Tour Atlas Draa & Sahara

 

Departure early in the morning from Marrakesh across the colourful high Atlas Mountains through the col Tizi-N’tichka (2260 m).Stop to visit the Kasbah of Telouet and the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, classified by UNESCO a world heritage.

 

Telouet is a berber village situated at 2460 m from sea level.It’s strategic geographical position in the middle of the high atlas mountains was the link between the tribes of the Haouz and Souss.It was a place of economic and cultural exchange before being chosen by Pacha Glaoui to build his majestic Kasbah.Even the French painter fell on love with the colours of the region to paint his famous Kasbah of Anemiter.

 

Ouarzazate : City of the Kasbahs, foundedin 1928 as a military zone by the French ( French protectorate from 1912 to 1956) to control the Berber tribes of Ait Atta. The geographical position, Ouarzazate is the link between the high atlas mountains and the desert.

Visit of the city : Glaoui’s Kasbah Taourirt ans Altlas studio film( optional)

Overnight in Ouarzazate

 

 

During this drive you will see the Draa Valley, longest wadi (river) of Morocco with more than 200 kilometers of palm trees. An opportunity to discover the Ait Atta Berbers, the nomads as well as the regs,the rocky hamada along the arid Draa, which were once frequented by merchants and caravans. The road continues to Merzouga in the lunar and arid landscapes, oases and black volcanic rocks. Tazarine:Geographical position: Jebel Saghro is the last mountain before the sand dunes of Merzouga.  between the  Draa valley  and the region of Dades , small village mentioned in the movie Babel (Brad Pitt)

The dunes of Merzouga: Camel trek one hour 30 minutes to go to the bivouac. Bivouac: Night in a nomadic tent  Dinner and overnight in tents

 

 Day 3 Merzouga – Rissani - Erfoud –  Todra Gorges -Dades Gorges

 

Rissani: A holy town where the founder of the royal family is buried .Former major caravan center, Rissani remained a major commercial center of the region, with a large souk, particularly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Continuation to Erg Chebbi, after 36 km, you will be the real Sahara dunes of Merzouga.

Todra GorgeTodra gorges offer a spectacular view of the canyons as they get narrow and high to about 600 metres. The tiny stream of the river coming from the melted snow makes the visitor imagine how water is a good rock sculptor. More and more rock climbers come to practice their passion. : The Todra Gorge is most beautiful natural site in Morocco.

A day to discover oases, underground channels, fossils and volcanic landscape.

 

 Day 4 Boumalene Dades- Kella Megouna- Skoura -Ouarzazate- Marrakech :

 

After breakfast visit of the Dades Gorges. Option 1: Option 2:to one or two hours trekking  in the Dades Valley.  Drive across Boutaghrar: an off road track one from Dades to Kella Megouna (Valley of the roses). Boutaghrar Landscapes offers a lunar landscape with the colors and geological forms form a beautiful picture. This is an opportunity to see nomads, goats and colorful mountains before reaching Kella Megouna. Continuation to Marrakech via Ouarzazate and the pass of Tizi’n Tichka.