Trip description
"The Great South of Morocco" is an authentic to discover the soul of the country's south. This 4x4 begins in Marrakech, a vibrant city brimming with color, artisans, artists, charming squares , and aromas that will stay with you forever.

From the city, we'll venture into the High Atlas, traversing ever-changing landscapes, pausing to admire their beauty, chat with the villagers, and leisurely enjoy their hidden villages and breathtaking gorges. We'll leave the mountains behind and enter the vast Erg Chebbi Desert, a spectacle for the senses: endless dunes and that magical aura that envelops special places, where we'll experience an unforgettable night under the stars.

The route will also take us through unique enclaves like Rissani, with its ancient market, and Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland," surrounded by forests of giant cedar trees. Finally, we will arrive in Fez, whose Medina, the envy of the Arab world, is a fascinating labyrinth where you can get lost and take a little piece of Morocco with you in your memory.
  • Duration
    9 nights / 10 days
  • Places
    Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Boulmane Dades, Tinerhir, Erfoud, Erg Chebbi, 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 to Marrakech.
  • Arrival in Marrakech (depending on the time of year there may be a time difference).
  • Airport pickup and transfer to your riad in the Medina or 5* hotel.
  • Accommodation.
  • Depending on your arrival time, we recommend a first glimpse of the Medina by visiting the unique Djemaa el-Fna Square, which at this time is filled with reciters, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers, among others.
  • As night fallsbegin to appear illuminated outdoor food stalls, where you can sample typical Moroccan dishes.
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 of Seville.
  • We will continue with a visit to the Bay Palace, an architectural gem from the 19th century.
  • We will venture into the narrow streets of the Souk, where we can observe the artisans at work:
  • Weaving carpets
  • Making slippers
  • Working in other traditional trades
  • We will visit a Berber pharmacy, where they will reveal some of their ancestral remedies and secrets.
  • We will end the visit in Djemaa el-Fna Square, whose daytime atmosphere is completely different from the nighttime one.
  • In the afternoon, free time for:
  • Practicing the art of bargaining
  • Explore the hidden corners of the Medina at our own pace
  • Accommodation in a riad in the Medina or in a 5-star hotel.
Day 3 of the itinerary
Route to the Central High Atlas

  • Departure in a 4x4 vehicle with driver towards the Central High Atlas.
  • Approximate journey of 310 km, rewarded by the spectacular landscapes.
  • We will cross the Tizi n'Tichka, the highest mountain pass in Morocco.
  • Here the landscape changes from shades of green and ochre to a lunar-like environment.
  • Visit the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the setting for numerous film productions.
  • We will continue through Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses.
  • Arrival at Boumalne Dades, a town located at an altitude of 1,612 meters in the Valley of the Birds, within the High Atlas Mountains.
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 4 of the itinerary
Exploration of the Central High Atlas – M'Goun Gorges

  • Today we will venture along trails into the heart of the Central High Atlas, discovering spectacular and varied landscapes.
  • We will visit Berber villages such as Boutaghrar and Amskar, where time seems to have stood still.
  • Along the way, we will see: rugged mountains, canyons and valleys, caves inhabited by nomads in the high mountain areas.
  • We will explore the M'Goun Gorges, enjoying an unforgettable walk in a unique natural environment.
  • Lunch will be served en route, in a Gîte d'Étape (traditional holiday home).
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Xaluca Dades 4*.
Day 5 of the itinerary
Dades Valley, Todra Gorges and arrival in Erfoud

  • This morning we will travel through the Dades Valley to its impressive gorges.
  • We will make a stop at a panoramic viewpoint where we will enjoy tea with spectacular views.
  • During the route, we will make a brief stop at the rock formations known as the “monkey paws”.
  • We will continue towards Tinerhir, a small but prosperous town, with a beautiful panorama that combines pink houses and palm groves.
  • From Tinerhir we will enter the famous Todra Gorges, where we will take a pleasant walk following the course of the river.
  • Later, we will continue to Erfoud, known as the “Gateway to the Desert”.
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Kasbah Xaluca, a unique accommodation in Morocco due to its peculiar architectural and design characteristics.
Day 6 of the itinerary
Total Desert Day – Erg Chebbi and night under the stars

