Morocco Sahara & Waterfalls Tour – 8 Days / 7 Nights

Arrival at Marrakech Airport. Meet and greet by your local guide and transfer to the hotel.

After check-in, visit the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square. This UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage is the heart of Marrakech, filled with street performers, storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, and food stalls in the evening.

Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast. Panoramic and walking tour of Marrakech, including:

• Koutoubia Mosque (exterior visit): The largest mosque in Marrakech, with a 77 meter minaret visible from across the city.
• Majorelle Gardens: A botanical garden jewel of architecture and botany, created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and restored by Yves Saint Laurent. The vibrant blue buildings and exotic plants are stunning.

After the tour, enjoy free time for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon, departure through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass at 2,260 meters. The winding road offers spectacular views of mountains, valleys, and Berber villages. Several photo stops will be made along the way.

Visit of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This stunning fortified village of red adobe clay has served as a backdrop for many films, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, and The Mummy. You will have time to walk through the narrow alleyways and climb to the top for spectacular views.

Arrival in Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Africa or the Door of the Desert.

Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate.

Breakfast. Drive through the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge.

Morning – Dades Valley: The Dades Valley is known for its dramatic rock formations, winding river, and traditional Berber villages. You will see the famous monkey fingers rock formation and ancient kasbahs along the valley.

Afternoon – Todra Gorge: The Todra Gorges are a stunning narrow canyon of red rock, carved by the Todra River over thousands of years. The canyon walls rise up to 300 meters high, in some places only 10 meters apart. You will have time to walk through the canyon and take spectacular photographs.

Arrival in Merzouga. Accommodation in a hotel located among the dunes of the Erg Chebbi Desert. The Erg Chebbi dunes are the tallest in Morocco, reaching up to 150 meters high.

Free time to enjoy the sunset over the dunes. Watch as the sun paints the sand in shades of orange, purple, and gold.

Dinner and overnight in the desert hotel.

Breakfast. Jeep safari excursion in the Erg Chebbi Desert.

Your 4x4 adventure will take you deep into the Sahara, including:

• Visits to nomadic families: Meet Berber families living in traditional tents, share mint tea, and learn about their way of life in the desert.
• Khamlia village: A small settlement of Gnawa people, descendants of slaves from West Africa. You will hear traditional Gnawa music, which combines African rhythms with spiritual chanting.
• Oases: Discover hidden pockets of palm trees and water tucked between the dunes.
• Panoramic viewpoints: Stop at the highest dunes for breathtaking views of the vast Sahara landscape.

After the excursion, departure to Midelt via the Ziz Valley. The Ziz Valley is a dramatic oasis of thousands of palm trees stretching along the Ziz River. You will stop at panoramic viewpoints for spectacular photographs.

Arrival in Midelt, a town nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountains, known for its apples and fossils.

Dinner and overnight in Midelt.

Breakfast. Drive through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and the town of Ifrane.

Morning – Cedar Forests: You will pass through one of the largest remaining cedar forests in Africa, home to wild Barbary macaques. You can observe these friendly monkeys from a safe distance.

Ifrane: Stop in Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco. This alpine-style town was built by the French in the 1930s with red tiled roofs, flower-filled roundabouts, and a stone lion carved into the rock.

Arrival in Fez for a guided tour of the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Your local guide will take you through the UNESCO listed Old Medina, including:

• Bou Inania Madrasa: A masterpiece of Marinid architecture with intricate carved wood and zellij tilework.
• The famous tanneries: The Chouara Tannery, where leather has been dyed in the same stone vats for over a thousand years (view from surrounding terraces).
• The Royal Palace (exterior visit): The impressive gates of the palace, a fine example of Moroccan craftsmanship.

Dinner and overnight in Fez.

Breakfast. Departure to the Ouzoud Waterfalls, one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Morocco.

The drive takes approximately 6 to 7 hours, passing through changing landscapes from the plains to the Middle Atlas foothills.

Arrival at the Ouzoud Waterfalls in the afternoon. The falls are the highest in North Africa, dropping 110 meters down a series of rocky cliffs.

Walk around the waterfalls and enjoy free time. You can:

• Follow the paths that wind around both sides of the falls for different viewpoints
• Walk behind the water curtain on one section
• Observe Barbary macaques (wild monkeys) that live in the area
• Take a small boat ride near the base of the falls (optional, local fee)
• Enjoy the cool mist and beautiful rainbows

Dinner and overnight in the Ouzoud area.

Breakfast. Departure for Marrakech.

The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

Afternoon city tour of Marrakech and free time for shopping and personal activities. You may choose to:

• Visit the vibrant souks for spices, carpets, lanterns, and leather goods
• Explore more of the medina
• Enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal at a local restaurant
• Relax at a cafe overlooking Jemaa el-Fna square

Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

Breakfast. Free time depending on your flight schedule.

You may use this time for last minute shopping, a final visit to Jemaa el-Fna square, or simply relaxing before your departure.

Transfer to Marrakech Airport according to your flight schedule.

End of the program.