8 Days in South Morocco

Day 1 : Marrakech

Today you will arrive in Marrakech and be met at the airport by Happy Sahara staff. We will take you to your riad and make sure you are settled and have some clear, orientation information to get your started.

The day is at leisure, depending on when you arrive and how much time you have. When we are planning your trip, we will discuss options for you on this day so you can use your time well.

Day 2 : Marrakech

Today you will have a local city guide meet you at your riad for 9 am to get started on a private city tour. This is a walking tour that will get to some of the highlights of Marrakech and give you a nice overview and history of this very important city.

Your guide will happily discuss culture and religion with you should you have questions and you will come away with a great insight into this strange ancient city and the medina (old town).

In the afternoon you are free to explore Jardin Majorelle or to venture into Gueliz (the new town) for some shops and galleries.

Or perhaps you are longing for a hammam? We can help you with that too.

Day 3 : Marrakech. Ouzoud Falls. Bin El Ouidane

Today you will depart from Marrakech and have a 3 hour drive towards the Atlas mountains, crossing vast olive plantations to get to the amazing Ouzoud Waterfalls.

Once at Ouzoud Falls you can view the falls from the top, and then walk down to the bottom for further viewing and a walk along the riverbed. Have lunch and enjoy this amazing site.

Then you will have just one hour further drive to reach to Bin El Ouidane where you will relax in your hotel with a view of the largest lake in the area. Dinner is included tonight and prepared by your hosts.

Day 4 : Bin El Ouidane. Ait Bougamez. Roses Valley.

Today you will be fully immersed in the life of southern Morocco. After an amazing 2 hour drive from your lake stop, you will be in Happy Valley, or Ait Bougamez, where you can enjoy some hiking in this unspoiled natural environment. See the apple groves, wildlife, locals tending to their crops and their animals.

After lunch in Happy Valley you will be taken by 4×4 on an off road adventure to your stop for tonight in the Roses Valley at Gite, Bed down for the night in their traditional and cosy guesthouse.

Day 5 : Roses Valley. Dades Valley. Todgha Gorge. Sahara Desert

After your breakfast, you will head off eastbound for more fun and exploring. Drive along the Dades Valley and on into Todgha Gorge for a hike along the riverbed and a glance or two up with the 350 m sheer rock face walls.

Next stop will be at El Khorabat for lunch inside a real kasbah and a chance to visit their Berber museum.

After lunch you will drive to the Sahara Desert where you will join your camels for a trek into your desert camp and a chance to watch the sunset over the dunes before enjoying a delicious meal and some drum music around the camp fire. (weather permitting).

Day 6 : Merzouga. Nkob Ouasis. Draa Valley. Skoura

After rising with the sun and meeting up with your car again, you’ll head west, running parallel to the mountains, along the valleys and oasis of the south, the capital of dates and of fossils, with stops to explore.

Enjoy lunch in Nkob Oasis and then cross the Draa Valley for your home tonight in the small but beautiful town of Skoura.

Day 7 : Skoura. Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Tizi n Tichka. Marrakech

Today will be an eventful day of driving from Skoura to your first stop at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Best known as a back drop for numerous modern movies and TV shows, you will have a chance to explore this well preserved kasbah and its winding alleyways.

After lunch and time to explore, you will be headed up and over the High Atlas Mountains and treated to some of the most amazing views in all of Morocco. Climb to 2160 m at the highest pass in Africa, Tizi n Tichka, and then descend down into the valley where Marrakech lies waiting for your return.

Enjoy a final evening of fine food and accommodation before your departure tomorrow.

Departure Day

transfer to Marrakech airport is included. We are happy to make arrangements for Casablanca airport transfer with advance notice. It is a 3 hour drive from Marrakech to reach the airport in Casablanca.