9 DAYS BERBER VILLAGES AND MERZOUGA DESERT TOUR

This varied itinerary allows you to experience the best landscapes Morocco has to offer. The first half of this Morocco desert tour is focused in the stunning Atlas mountain range. You will have the opportunity to climb Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa (4200m). The walk is moderately difficult, but requires no technical skill. The panoramic view of the sunrise from the top is an unforgettable highlight. The second half of the tour will take you down from the mountains, and into the vast Sahara. You will get to experience two of the most famous regions of the Sahara.The semi-arid land of the Zargoza as well as the rolling dunes of the Merzouga desert, located deep in the wilderness. Experience breathtaking desert sunsets, and spend your nights beneath a sandstorm of glittering stars.

• Duration: 9 days
• Destination:  Imlil – Zagora and Merzouga
• Accommodation: Refuge , desert camp and hotels

DAY 1 Marrakech – Azzaden Valley

From Marrakech, you will be transferred to Agersioual in the Atlas mountins for our first day hiking in the Ouirgane National Park. You will meet your guide, the cook and muleteers before ascending through a verdant forest of juniper trees. You will arrive at the Berber Village of Tizan, where you will spend the night. Aprox. 4-5 hrs walking time.

DAY 2 Azzaden valley to Takherkhort Mountain Pass

After breakfast, will set off on our hike up along the Assif n’ait Oussaden valley. We will passing through charming Walnut groves, up to Tizi N’taghrhourte (1995m ). A flat stretch will bring us to Assaka spring, where we will stop for a field picnic in the relaxed surrounds. We will continue along the edge of the forest until we arrive at either the Berber village of D’knt (1870m), or Aouns n’Assoul. Here, we will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a Berber guest house.

DAY 3 T’knt – Tizi N’tagdalte – Azib Tamsoult Hut

The next morning is a charming and rustic hike through walnut groves, and fields of barley and corn. We will pass through the little villages, greeting sheep and herders, women and children of the village. We will cross the Tizi N’tagdalte, taking a path that winds down through Juniper trees. We will have lunch at a small spring nestled between the trees. Another 3hours will take us to a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif n’ait Oussaden. Passing by Tizi Oussem (1850m), we will continue up to the summer village of Tamsoult and stay overnight in a mountain hut.

DAY 4 Azib Tamsoult Hut -Tizi Agelzim- Toubkal Hut

We start the day with a climb up a tough section of winding mule tracks until we reach Tizi Aguelzim (3550m). Another t 3 hours will take us to Toubkal Refuge. This spot marks the spring snowline at 3207m! We will have dinner, and spend the night in the refuge. The accommodation is dorm-style, shared with other hikers tackling the Toubkal summit.

DAY 5 Toubkal Hut up to Toubkal peak then back to Imlil night in Berber guest house

This day begins with an early start for the climb up Toubkal (4,167m) to catch the sunrise from the summit. Weather allowing, you will be able to see over the whole Atlas Range and into the Sahara Desert! After taking in all the splendour and witnessing the first light of the day, we will then return to the village of Imlil. This will be a tough 8-9 hour day of trekking, with a 900m ascent followed by 2,500m of descent. Stay the night in Imlil village.

DAY 6 Imlil – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Zagora

Depart Imlil at 8h00, and enjoy a scenic drive winding down through the Atlas Mountains and over Tizi n’Tichka Pass. We will stop in Ouarzazate for lunch next to the Kasbah of Taourirt. After lunch we will then cross the second pass which is Tizi N’Tnifift at 1710m and Ait Saoun village. This is the old route of ancient caravan traders of the Sahara. Cross otherworldly rocky landscapes until you reach the town of Zagora. This is the native region of Saadian dynasty ruled Morocco in the XVII century. Passing through Tamgroute, you will have the opportunity to explore local handcrafted pottery, before continuing in to see the Tinfou dunes of Zagora. You will be back to Zagora where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in a Zagora hotel.

DAY 7 Zagora – Tansikht – Tazarine – Rissani – Merzouga

After breakfast, you depart from Zagora and visit the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The adventure continues along the valley of Draa as you enter the Anti Atlas. We will stop for lunch and some leisurely time in Alnif. This is a Berber village known for fossils! There is an option to have a guided fossil tour.

After lunch, you will continue to Rissani city, the former capital of the Alawites Sultans. A visit to the city is a great opportunity to learn about the history of Morocco. Afterwards, you

will cross the Erg Chebbi, arriving at the foot of the Merzouga Sahara desert dunes. Take a camel trek over the dunes and witness a fantastic desert sunset. Return to a camp with traditional nomadic tents located in an oasis. Enjoy hearing traditional Berber music, and relax under a star-studded sky.

DAY 8 Merzouga – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges

Watch another starkly different sunrise, this time over a sea of rolling dunes. You can even see the sunrise from the top of one of the highest dunes of Merzouga. Eat a typical breakfast and return to the hostel to take a shower, where you will meet our driver. You leave to Erfoud, another city known for fossils. you will cross the Tafilalt oasis, a short break to see a fascinating and ancient system of irrigation. Enjoy lunch and some free time at the striking Todgha Gorges. In the afternoon, you can visit the former Jewish district in Tineghir city and continue the road towards the Dades valley, better known as the ‘Valley of the Roses’. Explore, Dades Gorges, one of the most beautiful touristic sites in southern Morocco. You will spend the night in a hotel in the heart of Dades gorges.

DAY 9 Dades – Skoura – Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou – Marrakech

After breakfast, you start the tour via the Dades valley with its beautiful landscapes. A rose festival is celebrated each year here, where the air is fragrant with the sweet floral smell. Visit the city of roses called Kelaa Mgouna, a rose festival is celebrated every year in this city, then the fascinating Skoura palm grove at 50km before getting to Ouarzazate. You will continue to Ait Benhaddou village, the fortified ksar with it’s beautiful Kasbahs, Ait Benhaddou has served as a natural decoration for many movies producers since 1960’s. Once you get to Ait Benhaddou village, you will have free time for lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the Kasbah. Afterwards. In the afternoon, you will return back to Marrakech.

What you need for the Mount Toubkal Trek ?

• Sleeping bag for the refuge
• Warm clothes for the summit
• Hat
• Gloves
• Sun Cream
• Trekking poles (Optional)
• Comfortable clothes for Hiking
  
• Sunglasses