12 DAYS TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO IMPERIAL CITIES VIA MERZOUGA

Discover Morocco with AtlasGeoTours:

Embark on a captivating 12-day journey from Marrakech to the Imperial Cities via Merzouga, immersing yourself in Morocco’s geological wonders and cultural treasures.

Our expedition commences in Marrakech, bidding farewell to the city’s bustling streets and venturing towards the rugged beauty of the High Atlas Pass. Along the way, we pause in Ouarzazat, known as the Moroccan Hollywood, indulging in a delightful lunch amidst cinematic scenery.

As the sun sets, we find ourselves in the captivating expanse of the Alnif desert, its black stony terrain offering a surreal backdrop for our first encounter with the starlit sky. Here, under the guidance of expert lectures, we delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, awestruck by the celestial spectacle above.

Throughout our expedition, we engage with local communities, immersing ourselves in their vibrant cultures and traditions. Evenings are enriched with lectures on astronomy, offering insights into nomadic tribal cultures and their celestial beliefs.

As our adventure draws to a close, we trace the scenic Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, each one a testament to Morocco’s storied history.

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ITINERARY

Day 1 : Arrival in Marrakech – Transfer to accommodation

You’ll be greeted at Marrakech’s Menara airport by a driver or guide from Sahara Desert Excursions, depending on your flight time. They’ll take you to your accommodation in the Marrakech Medina Riad or Hotel for your first night’s stay.

Day 2 : Marrakech – Casablanca – Rabat

We start our journey, heading to Rabat via Casablanca. Along the way, we’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque and get an overview of Casablanca. After lunch, we continue to Rabat, the capital, where we’ll explore the city, including the Royal Palace walls, Hassan II and Muhammad V’s mausoleums, and the Kasbah des Oudaya. Overnight in Rabat.

Day 3: Rabat – Asilah – Tangier

We journey to Asilah, known as the “artists’ refuge,” with free time to explore. En route to Tangier, we’ll stop at Hercules’ Cave and Spartel Cap. Relax at your Tangier hotel.

Day 4: Tangier – Rif Mountains – Tetuan – Chefchaouen

Travel to Chefchaouen via Tetuan, known as the “White Pigeon,” to admire its architecture. In Chefchaouen, explore Outa-el-Hammam square, the medina, and Tarik Ben Ziad mosque. Overnight in Chefchaouen.

Day 5: Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes

Continue to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. Explore the Roman ruins, Meknes City, and its landmarks. Reach Fes for overnight stay.

Day 6: Explore Fes with a guide

Discover Fes’ cultural heritage, visiting landmarks like the Jewish Mellah, the Tannery, and the Royal Palace. Overnight in Fes.

Day 7: Fes – Atlas Mountains – Merzouga Sahara desert

Travel through the Atlas Mountains to Merzouga, stopping at Ifrane, Azrou, and the Ziz Valley. Arrive at Merzouga for a camel adventure and overnight in a desert camp.

Day 8: Merzouga – Todra Valley & Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate

Watch the sunrise in Merzouga before returning to the village. Travel to Ouarzazate via Rissani, Erfoud, and the Todra Gorges. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – High Atlas – Imlil

Visit Ait Ben Haddou and travel through the High Atlas to Imlil. Overnight in a guesthouse in the Atlas Mountains.

Day 10: Imlil – Asni – Marrakech

Explore the Atlas Mountains, visiting Aroumd and Asni. Reach Marrakech in the afternoon and overnight in a Riad.

Day 11: Marrakech Guided Tour

Discover Marrakech’s landmarks, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, and Jemaa El-Fna Plaza. Overnight in a Riad.

Day 12: Free Day in Marrakech

Enjoy free time in Marrakech before transferring to the airport for your departure.

GALERIE

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Fantastic! a proper geologist with an expert knowledge of the local fossils and the market I talked with Moha of Atlas Tours by Whatsapp and on the phone from UK before I went to Morocco, I was recommended to contact him by a trilobite expert from US when I said I wanted to meet a proper geologist and not just a tourist guide. Mohamed Sagaoui knows his stuff and is an interesting man, he took me to the Tahiri museum, to various shops so I could learn the range of available quality and price, and to his workshop to view trilobites being cleaned, sandblasted, prepared. I also spent a fantastic day with him in the rocky hillsides around Alnif where we searched for and found some specimens. Highly recommended A+++

Daniel

2024-04-04

Expert Local Knowledge Second time doing a similar scope trip to Morocco and its fossil sights. Absolutely loved it, Moha is a fantastic and generous guide. Already planning to go back!

Getaway61998159183

2024-03-25

Best Geology Tour of Morocco Fantastic tour of the geology of Morocco! Moha was an excellent guide and helped remove all the stress of lacking local knowledge. Our group from the Yorkshire Natural History Museum could not recommend anyone else more for showcasing the fossil localities of Morocco.

