Kasbahs & Camels - a Family Holiday in Morocco (EXFKT)

Duration: 11 days (may vary)
Areas: Morocco
Tour types: Family Adventures, History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife

Description

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
Morocco is often described as the 'Land of Lights' with its dizzying colours and appropriately we start our trail at the Atlas Film Studios - the birthplace of Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia among others. These valleys on the edge of the Atlas Mountains were once the stomping ground of fearsome warlords who controlled the caravan routes into the desert, and we visit two of their kasbahs. Moving on beyond the edge of the Sahara, we gently settle into the desert life as we camp nomad-style under the stars, and perhaps explore the dunes by camel.

INTO THE SAHARA & THE ANTI-ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Pushing deep into the desert wilderness in our 4-wheel-drives, we follow an oasis trail towards the Anti-Atlas range. A mountain track leads us up to the Berber village of Tagoudiche, tucked away in the pink and brown folds of Jebel Lekst mountain. Our village community house in Tagoudiche is an ideal place to soak up the traditional Berber ways and enjoy some spontaneous hospitality - usually with plenty of sweet mint tea and honey snacks! There's also time for some gentle or more demanding mountain walks.

High Atlas & Magic OF MARRAKEcH
Turning north we descend into the Sous Valley past argan trees, orange and olive groves to the historic village of Oueled Berhil for a night in a 19th Century converted kasbah. A final, dramatic drive takes us high over the mighty High Atlas mountains and the Tizi-n-Test pass (2092m) to Marrakech, whose central square, the Djemma el Fna, has been described as the biggest circus in the world. Acrobats, snake-charmers and drummers all join forces with fortune-tellers, jewellers and food sellers in the biggest (and noisiest!) feast of colour you'll ever see. Phew!

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Ouarzazate.

Day 2

In Ouarzazate; visit Atlas Studios and Ait Benhaddou.

Day 3

Drive to Zagora along the Draa Valley; visit market.

Day 4

Option to visit kasbah and date palmery and camel ride on Tinfou dunes. Overnight in desert camp.

Day 5

Sahara desert piste to Tata.

Day 6

Drive into Anti-Atlas range to Tagoudiche.

Day 7

Walks around foothills and village; drive to Tafraoute.

Day 8

Drive to Oueled Berhil.

Day 9

Drive Marrakech over High Atlas.

Day 10

Optional guided walking tour and free time in Marrakech.

Day 11

End Marrakech.