Day 01: Arrive Marrakesh

Merhaba! We arrive in Marrakesh Airport and are warmly welcomed before being transferred to our hotel overlooking the Oukaimeden Mountains, where we enjoy a 2-night stay. Check in time is from 1500 hrs.

Overnight: Le Kech Boutique Hotel & Spa/Hotel Opera Plaza, Marrakesh (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Marrakesh

The imperial city of Marrakesh is Morocco’s most popular tourist destination. Since the 11th century when it was built, Marrakesh has been a political and cultural powerhouse, serving as the capital for three of Morocco’s greatest dynasties. Until French rule, “Marrakesh” was even used interchangeably to refer to both the country and city. Look out of any window in Marrakesh and we will find a postcard view: clay-red houses far and wide, palm trees sprouting everywhere, gardens bursting out of courtyards, and the High Atlas Mountains as a soothing purple backdrop. It’s no wonder French fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent found so much inspiration here. Today we will unearth the secrets of Marrakesh, beginning in the medina*, the old walled section of town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We marvel first at its architectural jewels, including the soaring Koutoubia minaret and the Bahia Palace, an exemplary specimen of privileged life in the 19th century. Our next stop is the Tiskiwin Museum (Maison Tiskiwin), which houses an impressive collection of North African arts and crafts. It was founded by a Dutch anthropologist, and exhibits artifacts from different towns and regions along the ancient trade route from Marrakesh to Timbuktu. Later, we visit Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh's main square, which is filled with orange juice stalls and vendors, along with fire-eaters, mime artists, snake-charmers and street musicians performing at every turn. We will also have the opportunity to explore the city's fabled, labyrinthine souks, their bustling alleyways brimming with all manner of wares. Following our visit, return to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure, a perfect opportunity to freshen up and get ready for dinner in a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 03: Marrakesh/Skoura/Dades (Drive)

We leave Marrakesh behind and head for the High Atlas Mountains. Our route follows the same one caravans used to take when travelling to Marrakesh centuries ago, bringing gold and precious wood from the other side of the ocean of sand, the Sahara. We will be crossing Tizi n Tichka pass, sitting at an elevation of 2260 meters. Once over the pass, take in amazing panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the houses of its indigenous villages. Later, we take a detour to Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village dating from the 11th century. We then skirt past Ouarzazate and stop for lunch (at your own expense). We continue on to yet another lush area, Skoura palm grove. Then, our trip reaches Kelaa des Mgouna, famous for the nearby Valley of Roses and its Rose Festival, where, at the end of a 3-day celebration usually held in May, a local girl is crowned the 'Rose Queen'. The most sought after product here is eau-de-rose, and two factories in the area still distill and export it. Further on, we reach Boulmane Dades, the starting point to explore the spectacular Dades Gorge, offering geological rock formations of tan, gold, red and mauve carved out by the river here. Enjoy dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Overnight: Xaluca Hotel, Dades (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04: Dades/Tinghir/Merzouga (Drive)

Back on the road, our next stop is Tinerhir (Tinghir), with its extensive palm grove, elaborate ksours (“desert castles”) built into the rocky hills and mysterious, decaying Jewish quarter. For generations, Tinghir has been a stop for nomadic Berber tribes travelling from the mountains to the desert during the winter months. A hidden gem is the 19th century adobe mosque nestled within the crumbling ksour, a heaven for photography enthusiasts. Only 15 kilometers from Tinghir, Todra Gorges present an arresting spectacle with their crystal clear river and towering walls, changing color as the day unfolds. More than 150 bolted rock climbing routes can be found here, and, at any time of day, we can catch a glimpse of someone making their way up the steep walls. Before reaching Merzouga, where the tarmac ends, we pass Erfoud and Rissani. In Erfoud, we may stop for an optional visit at Musee des Oasis, if time allows. Rissani used to serve as a last stop on the great caravan routes heading south, with gold and slave auctions taking place here as late as the 1800’s. Before the caravan trade, the most important city in Morocco was Sijilmassa, the ruins of which lie opposite Rissani. From its gates, Ibn Battuta and Leo Africanus left Morocco to embark on their illustrious journeys across the Sahara into other African countries. Soon after, we reach Merzouga. In the distance, we glimpse the first leviathans of sand forming the Sahara: the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Dinner and overnight is enjoyed at our riad.

Overnight: Riad Madu/Kasbah Tombouctou, Merzouga (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Merzouga/Alnif/Tazarine/Zagora (Drive)

Enjoy an optional sunrise camel ride (at additional cost, contact Bestway to pre-book) along the golden sand dunes in Merzouga.  Return to our riad for breakfast before transferring to Zagora via the Amazigh (Berber) villages of Alnif and Tazarine. The road to Tazarine sees almost no traffic, providing a scenic link between Tafilalet and Draa Valley. Aside from the landscape, fossils and prehistoric rock carvings are this region’s main attraction. The scenery grows wilder as we approach Tazarine, set in a grassy oasis surrounded by bare mountains. Continue to Zagora, famous as the location of one of the largest palm valleys in Morocco.

Overnight: Riad Soufiane, Zagora (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Zagora/Agdez/Ouarzazate (Drive)

After breakfast, embark on a tour of Zagora, including visits to some of the oldest villages in Morocco. Stop by Tamegroute to visit the village’s famous library, which houses ancient Koranic scripts dating back to the 12th century. Explore the pottery section of Tamgroute, then transfer to Ouarzazate along the Draa Valley. Optional lunch stop (at your own expense) at Agdez. Upon arrival in Ouarzazate, we enjoy dinner and overnight at our riad-hotel.

Overnight: Dar Chamaa Riad-Hotel, Ouarzazate (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: Ouarzazate/Ait Ben Haddou/Marrakesh (Drive)

Begin the day by exploring Ouarzazate, a city originally built as a French garrison in the 1920’s. Today, the city is a regional trade center, known for its pottery and carpets. See the Taourir Kasbah, consisting of simple clay houses and crenellated towers that are beautifully decorated with geometric motifs. After the French left in 1953, the movie business flourished here. Optional visit to the Film Studios (at additional cost), where some of the most famous desert landscapes are filmed. Continue to elaborate Aït Ben Haddou*, dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the region's most exotic kasbahs, where structures all but defy the laws of gravity as they perch upon the steep slope. Some of these buildings have been featured in films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Enjoy a scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains, observing everyday life in remote rural towns and villages, to Marrakesh, where we started our Kasbah & Oasis experience of Morocco.

Overnight: Le Kech Boutique Hotel & Spa/Hotel Opera Plaza, Marrakesh (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Depart Marrakesh or Casablanca

After an incredible exploration of the kasbahs and oases of Morocco, we are transferred to the airport in either Marrakesh or Casablanca for our departure flight.  Flights departing from Casablanca should be booked for 14:00 hrs or later. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum tour size of 12 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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