Yorkshire Natural History Museum

2024-03-22

The Best Geotour of Morocco! This is the second trip we have taken with Atlas Geotours and the excellent guide Moha Segaoui. Moha is a wonderful knowledgable guide who can customize trips to your requirements. His knowledge of the geology and paleo locations is extensive . The experience is unmatched. The landscapes are breathtaking. This is a must do trip. The ability to combine cultural aspects and geology and paleontology is unique. You won’t find a better guide.

brucehlauer

2024-03-21

Morocco again - desert, sand sun and fossils We have been travelling with Moha Segaoui - Atlas Geotours- Nationally certified English speaking guide - for over 20 years and are beginning to regard parts of Morocco as home. This trip, (10 days, group of 5 adults, Casablanca to Merzouga), took place during Ramadan, which meant we could not share our lunchtime picnics with Moha and the drivers as we had done previously. Moha met us at the airport with an 8 seater minibus which gave us plenty of space for luggage and purchases and was more convenient for the on road part of the trip. For the desert we transferred to two large 4x4 Toyota Landcruisers for 3 days. Theoretically, we could have arranged the whole trip ourselves from the UK. however we are retired and are happy for someone else to make the plans and take the decisions. By using Atlas Geotours we had a safety net of experienced professionals, able to confidently deal with any unforeseen events. On this trip it was wet and drizzly in the north, so Moha adjusted our hotel reservations by a day so we could enjoy better weather in the middle Atlas. Moha will choose the accommodation to suit your budget. We had mid-range hotels that in most cases we had visited before, some even having a bar. Our trip ended in Merzouga, in the south east, close to the Algerian border. There are a dozen or so hotels on edge of the famous Chebbi dunes which fill up fast, but we were able to get four of our five nights there in one we particularly liked. Using Merzouga as a base, we explored the Silurian, Devonian and Cretaceous geology both in the field and in the many rock shops. If you are into Astronomy, Moha does a great presentation on the desert night sky. To get home, rather than retracing our steps back, we took an internal flight from Errachidia, which arrived in plenty of time for our international connection at Casablanca. The "take home messages" are: Morocco is a wonderful country, particularly for Geology, Natural History and Star Gazing. Moha is a great guide. Together, you have a most memorable trip.

David W

Fantastic Morocco Tour I had a terrific solo adventure in Morocco with Hamed as my guide. He took me all over, from Marrakesh to the Sahara to Fez. Sometimes he would provide local experts as well. He has deep knowledge in geology, fossils and astronomy. The large telescope viewing from the Sahara was excellent. Hamed was always looking out for me, making sure I did not get any digestive issues (I didn't), keeping me comfortable, and making sure I made all my travel connections. I can't imagine a better guide for Morocco.

Kevin A

2023-09-23

A journey through the eons A decade ago we have met an interesting guy, named Mohamed Segaoui at the fossil meeting in Munich. His stand was filled with exquisite specimen of fossils and following a short discussion, we have learned that he is also guiding geological tours in Morocco. Not long after this chance meeting we we went on a 10 day tour guided by Moha. It really was a trip of a lifetime! Everything went smooth, guiding was impeccable and the suggested itinerary well organized (following a geological time scale). Moha also made extra effort in helping with my wife's gluten-intolerance. Moreover, he was always on time, going an extra mile (for instance by arranging an alternative camel-trip, when we expressed our wish and waiting for me, when I enthusiastically was searching for trilobites). In addition, all of our stays were in nice accomodation. Last but not least, the price that was agreed upon was exactly the price we have payed. Following the 10 days in Morocco, our tour ended, but our friendship with Moha (and his brothers) is still here, stronger than ever. In short, I highly recommend taking a tour with Atlasgeotours, you will be in good hands.

Jernej J

2023-07-04

A fantastic trip to Morocco with Atlas Geo tours We had an absolutely amazing trip around some of the best palaeontological sites in Morocco courtesy of Moha of Atlas Geo tours. We saw some spectacular fossils and minerals including beautiful spikey trilobites, and some stunning geological sites including the Devonian mud mounds. Moha Segaoui is a fantastic guide, he is incredibly knowledgeable about fossils, geology and astronomy, and is very friendly and accommodating. I have used Atlas Geo tours many times now and every time it has been fantastic. I highly recommend Atlas Geo tours for anyone who is interesting in palaeontology or geology. Once again a massive thankyou to Atlas Geo tours for a fantastic trip, I will be using you again soon.

Roy Smith

2023-06-07

Adventure of a lifetime - experiencing the real Morocco We had a true adventure in Morocco, all because of the excellent itinerary put together by Moha of Atlas Geo Tours. We flew into Tangier and toured Morocco including the Blue City, Hercules Caves, Chefchaouen to Vulubilis, Fez to Midelt and through the Ziz Valley, camped in the desert with stargazing and a beautiful sunrise, onto Erfoud, Rissani and through the High Atlas Mountains ending in Marrakech - phew! We experienced the true off the beaten track places to the tourist hot spots, culture, food, people and the amazing geology and landscapes. We had the opportunity to collect our own fossils and minerals with expert guidance and tuition and visit the local dealers. If you want a "mixed salad" tour, then Atlas Geo Tours is totally the way to go, they organised everything, hotels with DBB and picnic lunches, cars with drivers and provided so much information regarding the sights with no hidden costs. They can build your itinerary to suit your interests and ours was a perfect one. Thank you Moha for making this trip of a lifetime so memorable.

SallyH007

2023-05-27

Fantastic GeoTour of the Moroccan Desert! Moha is a fantastic local guide with expertise in the geology and environmental history of Morocco. He organised our field trip for 15 undergraduate students and took us to many fantastic sites across the Atlas and southeastern desert. He knows all the best sites to see fossils -- from stromatolites to dinosaurs. All the hotels and restaurants he selected were wonderful; brilliant food and accommodation. I really appreciated all the extra effort that Moha and his team went to to look after us during Ramadan. I would highly recommend him for any kind of field trip or geo tour of Morocco. I can't wait to go back.

Joel D

2023-04-24

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