Suggested Itinerary Number: 07

The “Green T” Trail

Explore the lesser-known south west of Morocco with an exciting circuit that takes in all 4 of major environments (coastal, desert, mountain and town) in a compact area, enjoying the region’s moderate climate and some outstanding scenery and experiences.

We named this circuit the “Green T” because the guest houses and hotels used have excellent green credentials, whilst the “T” refers to the places beginning with “T” in the circuit: Taroudant, Tata, Tissint, Tafraoute and Tizourgane. It also refers to green tea, used in preparing a welcome drink (see Condé Nast Traveller's article - discover the Secrets of the South on Naturally Morocco’s Green T Trail).

Travel via the fertile Souss Valley and through the Anti-Atlas mountains to the northern fringe of the Sahara, with the option of extending  your visit to the High Atlas and the coast. Our highly acclaimed flexible orientation programme, the 'Real Morocco', offers a wide choice of authentic cultural experiences and outings in the town and nearby rural areas including the High Atlas; it may be included at the start of the trip by increasing the stay in Taroudant to 4 – 7 nights; it is particularly valuable for travellers who have not yet visited Morocco or this region.

Print the Green T Trail ItineraryOur recommendations

Season: September - May. This area’s climate is less extreme than the classic desert routes further east.

Length: 7 - 21 nights. Whilst the itinerary is possible in 7 nights, it is advisable to extend your stay if possible.

Flights: Agadir (50 minute transfer), Marrakech possible (3.5 hour transfer).

Prices from £390 per person (7 nights) excluding flights*

Day Nights' Stay Typical itinerary for illustration
1 2 Transfer from Agadir to Taroudant (50 minutes). Option of flying to Marrakech with transfer via Tiz n'Test pass or motorway through mountains (3.5 hours). Option of guided trip around the town by horse drawn taxi.**
2   Options from our 'Real Morocco' programme including cookery lesson, to have a massage, visit a hammam or markets, to learn a craft or to trek in the High Atlas Mountains
3 1 Travel through spectacular scenery en route to Tata (3.5 hours). Afternoon gentle walk exploring the caves, ancient irrigation systems and an ancient village where henna is cultivated nearby.
4 1 Transfer to a comfortable desert camp in a remarkable canyon near Tissint (1 hour) renowned for its beautiful waterfalls – a surprise in the desert!
5 1 Transfer to desert camp/guest house at Icht (3.5 hours) via Akka region to see remarkable Neolithic rock engravings. Afternoon option of 4x4 trip to dunes
6 1 Transfer to Tafraoute (3.5 hours). Option to visit spectacular agadir (a “Berber Castle”) at Amtoudi. Visit the incredible Blue Rocks (boulders), just 4 km from Tafraoute, created by Jean Veran a Belgian painter with the help of local firemen and 18 tons of paint, and see the fantastic rock formations such as the Lion’s Head and Napoleon’s Hat
7 1 Visit some of the 26 pretty villages in the Ameln valley, including a fascinating tiny museum of rural life or drive south to the breathtaking Ait Mansour Gorges for a walk in the palmery. Transfer to Tizourgane (45 minutes from Tafraoute) to stay in an authentic Kasbah, or to coast at Mirleft (3 hours) and on to Agadir on final day (2 hours)
8   Transfer to Agadir (2 hours) for flight home.

Pricing: * Based on 2 persons sharing (B&B for 3 nights, Half Board for 4 nights), including return transfers to Agadir airport, excl. flights, staying at Naturally Morocco Guest House (Taroudant) , Dar Infiane (Tata), comfortable desert camps at Tissint and Icht,a small hotel near Tafraoute and a simple auberge at Tizourgane - budget accommodation; Naturally Morocco can offer a range of alternatives if required. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate. Days 3-8 are priced for self drive Supermini, excluding fuel.

Transport options:

Supermini + driver EXCLUDING fuel £460pp based on 2 pax

Accompanied tour in spacious people carrier. Includes fuel £585pp based on 2 pax

Accompanied tour in spacious people carrier. Includes fuel £445pp based on 4 pax

Accompanied tour in spacious people carrier. Includes fuel £390pp based on 6 pax

Extension options: West to the Atlantic coast at Mirleft, Massa and Agadir; east to the High Atlas; south or east to see more of the Sahara desert; north to Essaouira and/ or Marrakech.

Activity options: A range of day excursions and experiences from Taroudant are available from our 'Real Morocco' programme; trekking and mountain biking in the Tafraoute region; surfing, paragliding, diving and hang gliding in the Mirleft or Agadir regions.

Duration
7 Nights / 8 Days
Green T Trail

Places in the Region

Taroudant

The red-walled Berber market town serving the fertile Souss valley on the northern fringe of the Anti Atlas, is the most accessible and friendly centre from which to explore the range. Don’t miss its Sunday souk or the range of activities on offer here that can give you an insight into the authentic Morocco.

Tafraoute

A peaceful town roughly 3 hours' drive from Agadir along winding mountain roads, is an ideal base for exploring the Ameln Valley and the Ait Mansour gorges and seeing the spectacular pink rock formations, the Blue Rocks and rock engravings in the region.

Taliouine

A village on the edge of the spectacular Jbel Sirwa mountains lies midway between Taroudant and Ouarzazate, not long before the road branches off to Zagora. Famous for production of saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, Taliouine has a cooperative where you may buy this miraculous spice at bargain rates and learn about its cultivation. It also has a large crumbling kasbah.

Tata

Now a thriving market town lies 3.5 hours’ scenic drive south of Taroudant. It was formerly an important caravan stop for camel trains travelling from Timbuktu to Taroudant.  It lies at the foot of the huge escarpment, Jbel Bani, and is surrounded by 900,000 palms, making it the largest oasis between the Atlantic and Zagora.

Tissint

A small village an hour’s drive east of Tata, is known for its picturesque waterfalls and gorge as well as beautiful rocky desert scenery. It is possible to drive via a scenic route north to Talaouine and thence either north east to Talaouine or west to Taroudant and Agadir.

Icht

Is an ancient village (partially below ground level) which also lies at the foot of the huge escarpment, Jbel Bani. It is an ideal point from which to visit the region to the south including various rock formations, archaelogical sites including rock engravings and the sand dunes of Tanzida.

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