The stunning, colourful valley of the Dades, dividing the High Atlas from the Djebel Sarhro range, begins 1 hour (40km) east of Ouarzazate at the lush oasis town of Skoura. The whole valley is lined with kasbahs lending it the name “the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs". The first section is known as the “Valley of the Roses” due to its fame for rose growing, the petals from which are harvested to make an essential oil of renowned high quality.
Meeting place: Menara International Airport - Marrakech
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Next tour is planned to take place in April 2013. For organised groups of minimum 6 persons there is still a gap for a tour in November 2012; in this case, if you book the trip for your team (minimum 6 members) till July 14 you will get the special price of 499 euros/person (instead 567 euros/person which is the regular minimal price).
Booking Status: open
Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech. Transfer to the hotel Riad Omar where we’ll have provided our accommodation. Our Riad is located in the heart of Medina, at about 300m to the famous Jamaa el Fna; so, for diner, we’ll choose a restaurant in the area, where we can try for the first time Moroccan cuisine (I strongly recommend you tajine), mint tea and/or Nof-Nof cofee.
Day 2: After breakfast we’ll have a full day for exploring Marrakech: there will be plenty of time to walk around Jemaa el Fna Square and Koutoubia mosque, to visit museums or the amazing gardens or just to explore the souk. Check below Top 10 Attractions of Marrakech:
Day 3: We leave our guest house after breakfast and we’ll travel by minibus to our trekking area – Dades Valley. First we cross the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass of the High Atlas mountains. We will pass through many Berber villages, and once arrived in the desert, we’ll admire riverside oasis and barren hillsides clustered with Kasbahs. After lunch we drive further to Valley of the Roses, with beautiful views of the Dades valley. Overnight in gite Ait Youl. A gite consists of a village house with simple dormitory accommodation, each with space for approximately 6-8 people. Furnished in traditional Berber style; low couches (beds), tables, carpets and cushions. Showers are usually available, sometimes hot!
Day 4: Ait Youl – Ait M’Rao.
Today we’ll start our trek and for the beginning we’ll enjoy the views offered by the large valey who we’ll lead us to the small village Ait M’Rao. From time to time we’ll identify improvised shelters used by the Berber sheperds. Overnight in Gite.
Day 5 : Ait M’Rao - Alamdoune
After breakfast we’ll leave our gite and soon we’ll practice the river crossing. It will be a unique opportunity to refresh ourselves for the rest of the day. From now on we’ll have the opportunity to admire high ridges and summits along the route and in the afternoon we’ll be surprised by the green colour who surrounds the village of Alamdoune. Overnight in Gite.
Day 6 : Alamdoune – Amajgague - Alamdoune
Today we’ll start exploring the fantastic narrow gorges from this area. After passing through some picturesque Berber villages we’ll enter into the world of the red rocks. The views will leave us breathless; at noon you can try taking a cold shower in one of the small waterfalls that are almost everywhere. Overnight in the same gite in Alamdoune.
Day 7: Alamdoune - Boutaghrar.
For the last trekking day we’ll enjoy traversing another wonderful gorge. After a while, the valley becomes larger leaving enough space for villages; the river, which is wider here, will test again our abilities in river crossing but soon we’ll reach the village of Boutaghrar. Overnight in gite.
Day 8: After a final breakfast at the gite we’ll meet again our driver for the transfer to Marrakech. We’ll follow the same route to traverse Atlas Mountains (over Tichka Pass). After a short stop in Ouarzazate (where we’ll have the opportunity to visit a kasbah) we’ll take a look to a small store belonging to an Argan Cooperative; here you’ll have the opportunity to buy cosmetic products which were made using argan oil. In the evening we’ll be back in Marrakech, just in time for dinner. Accommodation for the next two nights is provided at Riad Omar.
Day 9: Today we’ll explore the Red Town (Marrakech) and we’ll visit the famous Jamaa el Fna square, The Souk (traditional market where you’ll have the opportunity to practice your negociation skills with the local traders). We’ll admire the incredible architecture of Koutubya mosque and we’ll enjoy the shadow of the trees from Majorelle garden.
Day 10: After breakfast you will have some more time for buying souvenirs before leaving our Riad. Transfer by minibus to Menara International Airport for the flight back to your home country.
Prices for 2012 trips:
* group of 10-14 persons - 567 euros / person.
* group of 8 persons - 596 euros / person.
* group of 6 persons - 632 euros / person.
Price includes:
Airport transfers;
4 nights accommodation in a hotel Riad in Marrakech (breakfast included)
5 nights accommodation in gites;
Transport from and back to Marrakech;
Romanian mountain guide and local (Moroccan) mountain guide;
Mules & muleteers;
A cook & cooking equipment;
Full board during the trek;
Price DOESN'T include:
Airfares;
Tips for local mountain guide, cook and muleteers;
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