Berber villages Tour

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We pick up you in the airport and start this Berber villages Tour of Morocco. In the morning we will travel to Beni Melal, 240 km from Rabat. This city is the capital of the region and center of industrial activity in the region. It brings us closer to the rural world of the Middle Atlas, where the inhabitants of the most populated zones, the two capitals of Morocco , Casablanca and Rabat, escape on vacation. The opportunity offered by the route that we propose is to stand in numerous villages of ​​the center of the country.

Direction of Azilal, we will stop at Bin el Ouidane which is the largest reservoir in Morocco. It was built from the rivers that cross Khenifra region. There, many water sports are practiced and we can enjoy the beauty of its landscape.

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The province of Khenifra constitutes a large water reserve for Morocco due to its complex hydrological system. On our tour of the Middle Atlas to Azrou, we will turn off to visit the sources of Oum Errabia river. This is the second Moroccan river, with 550 km long. The Oum Errabia supplies reservoirs such as Bin el Ouidane through its tributaries and contributes to the agricultural development of Tadla region. The river is born in the middle of a rural community, which has taken advantage of the purity of its waters and its icy freshness when flowing between rocks. And they have made it a local tourist attraction by installing an amazing whole complex of hemp cabins and terraces around it. Moroccans rent them to spend a summer day with the family protected from the sun and heat, have a tea or have a picnic.

Then we will travel by road in the landscapes and towns of the Middle Atlas until we reach the mountainous town of Azrou.

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We stop in the great cedar forest to see barbary macaques in the middle of nature. From this green and lush haven of peace in the vicinity of Azrou, we will cross the middle Atlas along the road that goes to the south.

If there is time we’ll do a stop in the middle of a volcanic plateau at an approximate altitude of 2,050 m. Dotted with pumice stones of dark color as it is an area with old volcanoes turned off, we find the largest of the lakes, the "Aguelmane Sidi Ali" lake. In the lake you can get in touch with Berbers who inhabit its shores all year round.

Our route will continue through Midelt and through the awesome Ziz Valley, where life takes place under the extension of palm trees and among a multitude of kasbahs.

The great green palm grove along the course of the river will accompany us a stretch on our trip.

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After breakfast and walk around the oasis, we will follow the route to the desert. We will turn to visit the Berber villages of the Tizimi Oasis before reaching Erfoud, the desert gate.

Afterwards, we can visit amazing quarries of fossils that are there. And that is, where there is sand now, once there was water. We will finally arrive at the foot of Erg Chebbi wonderful dunes. A welcome mint tea will be waiting for us and we will enjoy the sunset in the desert of Merzouga. Reach the camp with a ride with dromedaries is an option we recommend.

That first night in the desert is worth staying in a haimas camp. The original ones are tents made with dromedary hair in the traditional way of the berbers nomads. Our tents are equipped with every detail. After relaxing with a good shower, we will enjoy dinner in the tented camp near the dunes in the style of a thousand and one nights. Stars illuminate in the darkness of the desert sky, that seem to shine more than anywhere else.

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Before breakfast, possibility of walk towards the dunes to admire the sunrise. With the light of dawn and as the sun rises the desert sand takes on a spectacular reddish color.

Coming back from the site camp, we will drive through some of the Paris-Dakar rally old tracks. Already with our driver, we will visit Khamlia, a small town of about three hundred inhabitants of a Sha and Berber ethnic group. Originally from black Africa, they moved to the Sahara where they began to settle together with Berber nomads. Its people, as in the whole south, are warm and friendly. And music is also an important part of their culture. We will make a stop to enjoy their hospitality and their traditional Gnawa music.

We will go to the well and orchard /oasis of the village of Hassi Labied. A haven of peace to understand a little more about the life of the inhabitants of this town in the desert.

Free afternoon to relax at the hotel, enjoy the pool, go for a walk near the dunes or quad biking to hire once in the desert.

