THE DESERT :

Morocco not only enjoys important Historical monuments but also beautiful nature. It is the Atlas mountains that stand between the Imperial cities and the charming dunes and valleys of the Moroccan desert. Ouarzazate is situated at 220 km from Marrakech and is considered as the main door to the eastern desert. It is from Ouarzazate, also known for its famous international movie studios, that start teh kasbahs, teh valleys and the gorges, the oases and the dunes etc. In the desert, offroads are the only ways to the villages. Which means that there is adventure before discovery.

below you will find som eof our desert tours :

Atlas deserts and oases in 8 Days:

Day 1: Marrakesh – Telouet – Ouarzazate 200 Km Total 32 Off-road
After breakfast, early daparture to Telouet via the mountain of hight Atlas passing throught the TiziNtichka pass reaching 2,260 m, visite of the Kasbah of Pacha Glaoui in telouet (lunch in the place).afternoon tracks to Ait Ben Haddou via the Ounila valley with its berber villages. Continuation to Ouarzazate.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Skoura – Kelaa Mgouna - Rose valley - Dades Gorges – Boumalne- Tinghir- Toudra Gorges 270 Km Total 50 Km Off-road
Leaving Ouarzazate around 8:30am towards Skoura where we'll have a quick 20 minutes visit of the Amredhyle Kasbah, one of the wonders of the southern "Route of the thousand kasbahs". Continuing our journey through the Valley of the Roses where cross 50km off-road on Valley tracks.Ait Youl Kasbah . Before heading Boulmane, we lunch on top of Dades Gorges, reaching Tinghir and 20km after, its fabulous views, and the Toudra gorges Canyons. Diner and over night in hotel.

Day 3: Todra Gorges – Tinjdad – Touroug- Erfoud – Merzouga 160 Km Total 35 Off-road
Morning walk around the Tinerghir Palm Plantations. We drive to Tinjedad to have lunch and visit Touroug Palm Plantations reaching Erfoud town for a visit of a local fossil craft workshop. Continuing to the fascinating dunes of Erg Chebbi, The Dunes of Merzouga. We now switch from our 4×4 to camels, where you'll be taken on a camel ride on the dunes to enjoy the Sun set on the dunes and overnight on a true nomad bivouac. Dinner and over night in a bivouac.

Day 4 : Merzouga - Khamlia - Taouz - Ouzina- Khamlia - Mharch 185 Km Total Off-road
Early morning in order to admire the sunrise ,return on camels to the the bottom of the dunes.after breakfast departure for the village of Khamlia (village of Gnaoua which make music in the desert) with a stop for a tea with ment at the gnaoua house, then departure for Taouz and engravings repistres then descent of Ziz Wadi by the track of Paris-Dakar passing by small village lost in the desert of Ouzina (lunch in the place) and Ramlia, after Ramlia crossed very sandy of the wadi Rheris and track which follows the mountain that leads to M'harch - Dinner and over night in hotel.

Day 5 : M'harch – Zagora 170 Km Total Off-road
After the breakfast, departure for Zagora, by the track of Paris-Dakar while crossing desert plates; hamadas and nomads under the tent. Dinner and over night in hotel in Zagora.

Day 6: Zagora –Tamegroute – Mhamid - Chegaga 155 Km Total 65 Off-road
After the breakfast departure for Tamegroute and visit of Zaouïa; old Koranic library; craftsmen of pottery and a Kasbah underground; then one continues towards M' hamid and lunch on the place,After noon we takes a track which carries out towards the dunes of cheguagua to see the sun set and spend the night in the Bivouac. Dinner and over night in a bivouac.

Day 7: Chegaga – Foum Zguit – Taznakhte- Ouarzazate 270 Km Total 90 Km Off-road
Early morning to see the sunrise on the dunes, after the breakfast Departure for Foum Zguit passing by nomads who lives in tents, the dry lake of iriqui and desert plates full with the aKassia plants . (Picnic for lunch in the place).Continuation to Ouarzazate via Taznakhte. - Dinner and over night in hotel.

Day 8: Ouarzazate – Marrakesh 200 Km Total
After the breakfast departure for the visit of the town of Ouarzazate: the Kasbah of Taourirt; cinema studio; then drive to Marrakech by the Tizi N-Tichka pass.

