Excursions 4x4 departure of marrakesh

Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

This day trip takes you right across the chain of the High Atlas mountains and over the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass, the highest in the whole of Africa . All along the route you can see the Berber villages perched on the side of the mountains, sometimes hardly distinguishable from the mountains themselves. At times you come down into the valleys to drive alongside the river bordered by oleander and fruit trees. The gardens are full of olives, walnuts, pomegranates, apples, pears and quinces. Berber women and children tend goats and sheep and climb even the steepest slopes in search of fodder and firewood.
As you reach the far side of the mountains the landscape changes dramatically, becoming semi-arid and desert-like. Here is the Kasbah architecture with turrets on all the buildings, adorned with grilled windows and soft peach coloured walls. These traditional houses are made of adobe, highly suitable for the climatic conditions of the south.
After the Tichka pass, you leave the main road and take a side road to the Telouet Kasbah, which belonged to the Lords of the Atlas, the Glaoui family, which stands in ruins after the last Pasha fled the country after the departure of the French. From there you continue for lunch at Ait Ben Haddou along the newly asphalted road.
The afternoon is spent exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ait Benhaddou, which has been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters. It was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan routes, where traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond.

Oukaimeden - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

At an altitude of 3200m, Oukaimden is the highest ski resort in Africa and probably one of the most original places to go skiing or snowboarding in the world. It is highly popular with both foreign tourists and Moroccan ski enthusiasts. You can rent ski and snowboard equipment on arrival, if you do not want to carry it all the way from home or the fancy suddenly strikes you to ski in Morocco . Snowfall is between December right up until April and it is possible to ski on a plateau of some 750 acres . The pistes are suitable for all kinds of ski-ing.
The rest of the year the valleys are connected by mules – another kind of adventure! Apart from this there are an observatory and 4000 year old rock carvings to visit. Oukaimden is also a hikers’ set- off point for the Ourika Valley , Asni and the ascent of Toubkal

Ourika Valley - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

A very popular destination for both for tourists and Moroccans alike is the Ourika Valley , southeast of Marrakech. The some forty miles of road to the valley is bordered by gardens, palm and fruit trees, small villages, summer houses, as well as cafes and restaurants. Local people like to visit Ourika in summer when the air is cooler than in the city and the scenery lush and green. This is a time to sit by, or even at tables in the river itself, to enjoy the delicious tajines that have been slowly cooking on charcoal burners.
In the valley itself the Ourika river descends from the High Atlas, passing by Asguine, Aghbalou, Oulmes and finally the village of Setti Fatma from where it is possible to follow the course of the river via seven waterfalls. The wild life includes painted frogs, the Moorish gecko, falcons, the crimson winged finch, poplar trees and weeping willows.
The two main towns are Oukaimeden, a popular ski resort in winter, and Setti Fatma, best known for the seven waterfalls and the four-day moussem, or festival, in August. At Oukaimden there are beginner's slopes as well as some black runs for advanced skiers. You can climb up the rocks along the side of the river and past the waterfalls or go for a trek into the hills. In the area

Imlil - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

The village of Imlil is close to Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa and only about 1.5 hours drive away from Marrakesh . On Saturdays you can visit the Asni Berber market, walk up to the kasbah and explore the surrounding trails. Imlil is a pleasant destination to cool off from Marrakesh ’s heat and dusty, bustling streets. October, when the whole valley smells of apples and clear skies and sunshine dominate, trekking is a particularly enjoyable way to spend a day. There are numerous places to stop for lunch or buy walnuts and apples for your day trek. The snow and cold from December to February make this destination less attractive, but the rest of the year a treat and retreat.

Ouzoud Waterfalls - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

Starting from Marrakesh , a day’s visit to the famous Ouzoud waterfalls of about 100 metres in height and which constitute one of the most spectacular natural beauty spots in Morocco . It is about a three hour drive to get there. The surrounding countryside offers red cliffs, oleander and doves and, if you are lucky, you will catch a glimpse of some Barbary apes. Bird-watchers will enjoy a trip to the waterfalls, too as will walkers who can enjoy the area at any time of year, except perhaps the hottest summer months of July and August. There are plenty of places to have lunch with a view over the waterfalls from their terraces. And a short walk will bring you to the top of the falls from where you can look down at their full magnificence and at the river.

