Desert Private Tours

Overview Join us on an exhilarating 13-day expedition through Morocco, designed for fossil enthusiasts and adventurers alike. This unique tour will take you to some of the most significant fossil and mineral sites in the country, providing a hands-on experience of collecting your own specimens while exploring Morocco’s diverse landscapes and rich geological history. Detailed Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Upon your arrival at Casablanca Airport, a friendly guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. Use this time to unwind and prepare for your fossil adventure that begins the next day. Accommodation: Hotel in Casablanca Meals: None included

Day 2: Casablanca to Midelt via Timahdite

After a delightful breakfast, set off for Azrou, nestled in the Middle Atlas region. Stop for a picnic lunch in the lush cedar forest, known for its Barbary macaques. Visit the extinct Michlifen volcano, where you’ll examine its olivine and magma deposits. Explore a Jurassic fossil site near Timahdite, rich in brachiopods and bivalves. If time allows, stop at a nearby Cretaceous site known for its shark teeth fossils. Accommodation: Hotel in Boulaajoul Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Day 3: Midelt and Sidi Ayad Fossil Hunt

After breakfast, head to the Mibladen mines, famous for baryte, cerussite, and vanadinite. Explore the historic Ahouli mine, where remnants of past mining operations can be seen. Enjoy a picnic in the scenic valley before heading to Sidi Ayad to collect specimens of azurite, malachite, and fluorite. Return to Midelt for your overnight stay. Accommodation: Hotel in Midelt Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Midelt to Erfoud and Dinosaur Fossil Area

Travel through the stunning Ziz Gorges, a prime location for gathering Jurassic fossils such as brachiopods and bivalves. Continue your journey to Erfoud, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore rich fossil beds and prepare for your next day’s adventures. Accommodation: Hotel in Erfoud Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Fossil Exploration in Merzouga

Venture to the Mifis mine, once a significant source of lead and manganese, now home to vast desert landscapes. Discover the Kem Kem paleo-river beds, known for their abundance of fish and dinosaur fossils. Visit Filon 12, a mine famous for vanadinite and other minerals, before returning to your hotel for the night. Accommodation: Hotel near Merzouga Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Leisure Day in Merzouga – Camel Trekking & Desert Camp

Enjoy a leisurely day at your hotel, complete with a refreshing swimming pool. In the afternoon, embark on a captivating camel trek through the enchanting dunes of Erg Chebbi. Experience a magical evening as you spend the night in a traditional desert camp under the starry sky. Accommodation: Desert camp Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7: Fossil Sites in Taouz and Ramlia

Revisit the famed Kem Kem beds in Taouz, where numerous dinosaur fossils have been unearthed. Collect Cretaceous fossils while exploring nearby sites with crinoids from Silurian, Devonian, and Ordovician strata. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel in the region. Accommodation: Hotel in Mharech Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 8: Mharech to Alnif

After breakfast, travel to Alnif, known for its rich trilobite deposits. Explore multiple locations on Djbel Issimour, or Trilobite Mountain, where you can search for Phacops trilobites before enjoying a restful night at Hotel Meteorites in Alnif. Accommodation: Hotel Meteorites, Alnif Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 9: Alnif to Zagora

Start the day with a visit to a large Orthoceras fossil site on the way to Tazzarine. Afterward, marvel at ancient rock carvings at Ait Ouazik before settling down for dinner and overnight accommodations in Zagora. Accommodation: Hotel in Zagora Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Journey to Ouarzazate

Depart Zagora and drive through the picturesque Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river. Arrive in Ouarzazate, famous for its film studios and stunning landscapes, before checking into your hotel for the night. Accommodation: Hotel in Ouarzazate Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Visit the iconic Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its remarkable architecture and role in numerous films. After exploring this historic site, continue your journey through the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains, arriving in Marrakech by evening. Accommodation: Hotel in Marrakech Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 12: Guided Exploration of Marrakech

After breakfast, embark on a guided exploration of Marrakech, one of Morocco’s vibrant imperial cities. Visit historical landmarks such as the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and the Ben Youssef Quranic mosque. Enjoy lunch near Jemaa El-Fna square and then visit the Koutoubia Mosque and the stunning Majorelle Garden. Return to your hotel to relax or continue exploring the bustling city. Accommodation: Hotel in Marrakech Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 13: Departure from Marrakech or Casablanca

Depending on your flight schedule, we will provide a transfer to either Marrakech or Casablanca Airport, concluding your unforgettable fossil collecting expedition in Morocco.

Tour Inclusions

• Accommodations: 12 nights in comfortable hotels and a desert camp, as detailed in the itinerary. • Meals: Daily breakfasts, select lunches, and dinners as indicated. • Transportation: All transfers in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. • Expert Guidance: Knowledgeable local guides to enhance your fossil hunting experience. • Fossil Collecting: Access to various fossil sites with opportunities for hands-on specimen collection. • Camel Trek: A memorable camel ride through the Sahara desert. • Airport Transfers: Convenient pick-up and drop-off services.

Tour Exclusions

• International Flights: Travel to and from Morocco is not included. • Travel Insurance: Recommended for personal safety during your travels. • Meals Not Specified: Lunches and dinners not included in the itinerary. • Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, tips, and additional activities not outlined in the tour. • Optional Activities: Additional excursions or experiences not part of the main itinerary.

Customization Options

Our tours are highly customizable to suit your interests and preferences. If you have specific requests or wish to alter the itinerary, our team is dedicated to crafting an unforgettable experience tailored just for you.

13-Day Morocco Fossil Collecting Expedition

Tour Overview