About
16 High Atlas Loop
An authentic driving experience
For those of you who enjoy a motoring holiday this eight-day trip starts with an overnight stay in Marrakech and a night in the nearby High Atlas village of Ouirgane before you pick up your car. Your self-drive journey begins with a scenic four/five hour drive south over the spectacular Tiz-n-Test pass at 6,000 ft down into the Souss Valley and Taroudant, a mini Marrakech with a wonderful souk. The next two days take you east along the southern edge of the High Atlas and the northern Sahara to the Todra Gorge, where the Auberge Le Festival has cave rooms in the 525 ft cliffs. It's two days back over the Atlas to Marrakech, via Ait Benhaddou, a stage-set fortified town and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at 7,400 ft, the highest road pass in Morocco.
| Season: | all year round, but best done in Spring and Autumn. |
| Length: | 7 nights. |
| Flights: | Marrakech (3.5 hour from UK). Agadir flights also available. |
| Pricing: | from £855 pp for 7 nights based on 2 people sharing (B&B), excluding flights. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate. |
| Transport options: | Prices are based on car hire self-drive, but a chauffeur driven tour can be included if required. All travel times are approximate. |
| Extension options: | This itinerary can be extended to any length required and the addition of visiting the deep desert region and sand dunes. Please enquire about options of extending. South or east to the Sahara desert or west from Marrakech to Essaouira. |
Typical Itinerary
This exciting 7 night trip across mountain passes is an ideal adventure holiday. Below is an example of this:
| Day | Nights' Stay | Typical itinerary for illustration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Fly to Marrakech & taxi transfer to your accommodation in the Marrakech Medina. |
| 2 | 1 | Transfer - Marrakech to Ouirgane in the High Atlas. |
| 3 | 1 | Pick up a hire car and drive through the High Atlas and across the Tiz n Test, a spectacular mountain pass in the High Atlas (6000ft) and stop off at the Tin Mal Mosque (1153-54) - a traditional twelfth century Almohad Mosque before descending into the Souss Valley and the walled town of Taroudant (4hrs). |
| 4 | 1 | Drive east along the southern edge of the High Atlas to Taliouine the heart of the saffron producing area of Morocco where there is a large Kasbah and is a useful stopping place for lunch, before progressing over two high passes, Tizi-n-Taghatine (1886m) and Tizi Ikhsane (1650m) to Tazenakht. From here the road takes you over the Tizi-n-Bachkoum (1700m) with some great views before skirting Ourzazate and on towards the palmeries of Skoura. |
| 5 | 1 | A shorter day that allows time to stop at the ruins of Kasbah Amerhidil before moving on through the Oases of Skoura and the Valley of the Roses to the town of Tinehir and the Todra Gorge. Todra is a narrow and spectacular gorge with a thrilling approach as the walls of the gorge close in around you. Your overnight stay is at Auberge le Festival which has has cave rooms in the 525ft cliffs. |
| 6 | 1 | Returning west your journey takes you to the the World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou whose ancient Kasbahs date back to the 16th century and are some of the best conserved in Morocco. Its location is on the former salt, gold and ivory carrying caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. |
| 7 | 1 | Drive to Marrakech (4 hrs) over Tizi n Tichka pass (7,400ft) in the High Atlas Mountains, time permitting it is worth detouring to Telouet with the ruins of the ancient Glaoui Kasbah before reaching Marrakech. Afternoon visit to the souks and evening visit to the main Place Jemma de Fna. |
| 8 | Transfer to Marrakech airport for flight home. |
Pricing Note:
Based on 2 persons sharing (B&B) including, 4 nights/5 days self-drive car hire (fuel not included), unlimited mileage, personal accident, super CDW (collision damage waiver), return airport transfers to Marrakech airport, excl. flights. 7 night accommodation staying at Riad Star (Marrakech), Kasbah Angour (Asni), Palais Oumensour (Taroudant), Sawadi Lodge (Skoura), Auberge le Festival (Todra Gorge), Kasbah Ellouze (Ait BenHaddou), Riad El Borj (Marrakech). Naturally Morocco can offer a range of alternatives if required. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate.
Based on 2 persons sharing (B&B) including, 4 nights/5 days self-drive car hire (fuel not included), unlimited mileage, personal accident, super CDW (collision damage waiver), return airport transfers to Marrakech airport, excl. flights. 7 night accommodation staying at Riad Star (Marrakech), Kasbah Angour (Asni), Palais Oumensour (Taroudant), Sawadi Lodge (Skoura), Auberge le Festival (Todra Gorge), Kasbah Ellouze (Ait BenHaddou), Riad El Borj (Marrakech). Naturally Morocco can offer a range of alternatives if required. Price varies by room, season and exchange rate.
Ouirgane
Ouirgane, a small Berber village in the High Atlas, offers a base for a number of treks that can be incorporated into your Moroccan holiday, or just a location to relax.Taroudant
Taroudant can be a fascinating part of a Moroccan holiday, either by itself or as part of a more extensive trip.Todra Gorge
The Todra gorge is a highly rewarding diversion off the main Ouarzazate to Merzouga road; it is a narrow and spectacular gorge with a thrilling approach as the walls of the gorge close in around you.Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is the biggest town in the region and an ideal stopping off point midway from Marrakech or Taroudant en route to the Saharan Dunes at either M’Hamid or at Merzouga.Ait Benhaddou
Ait Benhaddou is 19 miles northwest of Ouarzazate on the west bank of the Wadi Mellah and the Ouarzazate river.High Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas Mountains offer something different for your holiday in Morocco - a huge range of trekking opportunities or a chance to relax in stunning surroundings.
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