Kasbah Trail Tour
If you are looking to travel to Morocco, why not take a 14 day tour into the real Morocco, along the Kasbah Trail. Experience genuine Moroccan culture, and meet locals living in remote villages. This tour combines spectacular landscapes and rich history: the heart of Morocco.
Your tour begins in Marrakech and heads to the Dades valley, then across the High Atlas mountains with its’ fascinating landscapes and Berber villages. Continuing South you will arrive at the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, probably the most celebrated, filmed and photographed Kasbah in Morocco.
Next day you will pass through the Todra Gorge, a narrow corridor with dramatic cliffs, panoramic views, and mud houses; and take a camel ride across the sand dunes to a Bedouin camp, where you will spend the night in the immense silence of the desert. You will meet nomads in the Hamada “black desert”, learn about the culture and local environment, before visiting the fortified town of Taroudant, home to the breathtaking Kasbah Gate. And so much more awaits…
Day 1:
Airport – Marrakech
You will be met at the airport for the short journey to Marrakech Medina, and your riad. Depending on your arrival time there may be an opportunity to explore some of the local shops and experience your first glass of mint tea.
Overnight at your riad.
Day 2:
Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Dades Valley
After breakfast, we set off for the Dades valley. We cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, which at an altitude of 2260m (7417ft), is the highest pass in Morocco. You will enjoy amazing views of this fascinating landscape and the Berber villages. Continuing south we arrive at the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, probably the most celebrated, filmed and photographed Kasbah in Morocco. Featured in numerous films (including Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky and Gladiator), it is the best-preserved Kasbah in Morocco, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight in a hotel in the Dades Valley.
Day 3:
Dades Valley – Todra Gorge – Merzouga
Leaving Dades we travel through Todra Gorge, a narrow corridor with sheer cliffs 300m (985ft) high rising up dramatically on each side. These are the most impressive cliffs in southern Morocco, and they are well known to experienced mountaineers. In Todra Valley you will have a panoramic view of the surrounding area containing old mud houses. Passing through villages like Tinjdad, Mallaab and Touroug we arrive in Merzouga late afternoon to be welcomed with a glass of mint tea.
Overnight in a hotel or riad.
Day 4:
Merzouga region/camel ride
Today you will explore some of the Merzouga villages before your camel ride. After breakfast we will take a short drive to Dayet Srji, a small lake which has a large and diverse bird population. From there we will visit the village of Khamlia to experience the music and life of the Gnaoua, descended from slaves brought to Morocco from Mali, Mauritania, Guinea and Ghana. Lunch will be with a local family in the village. In the afternoon a camel ride will take you across the sand dunes to a Bedouin camp, where you will spend the night experiencing the immensity and silence of the desert.
Day 5:
Sahara sightseeing / tea with local nomads
Waking up early you will be able to watch the sunrise, a spectacular sight. Before leaving the Sahara desert behind, you will meet nomads in the Hamada “black desert” and take tea in their tent. You will learn about the culture and local environment and experience a little more of the real Morocco. After lunch, you will have some free time, perhaps to try out a quad bike in the Sahara.
Overnight in a hotel or riad.
Day 6:
Merzouga – Rissani – Alnif – Zagora
After breakfast we travel north to the small town of Rissani, built close to the ruins of Sijilmassa, and once a major stopping place on the trans-Saharan caravan routes. The Rissani Souk is one of the most famous in the area, and takes place on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. We will arrange a visit if your tour coincides with these days. Leaving Rissani behind, we will travel west along the Draa Valley – the longest in Morocco – and home to many Berber Kasbahs. Arriving in Zagora, your accommodation will be in a hotel or riad.
Day 7:
Zagora – Tamagroute – Draa Valley – Ouarzazate
After breakfast we travel south to the town of Tamegroute, a centre of religious learning since the 11th century. A collection of priceless manuscripts is displayed in the Koranic Library, and there is an interesting Islamic bookshop you can visit. Tamagroute is well-known for its green glazed hand-made pottery, and you can watch the traditional pots and dishes being made by local craftsmen, and browse for souvenirs. Travelling back along the Draa Valley, we pass through Agdz, crossing the desert plateau of Jbel Tifernine, and arrive in Ouarazate.
Overnight in a hotel or riad.
Day 8:
Ouarzazate – Taliouine – Taroudand
We start the morning with a visit to the Taourirt Kasah, an old Glaoui palace partially restored by UNESCO. Following the road to Taroudante, we pass through the towns of Tazenakht and Taliouine. Taliouine. At an altitude of 1180m (3873ft), this is the centre of the world’s biggest saffron-growing area, a plant that grows at altitudes of 1200-2000m. We will visit a saffron cooperative, where you can learn about its many uses. In the late afternoon we arrive in the old fortified town of Taroudant, known as the “Grandmother of Marrakech”.
Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 9:
Taroudant sightseeing
Today you will explore the peaceful and interesting town of Taroudant. We will visit the Kasbah Gate, walk in the alleys of the Medina where you will discover the souks and the tannery. After lunch in the main square, you will have free time to walk along the ramparts, take a tour in a horse-drawn carriage, or relax with a drink as the sun sets over the Sous Plain.
Overnight at your guesthouse.
Day 10:
Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira
After breakfast, we head west to the coast and towards Agadir, where we will stop to take in the panoramic view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Following the picturesque coastal road we pass through Tamanar, the capital of the Argan industry, and arrive in Essaouira, “a pearl in the Atlantic”.
Overnight in a riad.
Day 11:
Essaouira sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the ramparts called the Skala, one of Essaouira’s main attractions. You will also see the Mellah , the former Jewish quarter, and the Medina The pedestrianised Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful arts and crafts to be found, including objects carved out of local Thuya wood. You can sample fresh local fish for lunch. In the afternoon you will have free time to walk around the Main Square and Medina, enjoy a mint tea in one of the local cafés and explore the Atlantic-facing sandy beach.
Overnight at a riad/guesthouse.
Day 12:
Essaouira – Marrakech
After breakfast in Essaouira we leave for Marrakech. En route you will see many Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. You may also see local goats perched in the trees feeding on the fruit and leaves. At the women’s Co-operative of Argan Oil, you will learn about the wide ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines. After lunch in the new city of Marrakech, you will check in to your riad in the Medina. In the afternoon you may choose to explore the famous Jemma el Fna square with its fortune tellers, snake charmers, acrobats and musicians.
Overnight at a riad in the heart of the old Medina.
Day 13:
Marrakech sightseeing
Your local guide will take you to see the historic sites of Marrakech, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Jemma el Fna square, the souks of the Medina, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the famous Ben Youssef Medersa. In the afternoon your private driver/guide will take you to visit the Majorelle and Menara gardens. You will have dinner in a local restaurant and stay overnight at your riad.
Day 14
Marrakech – Airport
Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity for that last minute shopping before we collect you for your transfer to the airport.
Contact Us
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