Atlas & Saghro Deserts in 8 Days:

day 1 : Airport pick-up and hotel transfer.
Overnight at the Riad

day 2 : Marrakesh - Telouate - Ait Ben-Haddou
Morning departure towards High Atlas Tizi n'tichka Pass at 2260m, passing Kasbah du Glaoui in Telouet and crossing the old caravan route in Ounila Valley before arriving at Ait Ben Haddou, a ancient fortified Kasbah under UNESCO World Heritage protection. Diner and overnight at Dar Aicha or Dar Mouna in Ait Ben Haddou.

day 3 : Ait Ben-Haddou - Ouarzazate - Skoura - Rose Valley - Kellat M'Gouna
After breakfast we leave to Skoura on the 1000 Kasbah's route. Visit to Amredhyle Kasbah. Heading the Rose Valley we have lunch in Kelat M'Gouna at Kasbah Itrane. After midday we go to Boutaghrar crossing the rose valley and passing tourbiste and also Hdida. Return to Kelaat to enjoy Sun set in Taaluite Pass 200m high. Dinner and over night In hotel.

day 4 : Kellat M'gouna - Boulmane Dades - Djbel Sghro - N'kob - Zagora
Morning departure towards Boulmane and visit to "Le doit de singe" in Dades valley. Village of Iknioun where we start our jorney crossing the Saghrou Mountains until the villahe of N'Kob where we have lunch. Continuing by the road of kasbahs and palm plantations until we reach Zagora. Diner and overnight at Riad Lamane.

day 5 : Zagora - Tamgroute - M'hamid - Chegaga
Morning departure to Tamgroute to visit the ancient Zaouia, the old Koranic Library, pottery artisans and the underground kasbah. Road to Tagouenite Oasis by Ait Isfould. Arrival at M'hamid and lunch. Desert tracks to Chegaga dunes and enjoy Sun set. Diner and overnight in nomad tents.

day 6 : Chegaga - Foum Zguit - Taznakhte - Ouarzazate
Morning wake up to enjoy Sun rise in Chegaga Dunes. After breakfast we leave to Foum Zguit passing nomad people that live in tents. Visit to Iriqui dry lake and the desert plateau of Akassia. Lunch snack in the Oasis. Ouarzazate via Taznakhte.Dinner and over night at The hotel Les jardins de Ouarzazate or La valléé hotel.

day 7 : Ouarzazate – Marrakech .
After breakfast we start our journey to Marrakesh by the High Atlas road passing Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2260m high. Lunch on the road. Marrakesh arrival around 5pm. Dinner and over night at the Riad Maranna

Day 8 : Visit of Marrakech.
After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. You will discover the Palace if the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, the Menara Basin and many other hidden treasures. After lunch, you will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit. The tour will conclude with an exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. Dinner and over night in riad

Marrakech escapade to the desert in 5 Days:

Day 1: Marrakech –Ait Ben haddou- Ouarzazate - El Kelaa - Boumalne – Dades valley-Dades gorges
Travel over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2610m) while enjoy superb views of the mountains and of the Berber villages in the raod. Stop for lunch and tour the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou (used as a backdrop for more than 20 films).
Pass through Ouarzazate and continue towards the Valley of Roses (El Kelaa M'gouna) and the Dades valley, the valley of a thousand Kasbahs. Dinner and over night in hotel in dades gorges.

Day2: Dades gorges-Boumalne - Tinghir - Tinjdad - Touroug- Erfoud - Merzouga.
After breakfast departure to Toudra gorges ,visit of the gorges then you will drive to Erfoud via the Tinjdad (lunch in the place) and Touroug palm grove, stop in Erfoud to see a big fabrication of marble and fossils. Continuation to the big sun dunes of Erg Chebbi to see the sunset and spend the night on the feet of the dunes - Dinner and over night in a hotel.

Day3: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi-Merzouga.
After the breakfast you will make the large turn of the dunes while passing by: 2 oases of MERZOUGA, the wandering deposit, the village of KHAMLIA (village of the Gnaoua) mines of MIFISS, the plates desert with the meeting of the Berber nomads of the desert, oasis TISSARDMINE, and return to the hotel around 3 p.m. for the departure of your caravan with back of camels so attending the sunset and spend the night in Berber tents in the middle of the dunes. Dinner and over night in Bivouac.

Day 4: Merzouga - Rissani - Alnif - Tazarine – Draa valley - Agdz (Tamnougalt)
Early morning departure to enjoy Sun rise on Sahara Desert, camel ride back to the hotel where the 4x4 are parked. Breakfast and departure towards the Palm Plantation of Tafilalet passing Rissani, the old Alaouite Sahara capital by the ancient Alaouite Sultans. Road to Alnif where lunch is waiting. Visit to Tazzarine, Tansihkt and N'kob Oasis. Road to Agdez.by Draa valley - Dinner and over night in Tamnougalt.

