Trip description
"Great South of Morocco" is an authentic experience to discover, without filters, the essence of the south of the country.
A 4x4 vehicle route that awakens us in Marrakech , a vibrant city, full of colors, bustling squares, aromas that remain in the memory, and artisans and artists who give life to every corner.

From the city, we will depart towards the High Atlas , traveling through landscapes that invite you to stop, contemplate their serene beauty, chat with the villagers, and enjoy hidden villages and impressive gorges .

We will leave the mountains behind to reach the Great Erg Chebbi Desert , a spectacle for the senses: endless dunes of fine sand, and that almost unreal aura that only truly magical places give off. There, we will experience an unforgettable night under the stars .

The journey also takes us through unique enclaves such as the villages of Rissani , with its ancient market , or Ifrane , known as Little Switzerland , surrounded by forests of giant cedars , until we reach Fez . Its Medina , the envy of the Arab world, is a fascinating labyrinth where you can lose yourself and discover treasures, memories, and emotions that will stay with us long after we return.
  • Duration
    8 nights / 9 days
  • Places
    Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Boulmane Dades, Tinerhir, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, Merdani, Rissani, Ifrane, Fez
  • Airport
    Marrakech / Fez
  • Price
  • Duration
    8 nights / 9 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 and first contact

  • Departure from the airport of origin to Marrakech .
  • Arrival in Marrakech ( time differences may apply depending on the time of year ).
  • Pick up at the airport and transfer to the riad in the Medina or to a 5 star hotel .
  • Accommodation.
  • Depending on your arrival time, we recommend getting your first taste of the city by visiting Djemaa el-Fna Square , one of Marrakech's most iconic landmarks.
  • At this time, the square fills with reciters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers , and many other traditional performers.
  • At dusk, illuminated outdoor food stalls , where you can sample typical Moroccan dishes in a vibrant and unique atmosphere.
Day 2 of the itinerary
Visit to the Medina of Marrakech

  • 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 , twin of the Giralda in Seville.
  • We will continue with a visit to the Bahia Palace , one of the most outstanding examples of 19th-century Moroccan architecture.
  • We will explore the narrow streets of the Souk local artisans in action : weaving carpets, making slippers, working with leather, wood, and metals.
  • We will discover a high-quality traditional crafts
  • We will visit a Berber pharmacy , where they will teach us some of their natural remedies and ancestral secrets .
  • We will end the visit in Djemaa el-Fna Square , which during the day has a completely different atmosphere than at night.
  • In the afternoon , free time for:
  • Practice the art of haggling
  • Explore at our own pace the most authentic and hidden corners of the Medina
  • Accommodation in a riad in the Medina or in a 5-star hotel .
Day 3 of the itinerary
Route to the High Atlas – Aït Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley

  • Departure in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver towards the Central High Atlas .
  • A stage of approximately 310 km , rewarded by the spectacular scenery along the way.
  • We will cross the Tizi n'Tichka , the highest mountain pass in Morocco .
  • We'll leave behind the green and ochre colors of the landscape to enter an almost lunar environment.
  • En route, visit the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou , declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , and famous for being the setting for numerous international film productions .
  • Continuation of the tour passing through Ouarzazate and the Valley of the Roses .
  • Arrival at Boumalne Dades , located at 1,612 meters above sea level , in the famous Valley of the Birds , in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains .
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4* .
Day 4 of the itinerary
Exploration of the Central High Atlas

  • Departure along trails to the depths of the Central High Atlas , crossing spectacular landscapes of great contrast.
  • Visit the Berber villages of Boutaghrar and Amskar , where time seems to have stopped.
  • Along the route we will observe: rugged mountains, canyons and valleys, caves inhabited by nomads in the highlands.
  • Tour of the M'Goun Gorges , with the opportunity to take a unique walk in this unique setting.
  • Lunch en route in a Gîte d'Étape (traditional rest house).
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4* .
Day 5 of the itinerary
Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud

