Trip description
The Great South of Morocco is an authentic journey to discover the south of the country. This 4x4 route awakens us in Fez, whose Medina, the envy of the Arab world, is a beautiful labyrinth where you can easily get lost. The road takes us through unique places like the towns of Ifrane, known as Little Switzerland, and its forests of giant cedars, until we reach Erfoud, the gateway to the great Erg Chebbi Desert, a true spectacle for the senses, with endless dunes and that aura that only magical places possess, allowing us to experience an unforgettable night under the stars. We will leave the desert and reach the High Atlas Mountains, discovering landscapes along the way, stopping to contemplate their beauty, to talk with the villagers, and to leisurely enjoy their secluded villages and immense gorges. From the mountains to the city, we arrived in Marrakech, full of colors, dotted with artisans and artists, with wonderful squares and smells that will mark our memory.
  • Duration
    8 nights / 9 days
  • Places
    Fez, Ifrane, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate, Marrakech
  • Airport
    Fez / Marrakech
  • Price
  • Duration
    8 nights / 9 days
  • Places
    Fez, Ifrane, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Tinerhir, Boulmane Dades, Ouarzazate, Marrakech
  • Airport
    Fez / Marrakech
  • Price
Day 1 of the itinerary
  • Departure from the airport of origin towards 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.
  • Accommodation and dinner.
  • Note: Depending on the flight arrival time, the guided tour of Fez will be brought forward to this day, leaving the next day to enjoy the change of area.
Day 2 of the itinerary
  • This morning we will visit on foot, with a local guide, the ancient Medina of Fez, one of the most authentic and best preserved in the entire Arab world.
  • We will explore its labyrinthine medieval alleywaysare hidden bustle of its people, artisan centers, mosques and palaces.
  • In the early afternoon, departure in a 4x4 vehicle with driver heading south to cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach Ifrane, a town known as "little Switzerland" because of its great resemblance to that country.
  • We will cross the famous Giant Cedar Forests and, if we are lucky, we will be able to feed a colony of wild monkeys that lives high up in the mountains.
  • We will pass through the Ziz Valley, with more than ten million palm trees inside, and arrive at Erfoud, a city called "the Gateway to the Desert".
  • Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca, listed as unique in Morocco for its peculiar characteristics.
Day 3 of the itinerary
  • Today will be a day of total desert.
  • We will travel along one of the tracks used in the Dakar Rally, visiting villages and desert nomads.
  • We will stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries, which are 360 ​​million years old, and enjoy a picnic in an authentic oasis.
  • We will continue until we reach the Great Erg Chebbi, the "Desert of Dunes of very fine sand", where we will change the 4x4 vehicle for dromedaries to go into the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset.
  • We will arrive by dromedary at the Bivouac de Luxe, where we will stay in tents like those used by desert nomads.
  • Accommodation and dinner.
  • Sleeping “under the stars”.
Day 4 of the itinerary
  • "A Date with the Sunrise." It is recommended get up early to walk to the top of the dunes and see the sunrise.
  • Bedouin breakfast and departure by car to circle the Erg to the abandoned village of Merdani.
  • We will continue to the Sudanese village of Khamlia, where its inhabitants will treat us to their traditional dances and mint tea.
  • Later we will go to Rissani* to visit its market, unique in these latitudes, a place where the tribes and nomads of the desert are supplied.
  • Curious to see their “parking” for donkeys.
  • Finally, we will climb to a natural viewpoint to say goodbye to the desert with a beautiful panoramic view.
  • Return to the Kasbah Xaluca to enjoy the rest of the free day.
  • After the desert experience, it's nice to be able to relax.
  • Heated pool
  • Jacuzzi
  • Tennis or mini-golf
  • Optionally, hammam (Turkish bath) or massage
  • For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of taking quad bike excursions through the dunes surrounding the hotel (optional excursion).
  • Accommodation and dinner at Kasbah Xaluca.
  • This afternoon, cars with drivers will be available if you wish to continue visiting the area or stroll freely around Erfoud.
  • The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; sometimes these days don't coincide. In that case, we try to reschedule for another day, or sometimes there simply isn't time to visit.
Day 5 of the itinerary
  • We depart on asphalt towards Tinerhir, a small and prosperous town that offers a beautiful panorama of contrasts with its pink houses and palm groves, an ideal starting point to delve into the famous Todra Gorges, where we can walk a little following the course of the river.
  • Later we will continue to Boumalne Dades, a town located in the Valley of the Birds, at an altitude of 1,612 m in the High Atlas Mountains.
  • In the afternoon we will travel through the Dades Valley to its gorges and arrive at the viewpoint, where we will have tea.
  • On the way down, we'll stop at the "monkey's paws".
  • Accommodation and dinner at the 4* Hotel Xaluca Dades.
Day 6 of the itinerary
  • Today we will venture along trails deep into the Central High Atlas, discovering spectacular landscapes.
  • We will visit Berber villages such as Boutaghrar and Amskarseems to have time.
  • We will see mountains, canyons and valleys, as well as the caves where nomads still live in the mountains.
  • We will explore the M'Goun Gorges for an unforgettable walk.
  • Lunch will be on the road, at a “Gite d'Etape”.
  • Accommodation and dinner at the 4* Hotel Xaluca Dades.
Day 7 of the itinerary
  • In this stage we have about 310 km ahead of us, although they will be rewarded by the spectacular scenery.
  • Departure towards Marrakech.
  • Along the way we will visit the Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for several film productions.
  • We will cross the Tizi-n'Tichka, also known as the Tichka mountain pass, the highest road pass in the country.
  • We will leave behind the lunar landscape, which will give way to the predominant green and ochre colors.
  • Arrival in Marrakech in the afternoon.
  • is recommended to make your first contact by visiting the unique Djemaa el-Fna Square, which at this time is filled with reciters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers and snake charmers.
  • At nightfallare set up small outdoor food stalls, where you can taste typical dishes.
  • Accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* Hotel.
  • Note: Last day of 4x4.
Day 8 of the itinerary
  • This morning we will visit the Medina of Marrakech on foot with a local guide.
  • We will begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret, the twin of the Giralda of Seville, and continue by visiting the Bay Palace.
  • We will venture into the narrow streets of the Souk, where we will see different artisans in action:
  • Weaving carpets
  • Making slippers
  • And an endless variety of quality craftsmanship
  • We will visit a Berber pharmacy, where they will teach us their "little secrets".
  • We will go out again to Djemaa el-Fna Square, where the daytime atmosphere is completely different from the nighttime one.
  • In the afternoon, free time to practice the art of bargaining or discover the most hidden corners of the Medina at our own pace.
  • Accommodation in a Riad in the Medina or a 5* Hotel.
  • Check the possibility of extending your visit to Marrakech.
Day 9 of the itinerary
  • At the agreed time, transfer to Marrakech airport to catch your 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.