marrakech Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

Free day in Marrakech to explore the medina and sights or perhaps take a horse-drawn carriage to visit the famous Majorelle Gardens in the new town. You may wish to enjoy add-on activities this day such as: cookery class, hot-air balloon ride, horse riding, camel riding, quad biking, golf, hammam/spa treatments.

Stay: Traditional riad or hotel in Marrakech Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner

Your Morocco adventure tour ends in Marrakech today with check-out by midday and we will transfer you to Marrakech airport for your departure flight. We can also transfer you to Agadir or Casablanca airports if required (allow 3.5 hrs’ drive to either). Alternatively you can choose to continue your holiday in Morocco with us by adding-on one of our Suggested Morocco Adventure Tour Itineraries.