Compare Marrakech & the Sahara by Exodus Travels vs Southern Morocco, Anti-Atlas & the Atlantic Coast by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 1,125 | $ 3,040 |
| Price Per Day | $ 141 | $ 338 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts and three dinners included. Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent, though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included budget for the following approximate prices. Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10) Dinners: In cities: 80-200 dirhams (US$8-US$19) In small towns and villages: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10) Drinks in restaurants Soft drinks: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-US$1.90) Beer: 30-50 dirham (US$2.85-US$5) Wine: 150 dirham (US$14) and more Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (e.g. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home. | N/A |
| Description |
Experience the grandeur of the Sahara as we journey from Marrakech across the High Atlas Mountains to the palm groves of the Draa Valley and the gateway to the desert at Zagora. En route, we’ll explore the Unesco-listed ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou, before a camel trek and night under a thousand stars on the edge of the largest desert in the world, the Sahara. On our way back to the city, we’ll stop in the remote village of Tighza and enjoy a peaceful walk and authentic hammam. Finally, there is free time to enjoy the sights and smells of Marrakech, one of the great cities of the Arabic world.Embark on an exciting adventure in the Sahara and High Atlas Mountains |
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Day 1 Start Marrakech
The tour starts at our Marrakech hotel this afternoon. Accommodation: Akabar Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Across the High Atlas to Ait Benhaddou
With time to explore Marrakech at the end of our journey, we leave the Red City behind and head into the Atlas Mountains. Our destination for the day is the well-preserved ksar of Ait Benhaddou. This Unesco World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular landmarks in the Atlas and the filming location for several Hollywood movies, including Gladiator (2000). The route takes us over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the highest in Morocco, arriving mid-afternoon. We take a tour through the ksar and then return to our hotel for dinner. Accommodation: Rose du Sable (or similar) Drive time: Four hours
Day 3 Draa Valley, camel ride and Amazigh camp
We travel through Ouarzazate, nicknamed the door to the desert because it used to be a crossing point for African traders on their way to Europe. It is now the site of the Atlas Film Studios, the setting for many Hollywood films and Game of Thrones. It's also home to the impressive Kasbah Taourirt, a grand fort largely constructed from rammed earth and mud-brick. We then head south with a 4hr 30min drive along the Draa Valley, which contains more than 4m palm trees and is bordered by many ksours (fortified villages). Here we embark on a one and a half hour camel trek and venture further into the Sahara, where we spend the night at a simple Bedouin camp for spectacular stargazing. Surrounded by silence and millions of stars, we can appreciate the immensity of the desert. Accommodation: Camp Chez Le Pacha (full-service camping) Drive time: 5hr 30min Please note: As we venture into the desert, you are requested to only bring an overnight bag and leave all your remaining luggage with the vehicle. Please pack your overnight bag ready for today.
Day 4 Camel ride; on to Zagora and free time
We wake in the desert silence, then take a return camel ride and a short drive to Zagora. There's time to rest, have a shower and enjoy the pool. Later in the afternoon, we can take an optional walk into the valley and around this famous desert outpost. Accommodation: Hotel Chez le Pacha (or similar) Drive time: Two hours
Day 5 Into the High Atlas Mountains; walk to remote village of Tighza and visit the local hammam
We travel west through the Draa Valley to join the Ounila Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. We start our walk from Animeter on a track with short steep inclines passing through small villages. After about 1hr 30min, we arrive at our gite in Tighza where we spend the night. Tighza is a rural village set in the Atlas mountains. From the terrace of our Gite you can look down into the valley and enjoy the sunset over the surrounding mountains. It is a peaceful retreat and provides the opportunity to meet local villagers and share their way of life. In the evening, we visit the village hammam, built with money raised by Exodus clients. This is a truly authentic experience. It is very much a traditional hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. Please don't expect a spa treatment. A standard treatment is included, but you will need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 Moroccan dirham (US$2) and pay a customary tip of 20 dirham. Refreshed, we return to the gite for our dinner in the mountains. Accommodation: Tighza gite (or similar) Drive time: 4hr 30min
Day 6 Morning walk; afternoon transfer to Marrakech through magnificent mountain scenery
This morning there is time to relax on the terrace, which has wonderful views across the fertile Tijhza Valley. Alternatively, we offer an optional three hour trek through the villages of this remote area, passing fields cultivated by the Amazigh women, with the peaks of the High Atlas as a fitting backdrop. We leave the gite after lunch, making the scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains back to Marrakech, with some stunning scenery along the way. Once again, we cross Tizi n'Tichka. Back in Marrakech, we check into our hotel. In the evening, we visit Djemma el Fna, the open-air central square around which Marrakech revolves. The name literally means place of death, as the sultans once displayed the heads of their enemies here. Now, with the food stalls, snake charmers, juice-sellers and acrobats, it is a place of night-time entertainment. Accommodation: Akabar Hotel (or similar) Drive time: 5hr 30min
Day 7 Explore Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna, beautiful gardens, palaces and souks
Today, we have a guided walking tour to see the spectacular sites of Marrakech. Our city guide will lead us to the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs, which date to the 16th century. We see the outside of the largest mosque in Marrakech the Koutoubia. We continue through the labyrinthine of souks where you can barter for souvenirs. We can then have lunch together in a restaurant overlooking the square. Alternatively, you may prefer to head off on your own today and take a calèche ride (horse-drawn carriage) to the peaceful Majorelle gardens, owned by Yves St Laurent and decorated throughout in indigo blue or simply enjoy another hammam. Accommodation: Akabar Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 End Marrakech
Our journey comes to an end after breakfast. Hop into your free transfer to Marrakech Airport to catch your flight. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in the Red City.
Day 1 : Marrakesh
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Marrakesh. Upon arrival into Marrakesh you'll be met at the airport and driven to your riad.
Day 2 : Taroudant
Today's journey takes you over the High Atlas Mountains to Taroudant on the spectacular Tizi-n-Test Pass. Part of your journey is by 4WD, which allows you to explore the more remote part of the mountains.
Day 3 : Taroudant
Impressive ramparts surround Taroudant, enclosing a bustling medina which you can explore with your private guide, before visiting the nearby village of Tioute.
Day 4 : Tafraoute
The Souss Valley is home to the arganeraie forests, which are unique to this region of Morocco and are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Weaving your way on through the forests, you'll stay for a night in Tafraoute.
Day 5 : Mirleft
Tafraoute and the surrounding area is home to some weird and wonderful rock formations. Disused Berber granaries perch high on top of the rocks, and can occasionally be spotted from below. You head for the coast through this interesting landscape.
Day 6 : Mirleft
After several days of travel you can enjoy some leisure time to relax by the pool, which has exceptional views across the deserted beach below and the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 7 : Souss Massa
This morning you'll travel north along the coastal road to the Souss Massa National Park.
Day 8 : Souss Massa
You may like to explore the tiny fishing villages along the coast today, or take advantage of the hammam and spa facilities at your hotel. Depending on the time of year, the National Park is an ornithologist's paradise, full of migrating birds.
Day 9 : International return flight
You have an early start for the transfer to Agadir Airport for the flight to Casablanca and your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
