After having our morning meal, we embark on a journey into the Sahara, crossing the now desiccated Lake Iriqui, which was once nourished by the Dra’a River and teeming with fish and waterfowl. In the heart of this lake, we have the opportunity to hunt for fossils. Our off-road trail leads us past the diverse landscapes of the desert; the rocky desert, “reg” and the “hammada”. Our midday meal will be enjoyed in Chegaga, a remote location far removed from any settlements or urban areas. Here, one can ascend to the summits of the towering dunes to witness the breathtaking sunset. At the base of the dunes, we will dine and spend the night in a nomadic tent bivouac.

After having breakfast at the bivouac, the route covers an additional 60 km of desert road through the Sacred Oasis before reaching M’hamid. Subsequently, the journey proceeds through the Dra’a Valley, the lengthiest valley in Morocco. Passing through Zagora, the largest oasis in the Dra’a Valley renowned for its dates, you will follow the ancient caravan path once used by caravans traveling across the Sahara for days and weeks to transport treasures from Mali or Mauretania. The road meanders between the river and the mountains, showcasing all the Kasbahs and local gardens, providing a deeper insight into life in this region of Morocco. Finally, in Agdez, we will spend the night at a traditional guest house.

After breakfast, we visit Kasbah Tamnougalte, the oldest and most famous Kasbah in the Dra’a Valley. Part of the Kasbah is still occupied by a few families, living much as they have done for centuries. Other parts, especially the “Mellah”, the Jewish area, are slowly crumbling after the last people left for Israel at the end of the 60’s. We return about 20 kilometres south to reach the bridge crossing the Dra’a at Tansikht. We have lunch in a small Berber town, N’qob. Further on we turn north in Alnif and pass the Saghro mountains. The main tribe in these mountains was the Aït Atta, who was the last people to resist the French occupation. We first reach Tinghir from where we visit the Toudgha gorges before turning back down to the main road to spend the night in the Dades Valley.

We proceed further into the valley after having breakfast, until we reach the gorges where a pleasant walk can be enjoyed. Instead of returning to the main road at Boulmane Dades, we take a right turn to venture off-road towards Boutaghrar. Along this alternate route, we encounter Berber nomads residing in caves, and it is possible to pause and have tea with them. Continuing on, the road leads us to the Rose Valley, where an annual Rose Festival takes place in early May. The beautiful blossoms are distilled to create exquisite oils, soaps, and lotions, which are widely sold across the country.

The next town on the road is the Skoura Oasis, where numerous ancient kasbahs, some sadly in ruins, stand amongst the palm trees. Here there is time to visit the very interesting Kasbah Amridil, which used to be deposited on the old 50 dirham note. Finally reaching Ouarzazate, you spend the night in a riad or guest house.

The initial stop of the day is approximately 30 kilometers away at Aït ben Haddou, which is renowned as the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and holds the prestigious title of being a UNESCO World Heritage site. After resuming our journey on the main road, we make a left turn, passing by the well-preserved film set for “the Hills have Eyes” and the newly constructed 130-kilometer-long reservoir, Tiouine. Our next destination is Taznakht, which is widely recognized for its Berber gelims and carpets. Continuing our expedition, we eventually arrive at Agadir, traversing through the Tizi-n-Ikhsane and Tizi-n-Tighatine passes. As we proceed, we take a break to enjoy a delicious lunch in Taliouine, where a remarkable little museum showcasing the art of cultivating saffron awaits us.