2008
High Atlas Safari
Exploring one of Morocco's most beautiful regions by four wheel drive vehicle allowing an 'off the beaten track' opportunity of seeing the breathtaking sights of the Sahara and the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs'.
Our opinion
A great adventure offering something a little different, suitable for the intrepid or those in search of a little fun, with a night spent in a traditional Bedouin camp.
Escorted
ESCORTED: High Atlas Safari is accompanied by a local driver guide from Day 2 to Day 8.
Itinerary
- Marrakech: 2 nights
- Ouarzazate: 1 night
- Tinfou Desert Camp: 1 night
- Tinghir: 1 night
- Ouarzazate: 1 night
- Marrakech: 1 night
- Optional: Essaouira, Marrakech
Day 1 London/Marrakech
Fly British Airways from Gatwick. On arrival transfer to your hotel for dinner enjoying your first night at leisure. Though such a short flight to Marrakech the city seems a thousand miles away, rich in culture and steeped in history. In the morning explore the old town or medina and its renowned labyrinthine alleyways, visiting the famous Medersa, the 16th century Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque. Visit some of the souks including a herb stall rich in aromas that rise in the late afternoon heat. Attend a fascinating presentation of medicinal plants, herbs and spices used in Moroccan cuisine. The highlight of any trip to the medina is the first walk into Djemma El Fna, or ‘place of the dead’, one of the greatest spectacles in Africa with traders coming to sell food from temporary stalls, fresh fruit juices from surrounding orchards, story tellers, snake charmers and acrobats. Overnight at Atlas Medina or similar.
Day 3 Marrakech/Atlas Mountains/Ouarzazate
Depart Marrakech for the imperious Atlas Mountains by four-wheel drive vehicle. It is not until you reach the high mountain passes that one really appreciates the proximity of the mountains to Marrakech, that appear over a seemingly endless desert plain. Colourful Berber villages sprout from rocky hillsides throughout the high mountain passes, relying on the occasional passing trade and local markets or souks.Visit the kasbah of the Glaouis at Telouet. Whilst not an ancient site the Kasbah remains one of the most important in Morocco’s history. During the terrible winter of 1893 Moulay Hassan stranded here with an army of 3,000, was well taken care of by the Glaoui brothers who were rewarded with political power in the south. They soon became the most powerful people in the region. Whilst breathtaking much of the adobe structure has disintegrated but remains a fascinating sight. Continue to the Ksar of Ait Bennhaddou and view a UNESCO World Heritage site from a distance, this collection of kasbahs has inspired painters and photographers for years. On reaching Ouarzazate, enjoy a well deserved dinner at your hotel. Overnight at Berbere Palace or similar.
Day 4 Ouarzazate/Tinfou
Heading south today from Ouarzazate a paved road meanders 120 miles to the desert town of Zagora. En route enjoy the exceptional scenery of the Drâa Valley. Rich with intense cultivation the green valley cuts a broad and verdant band through the surrounding desertscape. Dotted along the valley are red adobe kasbahs and colourful Berber villages. Beyond Zagora, the road continues another 55 miles to the Saharan dunes at Tinfou. Tonight enjoy an overnight in a Bedouin Camp. (The Bedouin Camp is traditional with no single accommodation. Twin tents will be divided by a screen).
Day 5 Tinfou/Tinghir
Traverse the Tadraft Mountains en route to Tinghir, close to Todra Gorge the Dades Valley is home to the ‘Road of a Thousand kasbahs’ along which you’ll see a number of beautiful fortified villages or Ksars and the oasis at Tinghir. Accommodation tonight will be in a beautiful and authentic kasbah. Overnight Hotel Tomboctou.
Day 6 Tinghir/Ouarzazate
Explore the multicoloured Todra Gorge and the Dadès Valley along the ‘kasbah trail’ westbound to Ouarzazate. The Dades Valley is one of the most rugged and desolate landscapes in the southern region, broken by Berber villages, oases and the occasional mirage. Along the way you will have time to visit a local Berber carpet souk. Overnight at Berbere Palace or similar.
Day 7 Ouarzazate/Marrakech
Returning to Marrakech today, journey over the high Tizi n’ Tichka pass, the highest vehicular pass in Morocco offering top of the world views. A monument to the work completed by the Foreign Legion the road pass runs through the full range of Atlas environments, from the Haouz plains, through the verdant foothills of the Oued Zat, to the barren peaks of the Atlas and the arid regions around Ouarzazate. Approximately a half day drive, road conditions permitting, you’ll have an afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Atlas Medina or similar.
Day 8 Marrakech/London
Return to Gatwick with British Airways or extend your stay in the Sofitel Mogador, Essaouira
