Marrakech & Zagora Desert Tours

Description

Marrakech & Zagora Desert Tours

 FULL  ITINERARY:

Day 1: Marrakesh – Tizi-n-Tichka pass – High Atlas Mountains – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Agdz – Zagora Camel trekking with overnight at Berber nomad tents.

We will pick you up at 8 am from your hotel/riad, in order to drive to Ouarzazate, a former caravan town on the silk and salt route in the eastern foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Ouarzazate is known as the Gateway to the Sahara. First of all, we will travel through the dramatic landscape of the High Atlas Mountains passing through the berber town of Taddert and over the 2260 meters high Tizi-in-Tichka pass. We will stop along the way to enjoy the beautiful views and to take pictures, at the mid day we will arrive Ouarzazate. “the Hollywood of Africa” if you are interested to visit the Atlas Corporation Studio, a well –known cinematographic centre renowned for blockbuster productions including Asterix and Cleopatre directed by Alain Chabat; and the Oscar-wining Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott. After the lunch in Ouarzazate we will continue our journey through the massif of Anti atlas mountains the Tizi-in-Tiniffit Pass at 1660 metres elevation, We  will cross a wild and ragged, rough mountain countryside . The road descends to the Draa Valley, where Morrocan Jewish families settled along this fertile valley and used to live in harmony with Berber tribes. We will lead to Agdz, situated at the foot of the extraordinary rock formation called Jbel Kissane. Along the Oued Drâa, we will pass by the Drâa valley which is one of Morocco’s most fascinating river landscapes… Marvel at the date palms, laurel bushes and numerous kasbahs and ksars Agdez and Draa rich of Palm plantations (estimated more than 11 million palm trees).. Continue to the Zagora oasis, the real ‘Gate of the desert’.The valley is lined by palm oases, clay fortresses and picturesque Berber villages.  Arriving at Zogora, the “Gate to the Desert”, which used to be the most important camel trail station. The sign “52 days to Timbouctou” still proves it.In the midst of wonderful palm groves.In Zagora, we will have a camel riding (1:30 hrs) to admire the sunset and stay in a Berber tent in the surroundings.

Day 2: Zagora – Draa Valley – Agdz – Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Hadou Kasbah – Telouet – Tizi-n-Tichka pass – Marrakesh.

Early wake up to enjoy the sunrise over the dunes, camel riding back to Zagora then by car back to Ouarzazate, then after 30 km driving we will stop at the famous Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. The kasbah is one of the most intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient road of the Kasbahs, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Lunch by the Kasbah and continue on our way to  Telouet, where we will see the  former home of the famous Pasha Glaoui. Late afternoon we will continue to Marrakech and drop you off at your hotel/riad or at the airport, where the end of our service.

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