Charms of Southern Morocco – 10 Days

Paul Bowles described Fez as a “enchanted labyrinth sheltered from time.” Thus, this day is dedicated to exploring this mysterious city. Visit Fez with the support of a guide dedicated exclusively to this city, allowing you to get to know it in depth: its nooks and crannies, traditions, tales, and history.

Fez was once the capital of Morocco and has influences from the Fatimids, Andalusians, Arabs, Berbers, and even Jews. The city reached its peak in the 13th century, becoming a hub of knowledge and home to one of the oldest universities in the world.

You will have the opportunity to visit the city’s most culturally and historically significant landmarks. A highlight is the Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest educational institution in the world capable of issuing diplomas, according to UNESCO.

You will also have the opportunity to visit various Quranic schools, where you can see some of the finest examples of Moroccan decorative craftsmanship.

Middle Atlas

In the morning, we will depart to visit the Cedar forests, where you will be captivated by the spectacular native nature. The environment is calm, clear, and filled with the aromas of nature.

On our journey, we will make a brief stop in Midelt, a small town between the High and Middle Atlas, an exceptional location to observe the lush mountainous landscape. During our journey, you may encounter monkeys and other animals typical of these forests.

Ziz Valley

We will reach the vast and fertile Ziz Valley, one of the largest oases in the world, where dates cultivated here are unique in size and flavor.

Here, you will be warmly welcomed, as only the Moroccans can do. Hospitality is an ancient art with deep cultural roots in Morocco.

There are various activities to enjoy here, such as a Moroccan cooking workshop with local products, walking through the palm tree forest along the river to the old Ksares, participating in the making of traditional Moroccan carpets, getting henna tattoos, and listening to and dancing to traditional Berber music.

In this genuinely calm setting, there is a feeling that time has suspended. The peace of being in this palm grove feels like being in the desert, yet surrounded by lush and harmonious nature.

Everything you eat here is entirely organic and comes from the palm grove itself, which Moroccan women turn into a true “feast of flavors.”

We will spend the night in a Riad in this fertile and magical place.

On the way to the Merzouga Desert, we will pass through Erfoud. Nearby, there are fossil excavation sites where various trilobite fossils, among other primitive species, have been found. This shows that the Sahara desert’s soil was once, long ago, the bottom of an ocean. Here, you can also view an exhibition of original fossils.

In the afternoon, we will visit Rissani, once the capital of Morocco. Rissani has a famous souk where you can buy a variety of local handcrafted items at local prices—an authentic, less touristy location. Take the opportunity to try the traditional Berber pizza, still made using ancient methods.

In the late afternoon, embark on a camel ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes, lasting about an hour, until you reach the Berber tent where you will spend the night. The colors of the sunset over the dunes are a delight for photography enthusiasts.

There, dinner will be served, followed by live traditional music around a campfire. This music, based on drums and guitars, is immersive and captivating. Then, you will experience the impressive and magical absolute silence of the desert, inviting introspection. The sky is clear, filled with stars. It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience!

Start the day heading to the deepest desert, where you will have the opportunity to meet nomadic people and discover the hidden charms of southern Morocco.

During the day, you can enjoy various activities in the desert, such as:

• Sports (sandboarding, hiking, yoga);
• Quad bike rides through the dunes;
• Moroccan cooking workshops.

Next, we will visit the nomadic people’s settlement of Khamlia, a remote village where the original Gnawa people live, who were originally brought from Sudan as slaves. There, you can enjoy their music, lifestyle, culture, and traditions. Discover life in the heart of the Sahara. You will have the opportunity to meet a local family, have lunch with them, and share their customs.

We will continue along the off-road tracks. Along the way, you may see small oases and villages, cross dunes, and drive freely across the plains.

We will reach Ramlia, a remote village in the desert, where you can witness authentic rural Moroccan life and meet the local people living in this oasis.

In the evening, after a delicious dinner, enjoy the night in this magnetic and mystical place.

Zagora

In the morning, we will head to Zagora, passing through the Anti-Atlas and the Berber villages of Agdz and the singing Draa valley with its vast palm groves, some of the largest in Morocco.

For centuries, Zagora was an important stop for caravans traveling from Marrakech and crossing the Sahara Desert to reach Timbuktu, Mali. This route is known as the “Salt Trail”. The wealth of many Moroccan sultans came from these caravans, which transported dates, silver, gold, slaves, handicrafts, and, of course, salt.

