Morocco: unveiling Berber traditions

Marrakech

Day 1: Welcome to Morocco

Welcome to Morocco! Your guide will be waiting for you upon arrival, ready to transfer you to your accommodation in the vibrant heart of Marrakech’s Medina. Settle in and get ready for your adventure to begin.

Marrakech

Day 2: Roam through Marrakech

Today, meet your guide and get ready to experience Marrakech. With mud-brick homes nestled alongside classic French colonial buildings, visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the sumptuous Bahia Palace and the Merdersa Ben Youssef, which is a jewel of Moroccan architecture.

You then have the afternoon free to do as you wish! Why not try some mouthwatering traditional cuisine?

Marrakech - Ouzoud - tabant

Day 3: Cascading falls & traditional cuisine

Grab a hearty breakfast before leaving the iconic cityscape of Marrakech, and starting the five-hour journey to the serene beauty of Ouzoud Falls nestled in the village of Tanaghmeilt within the Azilal province. With its majestic 100m cascades, it offers an encounter with nature’s grandeur. Here, amidst the lush landscape, Barbary monkeys roam freely, offering visitors a glimpse into their natural habitat. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, your journey continues to M’goun Geopark and Tizi N’Oughbar pass before arriving at Aït Bouguemez Valley! Settle into your accommodation in the village of Sidi R'bat before enjoying a passionately prepared home-cooked meal.

Tabant

Day 4: Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs

Unveil the rustic charm of Sidi R'bat and its picturesque neighbors, with a gentle hike ascending the revered hill of Sidi Moussa, honouring a saint who watched over the valley's serene landscapes. 

After, a voyage into the ancient echoes of time awaits as you trace the footsteps of dinosaurs, their imprints a testament to an age long past! 

Tabant

Day 5: A day with the locals

Today, you’ll be welcomed into the homes of the warm-hearted women that live in Sidi R'bat. Experience authentic living, where the art of cooking and carpet weaving will unfold right before your eyes. The villages will then take you to meander through the fields, an educational and awakening experience to be immersed in their culture.

Tabant - Imi Nifri - Skoura

Day 6: Journey to an oasis

Bid farewell to Sidi R'bat and embark on a journey to Tassaout Valley, a route painted with the spectacular contrasts of the Atlas Mountains and verdant gardens. A stop at the Iminifri Natural Bridge offers a moment of awe, a natural masterpiece sculpted over time!

The journey ends with lunch hosted by a local Berber family in the village of Ait Alla, offering a taste of authentic hospitality. Post-lunch, an ascent to the Tizi n'Fedghat pass standing at 2181m offers panoramic views of the southern slopes that stretch into the horizon. The day ends with relaxing in your accommodation in the oasis of Skoura.

Skoura - Boutaghrar

Day 7: Architecture, roses & tea with a local

Begin the day with a visit to the iconic Kasbah Amridil, a testament to Morocco’s rich history and architecture. From there, you’ll make your way to the M'Goun Valley, often known as the Valley of Roses where a sensory experience awaits, immerse yourself in the fragrant ambience and the mesmerizing vistas of blossoming flowers. Here you’ll visit a women’s cooperative where you’ll be shown the intricate process of transforming the spring-harvested rosebuds into exquisite products like soap, rose oil, and rose-infused musk. 

After, continue to Boutaghrar, a charming village fondly referred to as the little “Moroccan Colorado”, nestled at the foot of the High Atlas. Here, share tea with a local family, an intimate moment that offers insights into their traditions and daily rhythms!

Boutaghrar

Day 8: Traverse the gorges of Agouti

Today, explore the surrounding area of Boutaghrar, traversing the stunning Agouti gorges that will lead you to the valley’s northern expanse. This vantage presents a magnificent tableau of the central High Atlas Mountains. 

Your day ends with a memorable Berber-themed evening. Here you will have the opportunity to don traditional attire and immerse yourself in the rhythms and melodies of live Berber music, fostering a true connection with the region’s vibrant culture. 

Boutaghrar - Tinejdad

Day 9: Gorges & history

Start the day visiting the enchanting Todgha Gorges, renowned for the harmonious blend of ochre and green that adorns its landscapes and is heralded as one of southern Morocco’s picturesque gems. 

Post lunch, our expedition extends to the city of Tinejdad, home to the insightful Berber Museum of El Khorbat. Housed within the historically rich confines of Ksar El Khorbat Oujdid, the museum, inaugurated in 2002, unveils the intricacies of Berber culture and history.

Tinejdad - N’kob - Zagora

Day 10: Journey to Zagora

Today's journey to Zagora, famously known as 'the Doors of the Sahara.' Here, at the culmination of the main thoroughfare, stands the iconic road sign to Timbuktu, a silent sentinel that marks the distance to the fabled city. 

Passing through serene landscapes you’ll make a pause in N’kob. Here, amidst the intertwining palms and timeless architecture, savour lunch in a local restaurant, each bite infused with the flavours of this rich land.

Zagora - Tamegroute - Mhamid

Day 11: An evening under the stars

The day starts with a drive to Tamegroute, a town steeped in history, tracing its origins back to the 16th-century Saadian dynasty. Immerse yourself in the intricacies of pottery at a local workshop and explore the ancient contours of the old village, each structure echoing tales of a bygone era. 

After, the allure of the Sahara beckons, drawing you to Mhamid, a gem at the desert’s edge. Here, the whisper of adventure calls, marking the onset of our off-road escapade to the majestic dunes of Erg Chegaga, unveiling the Sahara’s untamed beauty! 

As night graces the desert, descend to your camp, nestled amidst the dunes. The stars adorn the Saharan sky, illuminating an evening of mystique and wonder, where stories, laughter, and silence weave the unforgettable tapestry of a night under the Sahara’s starlit embrace.

Mhamid - Lake Iriki - Tamlakout

Day 12: An off-road adventure

Today’s journey unravels along the ancient tracks of the Paris-Dakar route, amidst dunes echoing the silent songs of the winds. Your off-road sojourn takes you through the ghostly beauty of Lake Iriki, once a water-brimmed oasis now a haunting spectacle of nature’s cyclic dance. 

End the day in the village of Tamlakout, in this idyllic setting, the soul of Berber traditions breathes life into every corner. Here the villagers will invite you to immerse yourself into their culture with a homemade family dinner.

Tamlakout - Marrakech

Day 13: Serene scenery & architecture

It’s your final full day in Morocco and time to head back to Marrakech. Grab a hearty breakfast, then set towards Ait Benhaddou, considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 – it has also been used as a backdrop for many historical films, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Gladiator.

Continue the day driving through the High Atlas Mountains via the highest mountain pass in Morocco, Tizi N’ Tichka, at 2260m. As you do, you’ll travel through some spectacular scenery on the way, twisting and turning through the snow-covered mountains down towards Marrakesh, arriving in the late afternoon.

Marrakech

Day 14: Goodbye, Morocco

It's time to say goodbye to Morocco, your adventure has come to an end! Transfer to the airport and have a safe flight home.