Tour overview

MOROCCO FOSSILS HUNTING TOUR.

 

Package: Morocco fossils hunting tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech.

Morocco fossils hunting tour with a warm welcome at Marrakech airport or Casablanca. Spend the night in the vibrant red city of Marrakech, setting the stage for an exciting adventure.

Day 2: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

Exploration beyond Marrakech, traversing the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n´Tichka pass at 2260 meters. Pause at Sidi Rahal to marvel at the Triassic lava agate mine. As we navigate through the mountain layers spanning Cambrian to Cretaceous eras, the Ounila Valley unveils Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene treasures. Following the salt route, witness ongoing salt mining before arriving at the UNESCO site of Ksar Ait Benhaddou, a 17th-century adobe fortress famed for its role in “The Gladiator.” Continuing our journey, we reach Ouarzazate, the cinematic hub of Africa, where the night unfolds.

Day 3: Ouarzazate – Alnif

Ouarzazate to witness 600 million-year-old stromatolites before tracing the Draa Valley’s allure to an Ordovician layer harboring colossal cold-water trilobites. Unearth the depths of the Fezouata Shale, where trilobites, up to 30 cms in length, await discovery. Enroute, pass the historic Ksar of Tamnougalt, steering towards Tazzarine to explore the Sardar Orthoceras quarry, revealing cephalopods that hint at ammonite ancestry. Alnif, a trilobite fossil haven in Morocco, becomes our sanctuary for the night, surrounded by fossil shops in a quintessential hotel setting. The anticipation for further discoveries builds as we pave the way for the upcoming exploration of Erfoud.

Day 4: Exploring Alnif and its Trilobites

Dedicate the day to immersing yourself in the world of trilobites. Explore fossil shops, marvel at complete specimens, and embark on site visits in pursuit of Cambrian Paradoxides and Cambropallas trilobites. Venture to the Tiskaouine mountain, a treasure trove of Ordovician Neseuretus, Colposcopy, and Flexicalymene trilobites. The evening brings us back to the familiar embrace of our Alnif hotel, setting the stage for continued fossil wonders.

Day 5: Alnif – Mharech

Tracing the footsteps of the old Paris Dakar Rally, we navigate the ancient landscape, with our first stop at Bou Did. This Devonian limestone expanse unveils the Tazoulait Formation and nearby, a wealth of surface-scattered fossils. At the Atchana site, explore the Ihandar Formation, where Dicranurus monstrosus and Paralejurus spatuliformis trilobites await discovery, often in the company of fossil miners eager to share their insights. Venturing deeper into the Sahara, our journey leads to the Mharech oasis, where a night in a traditional adobe Riad awaits, marking a unique oasis experience.

Day 6: Mharech – Merzouga

Our morning unfolds with the intriguing Guelb el Mharech, a 45-meter pyramid, a relic of a volcanic past shaped by hydrothermal vents. Dive into a world rich with corals, trilobites, crinoids, and the occasional rare discovery of placoderm fish. Traverse the Maider basin, exploring Jbel el Mrakib and witnessing Devonian brachiopods in their natural layers. Following the Dakar tracks, we arrive at the main road in Taouz, adorned with petroglyphs, before settling into a Kasbah hotel near the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi for a night beneath the desert stars.

Day 7: Kem Kem Beds and Filon 12

Journey back to Taouz, leading us to the renowned Kem Kem beds, where Cretaceous period rocks harbor the treasures of Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus, including teeth and bones. Explore the richness of this site, home to a diverse array of crocodiles, dinosaurs, and fish. Adjacent to Taouz, encounter folded Silurian, Devonian, and Ordovician layers hosting crinoids with their captivating labolith. Our adventure extends to the Filon or Vein 12 mine, a former lead mine transformed into a mineral-rich haven, boasting specimens like Vanadinite, Hematite, and Pyrite. Concluding the day, return to Merzouga, where a choice awaits – either staying in the same hotel or opting for a night in a desert camp, complete with a sunset camel ride.

Day 8: Merzouga – Rissani – Kem Kem – Merzouga

Bid farewell to the mesmerizing Erg Chebbi dunes as we venture north near Rissani. Pause at an upper Devonian site where red limestone slabs unveil the ancient beauty of orthoceras and ammonoids. Our journey continues to Kem Kem or Hamar Laghdad, where Devonian cold seep mud volcano mounds once cradled rich coral reefs. Explore bell pits, witnessing the mining of crinoids, followed by a well-deserved lunch break. The expedition advances to Erfoud, the fossil capital, where the quarry reveals Orthoceras slabs adorned with goniatites and rocks from the Devonian period. Visit a factory transforming these geological wonders into functional and aesthetically pleasing items. Dive into the rich tapestry of minerals and fossils at the local museum, showcasing impressive examples of the fossils encountered throughout our Alnif tour. The night unfolds in Erfoud, a city steeped in the history of Earth’s ancient wonders.

Day 9: Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dades Gorge – Ouarzazate

Erfoud, traversing palm groves and quaint villages to Tinghir. Ascend to the Todra Gorge, where 300-meter-high Jurassic walls sculpted by river waters beckon rock climbers worldwide. Returning through the Dades Valley, detour from Boumalne Dades to explore another gorge, showcasing unique geological formations shaped by erosion. Follow the Dades River, winding through ancient kasbahs, rose fields, and crops. After a rejuvenating lunch, journey to Skoura Palm Grove and the cinematic hub of Ouarzazate. Explore a Kasbah if time permits, then set course for Oasis Fint, where the night unfolds in this tranquil desert haven.

Day 10: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech

Begin the day with a leisurely breakfast, setting the stage for a scenic journey through the High Atlas Mountains. Traverse the 2260-meter-high pass, meandering past picturesque villages, fields, and lush pasturelands. As the day unfolds, we return to the vibrant city of Marrakech, granting you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Embrace the essence of the medina as you spend the night in this captivating Moroccan city.

Day 11: Marrakech and Departures

Morocco fossils hunting tour will end by Exploring  the ancient Medina of Marrakech with an optional guided walking tour, immersing yourself in the vibrant tapestry of this historic city. Departure times determine the schedule, with convenient airport transfers available for both Casablanca and Marrakech, concluding a memorable journey through the diverse landscapes and rich history of Morocco.