Trip description
The Great South of Morocco is an authentic journey to discover the essence of the country's south. This 4x4 route begins in Fez, whose Medina, the envy of the Arab world, is a beautiful labyrinth in which to get lost and lose yourself. The road leads us through unique places like Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland," and its majestic forests of giant cedars, until we reach Erfoud, the gateway to the great Erg Chebbi Desert. There, a spectacle for the senses awaits: endless dunes and that magical aura that envelops special places will gift us an unforgettable night under the stars. We will leave the desert behind to venture into the High Atlas, discovering unique landscapes, stopping to contemplate their beauty, to talk with the villagers, and to savor, without haste, the authenticity of their hidden villages and their impressive gorges. From the mountains, we finally arrive in the city. Marrakech, vibrant and full of color, welcomes us dotted with artisans and artists, wonderful squares and aromas that will be forever etched in our memory.
  • Duration
    9 nights / 10 days
  • Places
    Fez, Aguelmame Sidi Ali, Ifrane, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate, Marrakech
  • Airport
    Fez / Marrakech
  • Price
  • Duration
    9 nights / 10 days
  • Places
    Fez, Aguelmame Sidi Ali, Ifrane, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate, Marrakech
  • Airport
    Fez / Marrakech
  • Price
Day 1 of the itinerary
Flight from origin – Arrival in Fez

  • Departure from the airport of origin to Fez.
  • Arrival in Fez. Depending on the time of year, there may be a time difference.
  • Airport pickup and transfer to the Riad in the Medina or 4* Hotel.
  • Dinner and accommodation.
Note: Depending on the flight's arrival time, the Guided tour of Fez He could move ahead to this day, leaving the next one free to adapt to the change of zone.
Day 2 of the itinerary
Fez – Middle Atlas – Ziz Valley – Erfoud

  • In the morning, we will take a guided walking tour of the ancient Medina of Fez, one of the most authentic and best preserved in the Arab world.
  • We will explore its medieval alleyways, full of life, where we will discover craft centers, mosques and palaces amidst the hustle and bustle of its inhabitants.
  • In the early afternoon, we will leave in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver heading south, crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains until we reach Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" because of its striking resemblance to that country.
  • We will cross the Giant Cedar Forests, where, with some luck, we will be able to feed a colony of wild monkeys that inhabits the upper part of the mountain.
  • We will continue through the Ziz Valley, home to more than ten million palm trees, until we reach Erfoud, a city known as "the Gateway to the Desert".
  • Dinner and accommodation at Kasbah Xaluca, a unique accommodation in Morocco due to its architectural and service characteristics.
Day 3 of the itinerary
Erfoud – Desert Tracks – Oasis – Erg Chebbi – Bivouac

  • Today we will experience a truly deserted day.
  • We will travel along one of the tracks used in the Dakar Rally, passing through villages and meeting desert nomads.
  • We will make a stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries, which are over 360 million years old, and enjoy a picnic in an authentic oasis.
  • We will continue until we reach the Great Erg Chebbi, the famous desert of dunes of very fine sand.
  • There we will exchange our 4x4 vehicle for dromedaries, to venture into the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset.
  • We will arrive by camel at the Bivouac de Luxe, where we will stay in traditional tents, like those used by desert nomads.
  • Dinner and accommodation. Sleeping under the stars will undoubtedly be a spectacular experience.
Day 4 of the itinerary
Erg Chebbi – Merdani – Khamlia – Kasbah Tombouctou

  • “Appointment with the Sunrise”: It is recommended to get up early to climb to the top of the dunes and contemplate the sunrise, a unique experience.
  • Bedouin breakfast and departure by vehicle to circle the Erg Chebbi to the abandoned village of Merdani.
  • We will continue to the Memphis Mines, and later we will visit the Sudanese village of Khamlia, where its inhabitants will welcome us with their traditional dances and mint tea.
  • Arrival at the Kasbah Timbuktu and free time to enjoy at our leisure.
  • Possibility of:
  • Walking through the dunes
  • Visit the nearby villages of Merzouga and Hassi Labyed (“White Well”)
  • enjoy Optionally the comforting ritual of the Hammam (traditional bath)
  • At the agreed time, departure towards a natural viewpoint, from where we can contemplate a beautiful panoramic view of the desert.
  • Dinner and accommodation at Kasbah Tombouctou.
Day 5 of the itinerary
Rissani – Relax at Kasbah Xaluca

