Suggested Itineraries for Tours in Morocco
Southern Oasis Route
Southern Oasis Route Tours
4x4 Morocco Tours to experience the culture and traditions of the Berbers and embrace the timeless quality of Moroccan life. Haggle in Berber souks, drink tea with Berber nomads and relax to the pace of the Sahara on a sunset camel trek in Erg Chebbi or experience the simplicity of desert life on a 3-day camel trek in Erg Chigaga with an expert guide.
Make an Enquiry >
Price Guide & Payment Options >
Planning Your Holiday >
Crossing the ever-changing landscapes of Morocco is amazing at any time of year and the trans-Saharan caravans took months, sometimes years, to navigate the desert and reach the fondouks of Marrakech. Now, in just one day, you can cross mountain passes and drive along oasis valleys in time to camel trek in the Sahara at sunset - not that we advise such haste when there is so much to discover along the route.
Travel at a leisurely pace, in a Toyota Land Cruiser with private driver, to experience the timeless quality of Moroccan life. Deep in the South, as the landscape grows more barren and the sand becomes all-invading, seek out the oases of life – orchards, fields, palm groves and rose gardens that stretch out along strips of fertile land where the Berbers work miracles with a donkey and plough.
Morocco Tours run Marrakech to Marrakech, Marrakech to Fes or Fes to Marrakech. In addition we can meet you in Ouarzazate, Tangier, Casablanca or elsewhere on request.
Quick Links for Southern Oasis Route Tours of the Berber Heartlands
- Who are the Berbers?
- South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours from Marrakech to Marrakech
- South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours from Marrakech to Fez
- South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours from Fez to Marrakech
- Bonded Morocco Tours – Prices, Confirmation and Payment Options
- Testimonials
Who are the Berbers?
The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa and live in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The Berbers, who once ruled over kingdoms in the region, were conquered by the Arabs at the beginning of the seventh century.
Although mostly Muslim, Moroccan Berbers retain their ancient customs and festivals, especially in rural areas, and many speak a dialect known as Tamzight although it is not an officially recognised language.
Outside of the cities, in and around their small villages, the Berbers have an agricultural lifestyle - keeping sheep and goats and growing crops e.g. mint, cereals, vegetables etc.
The Berbers refer to themselves as Amazigh, which means ’free men’.
South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours Marrakech to Marrakech
Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka (2260m), the highest Atlas road pass, to Ait Benhaddou and, on a Thursday, stop to explore a traditional Berber mountain souk. Wander through the World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, one of Morocco’s most spectacular ksars (fortified villages) that once stood on the route of the trans-Saharan camel caravans as they made their way across the High Atlas to the fondouks of Marrakech.
Ait Benhaddou to Ncob
Transfer south to Ouarzazatae and visit the old Glaoua Kasbah of Taourirt. Continue along the Draa Valley, with ancient kasbahs and Berber villages, to Ncob.
Ncob to Merzouga via Tazzarine and Alnif. Erg Chebbi Camel Trek
Transfer to Merzouga via Tazzarine, Alnif and Rissani. Meet your Berber desert guide and camel trek to a desert camp where dinner is served under the stars.
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi Desert
Wake early to watch the sunrise and return across the desert to breakfast and shower in a hotel. A day to explore with your driver e.g. seasonal lakes, Merzouga village and Gnawa musicians. Hotel at the dune line for your second night in the desert.
Merzouga to Todra Gorge via Tinerhir
Transfer to Tinerhir and leave the main road to drive along the highest gorge in Morocco past old pisé villages and valley floor gardens.
Todra Gorge to Telouet via Mgouna and Skoura Palmerie
Transfer to the High Atlas Berber village of Telouet via Kelaa Mgouna (Rose Valley), where children line the route in April and May selling garlands of the fragrant roses grown in this region, and Skoura Palmerie. Lunch and option of easy guided walk in the mountains.
Telouet to Marrakech
Visit the Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Berber War Lord and Pasha of Marrakech, lunch and continue to Marrakech.
Marrakech City Tour
The contrast between the traditional lifestyle of the Berber people and Marrakech could not be greater - take a day or two to explore the city and stay in a Riad, a beautifully renovated house around a central courtyard in the Old Medina.
South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours from Marrakech to Fez
A Marrakech to Fes desert tour takes as little as 3 days if you have limited time. It is however a long drive and the more days you have the more you can explore along the route.
Day 1 - Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou via Telouet
Transfer from Marrakech across the Tizi-n-Tichka, the highest Atlas road pass, to the traditional Berber village of Telouet and visit the Kasbah of el Glaoui, former Berber War Lord. Continue along the Ounila valley, and original caravan trade route, to Ait Benhaddou. Visit the World Heritage Site and one of Morocco’s most spectacular Ksours (fortified village).
Day 2 - Ait Benhaddou to Dades Gorge via Skoura
Transfer through Ouarzazate, Skoura and Kelaa Mgouna (rose valley) to Boumalne Dades. Leave the main route to drive along the valley past ruined Kasbahs, valley gardens and the strange rocks of the Tamnalt Hills.
Day 3 - Dades Gorge to Ncob across the Jbel Sarhro
Return to Boumalne Dades and travel off-road across the Tizi-n-Tazzazert to Ncob. The drive across the mountains is slow with spectacular views, Berber settlements and unusual rock formations.
Day 4 - Ncob to Merzouga via Rissani. Camel Trekking in Erg Chebbi
Transfer to Merzouga along the Southern edge of the Jbel Sarahro. Visit the Souk in Rissani if it is the day of the market and continue to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. Sunset camel trek to a desert camp in the dunes.
Day 5 - Merzouga to Fes via Azrou and the Cedar Forests
Wake early to see the sunrise and return camel trek to shower and breakfast. Transfer to Fes via Ziz valley gorge, cedar forests where Macaque monkeys live and Azou. It is an interesting route with a stop for lunch usually around Midelt
South of Morocco Oasis Desert Tours from Fez to Marrakech
A Fes to Marrakech desert tour takes as little as 3 days. It is however a long drive and the more days you have the more you can explore along the route.
Day 1 - Fes to Merzouga via Azrou and the Cedar Forests
Transfer directly to Merzouga via Azrou, cedar forests where Macaque monkeys live and the Ziz valley gorge. It is an interesting route with a stop for lunch usually around Midelt.
Day 2 - Merzouga Exploration. Camel trek to a Desert Camp
Rise early to see the sunrise and return across the dunes to Merzouga. Relax to the pace of desert life and explore with your driver e.g. fossil beds, seasonal lakes, Gnawa musicians and Merzouga village.
Day 3 - Merzouga to Ncob via Rissani. Camel Trekking in Erg Chebbi
Transfer to Ncob along the Southern edge of the Jbel Sarahro and visit the Souk in Rissani if it is the day of the market.
Day 4 - Ncob to Skoura Palm Grove across the Jbel Sarhro
Travel off-road across the Tizi-n-Tazzazert to Skoura palm Grove. The drive across the mountains is slow but with spectacular views Berber settlements and strange rock formations.
Day 5 – Skoura to Marrakech via Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and Telouet
Transfer to Ait Benhaddou and visit the World Heritage Site, one of Morocco’s most spectacular fortified villages. Continue through the Ounila valley with Berber villages and verdant valley floor oases to the traditional Berber village of Telouet. Visit the Kasbah of el Glaoui, Berber War Lord, and continue to Marrakech.
Bonded Morocco Tours – Prices, Confirmation and Payment
Please refer to: 'Private Morocco Tours - Pricing'
Testimonials
To read our clients’ feedback please refer to: 'Tours of Morocco - Testimonials'
