Atlas Odyssey Tour (15 Days)
Itinerary
Discover Morocco's southwest region, a distinctive aspect of North African landscape. Transverse the savanna to the mountains and the steppe to the desert, a plethora of natural sceneries beyond description. Encounter the warm hospitality of the indigenous Berber tribes of Morocco, known for an unsurpassed joie de vivre illustrated in their lively arts and crafts in their distinctive fashion. Visit Agadir, Massa lagoon, Tiznit, Guelmim, Camel fair, trekking and hiking Tafrout, Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert of Morocco, Taroudant, Asni Berber villages and souks in Marrakech. Natural life and Bird watching in Morocco
Overland Tours in Morocco
Itinerary for The Atlas Odyssey
Day 1: New York / Agadir
Depart for your overnight Royal Air Maroc flight from NY/JFK to Agadir via Casablanca. Dinner and breakfast on board.
You will arrive at the Massira Airport where your host will be waiting to greet you and then transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. A welcoming seafood lunch at the open air harbor restaurants will be offered to all participants. In the afternoon, we will take you on a discovery tour highlighted by the museum of Berber arts, The Valley of the Birds (exotic birds in their natural habitats), and the panoramic view of Agadir from the Kasbah. Agadir is an excellent place to begin any vacation; its beautiful beaches are lined with Spanish Costa-style white washed buildings and colorful gardens. The city itself is a gentle blend of parks, hotels, gardens, and residencial villas. Generally considered a quiet little town, Agadir is the perfect place to prepare yourself for what awaits. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
On the road to Massa Valley, we will be touring typical Berber villages; such as Inzeggane, Tassila and Sidi R'bat. Enjoy lunch in a fisherman restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean (Typical Berber tagine). Later, we'll stroll along the Massa River from Sidi R'bat to Tassila. We'll walk through the special conservatory to discover the many indigenous and migratory species of birds that coexist in the Massa region. We'll later have a delightful dinner in a traditional Berber ambiance under the stars of North Africa in a fishermen compound in Algzira.
Day 4: Bousoum/Sidi Ifni/Algzira
We depart in the morning to Sidi Ifni via the beautiful village of Mirhleft. Along this path, we'll discover one of the most picturesque Atlantic sand stretches. Our next stop will be in the ancient city of Sidi Ifni, a surviving remnant of the Spanish colonial days. With its elaborate ironwork and its sweeping architecture, it is perhaps the most romantic Art Deco town ever built. Patches of gardens spread throughout the town provide a refreshing sense of renewal for this colony of the past. Dinner and overnight will be in Algzira, a fisherman troglodyte (seasonal hide-away). This will give you the opportunity to experience traditional native habitats.
We'll take a day excursion to the long streched white beaches and surrounding villages exploring the daily life of Berber traditional fishermen and peasants in this valley. In the evening, local fishermen will prepare a campfire feast on the white beaches of Algzira.
In the morning, we'll travel to Tiznit, where tribesmen of the surrounding area come to trade and find entertainment. Tiznit's military history is apparent; this walled city is comprised of neatly organized streets and a considerable garrison. City tour of Tiznit will feature: the Meshouar, the city square; Lalla Tiznit, a natural spring named after the founder of the city; then the Kasbah and the Kissaria, an exclusive souk for some of the most interesting Berber jewelry in all of Morocco. Dinner and accommodations are at the exotic Tiznit hotel.
Today, we'll have a magnificent day through the breath-taking scenery of the Atlas Mountains. Lunch will be on the road. Tafraout is situated on the edge of a rambling palmary, a startling contrast to the otherwise barren landscape of this region. An afternoon visit will take us through this small village and the Neolithic rock carving sites nearby. Dinner and overnight in the relaxed pace of this unique village, nestled in the mountain peaks of the Atlas.
We'll depart from Tafraout early in the morning. Lunch will be at the typical Berber village of Ait Baha, the largest in the area, which overlooks a breath-taking valley with a curious rock formation. Dinner and entertainment are in the Moorish atmospheric Salam hotel.
Today, we explore the city surrounded by regal, red-ochre walls, often referred to as "Little Marrakesh". We'll tour the monuments and browse through the souks. Another night at the legendary Salam hotel.
Day 10: Taroudant/Tiz'n'Test Pass across the High Atlas
On a rocky spur in the heart of the high Atlas gorges stands the Tin-Mal. Enjoy a lunch in this isolated village revered as one of the most important spiritual sites in Moroccan history! Visit the Mosque and continue to Ouigane for an overnight adventure.
Today you are offered an optional mule ride in the mountains. Lunch in Imlil will be at a Berber house. We will walk in the afternoon to a cliff hanging village where we will capture the real daily life of Berber villagers and spend the night with a Berber family.
Day 12: Ouirgane/Tahnaoute/Setti Fatma
Leisurely morning in a market to trade, interact and hang out with local villagers. Lunch will be prepared on your behalf in the mountains, to be followed with a fresh-air climb to the Oukaimeden ranges. We'll depart in the evening to Marrakech. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Today is devoted to discovering the magnificent and overwhelming best man-made Oasis of Marrakech. Visit the historic sights in the morning, the souks and the famous Jamaa el F'na square in the afternoon. A tour of Marrakech by night in caleches is optional.
We'll continue exploring Marrakesh in the morning. The afternoon will be devoted to shopping in the souks area, one of the major craft and trading centers in Morocco. We'll enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Moorish house in the Medina accompanied by typical Moorish entertainment. (Everyone's invited to participate!)
Morning transfer to the Marrakech airport for the transatlantic flight back to JFK via Casablanca.
Included in Atlas Odyssey Package:
- Camping equipment and accommodations in 3 star hotels.
- Full Board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- 4WD Land Rovers with AC.
- Indigenous expert guides, accompanying scholars, and escorts.
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums.
- Hotel Tax and service charges.
Hotels We Use:
- Agadir - Hotel Anezi, 1 night
- Mirleft - camping, 1 night
- Elgzira - camping, 2 nights
- Tiznit - Hotel Tiznit, 1 night
- Tafrout - Hotel Les Amandiers, 1 night
- Taroudant - Hotel Salam, 2 nights
- Imlil - camping, 2 nights
- Marrakech - Hotel Grand Imilchil, 3 nights
Price for Atlas Odyssey Package: $2685
Single Supplement: $445
Depart Tuesday / Thursday all 2011
Minimum 4 travelers per group
Maximum 12 travelers per group