Morocco Off The Beaten Track Tour – 10 Days

Venture on a unique Morocco itinerary of 10 days through the wild regions of the Sahara and the Anti-Atlas of Morocco. Deviating from the beaten track to uncover hidden treasures. Explore the best of southern Morocco, navigating the rugged terrain of the Sahara and discovering the intriguing stretches of Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi. Here, the spirit is captured by Morocco’s highest dunes, offering a serene escape from tourist crowds. Immerse yourself in the authentic Berber culture by indulging in local specialties and sleeping in traditional Berber camps under the starry sky. Right in the heart of Morocco’s interesting wilderness.

Discover the mysterious Ait Mansour valley and the historic granaries of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, creating lifelong memories. Exploring the Sahara and Anti-Atlas of Morocco off the beaten track. It provides an incredibly unique and immersive experience, showcasing the best Morocco has to offer. You’ll travel far from the usual tourist paths and uncover hidden gems in this vast and charming desert. Begin your Morocco itinerary of 10 days by starting from the bustling city of Marrakech, a popular tourist destination. And head toward the less traveled areas of the Sahara and Anti-Atlas. As you venture deeper into the desert, you’ll encounter pristine sand dunes, some of which may have never seen human foot traffic. The enormous dunes in this surreal and quite scenery invite exploration.

Next, journey to the secluded and unspoiled Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Home to beautiful scenery including gorges, canyons, Berber granaries, and lesser known oases. Discover the customs and way of life of the hospitable Berber population as you walk through ancient villages and engage with locals. This unconventional journey promises a singular, genuine Moroccan experience. Combining cultural immersion with the natural beauty of Morocco off the beaten track.

On the first day of your Morocco off the beaten track tour, we’ll depart from the vibrant city of Marrakech, heading towards the High Atlas Mountains. As you ascend the scenic Tizi N’tichka pass, marvel at the dramatic landscapes and picturesque Berber villages dotting the hillsides. Our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient fortified village known for its stunning kasbahs and captivating history. After exploring this remarkable site, we’ll continue to Ouarzazate, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Sahara Desert.”

Here, we’ll have the chance to visit the iconic Taourirt Kasbah and perhaps the renowned Atlas Film Studios, before settling in for the night in this charming desert city.

On the second day, we’ll leave Ouarzazate and journey towards the picturesque Bou Tharar Valley, an area renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant Berber culture. As you traverse this beautiful region, you’ll have the unique opportunity to visit nomadic families, gaining insights into their traditional way of life and hospitality. Continuing your adventure, we’ll head to the beautiful Dades Valley, often called the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” known for its dramatic rock formations and lush greenery. You’ll spend the night in a charming guesthouse in the Dades Valley, surrounded by the natural beauty and tranquility of this remarkable region.

On the third day, your Morocco off the beaten track journey begins in the beautiful Dades Valley as you head towards the spectacular Todra Gorges, renowned for their towering limestone cliffs and breathtaking scenery. After exploring the gorges, you’ll continue through the desert landscape to the historic town of Rissani, the last stop before the vast Sahara. Here, you can visit the local market and learn about the region’s rich history. Your adventure then takes you to Merzouga, the gateway to the iconic Erg Chebbi Dunes. As the sun sets, you’ll venture on a camel ride across the golden dunes, culminating in an unforgettable night under the stars in a traditional desert camp, experiencing the magic of the Sahara.

On the fourth day, wake up to a stunning sunrise over the Erg Chebbi Dunes in Merzouga before heading to the nearby village of Khamlia, renowned for its Gnawa music and rich cultural heritage. Enjoy a musical performance and immerse yourself in the local traditions. Continue your journey through the desert landscape to the remote village of Ramlia, where you’ll experience the untouched beauty of the Sahara. Your final destination for the day is Tafraoute Sidi Ali, a tranquil oasis where you can relax and unwind in the serene surroundings. Spend the night in a charming guesthouse, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of this hidden gem in the Moroccan desert.

We will continue through our off-road trails. You will be surprised by the small, traditional villages that you will visit. This is part of the famous Paris Dakar road. We can stop and spend some time in the traditional communities and in the inhabited oases, when we make local friends and share experiences. During the day you can take a walk in the dunes alone or accompanied by our guide. You will spend the evening in the heart of the oasis of Draa. Dinner and accommodation in Zagora.

