Circuit Douceur: 8 Days / 7 Nights Grand South

About this tour

Our most immersive circuit, designed as a gentle route through the great south of Morocco. From Marrakech we cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass and descend the ochre Ounila Valley to Ait Ben Haddou, then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Ouarzazate, Skoura, the Valley of Roses and the Dades Gorges. We spend a full day walking the Dades and its 'monkey fingers' rock formations, reach the Todra Gorge, then turn south to the green Draa Valley. From Agdez and Zagora we reach the first dunes of Erg Lihoudi for a bivouac under the stars, continue past M'hamid to the majestic Erg Chegaga by 4x4 and camel at sunset, cross the dried Lac Iriqui and the Paris-Dakar tracks to Foum Zguid, stop at the carpet town of Taznakht and finish in the green haven of the Oasis de Fint before returning to Marrakech.

Highlights

• Tizi n'Tichka pass and the ochre Ounila Valley
• Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO ksar
• Ouarzazate, Skoura palm grove and Kasbah Amridil
• Valley of Roses and a full day in the Dades Gorges
• Todra Gorge canyon walk
• The Draa Valley and its infinite palm groves
• Bivouac at Erg Lihoudi and the seven kasbahs of M'hamid
• 4x4 to Erg Chegaga with a camel ride at sunset
• Lac Iriqui and the Paris-Dakar desert tracks
• Taznakht Berber carpet town and the hidden Oasis de Fint

Itinerary

1. Day 01 — Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou

   Departure south from Marrakech over the Tizi n'Tichka pass — the highest road point in Morocco at 2,260 m. Descend to the village of Telouet and cross the magnificent Ounila Valley, known for its ochre landscapes and Berber villages. Overnight in Ait Ben Haddou.

2. Day 02 — Ait Ben Haddou to the Dades Valley

   Drive to Ouarzazate, the 'Gate of the Desert', visit the Skoura palm grove and the famous Kasbah Amridil, then reach Kelaat M'Gouna in the Valley of Roses. Enter the Dades Valley via the nomads' track. Overnight in the Dades Valley.

3. Day 03 — Dades Valley exploration

   A full day to discover this spectacular valley: visit the Dades Gorges, walk on foot to take in the unique 'monkey fingers' rock formations, and share a convivial lunch in the valley. Overnight in the same place (Dades).

4. Day 04 — Dades to the Draa Valley

   Head out to explore the impressive Todra Gorge — a canyon with vertiginous cliffs — with a short walk inside the gorge, then drive south to join the lush Draa Valley and its endless palm grove. Overnight in the Draa Valley.

5. Day 05 — Agdez, Zagora and Erg Lihoudi

   Cross Agdez and Zagora, discover the local culture and craftwork, and visit the pottery village of Tamegroute. Arrive at the first dunes of Erg Lihoudi. Overnight bivouac in the middle of the dunes.

6. Day 06 — Erg Lihoudi, M'hamid and Erg Chegaga

   Pass through M'hamid El Ghizlane, the last oasis before the great desert, and visit the village with its seven traditional kasbahs. Depart by 4x4 on sandy tracks toward the majestic Erg Chegaga, with a camel ride to admire the sunset. Overnight under the stars (desert bivouac).

7. Day 07 — Erg Chegaga, Lac Iriqui and Oasis de Fint

   An epic desert crossing along the 'Paris-Dakar' tracks over the dried Lac Iriqui plateau, then through the fech-fech sand to Foum Zguid. Stop at Taznakht, famous for its Berber carpets, and arrive at the Oasis de Fint — a true haven of greenery. Overnight at the Oasis de Fint (near Ouarzazate).

8. Day 08 — Oasis de Fint to Marrakech

   Return to Marrakech after breakfast, arriving in time for onward travel or an evening in the medina.

Meeting & pickup

Pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech at 08:00 on day one. The tour ends in Marrakech on day eight after breakfast.

Gallery