  • Departure along desert tracks until reaching Rissani*, where we will visit some of its centuries-old kasbahs.
  • We will explore its traditional marketstill obtain supplies today tribes and nomads of the desert.
  • Its unique donkey "parking".
  • Return to Kasbah Xaluca and the rest of the day is free to relax after several days in the desert.
  • Possibilities during the afternoon:
  • Take a dip in the heated pool
  • Enjoy the jacuzzi
  • Play tennis or mini-golf
  • Enjoy a traditional hammam (Turkish bath) (optional)
  • Receive a relaxing massage (optional)
  • bike tour Quad through the dunes near the hotel (optional excursion)
  • Driver-equipped vehicles will be available to the group should they wish to continue exploring the area or take a free stroll around Erfoud.
  • Dinner and accommodation at Kasbah Xaluca.
*The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and SundaysIf it doesn't coincide with the route, we will try to reschedule the visit for another time, although this is not always possible.
Day 6 of the itinerary
Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Valley – Boumalne Dades

  • Exit on paved road towards Tinerhir, a small and prosperous town that offers a beautiful panorama of contrasts, with its pink houses among green palm groves.
  • From here we will enter the spectacular Todra Gorges, where we can take a walk following the course of the river between impressive rock walls.
  • Continuation of the journey to Boumalne Dades, a town located at an altitude of 1,612 m in the High Atlas Mountains, known as the Valley of the Birds.
  • In the afternoon, we will travel through the Dades Valley until we reach its gorges, where we will enjoy tea at a panoramic viewpoint.
  • During the descent, we will make a stop at the curious rock formations known as the “monkey paws”.
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 7 of the itinerary
Central High Atlas – Berber Villages – M'Goun Gorges – Dades

  • Today we will venture along mountain tracks deep into the Central High Atlas, traversing spectacular landscapes.
  • We will visit Berber villages such as Boutaghrar and Amskar, where time seems to have stood still.
  • Along the way we will discover mountains, canyons, valleys and caves where nomadic families.
  • We will explore the impressive M'Goun Gorges, enjoying an unforgettable walk through one of the most remote places in southern Morocco.
  • Lunch will be en route, in a “Gîte d'Étape”, a traditional rural mountain accommodation.
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 8 of the itinerary
Dades – Aït Ben Haddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech

  • ahead of us 310 km of route, which will be amply rewarded by the spectacular landscapes.
  • Departure towards Marrakech.
  • En route, we will visit the iconic Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the setting for numerous film productions.
  • We will cross the Tizi n'Tichka, the highest mountain pass in Morocco, where we will leave behind the lunar landscape of the south to enter the green and ochre colors of the north.
  • Arrival in Marrakech in the afternoon.
  • We recommend taking advantage of this first contact with the city to visit the mythical Djemaa el-Fna Square, which at this time is filled with reciters, fortune tellers, snake charmers, dancers, tooth pullers, jugglers and much more.
  • As night falls, the square transforms into a large open-air food market, with stalls selling traditional food illuminated under the stars.
  • Dinner and accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* Hotel.
Note: This is the last day of the 4x4 vehicle tour.
Day 9 of the itinerary
Marrakech – Guided tour of the Medina

  • In the morning, we will take a guided walking tour of the Medina of Marrakech, accompanied by a local guide.
  • We will begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret, considered the "twin sister" of the Giralda of Seville.
  • We will visit the Bahia Palace, one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture.
  • We will venture into the narrow alleyways of the Souk, where we can see the artisans at work:
  • Weaving carpets
  • Making slippers
  • And discovering an endless variety of quality traditional crafts
  • We will visit a Berber pharmacy, where they will reveal some of their natural remedies and secrets.
  • We will return to Djemaa el-Fna Square, where the daytime atmosphere offers a very different experience from the previous night.
  • Free afternoon to explore the Medina at our own pace or practice the art of bargaining.
  • Dinner and accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* Hotel.
Day 10 of the itinerary
Marrakech – Return

  • At the agreed time, transfer to Marrakech airport to take the return flight.
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.