Deep South with Sahara Camel Bivouac 5 days

Ali will meet you at your hotel the night before departure to discuss the tour.

Day 1.  Drive south from Ouarzazate to Zagora through the Vallee du Draa.  Pass through the mountains at Tizi n'Tinififft (1660 meters).  Then into barren open spaces that emphasize the 'river' of deep green that is the largest date palm grove in Morocco.  Huge kasbahs can be seen from the road and you can stop for a visit.  Spectacular kasbahs are Tamnougalt, Timiderte (formerly owned by the Glaoui family) and Ait Hammousaid.

Depending on the season, you may purchase dates packaged in small palm frond baskets which are offered by roadside peddlars.

Arrive Zagora in mid-afternoon.  Most hotels have a pool and good restaurants.  Wander about the town and take your picture with the Timbuktu-52 jours sign.  A most pleasant walk is through the palmeraie where you will see how carefully the Berbers tend each spot of fertile land.  Green and cool with water burbling in the irrigation ditches, it is so lovely that many families have built a 'tea house' in their garden.

It is only a short drive to the nearby town of Tamegroute, where there is a pottery co-op.  But the town is noted for its Koranic Libraray, theology college and the tomb of a 17th century Muslim saint, Naciri.  Saturday souk.  O/N Zagora or Tamegroute.

Day 2.  A four hour drive across both piste and asphalt roads leads you to Tazzarine.  You could lunch here or in Alnif another 67 km.  Or, you could stay overnight in Tazzarine and do some trekking to see the rock carvings.  If you want to press on to Rissani and more luxe accomodations, the total driving time for the day would be approx. 8 hours not counting lunch, etc.  There are several quite nice and inexpensive hotels with pool and restaurant in the Rissani area.  O/N Tazzarine, Alnif or Rissani.

Day 3. Explore Rissani ( or continue drive if you have spent the night in Alnif, etc.).  Rissani's open air market is held 3 times a week.  Here you will find, animals, spices, fruits and vetgetables as well as jewelry, daggers, clothing, copperware, baskets,etc. This is the site of the ancient holy city of Sijilmassa.  

The desert is known for its fossils, ranging from prehistoric shark's teeth and trilobites and amber.  There are many dealers in fossils or you can go into the mountains and find your own if you have the time.

After lunch in Rissani, perhaps trying the local specialty a Berber pizza, you will drive over the open desert (1 hour) to Merzouga, Ali's village.  In late afternoon you will mount your camel for the 3 hour trek to the oasis.
(See day 8 of the 14 day tour). O/N oasis

Day 4. After breakfast, return camel ride to Merzouga where you will freshen up at your auberge before  continuing on to Tinerhir and Todra Gorge.  ( See day 6 of 14 day tour). O/N Todra Gorge

Day 5. To Ouarzazate, stopping along the way to visit potteries operated by individual families who specialize in such practical items as tagines, jugs and table wear. Visit kasbahs, markets,
buy Rosewater at El Klaa, etc. One special spot is an art gallery where truly unique items from all over West Africa are sold.  The gallery is housed in an old French colonial mansion and is in itself something to see.  Arrive Ouarzazate late p.m.

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