Trip description
The Great South of Morocco is an invitation to discover the country's most authentic side. This 4x4 route begins in Marrakech, a vibrant city bursting with intense colors, dotted with artisans and artists, charming squares , and intoxicating aromas that will linger in your memory. From here, we'll venture into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing breathtaking landscapes until we leave the mountains behind and reach the Erg Chebbi Desert. There, the endless golden dunes and the desert's magical silence will gift us a unique night under the stars. The journey continues through singular enclaves such as Rissani, with its ancient market; Lake Aguelmane Sidi Ali, a haven of serenity at high altitude; and Ifrane, known as Little Switzerland, surrounded by forests of giant cedar trees. Finally, we will arrive in Fez, where its legendary Medina, considered the best preserved in the Arab world, becomes the perfect setting to get lost among alleyways, souks and unforgettable memories of Morocco.
  • Duration
    9 nights / 10 days
  • Places
    Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Boulmane Dades, Tinerhir, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Aguelmame Sidi Ali, Merdani, Rissani, Ifrane, Fez
  • Airport
    Marrakech / Fez
  • Price
  • Duration
    9 nights / 10 days
  • Places
    Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Boulmane Dades, Tinerhir, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Ifrane, Fez
  • Airport
    Marrakech / Fez
  • Price
Day 1 of the itinerary
Arrival in Marrakech

  • Departure from the airport of origin towards Marrakech.
  • Arrival in Marrakech. Depending on the time of year, there may be a time difference.
  • Airport pickup and transfer to the Riad in the Medina or 5* hotel.
  • Accommodation.
  • Depending on your arrival time, it is recommended to make a first contact with the Medina by visiting the unique Djemaa el-Fna Square, which at that time is filled with reciters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers and much more.
  • As night falls, small, illuminated food stalls begin to appear outdoors, where you can sample typical dishes.
Day 2 of the itinerary
Discovering Marrakech

  • In the morning, we will take a guided walking tour of the Medina of Marrakech with a local guide.
  • We will begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret, twin of the Giralda of Seville.
  • We will continue towards the Bay Palace.
  • We will venture into the narrow streets of the Souk, where we will see various artisans:
  • Carpet weavers
  • Slipper manufacturers
  • And a wide variety of traditional crafts
  • We will visit a Berber pharmacy, where they will reveal some of their ancestral "secrets".
  • We will end the route in Djemaa el-Fna Square, where the daytime atmosphere is completely different from the nighttime one.
  • In the afternoon, we will have free time to practice the art of bargaining or discover at our own pace the most authentic and hidden of the Medina.
  • Accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* hotel.
Day 3 of the itinerary
Heading to the Central High Atlas

  • Departure with 4x4 vehicle and driver towards the Central High Atlas.
  • A day of approximately 310 km, with spectacular landscapes that will make the journey very enjoyable.
  • We will cross the Tizi-n'Tichka, the highest mountain pass in the country, where the green and ochre tones give way to a lunar landscape .
  • En route, we will visit the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and famous for being the setting of numerous films.
  • Continuing the journey through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses, until reaching Boumalne Dades, a town located in the Valley of the Birds, at an altitude of 1,612 meters in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains.
  • Accommodation and dinner at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 4 of the itinerary
Exploration of the High Atlas Mountains and the M'Goun Gorges

  • A day of adventure through remote tracks of the Central High Atlas, traversing landscapes of mountains, valleys and spectacular canyons.
  • Visit Berber villages like Boutaghrar and Amskarseems to time.
  • Observing caves inhabited by nomads, an authentic image of life in the mountains.
  • Walking tour of the M'Goun Gorges, one of the most beautiful and least traveled areas in southern Morocco.
  • Lunch on the road at a traditional Gîte d'Étape, a rural mountain accommodation.
  • Return, accommodation and dinner at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 5 of the itinerary
From Dades to the Desert through the Todra

  • Morning tour of the Dades Valley, with a stop at its impressive gorges and a visit to the viewpoint where we will have tea.
  • Stop at the curious rock formations known as "monkey paws".
  • Continue towards Tinerhir, a picturesque town of pink houses and palm groves, the access point to the Todra Gorges.
  • Walk through the Todra Gorges, following the course of the river between vertical cliffs.
  • Route towards Erfoud, known as "the Gateway to the Desert", and arrival at the Kasbah Xaluca, accommodation and dinner in a unique and charming setting.
Day 6 of the itinerary
Adventure in the Great Erg Chebbi Desert