The adventure today will take you on an exploration of the desert and cultural immersion tour. You will travel south toward Tamegroute from Zagora, a village in Morocco that is tucked away on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Famous for its centuries-old pottery customs, this medieval community is also home to the prestigious Zaouia Naciria Library, which houses an amazing collection of antiquated manuscripts. On your way further, you will stop in Ksar Nesrate, a lesser-known gem that offers an insight into rural Moroccan life with its typical mud-brick architecture and peaceful environment. From there, your Morocco off the beaten track journey takes you farther into the desert and across more difficult terrain until you arrive at Erg Chigaga, a wide stretch of sand dunes that perfectly captures the unadulterated splendor of the Sahara.

Here, among the tall golden sand dunes, you will experience a stunning sunset that turns the surrounding desert into an orange and gold canvas, leaving you in awe. A really immersive experience, camping beneath the stars and in the stillness of the desert allows you to connect with the ancient rhythms of the Sahara and appreciate the wild beauty of the natural world. Overnight in Luxury desert camp.

On the seventh day of your off-the-beaten-path tour, you leave Erg Chigaga and say goodbye to the magnificent Saharan sand dunes. Traveling through the expansive Lake Iriki, a seasonal salt flat set in the middle of the desert, is part of the experience. The infinite horizon creates a bizarre background for your investigation here. You will come across nomadic tribes as you travel across the difficult terrain, and you might even spot some animals that has adapted to live in the harsh desert. If you keep going, you’ll eventually reach the isolated settlement of Foum Zguid, which is encircled by craggy mountains and barren plains. Travelers visiting the area should not miss Foum Zguid, which is a must-visit place despite its remote location and provides an intriguing look into traditional Berber life.

Your Morocco Off the beaten track comes to an end when you arrive at Tata, a quaint oasis town encircled by views of the desert and sheltered by palm groves. Here, you may relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere while thinking back on the breathtaking vistas and cultural experiences that have shaped your off-the-beaten-path exploration of Morocco’s desert wilderness.

This day’s adventure begins in Tata and takes you through the beautiful Ait Mansour Valley, where lush palm groves and jagged mountains combine to create an exquisite tapestry of natural beauty. You will be spellbound by the utter majesty of the towering cliffs and the peace of the serene oases scattered across this gorgeous area as you travel through it. Proceeding straight ahead, you will reach the well-known Painted Rocks of Jean Vérame close to Tafraoute. The striking contrast between these distinctive geological structures and the desert backdrop, embellished in vivid pink, crimson, and blue hues, creates an eerie and fascinating image.

You will be taken to a realm where art and nature coexist together as you examine these fascinating works of art carved into the organic canvas; the experience will remain seared in your memory. After a day full of breathtaking natural treasures, you’ll find yourself immersed in the beauty of Tafraoute, a Berber village surrounded by rocky mountains and rich in cultural legacy. Tafraoute makes the ideal backdrop for introspection and relaxation as you wind down after your excursion. Dinner and overnight in Tafraoute.

After breakfast, we continue our Morocco experience through Taroudant called the “little Marrakech” because of the vast, intact city walls surrounding it. Taroudant is also famous for its silver jewellery. It is here that you spend the night after crossing the mountain roads along slopes full of argane trees. Enclosed within red-ochre ramparts and encircled by orchards, orange groves and olive trees, Taroudant has all the appeal of an old Moroccan fortified town. It was occupied by the Almoravids in 1056 and in the 16th century became the capital of the Saadians, who used it as a base from which to attack the Portuguese in Agadir.

Although the Saadians eventually chose Marrakech as their capital, they made Taroudant wealthy through the riches of the Souss plain, which included sugar cane, cotton, rice and indigo. Dinner and overnight in Taroudant.

After breakfast in Taroudant we drive back to Marrakech via Tizi N’Test pass that was built by the French in the 1930s. After admiring lanscapes of the Tizi N’Test, we will drive 1h20 to reach and visit Tin Mal Mosque in an isolated setting at the foot of the Atlas, it is the last remaining sign of the Almohad conquest in the 12th century. Tin Mal, once a fortified holy town, was founded by the theologian Ibn Toumart in 1125. From here, he fomented a holy war against the Almoravids and was recognized as a religious leader by the Berber tribes of the High Atlas. Lunch might be in Ijoukak before reaching Marrakech at the late evening. Dinner and accommodation on your own.