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Leaving the desert, we will go to Rissani, the ancient capital of Morocco, whose market is famous for the sale of donkeys. Although visited by tourists, its operation continues intact for the locals. People from all over the region go to buy and sell all kinds of goods, food and animals. If there is time and it is market day it is well worth visiting.

Landscape from this day will change completely again. The route continues towards Tinghir to deviate a bit towards the famous Todra Gorges. Another awesome place, made of vertical rock walls over 100 meters high, product of erosion overtime, that we will travel along its base by the river of clear water. We will enjoy a walk at the foot of these impressive walls, in a small stop along the way.

On the thousand kasbahs’ route, we will cross Dades Gorges. It is a narrow valley with an spectacular zigzagging landscape and enormous architectural value, because there are some ksar and numerous kasbahs, although some in ruins. It is really a must stop where the traveler falls in love with.

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If you like walking for a while in the fresh morning air, you can walk out of the riad to the river, crossing the bridge. You can take a walk through the orchards and a couple of nearby towns, with the opportunity to interact with the local people, see an abandoned kasbah, the small Berber cemetery, and enjoy the beautiful landscape up to the area of curious geological formations in the mountains called the Monkey's Fingers, where our driver will wait for you.

We follow on our Berber villages tour. After breakfast, we will cross the Dades canyons, M'Semrir, we will cross Agoudal and we will arrive at Ait Hani, typical Berber village of the High Atlas.

Then we will continue our route to Imilchil, deeper in the High Atlas east. Imilchil is known for its Mousem, the "Feast of the Brides", which is celebrated every year at the end of summer. It is when agricultural tasks have been completed and before the winter rigors and the consequent isolation arrive. Paradoxically, the Mousem is not celebrated in Imilchil, but in a village located 22 km. away to the south, in the direction of Agoudal, next to the Marabout of Sidi Ahmed Oulmghani.

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The fresh mountain air will accompany us at breakfast in Imilchil. The majesty of the mountains through which we travel is breathtaking. Between berber viillages, hiking trails begin to enjoy the mountains around Tizi n’Tghboula. We will stop along the way to enjoy the so-called lakes of the bride and groom, Tislit and Isli, and continue northbound to Kasba Tadla.

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Tadla is a historical and geographical region of Morocco, located in the center of the country, north of the High Atlas and west of the Middle Atlas. It constitutes the region of origin of the tribal population of the same name, the 9 Tadla tribes, of semi-nomadic shepherds. The city of Tadla ranked first in cotton production and exported large quantities in all directions.

Kasbah Tadla, on the right bank of the Oum Er Rbia, is a monument of interest that was an Almoravid city of the eleventh century, later devastated by the Banu Hilal, a confederation of Arab Bedouins. It owes its resurrection to Moulay Ismail and his son, who built the center of his security apparatus there in the 17th century: a huge Kasbah that enclose two mosques and Dar El Makhzen.

From this point we will travel to our final destination.

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Depending on the departure time of the flight, free time to visit the city and make the last purchases.

Transfer to the airport and end of the tour to berber villages of Morocco and desert. End of our services.

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Included:

- Personalized private tour only for your group.

- Price includes private transportation (with wifi and air conditioning) and accommodation in BB or HB optional in riad / hotel in the chosen category.

- Professional local driver who speaks customer's language (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Swedish, among others).

- Points and schedule of collection and arrival to be agreed. Departures from Tangier require 1 day more and a night in Rabat.

Not included:

- Trip does not include flights, which will be booked by the customer.

- Does not include midday meals, drinks, tips, museum tickets, nor fees of visits or other activities.

More options:

- Enjoy going to a hammam or spa, a ceramic workshop or moroccan cooking class, going on quad or buggy, ride a balloon, visit more museums ... your experience will be unique with the people and culture of the country.

- Possibility of adding more days to better visit the main cities or go deeper into the Atlas, to consult.

Contact / Bookings