Head to the Wilderness
We will collect you from your riad or hotel after breakfast and head immediately into the High Atlas Mountains, where you’ll enjoy the breath-taking panoramic views of soaring, snow-capped peaks dropping dramatically into deep canyons and valleys. We will stop along the way to take in some of the best jaw-dropping vistas, giving you the opportunity to take the first of many, many photos on the tour.
Once we have traversed the Atlas Mountains, we will reach the awe-inspiring Ait Ben Haddou. An historical Kasbah which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a famous backdrop for many Hollywood films; Gladiator, The Mummy, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and part of the TV series Game of Thrones, to name a few.
You can immediately see why. A step back in time, this jumble of earthen clay buildings represents a step back in time, as the old caravan route settlement clambers up the ancient hillside in a maze of twisting staircases, shaded alleys and hidden courtyards. After a walk to explore Ait Ben Haddou, we’ll have lunch with a spectacular view of the Kasbah.
Moving on, we drive through Ouarzazte, also known as Moroccan Hollywood, due to it being the location of Morocco’s biggest filming studios. It’s also known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert, and is one of the final outposts standing on the edge of a desert that stretches 3000 miles over the horizon.
The final destination for the day is Boumalne, where you will relax, and have the opportunity to rejuvenate with an evening swim in the cool Dades River. You’ll then enjoy an authentic, traditionally prepared dinner and a comfortable overnight stay so that you’re refreshed for day two.