Marrakech to Ouzoud waterfalls via the Sahara desert – 5 days

It’s an 8.30 departure from your hotel/riad in Marrakech at 8.30 to drive south, crossing the High Atlas.  The panoramic views demand several stops for photos. Kasbah Telouet in the High Atlas is the first sightseeing stop. It was the grandiose main residence of the formidable Glaoui tribe, whose riches were partly gained from the local salt mines. The two of the three main buildings are slowly crumbling after they were abandoned in 1956, and then plundered by local people. Nevertheless one small area of traditional interior decoration is still more or less intact at the far end of the least damaged building. Regrettably, the entire Kasbah is now closed because of the damage caused by the earthquake in Morocco in September 2023. However, it’s well worthwhile looking at the outside with a local guide to learn about its interesting history. Your route leads along the narrow Ounila Valley with the green fields and gardens running parallel to the road. Thos whole valley is splendid wiht its varying rocks and soil, Berber villages and gardens, as well as smaller Kasbahs. Ollives, almonds and fruit trees grow abundantly here in the shelter from extreme weather. Towards the end of the road lies Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the oldest and the most talked about Kasbah in Morocco. It is one of the earliest of Morocco’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites to be recognised as such. The earth constructions are a perfect adaptation to the climatic conditions of the area and are in complete  harmony with the natural surrounding environment. Probably dating back to the 17th century, it is also famous as the backdrop to many Hollywood films set in the Middle East, and with a Biblical theme.

South of Ouarzazate lies the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass which you cross to search Agdez. Close to this starting point of the Dra’a Valley you will visit the oldest Kasbah in the valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte.  This Kasbah also belonged to the Glaoui tribe of Telouet fame.  Some of it is still inhabited but other buildings were left open to the skies as their Jewish owners left to help populate the State of Israel.  A little further south at Tansikht, you turn east and follow the long line of the bizarre Bani Mountains towards Merzouga. We stop for lunch at a riad in N’Qob, which overlooks these mountains. Later we pass through Tazzarine, mentioned in the film of “Babel”.  On arriving at the edge of the desert at Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, you will take the camels to the camp, where you will be greeted with a glass of tea.  If you do not wish to ride the camels, you can request the driver to take you there in the 4×4. Your very comfortable luxury tent at the camp has a private bathroom, king-sized beds, and tasteful Moroccan furnishings.

It really is recommended to rise from your bed to climb the nearest dunes to watch the sunrise.  The shadows are breath-taking as they shift and change with the increasing glow of the sun. The colours are only seen at this time of the day. After breakfast, you leave the desert – perhaps on the camels again – for Tinghir and the Toudgha gorges. You drive through the busy little town of Rissani which is the original seat of the present King’s family. Further north you arrive in Erfoud,  a centre of date production. It is also well-known for the myriads of fossils carved from local rock, polished and made into amazing artefacts. In Toudgha, there are opportunities to walk along the river, through the gardens or up the road on the other side of the gorges. The night is spent in a guest house in the  Toudgha Gorges or in the valley leading to them.

After breakfast, we set off departure north to Tamtattouchte and into the mountains south of Imilchil, the famous town where there is the marriage festival in September. The road here is especially beautiful but slow and windy. In the winter, however, the snow may make it impassable. We reach Kasba Tadla on the main road from Marrakech to Fes (Tadla means a stack of wheat in Amazigh) and lies on the left bank of the Oum Er Rabia River. Shortly after Kasba Tadla lies Beni Mellal, where you visit the Ain Asserdoun waterfalls which provide drinking water for the town and are a source of irrigation for the surrounding villages of Ouled Ayad, Ouled Drid, Mghi among others. Asserdoun means “mule” in Amazigh! The falls are set in a well-kept and prettily designed park and from the “castle” just above, there is a wonderful view of the town and the fertile plain below full of olive and orange trees. Back in the High Atlas you visit the lovely lake of Ben El Ouidane where the mountains come right down to the water! Here you can take a walk to enjoy the peace and the green of the area and watch any fisherman trying his luck! Later you continue to the Ouzoud Waterfalls for the night.

After breakfast, you can visit the falls, which constitute one of the most spectacular natural beauty spots in Morocco. The surrounding countryside offers red cliffs, oleander and doves. If you are lucky you will catch a glimpse of some Barbary apes. A short walk will bring you to the top of the falls from where you can see the river stretching away from the magnificent falls. On the road back to Marrakech at Demnate, we drive the six kilometres to Imi-n-Ifri, which in the local dialect means “door to the cave”. It is a natural rock bridge formed by the underground cave system collapsing. The views from here are spectacular as the Méhasseur River flows between the sheer, vertical rock walls. Another three hours drive will bring you back to your riad in Marrakech. Your driver will escort you to your hotel bringing your 5-day Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls tour to an end!