  • Today we will travel along one of the tracks used in the Dakar Rally, visiting villages and nomadic settlements in the desert.
  • Stop at the Marine Fossil Quarries, which are 360 ​​million years.
  • lunch in an authentic oasis, a cool haven in the middle of the arid landscape.
  • We will continue to the majestic Grand Erg Chebbi, known as the “desert of very fine sand dunes”.
  • We will swap the 4x4 vehicle for dromedaries, to venture into the heart of the desert and contemplate an unforgettable sunset from the dunes.
  • Arrival by caravan to the Bivouac de Luxe, where we will stay in traditional tents, similar to those of the desert nomads.
  • Dinner and accommodation under a starry sky, a truly spectacular experience.
Day 7 of the itinerary
Rendezvous with the sunrise and a tour of Erg Chebbi

  • We recommend getting up early to walk to the top of the dunes and watch the sunrise, an unforgettable spectacle in the desert.
  • Bedouin breakfast at the camp.
  • Return to the vehicle to circle the Erg Chebbi and visit the abandoned village of Merdani.
  • Later, visit the M'Fis Mines and the Sudanese village of Khamlia, where its inhabitants will welcome us with traditional dances and a comforting mint tea.
  • Arrival at the Kasbah Timbuktu and free time to enjoy the surroundings:
  • Walks through the dunes
  • Hikes to the nearby villages of Merzouga and Hassi Labyed (“White Well”)
  • Possibility of performing the Hammam (optional)
  • At sunset, we'll head to a natural viewpoint to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the desert.
  • Dinner and accommodation at the Kasbah Tombouctou.
Day 8 of the itinerary
Visit to Rissani and free day at Kasbah Xaluca

  • Departure by dirt tracks towards Rissani* to visit some of its centuries-old kasbahs.
  • Continue with a visit to the traditional market of Rissani, unique in the region and a supply point for tribes and desert nomads.
  • Its curious donkey “parking”.
  • Return to the Kasbah Xaluca to enjoy the rest of the free day.
  • Leisure time options:
  • Swimming in the heated pool
  • Enjoy the jacuzzi
  • Play tennis or mini-golf
  • Enjoy a traditional hammam (“Turkish bath”) or a massage (optional)
  • Optional quad bike through the nearby dunes
  • Visit nearby kasbahs
  • In the afternoon, chauffeured vehicles will be at your disposal to continue exploring the area or to stroll freely around Erfoud.
* The Rissani market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; therefore, it may not always coincide with the itinerary. If possible, it will be rescheduled for another day; otherwise, the visit may not take place.
Day 9 of the itinerary
Route to Fez – Ziz Valley, Ifrane and Cedar Forests

  • Departure in a northerly direction with an approximate stage of 400 km.
  • We will cross the impressive Ziz Valley, which is home to more than ten million palm trees.
  • We will continue towards Midelt and then to Ifrane, known as "Little Switzerland" because of its resemblance to Swiss landscapes and architecture.
  • We will cross the Giant Cedar Forests, where, if we are lucky, we will be able to feed a colony of wild monkeys that live high in the mountains.
  • Arrival in Fez.
  • Dinner and accommodation in a riad in the Medina or in a 4-star hotel.

Note: This is the last day with 4x4 vehicle.
Day 10 of the itinerary
Visit to the Medina of Fez and return flight

  • Today 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 labyrinthine medieval alleyways, where, amidst the bustle of its inhabitants, we will discover:
  • Craft centers
  • Historic mosques
  • Stately Palaces
  • We will visit a leather tanning center, one of the city's most emblematic traditional trades.
  • At the agreed time, transfer to Fez airport to take the return flight.
Note: Sometimes, outbound flights are in the morning.

In that case, the Day 9 of the itinerary would be adjusted, getting up early to arrive in Fez at midday and visit the Medina in the afternoon.

The last day would be reserved exclusively for the transfer to the airport.
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.