Astronomy Workshop

In the evening, an astronomical experience is scheduled, where you can observe the stars through professional telescopes. This workshop takes place on the rooftop of a hotel with a 500m² area, offering a 360º panoramic view and is led by a renowned German astronomer. Located south of +30° latitude, this spot allows for the observation of southern hemisphere constellations that are not visible from central or northern Europe.

For most of the year, the sky remains clear, with no clouds and a complete absence of light pollution.

Anti-Atlas

In the morning, we will depart for Taroudant, a city in southern Morocco, nicknamed “Little Marrakech” or “Grandmother of Marrakech” due to its resemblance to a smaller version of Marrakech, with its walls and the lively Assarag square. It is mainly known for its commerce, its walls, the best-preserved in Morocco, and its profusion of gardens, which occupy more space than the houses.

On the way, we will pass through the Anti-Atlas mountains to Talioulin, the main point on the saffron route. This is also the natural habitat of argan trees, making the area famous for its argan oil production, known for its therapeutic use.

We will arrive in Taroudant, an ancient medieval city with a traditional center, sometimes invaded by desert sands. The film Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves was filmed in the city’s palm grove in 1954.

In addition to Berber crafts and silver objects, the city of Taroudant is famous for its tannery. Around 40 artisans work the hides of sheep, goats, and other animals.

On the way, we may take refreshing moments at the Paradise Valley, located near Agadir, a gorge surrounded by palm trees with small lagoons and crystal-clear waterfalls, a hidden treasure where you can relax and take a bath.

Taghazout is a popular destination among surfers and yoga practitioners due to its laid-back atmosphere and famous waves and paradise beaches. The streets of this village are narrow and colorful, ideal for calmly exploring local life, cafes, and small shops.

In the evening, take the opportunity to walk by the sea and watch the sunset on the horizon.

An artistic city

In the morning, we will head towards Essaouira, one of the most charming cities on Morocco’s coast and a multicultural artistic hub that captivated people like Jimi Hendrix, Orson Welles, and Bob Marley. With a maritime aroma that constantly invades the corners of its medina, Essaouira stands out for its urban life, culture, and gastronomy, based on fresh fish and the use of argan oil.

This coastal area, since the time when Carthage was an empire, has always been considered one of the best anchorage sites in the North African Atlantic. The first significant commercial activities date back to the 11th century, but it was in 1506 that the city would witness one of the most important pages of its history when it was conquered by the Portuguese, who built the fort that still stands today and named the city Mogador.

Its Medina was built in the 18th century and is one of the few in the world that had actual architectural planning. It was at this time that the city was named Essaouira, which literally means “the beautifully designed.” Today, the city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the chosen location for most Moroccan visual artists.

In the evening, enjoy a dinner of fresh fish accompanied by live music. There is a wide range of restaurants that daily host musical groups of various styles: blues, jazz, rock, world music, etc.

Enjoy the day in Essaouira, and in the afternoon, we will head towards Marraquexe.

We suggest ending the day with a dinner at the fantastic Jamaa el Fna square, where the mix of smells, music, and performances is intoxicating, and where tourists and locals often dine side by side. All of Moroccan urban culture is represented here, and you can find Gnawa or Arabic music musicians, belly dancers, snake charmers, and new shows every night.

During the day, you will be accompanied by a guide dedicated solely to Marrakech, ensuring that you get the most out of what this city has to offer. Explore its history and the fantasy and surprise atmosphere that Marrakech always holds.

The monuments to visit are numerous, among which the following stand out:

Koutoubia Mosque: Without a doubt, the most famous and most photographed monument in Marrakech. The Koutoubia Mosque was built in the 12th century and served as a model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.

Bahia Palace: This beautiful 19th-century extravagant palace was built to be the best of Marrakech. The palace features a large garden, a central courtyard, and several rooms exquisitely decorated with works by artisans brought specifically from Fez.

Saadian Tombs: These 16th-century tombs were commissioned by Ahmad al-Mansur and house the remains of about 60 members of the Saadian Dynasty from the Draa River valley, further south. Interestingly, the tombs were only discovered in 1917. They are one of the most visited monuments in Marrakech.

Palais Dar Bacha, or Musée de Confluences: A marvelous example of Arab architecture. It also features a very special café where you can enjoy coffees from all around the world in a charming atmosphere.

Transfer to the departure airport in Marrakech.

Safe travels, leaving with a heart full of memories and enchanted by this magical country!