Desert magic off the beaten path

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Agadir

  

  Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Accommodation: Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: none OPTION: Ecolodge located in the surrounding mountains of Agadir, about 20 minutes away. Our favorite! Located in the nature reserve of the argan tree forest, this place is an ideal spot to disconnect as soon as you arrive.

• day 2

  Agadir - Taroudant

  

  ROAD TIME - 3h00 Between Agadir and Imouzzer stretches the superb Paradise Valley. A beautiful walk of about 2 hours allows you to discover the valley, cross authentic Berber villages, drink tea with locals and, depending on the season, swim in the gueltas, natural pools formed by the river. Lunch in an inn before getting back on the road to Taroudant, nicknamed "the little Marrakech." The ramparts of Taroudant rise in the heart of the Souss valley, between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas. Over this peaceful city still linger memories of a flourishing past, whether Almohad, Merinid, Saadian, Portuguese or French. Accommodation: Riad with pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 3

  Taroudant - Drâa Valley

  

  ROAD TIME - 4H00 On the agenda for this day: Tazenakht, a center for Berber carpet weaving; Taliouine, a major saffron hub, the red gold of Morocco; before reaching the Drâa Valley. The visit to one of the most beautiful and oldest villages in the valley will be the highlight of this day. Accommodation: Guest house with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner OPTION: Stay in an unusual place, one of our favorites. Located in the palm grove, lodges face the river. A magnificent view, a peaceful environment.

• day 4

  Drâa Valley - Mhamid

  

  ROAD TIME - 3h00 Descent of the valley where a multitude of ksour and kasbahs make the landscape magnificent. Depending on the day of the week, immersion in a rural souk is a highlight, far from the atmosphere of the more touristy souks of the big cities. Authenticity guaranteed! The day continues with the discovery of potters using ancestral techniques. The library of the Koranic school is worth a stop. With its 4,000 works, it is one of the richest Koranic libraries in North Africa. At the end of the day, arrival in Mhamid, the last village before the desert. Accommodation: Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 5

  Mhamid - Chegaga

  

  ROAD TIME - 2h00 After breakfast, we take the track leading to the Chegaga erg for a day in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. About 40 km long and 15 km wide, this erg, with some dunes reaching nearly 300 m high, is the largest in Morocco. Lunch at the camp and free afternoon to fully enjoy this sea of sand, so very rejuvenating. Possibility to take a camel or quad ride in the dunes (at extra cost). Don't miss the sunset. A magical moment. Accommodation: Bivouac located in the heart of the dunes. The camp consists of a large caidal tent for meals, private tents for the night, and shared sanitary facilities. Evenings end around a campfire, to the rhythm of Sahrawi music. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner OPTION: more intimate luxury bivouac, private bathroom in each tent.

• day 6

  Chegaga - Foum Zguid

  

  TRAVEL TIME - 3h00 on the track Continuation of the previous day's track, following the traces of the Paris-Dakar. Crossing a sandy area before reaching Lake Iriki, now dried up. Frequent mirages. The last part of the track, stony and quite bumpy, leads to Foum Zguid. Lunch at the hotel and free afternoon by the pool. Accommodation: Hotel with pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 7

  Forum Zguid - Tafraoute

  

  ROAD TIME - 4h30 We travel along the Djebel Bani and its vast arid plains. During the transhumance period, it is not uncommon to come across caravans of dromedaries in this environment reminiscent of the African savannah. At 1200 m altitude, arrival in Tafraoute, capital of the Ammeln (a tribe renowned for their commercial skills and business sense). Bucolic walk through the typical villages of the valley. Visit of an old traditional Berber house, whose patriarch will passionately tell you its history, customs, and traditions. Accommodation: Guest house located a few kilometers from Tafraoute, at the foot of the Ammeln valley. From the terrace, extraordinary view of the valley. Authentic family accommodation. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• day 8

  Tafraoute - Id Aïssa

  

  ROAD TIME - 2h30 Along a road revealing an exceptional itinerary, arrival in a canyon where 300 families still live. This place is our favorite spot, with Olympian calm, where you will have every opportunity to meet the locals, understand their way of life, etc. An authentic day and, we hope... unforgettable. Walk through the gorges to the spring and its retention basin, where you can swim in the natural pools formed by the river. On the way back, a short climb to visit an Agadir (an old fortified granary that also served as a refuge in case of threat), admirably preserved and perched on a rocky peak. No major difficulty for this walk, but it is necessary to be in good physical condition. Accommodation: Charming guest house located in the heart of the village. From the terrace, breathtaking view of the canyon. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• day 9

  Id Aissa - Mirleft

  

  TRAVEL TIME - 3h00 We head to the Atlantic coast. Walk in Sidi Ifni, a former Spanish enclave where time seems to have stood still. Lunch by the sea and a walk with your feet in the water at Legzira and its natural arch. Accommodation: Small family hotel by the sea, not far from Mirleft (swimming pool). Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• day 10

  Mirleft - Agadir

  

  ROAD TIME - 2h30 A beautiful coastal road leads us to Tiznit, a major center of silversmithing. A stop at the silver jewelry souk often delights our travelers. Continue to Agadir. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon. For this last day, depending on everyone's wishes, you can enjoy the seaside resort, take a trip to the souk for some last souvenir shopping if desired, or treat yourself to a wellness break with hammam and massage. Accommodation: Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast

• day 11

  Agadir

  

  Day dedicated to your airport transfer.