High Atlas Mountains

One hour after departing from Marrakech, we will embark on our journey through the majestic High Atlas Mountains. Our route will lead us through the twisting paths of the Tizi n'Tichka pass, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas of this magnificent mountain range. As this is your Tailored Morocco Tour, we are flexible to stop at any point along the route for photo opportunities, to bask in the natural beauty, or even to unwind at a local café and savor a cup of refreshing mint tea amidst the awe-inspiring scenery.

Ait Ben Haddou

Explore the historic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, renowned as the oldest kasbah, or ancient fortified city, in Morocco, tracing its origins back to the 11th century. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this remarkable locale has served as the backdrop for numerous iconic movies and shows, including Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy, among others. Accompanied by your knowledgeable TMT guide, embark on a picturesque stroll within the ancient clay walls, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Berber heritage and culture. Through vivid descriptions of traditional Moroccan history and customs, your guide will transport you back in time to experience the everyday life of ancient Berber civilization. Don't forget to capture memorable snapshots of this iconic site, ensuring lasting memories of your visit.

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate, often referred to as the "Hollywood of Morocco," lives up to its nickname with good reason. This city is home to Morocco's foremost filmmaking hub and boasts the distinction of housing the largest film studio globally, Atlas Studios. Embark on a captivating guided tour within the expansive grounds of Atlas Studios, where you'll encounter full-scale replicas of Egyptian temples, medieval castles, and ancient towns. Delve into the intricacies of the production process as you gain insights into Morocco's unique allure as a favored filming destination. Before heading out of Ourzazate, we will stop at a panoramic viewpoint of Tourirt Kasbah - a historic fortified complex dating back to the 19th century and a backdrop in its own right to movies such as Sheltering Sky, Gladiator, and Prince of Persia. You might want to brush up on your film knowledge before your tour starts!

Kasbah Amridil

On the road from Ouarzazat to Boumalene Dades you will find yourself driving along what is commonly known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs. After driving about 50 minutes from Ouarzazate, we will make a stop in Skoura. Here in this quiet little village speckled with palm tree groves, you will find one kasbah that stands out from the rest. The Kasbah Amridil, originally built in the 17th century, is one of Morocco’s most iconic living museums. It has withstood the test of time, making it the ideal setting for insight into the ancient traditions of kasbah life. With a local guide, visit this beautiful kasbah that was once featured on the 50 dirham note, although the newer ones no longer display it. It has also been featured in several films, including Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Lawrence of Arabia.

Vallee Des Roses

The Valley of Roses in Morocco is often overlooked on the popular Ouarzazate to Dades route. Not only is the scenery stunning, but the local roadside products (ranging from rose oil to rose water) are the lifeblood of this small Moroccan community nestled in the beautiful southern foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Winding rivers cut trails of green through the sculpted rock formation of steep ravines. Backed by the golden hue of barren landscapes, these oases give Morocco its unmistakable exotic feel. Tailored Morocco Tours offers the possibility of stopping in this beautiful valley for a coffee break or shopping for local products made with roses.

Dades Gorges

Sitting in the shadow of the Central Atlas Mountains, the Dades Gorge presents a dramatic landscape: ancient rust-red and mauve mountains reveal zigzagging layers of strata and knobby rock formations. A rush of springtime water puddles in the valley where irrigation channels siphon it off to fields of wheat and orchards of fig, almond, and olive trees. A series of crumbling kasbahs and ksour (fortified villages) line the valley in the Berber villages of Aït Youl, Aït Arbi, Aït Oudinar, Aït Ouffi and Aït Toukhsine.

Todra Gorge

The Todra Gorge is a trench of gigantic rock walls that change color and run through the High Atlas Mountains creating an absolutely magnificent spectacle. During the drive from Tinerhir to the gorge there are thick passages of palmeries and Berber villages. Your journey through the route that brings you to the Todra Gorge should be taken slowly as it is truly remarkable. This is especially true if you are coming from the barren parts of the oases before the Todra Gorge. Our guide will make stops to let you enjoy the views and contrast of the green valley with the surrounding mountain range. Once you arrive to the gorge, you will be eager to explore. In recent years, the Todra Gorge has attracted a lot of attention from serious climbers and hikers. The rock formations vary between twenty-five to three hundred meters and there are over one hundred fifty hiking routes to explore.