Essaouira - 1 day - Departure Marrakesh

Essaouira is many tourists’ darling! Previously known as Mogador to the Portuguese inhabitants, it is a charming small town on the coast well- known for local handicrafts, especially thuja wood furniture, carving and small artefacts, sold in innumerable shops along the windy streets.
Orson Wells filmed “Othello” here, making especially the Portuguese ramparts famous in its opening scene. Visit the women’s cooperative where argane nuts are processed by hand into one of the most versatile oils; delicious in salads and a treat for the skin.
At the sea front, the customer chooses a selection of freshly caught fish to have prepared on the spot. The surfing opportunities and the beach make it an ideal spot for coastal lovers. Essaouira has a favourable micro-climate; mild in winter and cool in summer.
A truly favourite place to chill after a trip to the desert – on the beach, in the little cafés by the port or wandering in and out of all the little shops.

Excursions 4x4 departure of Ouarzazate

Kasbahs Ait Ben Haddou and Telouet - 1 day - Departure Ouarzazate

Morning departure is from Ouarzazate by 4x4 to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and the subject of many post-cards. This Kasbah sets the scene for many Hollywood blockbuster films, such as ‘Alexander’ and ‘The Gladiator’. It is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sites in Morocco and was elected as such in 1987. It is situated some 30 kilometres away from Ouarzazate along the Salt River .
The itinerary continues along a track through the High Atlas to Kasbah Telouet, which is now being asphalted for easier accessibility. This kasbah is remote, far away from the main Marrakesh road and served as a palatial residence and headquarters of the powerful Glaoui tribe. The head of this family was the Pasha of Marrakesh, the last of whom Thami Glaoui fled Morocco in 1956 after French Independence as he supported the French rather than the return of the king, Mohammed V.
This is where lunch is scheduled, before returning to Ouarzazate over the Tizi-n-Tichka Mountain by the end of the afternoon.

Dra’a Valley, Zagora, Tinfou Dunes - 1 day - Departure Ouarzazate

Departure in the morning from Ouarzazate by 4x4 to Agdez passing over the Tizi-n-Tinfifite mountain pass (1660m). After a pause for a glass of tea or morning coffee in Agdez, we go off- road. This allows a better view of the valley, passing the gardens, oases and kasbahs between the Dra'a River and the mountains.
Back on the paved road again, we continue to Zagora to have lunch in a beautiful kasbah set in pleasant gardens with a small pool. Zagora is the largest oasis in the Dra’a valley and especially famous for its dates.
In the afternoon, the Tinfou dunes offer an opportunity for a camel ride or a walk in the sand. The return to Ouarzazate is via Tamegroute with a visit to the Koranic libraray and the local potteries, which produce all the green pottery that you will see in the south. On the way back to Ouarzazate we stop at Kasbah Tamnougalte for tea/coffee. This kasbah is the oldest in the Dra'a valley and still partly inhabited. You could wander round and explore the kasbah with a guide if you wish. We reach Ouarzazate at the end of the afternoon.

Gorges and Valleys - 1 day - Departure Ouarzazate

Morning departure from Ouarzazate by 4x4 to the Skoura oasis along a track to see all the Kasbahs, some sadly in a state of disrepair but idyllically placed amongst the palm trees. Once back on the main road, the route passes through the Valley of Roses with a stop in Kela’a M’gouna to see and sample the locally-produced rose cosmetics, famous and highly valued throughout Morocco . The best month to see the roses is early May before the three-day Rose Festival.
A track leads us away from the Rose Valley , also known as the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. This road winds past villages and the river, which carries little water, allowing a view of the astounding rock formations and colours. We stop to have a glass of tea with Berber nomads in their caves. Lunch is in the Dades gorges with a pause for a closer look at the monkeys' fingers rocks across the river. This is followed by a walk along the river. In the afternoon we drive on a little way to visit the very different gorges in Toudgha. From there we return through the Dades valley and arrive back in Ouarzazate at the end of the afternoon.