  • In the morning, we will travel through the Dades Valley to reach its famous gorges , where we will stop at a panoramic viewpoint to enjoy tea with a view.
  • During the tour, we will make a brief stop at the curious rock formations known as the “monkey paws .
  • Continue to Tinghir , a small, prosperous town offering a beautiful panorama of pink houses among palm groves . It's also the ideal starting point for a visit to the Todra Gorges .
  • A walk following the course of the river between the high walls of these spectacular gorges.
  • Later, we will continue the route to Erfoud , known as “the Gateway to the Desert” .
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Kasbah Xaluca , a unique accommodation in Morocco for its unique architectural and design features .
Day 6 of the itinerary
Total Desert Day – Erg Chebbi and Night Under the Stars

  • Today we will experience a true day of adventure in the desert .
  • We will travel along one of the tracks used in the legendary Dakar Rally , passing through remote villages and settlements of desert nomads.
  • We will stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries , more than 360 million years old , and enjoy a picnic in an authentic oasis , a corner of coolness in the middle of the arid immensity.
  • We will continue to the majestic Erg Chebbi , known as the desert of fine sand dunes .
  • There we will change the 4x4 vehicle for camels , which will take us through the dunes to contemplate an unforgettable sunset from the heart of the desert.
  • Arrival by caravan at the Bivouac de Luxe , where we will stay in traditional tents , similar to those used by desert nomads.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
  • Sleeping under the stars will be an unforgettable experience.
Day 7 of the itinerary
Sunrise in the dunes and return to Kasbah Xaluca

  • Date with the Dawn : We recommend getting up early to climb to the top of the dunes and watch the sunrise , an unforgettable spectacle in the middle of the desert.
  • After sunrise, we'll enjoy a Bedouin breakfast and return to the vehicle to begin a new stage of the journey.
  • We will go around the Erg Chebbi until we reach the abandoned village of Merdani .
  • Continue to Khamlia , a village of Sudanese origin where its inhabitants will welcome us with traditional dances and a comforting mint tea .
  • Later, we will head to Rissani *, where we will visit its traditional market , a unique place in these latitudes and a meeting point for desert tribes and nomads.
  • donkey “parking” is especially curious .
  • Climb to a natural viewpoint to bid farewell to the desert with a beautiful panoramic view .
Free afternoon at Kasbah Xaluca

  • Return to Kasbah Xaluca and rest of the day free to rest and enjoy the hotel facilities.
  • Possibilities to relax or have fun:
  • Heated pool
  • Jacuzzi
  • Tennis courts and mini-golf
  • Hammam (Turkish bath) and massage ( optional )
Optional quad excursion through the surrounding dunes

  • In the afternoon, chauffeur-driven vehicles will be at your disposal to continue exploring the area or wander freely around Erfoud .
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Kasbah Xaluca .

* The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and SundaysIf it doesn't fit the itinerary, we will try to reschedule the visit to another day, although this may not always be possible.
Day 8 of the itinerary
Route to Fez – Ziz Valley, Ifrane and Cedar Forests

  • Exit northbound .
  • A journey of approximately 400 km , crossing landscapes of great diversity.
  • We will cross the Ziz Valley , one of the largest palm groves in the country, with more than ten million palm trees .
  • We will continue the route passing through Midelt until we reach Ifrane , known as “Little Switzerland” due to its striking resemblance to Alpine landscapes and architecture.
  • We will cross the Giant Cedar Forests , natural habitat of a colony of wild monkeys .
  • If we're lucky, we'll be able to stop and feed them in the wild.
  • Arrival in Fez .
  • Dinner and overnight stay in a riad in the Medina or a 4-star hotel .

Note: This is the last day with 4x4 vehicle.

In winter season, there is the option to shorten a night in the desert to enjoy two nights in Fez and thus be able to visit the Medina more calmly, adapting to the shorter length of days.
Day 9 of the itinerary
Visit to the Medina of Fez and return

  • Today we will take a guided walking tour of the ancient Medina of Fez , considered one of the most authentic and best preserved in the Arab world .
  • We will walk through its labyrinthine medieval streets , where, amidst the hustle and bustle of its people, we will discover:
  • Craft centers
  • Ancient mosques
  • Historic palaces
  • We will also have the opportunity to visit a leather tanning center , one of the city's most emblematic trades.
  • At the agreed time , transfer to Fez airport for the return flight .
Note: Sometimes outgoing flights are in the morning.

In that case, the Day 8 of the itinerary would be adjusted, getting up early to get to Fez at noon and visit the Medina in the afternoon.

He last day would be reserved exclusively for the airport transfer.
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.