Nature and Berber Villages

Early departure from Marrakech towards Imilchil, one of the areas of Morocco least known to tourists and only accessible during the summer months, as it remains isolated during the winter due to the rising water levels of its rivers and snow. Along the way, we will pass through the town of Ouzoud, where we will see the second largest waterfall in all of Africa. We will continue our journey through the Central High Atlas Natural Park, through the Assif Mellou Valley, at an altitude of over 2,200 meters. This area is rich in irrigated pastures, thanks to the abundant water from the Assif Mellou River. Its inhabitants are distributed in small villages belonging to the oldest Berber tribes in the country. They are mountain nomads who, when weather permits, climb with their herds to the peaks in search of pastures. You will be able to contemplate the beauty of Tislit, the bride's lake, which, together with Isli, the groom's lake, has created a beautiful love legend.

After breakfast, we will continue our journey to the desert. We will cross the Middle Atlas, visiting small villages carved into the slopes of the rock mountains and passing through the Amellago Valley, where ancient underground irrigation canals can be visited. We will finally reach the Merzouga Desert, where a caravan of dromedaries will be waiting for us to depart for the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset. We will arrive with the dromedaries at the camp where we will stay in haimas, "tents made of dromedary hair," like those used by desert nomads. We will enjoy a very special dinner and overnight stay in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars with a Berber drum party.

We'll begin the day with a "Date with the Dawn," as it's advisable to get up early in the desert to hike to the highest dune around the camp to enjoy the sunrise and the relaxing landscape that nature offers before returning by camel to the village of Merzouga. After a hearty breakfast, we'll bid farewell to the desert and depart for Rissani, where we'll visit its market (if we're lucky, it's one of the market days: Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday). We'll continue our route to Erfoud and the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. An hour later, we'll arrive at one of the most impressive points of the High Atlas: the Todra Gorges. The Todra River has formed a gorge with sheer walls of enormous proportions and great beauty; it's a climber's paradise and a unique place. We'll have lunch here and then take a half-hour hike to see and enjoy the gorges in detail. In the afternoon, we'll continue to the Dadès Valley, known as the Valley of Figs, passing through Boumalne Dadès where we'll glimpse the "monkey fingers." We'll spend the night in the Dadès Gorges.

After breakfast, we'll enjoy one of the best views of the Dadès Valley. We'll do so from one of the most strategic locations in the mountains, where we'll be able to observe the numerous kasbahs and the picturesqueness of each one. We'll then head out onto a road dotted with various kasbahs of great interest until we reach the Kasbah of Aït Youl, where we'll make a detour and head along trails deep into the Central High Atlas, discovering spectacular landscapes. We'll visit a nomadic family who still lives in caves in the Boutagrar Valley, where time seems to have stood still. Later, we'll have lunch in the village of Rose Valley, and in the afternoon, we'll pass through the Skoura palm grove, eventually arriving in Ouarzazate, where we'll visit the Taourirt Kasbah and the film studios, and spend the night.

After breakfast, we will depart for the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). Renowned films such as Gladiator, Obelix, Sahara with Penelope Cruz, and Jewel of the Nile have been filmed in this spectacular setting.

We will have lunch in this village and in the afternoon, depart for Marrakech, crossing the Tizi Ntichka mountain pass with stops for panoramic views. Here, we will leave the lunar landscape behind, giving way to the predominant colors of green and ochre. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Marrakech and have free time to explore the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.

On this day, you'll have time to relax, wander around the city at your leisure, practice the art of haggling in the souks, or discover the hidden corners of the medina wherever your curiosity takes you. You'll also enjoy a guided tour of the city until the scheduled time for your transfer to the airport.