Marrakech Trip Overview
Figuig are an oasis of freshness…. lost in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains. Inhabited by barely 12,000 inhabitants; the city is today a little frequented by tourists because it is very remote from the big cities of Morocco. The calm that reigns there makes it seem like time has stood still.
The vast palm grove is the most beautiful in the country, with many fruit trees that grow in abundance; constitutes the economic lung of Figuig with tourism, as well as handicrafts and breeding.
Figuig has also managed to preserve a rich architectural heritage with seven traditional Ksours; a set of fortresses that once served to protect the city.
In addition Figuig has seven major ksour: Laâbidate, Lamaïz, Hammam Foukani, Hammam Tahtani, Loudaghir, Ouled Slimane, and Zenaga, the largest. Isolated from the rest of the world, Figuig deserves its nickname “Pearl of the desert”.
Additional Info
* Duration: 5 days
* Starts: Marrakech, Morocco
* Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Figuig are an oasis of freshness…. lost in the middle of the desert, surrounded by mountains. Inhabited by barely 12,000 inhabitants; the city is today a little frequented by tourists because it is very remote from the big cities of Morocco. The calm that reigns there makes it seem like time has stood still.
The vast palm grove is the most beautiful in the country, with many fruit trees that grow in abundance; constitutes the economic lung of Figuig with tourism, as well as handicrafts and breeding.
Figuig has also managed to preserve a rich architectural heritage with seven traditional Ksours; a set of fortresses that once served to protect the city.
In addition Figuig has seven major ksour: Laâbidate, Lamaïz, Hammam Foukani, Hammam Tahtani, Loudaghir, Ouled Slimane, and Zenaga, the largest. Isolated from the rest of the world, Figuig deserves its nickname “Pearl of the desert”.
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Todgha – Errachidia
Stop At: Tizi n Tichka, Imlil Village, Ouarzazate 45000 Morocco
Your driver will come to pick you up from your Riad or hotel in Marrakech in a comfortable air-conditionned 4×4 car or minivan. We leave the ocher city behind and drive south-east crossing many small and dispersed villages on our way. After about a 100 kilometers, we start to go up as we reach the chain of the Atlas mountains and the highest pass in the chain Tizi N-Tichka (2160m), the pass is usually coverd in snow during winter time. one of the teraces in Tichka to stretch our legs, maybe grab a cup of coffee to fully wake up.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa
After the pass, we cross several berber villages again, perched in the mountains and hills. The scenery on the road changes frequently leaving no room for boredom. Arriving to Ouarzazate (~ 90 kilometers from Tichka pass), we will stop to visit the beautiful Kasbah of Taourirt (home to former Caid Pacha Glaoui) and the museum of Cinema as Ouarzazate is a noted film-making location, it has two huge film studios inviting some of the big international experts of the industry of cinema to work there. After Visiting the attractions of Ouarzazate, After lunch, we continue through the beautiful valleys to reach the magnificent Dades and Todra canyons.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Errachidia, Errachidia, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Arriving to Errachidia wher you will be checked in To your Riad / Hotel, Diner will be served and overnight to relax and get prepared for a busy day Tomorrow…
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a 4 * Hotel / Riad
Day 2: Errachidia, Boudnib, Mengoub, Figuig Oasis
Stop At: Figuig, Figuig, Oriental
After Breakfast you will have a free morning to relax by the pool and rest before the chck out at 1h00 pm
We will head to The lost Oasis of Figuig via a rough and Virgin desert local villages; you will be checked in to your Charming Host / Riad in Figuig at about 5h00 pm, located in one of the old Walled Ksours.
A welcome tea and get to know the people around, diner and over night in the middle of the oasis Riad.
Duration: 18 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Riad / Guest House
Day 3: Exploring the Figuig 7 Ksours / Kasbah and Palm Oasis Area:
Stop At: Figuig, Figuig, Oriental
An Early bio breakfast will be on served then you will meet your local guide to start your journey to discover a city wher the time had Stood still
Figuig, the oasis off the beaten track
In the past, from the 14th to the 16th century, Figuig designated a long and particularly prosperous territory extending to the south-east of Morocco, along the border with Algeria.
Today, the oasis of Figuig, planted in the heart of a mountainous circus located at the threshold of the great Saharan erg, is the union of 7 ksour, divided into two adjacent palm groves.
There are six in the North, on the Loudaghir plateau, including that of El Hammam- el-Foukani, while in the South the Zenaga ksar, in the Baghdad plain, the largest, alone included a third of the population of the oasis estimated at 15,000 inhabitants.
Because of its distance from traditional tourist circuits, unknown to most travelers and tour operators, Figuig has kept a real authenticity.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Figuig, Figuig, Oriental
Discover the oasis of Figuig, it is to stroll in the narrow lanes of its ksour, to walk the paths of the palm groves El Hammam and El Maïz, to leave with the assault of the various paths of excursion climbing the surrounding mountains and to admire the panoramic views overhanging the oasis.
Visit Figuig
Ksar of El-Hammam-el-Foukani North-east of El Maïz
It contains the ancient Zaouïa of Sidi Bou Amama (1840 – 1908), native of the ksar, it was an emblematic figure of the uprising of the populations of the south of Oran, in Algeria, against the French occupation.
To the south of the ksar behind a small door, a staircase, slippery attention, goes down to the hot spring at 33 ° which gives its name to the ksar.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Figuig, Figuig, Oriental
Ksar Zenaga 5 km south
A path bypasses the ksar el Oudaghir, from the west, and leads to hot and salty springs and a palm grove to reach the ksar of Zenaga, the farthest, but the largest ksour of the Figuig oasis.
The introduction of concrete in renovations or new constructions is a slight task in this typical ksour setting and undeniably removes charm from the traditional character of the place.
The main artery, Hassan II Boulevard, houses Figuig’s bus stop, post office and bank branches, as well as the inevitable traditional cafes and small restaurants.
The craft trade is found in the ksour: carpets, djellabas, and burnous are the specialties. Nearby, numerous walks can be made, in particular with the assault of the many hot springs of the valley of wadi Zousfana offering splendid panoramic views on the close Sahara.
The surprising hikes to make within the chain of Jbel Grouz participate in the beauty of the site.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Figuig, Figuig, Oriental
Palm grove of Figuig
Rich of about 150,000 palm trees, the Figuig oasis is among the most beautiful in Morocco. Emerging from about twenty springs, the water is conveyed by gullies, seguias, or by underground channels, khettaras.
Most of the inhabitants of the oasis live from the exploitation of fruit trees, pomegranate trees, olive trees, fig trees and vines as well as from the cultivation of cereals, vegetables and alfalfa. But the most important remains that of date palms.
In autumn, the harvest period of dates being the major activity, Figuig knows a certain effervescence.
After the long day a good traditional local meal in diner will be served and good night sleep in the calm of the oasis.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Riad / GuestHouse
Day 4: Figuig Oasis, Bouarfa, Talsint, Midelt
Stop At: Midelt, Midelt, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
After your Bio Breakfast we will drive to another an explored area and amazing new views that will surprise you and awake your senses
Lunch will be in Talsint before reaching Midelt for a night on a Kasbah.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Riad / GuestHouse
Day 5: Midelt, Kasbah Tadla, Ozoud, Marrakech
Stop At: Ouzoud, Morocco
After your Breakfast we will visit Midelt’s splendid workshop for handy works. It has wonderful and charming craft works, then drive back to Marrakech throught the nature.
Lunch will be in Front of Ozoud watterfall in a local restaurant.
Arriving Marrakech by 6h00 pm
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
