TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS IN MOROCCO

Naturally Morocco is a leading independent tour specialist, founded in 1996. We provide tailor-made holidays to Morocco, with or without flights, including traditional "riad" and "kasbah" style accommodation, transport, excursions and an extensive list of activities

HIGH ATLAS LOOP

For those of you who enjoy a motoring holiday this seven-day trip starts with an overnight stay in Marrakech and a night in the nearby High Atlas before you pick up your car. Your self-drive journey begins with a scenic four hour drive south over the Tiz-n-Test pass at 6,000 ft down into the Souss Valley and Taroudant, a mini Marrakech with a wonderful souk. The next two days take you east along the southern edge of the High Atlas and the northern Sahara to the Todra Gorge, where the Auberge Le Festival has cave rooms in the 525ft cliffs. It's two days back over the Atlas to Marrakech, via Ait Benhaddou, a stage-set fortified town and the Tizi-n-Tichka, at 7,400ft the highest road pass in Morocco.

Our recommendations

Season: all year round, but best done in Spring and Autumn.

Length: 7 nights.

Flights: Marrakech (3.5 hour transfer). Agadir flights also available - the driving loop starting and finishing in Agadir or Taroudant.

Prices from £600 per person (7 nights) excluding flights*

Day Nights'Stay Typical itinerary for illustration

1 1 Fly to Marrakech & taxi transfer to your accommodation in the Marrakech Medina.

2 1 Transfer - Marrakech to Ouirgane in the High Atlas.

3 1 Pick up a hire car and drive through the High Atlas and across the Tiz n'Test, a spectacular mountain pass in the High Atlas (6000ft) and stop off at the Tin Mal (1153-54) - a traditional twelfth century Almohad mosque before descending into the Souss Valley and the walled town of Taroudant (4hrs).

4 1 Drive east along the southern edge of the High Atlas to Tallouine the heart of the saffron producing area of Morocco where there is a large kasbah and is a useful stopping place for lunch, before progressing over two high passes, Tizi-n-Taghatine (1886m) and Tizi Ikhsane (1650m) to Tazenakht. From here the road takes you over the Tizi-n-Bachkoum (1700m) with some great views before skirting Ourzazate and on towards the palmeries of Skoura.

5 1 A shorter day that allows time to stop at the ruins of Kasbah Amerhidil before moving on through the Oases of Skoura and the Valley of the Roses to the town of Tinehir and the Todra Gorge. Todra is a narrow and spectacular gorge with a thrilling approach as the walls of the gorge close in around you. Your overnight stay is at Auberge le Festival which has has cave rooms in the 525ft cliffs.

6 1 Returning west your journey takes you to the the World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou whose ancient kasbahs date back to the 16th century and are some of the best conserved in Morocco. Its location is on the former salt, gold and ivory carrying caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.

7 1 Drive to Marrakech (4 hrs) over Tizi n'Tichka pass (7,400ft) in the High Atlas Mountains, time permitting it is worth detouring to Telouet with the ruins of the ancient Glaoui Kasbah before reaching Marrakech. Afternoon visit to the souks and evening visit to the main Place Jemma de Fna.

8 Transfer to Marrakech airport for flight home.

Pricing: *Based on 2 persons sharing (B&B), 4 nights/5 days self-drive car hire (includes unlimited mileage, personal accident, super CDW (collision damage waiver)), return transfers to Marrakech airport, excl. flights, staying at Riad El Zohar (Marrakech), Palais Salaam (Taroudant), Les Jardins de Skoura (Skoura), Auberge le Festival (Todra Gorge), Kasbah Ellouze (Ait BenHaddou) Dar Eliane (Marrakech) - budget accommodation; Naturally Morocco can offer a range of alternatives if required. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate.

Transport options: All travel times are approximate. A driver can be hired for the journey if required.

Extension options: South or east to the Sahara desert or west from Marrakech to Essaouira.

