This 5-day geological trip from Marrakech explores Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich geological history.
Start with a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains and Draa Valley, stopping at a salt mine and spending the night in Zagora. Next, visit geological sites in the Anti Atlas Mountains, including Cambrian and Ordovician fossil locations, and overnight at the Meteorite Hotel in Alnif.
Explore trilobite and Devonian fossil sites, then head to Merzouga to experience the Erg Chebbi sand dunes and camp under the stars. Continue to Boumalne Dades, stopping to examine dinosaur bones, shark teeth, and fossils in Erfoud and the Botchrafine mountains.
On the final day, visit the Skoura Oasis, Ouarzazate, and the UNESCO-listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah before returning to Marrakech via Tizi N’tichka.
This trip combines geological exploration with cultural landmarks, offering a unique experience of Morocco’s natural wonders.
Highlights for 5-day geological tour from Marrakech:
- High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n-Tichka Pass with scenic views and photo opportunities
- Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest valley, known for its stunning landscapes
- Anti Atlas Mountains with geological sites featuring Cambrian and Ordovician fossils, including trilobites and calymenes
- Alnif Meteorite Hotel where you can stay and explore nearby fossil sites
- Isoumour Trilobite Site to discover legendary trilobite fossils in a stunning desert landscape
- Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes in Merzouga, with a night under the stars
- Dinosaur Bones and Fossils in Begaa and Erfoud, examining dinosaur bones, shark teeth, and fossil sites
- Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in films like Gladiator and The Mummy
- Tizi N’tichka Pass, the highest major mountain pass in North Africa on your way back to Marrakech
Itinerary for 5 days Geological Trip from Marrakech
1st Day: start geological trip from Marrakech-High Atlas Mountains-Draa valley- Zagora
Depart from Marrakech to begin your geological journey towards the beautiful sceneries of the Draa valley. Pass via Tizi n-tichka and take pictures of High Atlas Mountains before visiting the salt mine. After lunch in Ouarzazate, we continue to the Draa valley, Morocco’s longest valley (1200km). Overnight in a motel in Zagora.
2nd Day: Zagora-Anti Atlas Mountains-Alnif(geological and cultural trip)
Departure from Zagora for a visit to the Cambrian site noted for its massive yellowish trilobites, followed by a visit to the Ordovician site jbel Imi-N-Ouassif, which is rich in calymenes and flexycalymenes. Overnight at the meteorite hotel (Alnif).
3rd Day: Alnif-Trilobite site-Goniatite site-Merzouga
Departure to discover Isoumour’s legendary trilobites post paradise. Where all Devonian trilobites lived together. Collect rolled phacops. Also Devonian, but in a flat area rather than a mountain, where we will harvest red ammonites. After that, drive to Mecessi to see the Lalla Mimouna site and gather some Devonian trilobites, then to Jbel Mdawar to collect Devonian goniatites before heading to Merzouga Erg Chebbi beautiful sand dunes. Night under the stars in a Merzouga camp.
4th Day: Merzouga-kem kem mountains-Erfoud-Boumalne Dades
Departure from Merzouga to Bomalne dades via Erfoud.
You will travel to Begaa early in the morning to examine dinosaur bones and shark teeth. After breakfast, you return to the famous Erfoud quarry to view the extraction, where you gather several Devonian in the Botchrafine mountains, and visit the Crinoid site as well. Then, via Toudra Gorges, and continue to Boumalne Dades, where you will spend the night.
5th Day: Dades-Ouarzazate-Ait Benhaddou-Tizi N’tichka-Marrakech( geological and Cultural tour)
Following your breakfast at the hotel. Our adventure will begin by visiting Berber settlements along the way. Continuing after that across the Skoura Oasis to Ouarzazate. Then to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Many films were shot there, including Gladiator (2000), The Mummy (1999), and Babel (2006). Then proceeding to Marrakech via Tizi N’ticka, the highest major mountain pass in North Africa at 2260 meters above sea level. The final step of our geological tour in Marrakech.
Good To Know About 5-day geological tour from Marrakech
What included in the price for 5-day Geological tour?
- Pickup and drop-off from to the airport or hotel
- Private driver speaking English / Frensh and Local language
- Accommodations with dinner and breakfast
- Free time to explore sights such Ait Ben Haddou, Kasbah and photos
- Berber Music
What not included in the price For 5-day geological trip from Marrakech
- Tips
- Drinks & Meals
Gallery for 5-day geological tour from Marrakech