Day 5: Agdez -Ouarzazate-– Marrakech.
After breakfast you will drive to Ouarzazate,visit of the Kasbah of Taourirt and cinema Studio, then you will drive to Marrakech by the tizi-n-tichka pass (lunch in the way).

Fes escapade to the desert in 5 Days :

day 1 :Fes – Ifrane –Azrou-Midelt-Errachidia – Ziz valley-Erfoud Merzouga.
After breakfast, you leave for Midelt through the mountains and the cedar woods of the middle Atlas, passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort and Azrou an important handicraft centre specialised in the work of cedar wood. After the Zad pass (2,178m/ 7,146ft) you arrive in Midelt for lunch. Afternoon you will drive to Erfoud via Errachidia and the Ziz valley dotted with palm trees. Continuation to the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. Dinner and over night in hotel in Merzouga.

day 2: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi-Merzouga.
After the breakfast you will make the large turn of the dunes while passing by: 2 oases of MERZOUGA, the wandering deposit, the village of KHAMLIA (village of the Gnaoua) mines of MIFISS, the plates desert with the meeting of the Berber nomads of the desert, oasis TISSARDMINE, and return to the hotel around 3 p.m. for the departure of your caravan with back of dromedary so attending the sunset and spend the night in Berber tents in middle of the dunes. Dinner and over night in Bivouac.

day3: Merzouga – Rissani-Erfoud-Touroug –Tinjdad –Tinghir – Toudra Gorges – Boumalne – Dades valley – dades gorges.
Early morning in order to see the sunrise, return by camels to the hotel after breakfast departure to Rissani and Erfoud in order to visit the treatment plant marble fossilized before continuing to touroug and tinjdad palm groves, arrival to toudra gorges and have lunch in the place,afternoon you will drive to Dades gorges via Boumalne and the dades valley. Dinner and over night in hotel.

day 4: Dades gorges – Dades valley – rose valley – Kelaa M'gouna – Skoura –Ouarzazate.
After breakfast return by the dades valley until the kasbah of Ait youl, the track raod crossing rose valley with its Kasbah and ksours,in this part you can see very nice landscapes before you get to Kalla Mgouna, lunch in the way , after noon departure to the palme groves of skoura and visit of the Kasbah of amredhyle. continuation to Ouarzazate. Dinner and over night in hotel.

day 5: Ouarzazate – Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou-Marrakech.
After breakfast, the entire day is devoted to the visit of Ouarzazate: the Kasbah of Taourirt, Tifoultout and the cinema studio.then you will drive to the Kasbah of Ait Ben haddou(under Unesco protection) ; visit of the Kasbah and the old village afternoon departure to Marrakech via the Tizi-N-Ticha pass; arrival to Marrakech around 5:30 pm.

 

 

THE CLASSIC IMPERIAL CITIES :

In order to visit the Imperial cities in Morocco, we can start with a tour either from Casablanca or Marrakech.

The main Imperial cities in Morocco are : Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat. They all have important mnuments : mosques, medersas, old palaces, walls etc

Below, you will find some of our Imperial tours that you can do either with minivan or 4x4.

Marrakech Imperial in 8 Days :

Day 1 : Arrive to Marrakech - Dinner and overnight in hotel or in a riad.
Day 2 : Marrakech - sightseeing including main monuments - Dinner and overnight in hotel or in a riad.
Day 3 : Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 : Rabat - Meknes - Fes - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 : Fes - Sightseeing in medina - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 6 : Fes - Ouzoud - Marrakech - Dinner and overnight in hotel or in a riad.
Day 7 : Marrakech : Souks and teh Jamaa El Fna Square - Dinner in a moroccan restaurant with oriental music - Dinner and overnight in hotel or in a riad.
Day 8 : Departure

Casablanca Imperial 8 Days :

Day 1 : Arrive to Casablanca - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2 : Visite de Casablanca - Rabat - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 : Rabat - Meknes - Volubilis - Fes - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 : Fes - Sightseeing in medina - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 : Fes - Ouzoud - Marrakech - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 6 : Marrakech - sightseeing including main monuments - Dinner in a moroccan restaurant with oriental music- overnight in hotel or in a riad.
Day 7 : Marrakech - Souks - Casablanca - Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 8 : Departure

 

 

 

 

BOTH THE IMPERIAL CITIES AND THE DESERT :

Travel to Morocco once is not enough for a complete discovery. There a lot of people who come back to Morocco to discover new areas, meet friends and revisit loved sites. However, it is possible for those who have more time in Morocco to make a tour that joins both Imperial cities and the deserts.