A KINGDOM OF KASBAHS

A KINGDOM OF KASBAHS

Three hours and a world away from Marrakech are the famous kasbahs (feudal family castles) of the Southern High Atlas and the Skoura Oasis. The hundred or so kasbahs date mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries, and provide an interesting insight into the lives of the powerful families that controlled the trade routes to and from the Sahara. Your journey takes you south from Marrakech over the spectacular Tiz-n-Tichka (High Atlas pass) with its views of dramatic mountain and desert landscapes to the Dades Valley on the northern edge of the Sahara.
Our recommendations
Season: all year round except mid winter.
Length: 7 nights. (A 5 nights' itinerary can be created for a short break holiday.)
Flights: Marrakech.
Prices from £450 per person (7 nights) excluding flights*
Day Nights' Stay Typical itinerary for illustration
1 2 Fly to Marrakech. Transfer** from Marrakech airport to Skoura (5 hrs) over Tizi n'Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains.
2 Explore the Skoura Oasis with visits (with or without guide) to local kasbahs, which may include Kasbah Amerhidl, Dar Aït Sidi el Mati and Kasbah Aït Abou.
3 Visit Kasbah Taorirt (45mins) in Ourzazate, one of the largest kasbahs in Morocco.
3 2 Transfer** to Kasbah Ellouze at Tamdaght nr Ait-Benhaddou (45 mins) a very atmospherc building in a traditional kasbah hamlet.
4 Visit the World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou whose ancient kasbahs date back to the 16th century and are some of the best conserved in Morocco. Its location is on the former caravan trading route for salt, gold and ivory between the Sahara and Marrakech. More recently it has been a backdrop to a number of well-known Hollywood films.
5 Vist the Kasbah of el Glaoui at Telouet (1hr), a stunning kasbah with a beautiful mountainous backdrop. The huge structures are crumbling but still impressive.
5 3 Transfer** on to Marrakech (2.5 hrs), and in the afternoon visit to the souks and evening visit to the main Place Jemma de Fna.
6 Visit the historic sites Saadian Tombs, Badii Palace, Bahia Palace and museums Maison Tiskiwine and Musee de Marrakech and the Medersa Ben Youssef, take lunch in the main square (a guide can be arranged).
7 Depending on flight times visit the Mellah and the Marrakech souks, gardens or museums (a guide can be arranged) and taxi transfer to airport.
Pricing: * Based on 2 persons sharing (B&B), excl. flights staying at El Borj (Marrakech), Kasbah Ellouze (Ait Benhaddou), Sawadi Lodge (Skoura). Suggested accommodation is mid-price range. Naturally Morocco can offer a range of alternative accommodations if required. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate.
Transport options: ** This itinerary is based on self drive car except where a taxi is indicated; option to have a driver or a taxi or minibus with driver. All travel times are approximate.
Extension options: Deep desert and High Atlas extensions are easily available on this suggested itinerary.

Morocco holidays

Morocco holidays
New colours and culture; ancient, beautiful cities; and endless golden beaches - experience a holiday in exotic Morocco, only three hours away.


Discover the country's rich cultural history while staying with family and friends in a world-famous boutique hotel or charming private riad. Unwind on breathtaking beaches, play a round at one of the many spectacular golf courses, or get your pulse racing in North Africa's adventure capital.


Morocco holiday highlights
• The contrasts of Marrakech, from the monumental history of the El Badi Palace and Koutoubia Mosque to the vibrancy of Djema el Fna at sundown, with musicians and acrobats, snake charmers and street food sellers.

• Other beautiful imperial cities Meknes and Fes - get lost in the tiny, winding, sensuous alleyways of Fez Medina!

• The fascinating Berber villages of the High Atlas.

• The golden beaches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast.

• The superlative golf courses and exhilarating activities.

Morocco travel articles
• Bedouin tents, tree-climbing goats and skiing – Morocco is always full of surprises. You’ll return from a Morocco holiday with fascinating tales of adventure.

Morocco resorts
In Morocco we offer hotels in the resorts of Agadir, Atlas Mountains, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Tangier.