  • Full day of desert exploration in a 4x4 vehicle, traveling along tracks of the legendary Dakar Rally.
  • Visit to remote villages and encounter with desert nomads.
  • Stop at the impressive Marine Fossil Quarries, over 360 million years old.
  • lunch in an authentic oasis, surrounded by nature and silence.
  • Arrival at the Great Erg Chebbi, the Desert of very fine sand dunes.
  • We swapped our 4x4s for dromedaries to venture into the heart of the dunes and experience an unforgettable sunset.
  • Accommodation in a Deluxe Bivouac, in traditional tents, with dinner included.
  • A magical night under the stars, nomadic style.
Day 7 of the itinerary
Sunrise among the dunes and rest at Kasbah Xaluca

  • “Appointment with the Sunrise”: It is recommended to get up early to climb to the top of the dunes and contemplate the sunrise over the desert.
  • Bedouin breakfast at the Bivouac and return in 4x4.
  • Route towards the abandoned village of Merdani and visit to the village of Khamlia, of Sudanese origin, where we will enjoy their traditional dances and mint tea.
  • Stop in Rissani* to explore its ancient market, a place of exchange for tribes and nomads. A curious visit to the famous donkey "parking" area.
  • Climb to a natural viewpoint to say goodbye to the desert with a unique panoramic view.
  • Return to Kasbah Xaluca and free afternoon to relax after the desert adventure.
  • Possibility of enjoying the heated pool, jacuzzi, tennis, mini golf, or an hammam (Turkish bath) or massage.
  • For the more adventurous, there is the option of taking a quad bike excursion through the dunes surrounding the hotel.
  • Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca.
  • Note: The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. If these days do not coincide, we will try to reschedule for another day or cancel the visit.
Day 8 of the itinerary
From Aguelmane to the heart of the Atlas

  • In the morning, departure heading north through the impressive Ziz Valley, with more than ten million palm trees inside.
  • We will leave the desert behind to begin the ascent through the Atlas mountain range, enjoying spectacular landscapes along the way.
  • I pass through Midelt until I reach Aguelmane Sidi Ali, a natural enclave located at an altitude of 2,200 meters, next to the deepest natural lake in the country.
  • Lunch at the Hotel Xaluca Spa Aguelmane Sidi Ali.
  • In the afternoon, free time to enjoy this privileged natural environment:
  • Walk around the lake
  • Optional ascent to the volcano nearby
  • Visit to a nomadic family in the area
  • Enjoy the hotel facilities: heated pool, or spa and hammam services (optional)
  • Accommodation and dinner at the Xaluca Spa Aguelmane Sidi Ali, a former refuge from 1935 converted into a charming high mountain boutique hotel.
Day 9 of the itinerary
Heading to Fez: from the cedars to history

  • departure Early morning towards Fez.
  • I pass through Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" for its architecture and alpine setting.
  • A journey through the famous Giant Cedar Forests, where, with luck, we can feed a colony of wild monkeys.
  • Arrival in Fez at midday.
  • In the afternoon, a walking tour with a local guide through the Medina of Fez, considered one of the most authentic and best preserved in the Arab world.
  • A tour through its medieval alleyways
  • Discovering artisan centers, mosques and palaces hidden amidst the local bustle
NoteToday will be the last day with 4x4 vehicle and driver.
Day 10 of the itinerary
Returning home from Fez

  • At the agreed time, transfer to Fez airport to take the return flight.
NoteSometimes, outbound flights are in the afternoonIn that case:

  • The 9th would be a free morning in Aguelmane Sidi Ali
  • And in the afternoon the transfer to Fez, leaving the guided tour of the Medina for the 10th.
At Xaluca Tours, all our programs are custom-designed to suit each traveler. Below, you can find the document with indicative prices for this program during peak and off-peak seasons.

👉 View program with detailed prices.

Remember that these prices are only a reference: each trip is quoted individually based on the number of people, dates, accommodation category, and included services.