Desert dream

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Agadir

  

  Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel.  Accommodation: Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: none OPTION : Ecolodge located in the surrounding mountains of Agadir, about 20mn away. Our favorite ! Located in the argan forest nature reserve, this place is an ideal place to disconnect from the moment you arrive.

• day 2:

  Agadir - Taroudant

  

  ROAD TIME - 3h00 Between Agadir and Imouzzer stretches the superb valley of Paradise. A beautiful walk of about 2 hours allows you to discover the valley, to cross authentic Berber villages, to drink tea at the inhabitant's house and, according to the season, to bathe in the gueltas, natural swimming pools formed by the river. Lunch in an inn before taking the road to Taroudant, nicknamed "Little Marrakech". The ramparts of Taroudant stand in the heart of the Souss valley, between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas. On this peaceful city still hover the memories of a flourishing past, whether it was Almohad, Merinid, Saadian, Portuguese or French. Accommodation: Riad with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 3:

  Taroudant - Drâa Valley

  

  DRIVING TIME - 4H00 On the programme for this day, Tazenakht, a centre for weaving Berber carpets, Taliouine, the Mecca of Saffron, the red gold of Morocco before reaching the Draa valley. The visit of one of the most beautiful and ancient villages of the valley will be the highlight of this day. This 16th century village was an important crossroads at the time when large caravans traded between Tafilalet and Timbuktu and controlled the entrance to the Draa Valley. It was also a strategic point because gold from Africa was transformed and minted into currency. Accommodation: Guest house with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner OPTION: Installation in an atypical location. Another of our favourites. Located in the palm grove, lodges facing the Drâa wadi and the Djebel Kissane. A sumptuous view, a peaceful environment.

• day 4:

  Drâa Valley - Mhamid

  

  ROAD TIME - 3h00 Descent of the valley where a multitude of ksour and kasbah make the landscape grandiose. Depending on the day of the week, the immersion in a rural souk is a highlight, far from the atmosphere of the more touristic souks of the big cities. Authenticity guaranteed! The Draâ draws a long fertile strip in the middle of the Hamada, an immense limestone and desert plateau. You will discover a landscape of flowered oases, orchards and palm groves. The day continues with the discovery of potters with ancestral techniques. Tamgroute is also home to a famous zaouïa, founded in the 17th century, which is today a welcome centre for pilgrims and the needy or sick. The library of the Koranic school is worth a visit. With its 4,000 books, it is one of the richest Koranic libraries in North Africa. Currently, several treasures are on display there. The most ancient manuscripts, in gazelle skin, written with a reed quill and soaked in walnut stain, date back to the 11th century. At the end of the day, arrival in Mhamid, the last village before the desert. Accommodation : Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 5:

  Mhamid - Chegaga

  

  ROAD TIME - 2 hours of track After breakfast, we take the track leading to the erg Chegaga for a day in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. About 40 km long and 15 km wide, this erg, with some dunes around 300 m high, is the largest in Morocco. Lunch at the camp and free afternoon to take full advantage of this sea of sand, how much resourcing. Possibility to go for a camel or quad ride in the dunes (extra charge). Do not miss the sunset. A magical moment. Lodging : Bivouac located in the hollow of the dunes. The camp is composed of a large caïdal tent for meals, private tents for the night and common sanitary facilities. The evenings end around a campfire, to the rhythm of Saharawi music. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. OPTION: more intimate luxury bivouac, private bathroom in each tent.

• day 6:

  Chegaga - Foum Zguid

  

  ROAD TIME - 3 hours of track Continuation of the previous day's track, in the footsteps of the Paris-Dakar. Crossing a sandy area before reaching the iriki lake, which has now dried up. Frequent mirages. The last part of the track, stony and quite shaky, leads to Foum Zguid. Lunch at the hotel and free afternoon by the swimming pool. Accommodation: Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 7:

  Forum Zguid - Tafraoute

  

  ROAD TIME - 4h30 We go along the Djebel Bani and its great arid plains. During the period of transhumance, it is not rare to come across camel caravans in this environment with the airs of African savannah. At an altitude of 1200 m, arrival at Tafraoute, capital of the Ammeln (a tribe reputed for their commercial skills and business acumen). This village is located in the heart of an exceptional site, a natural mountainous circus. Bucolic stroll in the typical villages of the valley. You will certainly see the women dressed in the traditional black haik and wearing these beautiful red Tafraoute slippers. Visit of an old traditional Berber house whose patriarch will tell you with passion his history, customs and habits.  Accommodation: Guest house located a few kilometres from Tafraoute, at the foot of the Ammeln valley. From the terrace, extraordinary view over the valley. Simple accommodation without great luxury with a warm welcome. Authentic family accommodation! Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 8:

  Tafraoute - Id Aissa

  

  ROAD TIME - 2h30 By a road revealing an exceptional itinerary, we go to Igmir, a village located at the bottom of a canyon. Impressive descent of the canyon.  Immersion in the heart of the village, located in a canyon where 300 families still live. Amtoudi is the assurance of not crossing any tourist bus! This place is our favourite place, in a calm Olympian atmosphere where you will have all the time you need to meet the locals, learn about their way of life, etc. An authentic and hopefully unforgettable day..... Stroll through the gorges to the spring and its reservoir where you can bathe in the gueltas (natural pools formed by the wadi) in this grandiose setting.  On the way back, a short climb to visit an agadir (an old fortified granary which also served as a refuge in case of threat) admirably preserved and planted on a rocky peak. No major difficulty for this hike but you should be in good physical condition. Accommodation: Charming guest house located in the heart of the village. From the terrace, breathtaking view of the canyon. Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• day 9:

  Id Aissa - Mirleft

  

  ROAD TIME - 3h00 We reach the Atlantic coast. Stroll to Sidi Ifni, a former Spanish enclave where time seems to have stood still. Sidi Ifni is distinguished by an architecture combining Berber, Andalusian and Art Deco influences, reminiscent of the Spanish buildings of the 1930s with white and turquoise walls, palm trees and flowery gardens. Lunch by the sea and stroll with your feet in the water in Legzira and its natural arch. Accommodation : Small family hotel by the sea not far from Mirleft (swimming pool) Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• day 10:

  Mirleft - Agadir

  

  ROAD TIME - 2h30 A beautiful coastal road leads us to Tiznit, the Mecca of goldsmith's art. A stop at the silver jewellery souk often makes our travellers happy. Continuation to Agadir. Transfer to your hotel. Free afternoon. For this last day, according to the desires of each one, possibility to take advantage of the seaside resort, make a tour to the souk for the last souvenir shopping if desired, or treat yourself to a wellness break hammam and massage. Accommodation : Hotel with swimming pool Meals included: Breakfast OPTION : Ecolodge located in the surrounding mountains of Agadir, about 20mn away. Our favorite ! Located in the argan forest nature reserve, this place is an ideal place to disconnect from the moment you arrive.

• day 11:

  Agadir

  

  Day dedicated to your airport transfer.