Merzouga

Heading towards the Sahara Desert from Todra Gorge, you will pass through many Berber villages and arrive at Merzouga where the large Erg Chebbi sand dunes exist. You will find your camels waiting for you to ride towards the desert camp, crossing the mesmerizing dunes and enjoying a spectacular sunset on the top of the sand dunes. Upon arriving at the camp, the staff will welcome you with a customary cup of Moroccan mint tea and show you to your private tent. You will be informed of your dinner time and made to feel right at home. After dinner you might enjoy the stars filling the night-sky along with some Moroccan Berber music. A once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed!

After breakfast in your camp you will start discovering the Merzouga region. You will drive around Merzouga, see the breathtaking sand dunes, and visit local nomads in their tents. Moreover you will visit a Gnawa house, experience their lifestyle, and hear special live music in a village called Khamlia.

Rissani

From Merzouga the tour will continue to the old town of Errisani, or what was called Sijilmassa - the capital of southeastern Morocco at the time. Errisani is the hometown of the current royal family, and used to be a main stop for caravan traders. Today the legacies of trade and large souks in town live on. Another interesting site that Errisani has to offer is the mausoleum of the third great-grandfather of King Mohamed VI.

Erfoud

Erfoud is a town with a glorious past. It is stationed at the border of Tafilalet, south of the Ziz valley. It used to be the base camp for all expeditions through Merzouga and beyond. The local arts and crafts use fossilized stone found in the area (the Erfoud stone) to create decorative and useful trinkets. Geologists and archeologists consider Erfoud the largest open-air museum of fossils in the world. It is enriched by a varied collection of extinct land and sea animals fossilized millions of years ago. Thus, inhabitants and local artisans have further enhanced the natural beauty of these specimens by turning them into artistic carvings.

Ziz Valley is one of the largest palm oases of Morocco - a sight you might not expect to see in the middle of the desert! The village of Aoufous, located in the heart of the Ziz palm groves, is one of the best places to to go for a hike, spend a serene night, and catch a glimpse of life inside the palmeries. The village itself is calm and tranquil. Locals are friendly and life here presents a very different side of Morocco compared to the bustling imperial cities. You will quickly find interesting people to meet and new things to discover. Expect to be invited in for tea or food and relax in the comfort of knowing that this is an area renowned for its truly genuine Moroccan hospitality.

Leaving the Ziz valley towards Fez you will pass the ZIz Gorge and cross the Atlas Mountains through a winding pass called Tizi n Tlghmt. As usual your guide will make sure to stop at any viewpoints you are interested in. The next city you pass will be Midelt, the capital of apples!

Azrou Cedar Forest

The Azrou Cedar Forest is a source of great pride throughout the country. Moroccan cedars, some more than 400 years old, grow to heights of close to 200 feet and cover some 320,000 acres on the slopes of the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Rif at altitudes between 3,940 and 9,200 feet. Cedar is much coveted by woodworkers, particularly makers of stringed musical instruments. Living among the enormous cedars to the south of Azrou are troops of bold Barbary macaques and birdlife ranging from the redheaded Moroccan woodpecker to owls and eagles. Flora include the large-leaf peony, the scarlet dianthus, and the blue germander, all of which attract butterflies, including the cardinal and the colorful sulfur Cleopatra.

Ifrane

Nicknamed "Little Switzerland," Ifrane's unique charm attracts many tourists each year. Located in the mountains of the Middle Atlas, Ifrane is at once an oasis of freshness and superb greenery, diverse lakes and rivers, and stunning natural landscapes - and at once an image of European urbanism. Ifrane has something to offer everyone, and it is no surprise that the area's natural riches make it a popular tourist destination for hiking, boar hunting, and fishing.