Berbere, a return to origins
Discover one of the cradles of Humanity on a journey from north to south of exotic Morocco. A true immersion and discoveries: colours, smells, flavours, music, cuisine and architecture.
An incredible opportunity to discover the deepest Moroccan Sahara and enjoy the beautiful, almost unknown nature.
- Private tour with Berber guide speaking portuguese, spanish or english.
- Breakfast and dinner included in the desert.
- Accommodation in haimas (nomadic tents) with themed dinner.
- Accommodation in riads and hotels with breakfast and dinner included.
- Visit to the Valley of Fossils and UNESCO Heritage Sites.
- Visit to argan oil and carpet cooperatives.
Recommended months for this tour: from September to May
Route description
Day 1 - Marrakech – Reception and guided tour
After reception at the hotel/riad, start this journey through the enigmatic Marrakech with a guided tour that will take you to the best of the city: Almedina, the UNESCO Cultural Heritage medina, Jaama El Fna Square and its souks, Madrasa Ben Youssef, Le Jardin Secret.
Tour duration: 5 hours approx.
Day 2 - Marrakech – DAY FREE
Free day in the city to enjoy more of its architecture, monuments, museums and culture.
Take the opportunity to get lost at the medina, negotiate with local merchants, have a fresh orange juice or the famous thé à la menthe (mint tea) and delight in the dried fruits of the famous Jemaa El Fna square.Some tour suggestions to make your day even more attractive are: Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, Badi Palace, Saadies Tombs or a panoramic hot air balloon ride.
Day 3 - Departure from Marrakech to Ouarzazate
Departure from the hotel/riad at 8:30 am to the city of Ouarzazate.
On the way, stops are scheduled to register the beautiful landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and visit the Berber town of Télouet and its famous 18th century Kasbah. Following the Ounila Valley, a special tour of the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.
Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been the setting for several movie productions such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Gladiator”, “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “Game of Thrones”.
Before arriving at the destination for the day, a stop to discover the cooperative of women weavers in the desert and their beautiful tapestry.
In magnificent Ouarzazate, we recommend a visit to the city and an extra tour to get to know the biggest movie studios in Africa: Atlas Studio and CLA Studio.
Day 4 - Departure from Ouazazate to Zagora
After breakfast, we suggest another tour of Ouazazate and visit to the kasbah of Taourirt.
The trip follows the scenic National Road 9, in the Drâa-Tafilalet valley, crossing the top of Tizi´n-Tinififft at 1690 meters of altitude. During this route, small kasbahs and towns can be seen as far as Zagora.
Dinner and overnight at the gates of the desert.
Day 5 - From Zagora to Tafraoute Sidi Ali
After a tour in Zagora, start the path to discover the deepest and most beautiful desert in a true journey of interiorization.
Arrival at the town of Tafraoute Sidi Ali and the beautiful Kasbah Marabout. The place is perfect for contemplating the Sahara sky with visibility of stars and constellations, in addition to the beautiful aurora and twilight.
Dinner and accommodation at the beautiful Riad Kasbah Marabout.
Day 6 - From Tafraoute Sidi Ali to Ouzina
After a typical and reinforced breakfast, we continue through the Sahara desert towards the small and precious town of Ouzina with a stop in Mharech.
Mharech, is one of the simplest places in the Moroccan desert. Its strategic location, next to a gorge, is blessed by a small well, called “Lost Well” and a set of palm trees. It is possible to appreciate millenary fossils.
Accommodation in Ouzina, in Haima style accommodation, the most traditional in the region.
Day 7 - From Ouzina to Merzouga
Departure after breakfast towards the city of Merzouga, gateway to Erg Chebbi, one of the two large estuaries (set of dunes) of the Sahara desert, close to the Algerian border.
Free afternoon for extra rides on dromedaries, four wheelers, sandboarding or to enjoy the comfort and hospitality of the haimas/hotel.
Day 8 - Merzouga, Rissani, Erfoud, Midelt
Departure to the picturesque town of Rissani, with a visit to the region’s famous market for typical artisanal products.