Below, a sample tour starting from Marrakech offering the Imperial cities, the dunes of Merzouga and also wonderful places in the Anti-atlas.

Morocco Grand Tour in 15 Days (Casablanca):

Day 1 : Casablanca – fes
Arrival at CASABLANCA Mohamed V airport, meet and greet, then transfer to Fes spiritual city of Morocco Check in. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2 : Fes- fes ( unesco city )
After breakfast, the whole day will be devoted to discovering FEZ, the oldest of the Imperial Cities, which is well known for its spiritual and educational contributions to the Moroccan culture. Visit of the medieval Medina. You will also explore the famous souks where craftsmen still labor in the age-old oriental tradition. Continue sightseeing in the afternoon . return to hotel for dinner and overnight .

Day 3 : Fes – erfoud – merzouga .
After breakfast, departure to Midelt through the wooded middle Atlas region. On the way, visit of Azrou, an important handicraft's center specialized in the cedar-wood working. Continuation to Erfoud a long Ziz River throught beautiful fortifed villages annoucing the vernacular oases architecture. Arrive at Erfoud, Transfert by air conditioned 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser to Merzouga (Desert) Dinner and night Bedoin Camp in desert

Day 4 : Merzouga – ouarzazate .
After breakfast, departure to Tineghir via Rissani where's burried the ancestral of the Alaouite dynasty, Moulay Ali Cherif. Passing by Tinejdad, arrival to Todra Canions. and continuation to Ouarzazate via Tineghir, Boumalne et El Kelaâ M'gouna, city where every year takes place the rose festival . continuation to Ouarzazate Hollywood of Africa Check in at hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Day 5 : Ouarzazate – ait ben haddou – marrakech.
After breakfast, city tour of Ouarzazate with the Kasbah of Tifoultout and Taourirt. Then departure to the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou UNESCO humanity heritage, the most spectacular fortress of Morocco. In the afternoon, departure to Marrakech via Taddert village and Tizin Tichka pass mountain offering a wonderful scenery of the Atlas (2260 m). Arrive at Marrakech, check in hotel

Day 6 : Marrakech – marrakech .
Breakfast, the entire day will be devoted to MARRAKESH's sighseeing, the second oldest Imperial City and definitely the "Pearl of the South". Founded by the Almoravides at the end of the 11th century, You will visit the famous Saadian Tombs, Menara Gardens, Koutoubia mosque, Bahia Palace. continue with sightseeing the souks and the famous Djemaa El Fna square. Tonight dinner in a typical restaurant with a native folklore show Belly dancer, fantasia, acrobats, Return to hotel overnight .

Day 7 : Marrakech – agadir .
Breakfast, Departure Agadir, European styles , enjoy this exceptionnal beach resort , check in at hotel relax and beach day back to hotel diner and overnight

Day 8 : Agdir – agadir .
Agadir is a modern city that blends both Moroccan and European styles. It is well laid out with wide streets low buildings. Most of the hotels sit between the city and the beach. For some Agadir is too modern and functional but it is a spacious city and a marked contrast to more typical cities found in most of Morocco

Day 9 : Agadir – essaouira – casablanca .
Breakfast and depart to Essaouira city tour of Essaouira or Mogador, a city remembering the period where Spain, Portugal and England were combatting to keep the control of its coast. Now, Essaouira is known by its sculpture on thuya wood and yearly festival of Gnaoua : a kind of jazz music that is attended by thousands of people. casablanca through Essaouira stop in El jadida its 15th century Portuguese Medieval Town Unesco humanity heritage, continuation to casablanca , sightseeing tour of CASABLANCA the business capital of the kingdom. From your coach you'll see the Medina, Mohammed V square, United Nations place, the Central Market, the Habbous quarter, the Royal Palace, the residential area of Anfa and outside view of the magnificent Hassan II Mosque and Ain Diab Corniche lined with swimming pools and gastronomic restaurants. Check in at hotel dinner and lodging

Day 10 : Casablanca - departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Assistance with boarding formalities.

For more details about our tours and booking, please send us you e-mail to : info@cap-dunes.com
Please don't forget to give us enough details like number of people, places of interest, your flights details etc. Thank you.