Following the trip to Erfoud, stops in the Ziz Valley to admire the Todra Gorges and collect beautiful photographs.
In the month of May, it is possible to visit Kelaa Me Gouna, the Valley of Roses, in the full splendor of the harvest festival of Damascus roses.
Moussem des Roses is the harvest festival that usually takes place on the second weekend of may for three days. One of the highlights of this festival is the Queen of Rose´s coronation and the parade of floats. It is also interesting to know the craft products fair of the tribes that attend the event.
After crossing the Middle Atlas mountain range, dinner and accommodation in a hotel/riad in Midelt.
Day 9 - From Midelt to Fès
After a typical breakfast, walk through the Atlas Cedar Forest and observe the local fauna in its habitat, where it is possible to see monkeys.
Arrival in Fès for dinner and accommodation in a riad.
Day 10 - Fès – Guided tour
Guided tour of the most interesting points in the imperial city of Fès. Meet:
- Fès El Bali, the oldest medina in the city, dating from the 9th century, considered a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site along with the medinas of Marrakech, Essaouira and Tetouán. A real labyrinth with huge defensive gates.
- Bab Boujloud.
- The Blue Door.
- Boujloud Square.
- Seraffine Square.
- Nejjarine Fountain.
- Moulay Idriss II’s Zaouia, temple built in 1440. Idriss was the founder of Fès and ruler of Morocco during the 9th century. Locals believe that visiting this building brings protection and health.
- Al Attarine, one of the many daaras in Fez, founded in 1310 and still in operation. With stunning architecture, full of arabesques and tiles.
- Al Karaouiyne University, the oldest university in the world, founded in 859 by a woman. It is one of the biggest ancient educational center. Nowadays it is an university and Koranic school, besides having its own mosque. Unfortunately it´s only allowed entrance of muslim visitors.
At the famous Chouara tannery, remember to always keep mint leaf close to your nose!
Dinner at the riad.
Day 11 - From Fes to Meknes and Chefchaouen
After breakfast, departure to Meknès. Tour to discover the medieval city of Bab Mansour Gate and Lahdim Square.
On the way to Chefchaouen, stop at the Volubilis archaeological site.
Volubilis (Walila) is the archaeological site of a Roman city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Situated on a fertile agricultural plain, it developed from the 3rd century BC as a Phoenician-Carthaginian settlement, growing rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century BC. Its prosperity, from olive trees, cereal cultivation and wild animals for gladiator´s shows, led to the construction of many rich urban houses, with large floor mosaics. The city was taken by local tribes around the year 285 and was never reconquered by Rome.
Arrival in Chefchaouen, dinner and accommodation.
Day 12 - From Chefchaouen to Rabat
After breakfast, drive to Chefchaouen, the blue pearl city, built by moroccans from Andalusia. Its mountainous climate attests to the country’s climatic diversity.
Then departure to the administrative capital Rabat and visit the Tower of Hassan, the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Kasbah des Oudayas.
Dinner and accommodation in a hotel/riad in Rabat.
Day 13 - From Rabat to Casablanca and Essaouira
Depart for Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque and the souk-filled Habbous Jewish Quarter, where shoppers bargain for moroccan clothing, fabrics and spices such as olives, dried fruits, almond candies and stuffed dates.
Following to Essaouira for dinner and overnight in hotel/riad.
Day 14 - From Essaouira to Marrakech
Essaouira is considered the most pleasant beach in Morocco for its extensive sands, dunes and historic center. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a mixture of an 18th century town and a medieval town, surrounded by walls surrounded by flower beds and the Atlantic Ocean. It is appreciated by windsurf athletes.
Tour of the Walls of Mogador, part of the Royal Castle built by the portuguese in 1506.
Visit to Meskala and the argan oil cooperative. On the way, it is possible to see the goats on the argania trees.
Return to Marrakech, ending this beautiful immersion in Moroccan culture with Karfa Tours. It is our wish that it was an unforgettable experience.