Morocco Fossil Hunting Tour

Upon arriving in Marrakech, and starting our 10-Day Morocco Fossil Hunting Tour, we will transfer from the airport to the hotel, where you will have time for relaxing and free time to explore the city.

Today involves a scenic journey across the Atlas Mountains to the fossil-rich regions of the Anti-Atlas. Our first stop is an agate mine near Sidi Rahal, where we can find agates with pink opal layers and purchase specimens from local miners. We then ascend to the Col du Tichka at 2260m, traveling through geological layers from various eras, including Cambrian, Ordovician, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. After a brief stop at the summit, we explore a salt mine and continue to the World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait-Ben-Haddou, a 17th-century fortress featured in numerous films. We end the day in Ouarzazate.

In the morning, we visit a site with 600 million-year-old stromatolites. We then head to the Draa Valley, known for giant Ordovician trilobites, before examining the Fezouata Shale Lagerstätte, which houses exceptionally preserved fossils from the Burgess Shale-type fauna. We will have the 2nd night of our 10-day Morocco fossil hunting trip in the Zagora desert.

We begin at the Saredrar Orthoceras quarry, known for producing beautiful fossil-based objects. In Alnif, we explore fossil shops and sites rich with Cambrian trilobites. We also visit Jebel Tiskaouine, famous for its Ordovician trilobites. The night is spent at a hotel near Alnif.

Our first stop is Boudib on Jbel Isoumour, rich with Devonian fossils. We then visit the village of Fezzou, meet local miners at Atchana, and explore Devonian fossils at the Ihandar Formation. We spend the night at a hotel in the remote desert oasis of Mharch.

We start at Guelb el Mharch, a former submarine mud volcano, and visit Jbel El Mrakib for its Devonian fossils. Afterward, we head to Merzouga, home to the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes, and overnight stay in Merzouga desert.

We drive to the Kem Kem site, rich in Cretaceous dinosaur fossils, and then visit a geological site near Taouz. We also explore the Filon 12 mine, known for its mineral specimens, and spend another night in Merzouga.

The following day, on our 10-day Morocco Fossil hunting trip. You will wake up early to appreciate a breathtaking sunrise over Merzouga erg Chebbi. Then, we will drive to Rissani, we will visit a museum of fossils and have a walk in the traditional Market. Subsequently, our three-day Morocco desert tour goes on through many Berber & Arabic villages, Mellab, Tinjdad, Jourf, and this last one known for the wells of an old system of irrigation. We will have a stop there to visit this attraction. The lunch will be in Mellab or Tinjdad (Optional).

The next Attraction will be at Todra Valley and the canyons of Todra Gorge, which are about 300m in height. Also, the power of water could make its way across the rocks. This Gorge is known for climbing and hiking. Finally, we will drive to Dades Gorge, where we will spend the night, an overnight stay in a Riad.

Today, we will travel back to Marrakech via Amridhil Kasbah & M’goun mountains, we will arrive in Marrakech around 4 pm, where you will free time in the city of Marrakech at leisure before your flight.

Depending on your flight time, we will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport, where we will finish our 10-day Morocco Fossil Trip.

Upon your arrival in Casablanca depending on the time of your arrival, we will pick you up airport to the hotel and begin your 13-day Morocco fossil tour immediately. 

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you’ll depart for Azrou, located in the heart of the Middle Atlas. Enjoy a picnic in the cedar forest, home to playful monkeys, before heading to the extinct volcano Michlifen, known for its olivine and magna deposits. Next, explore the Jurassic site near Timahdite, which is rich in brachiopods, bivalves, and speriferes. If time allows, visit a Cretaceous site near Bakrit, famous for black shark teeth. The day concludes with an overnight stay at a hotel in the middle Atlas Mountains (Boulaajoul region).

Following breakfast, you’ll venture to the Mibladen mines, known for their challenging-to-find baryte, cerussite, and vanadinites. Continue to the ancient Ahouli mine, where historic mining equipment can be seen. Enjoy a picnic in the valley before heading to Sidi Ayad to collect azurite, malachite, and fluorite. Return to Midelt for the overnight stay.

Traveling through the Ziz Gorges, you’ll gather Jurassic brachiopods and bivalves before heading to the Ziz Valley to collect Cretaceous Cenomanian echinoderms, such as ciders and microstories. You will continue to Erfoud where you will the night stay.

Head south through Merzouga to the Mifis mine, once rich in lead and manganese, now a desert except for miners seeking barytine. Explore the Kem Kem paleo-river beds, which are abundant in fish, crocodiles, and dinosaur bones. We will visit Filon 12, a historic mine rich in vanadinite, quartz, citrine, and other minerals. Return to the same motel near the dunes, located on a Devonian bed rich in rolled Phacops.

Today, you will have a relaxing day in Merzouga desde in a hotel with a swimming pool, In the afternoon you will have a chance to go for a camel ride & a night stay in a desert camp).

On the 7th day of our 13 Days hunting tour in Morocco, you’ll revisit Taouz and the renowned Kem Kem beds, which contain Cretaceous-period rocks. This area has yielded Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus teeth and bones, along with crocodiles, dinosaurs, and fish. Nearby sites include Silurian, Devonian, and Ordovician strata with crinoids. Explore the mineral-rich Filon 12 mine, now known for Vanadinite, hematite, and pyrite. Then we will explore trilobites along the Algerian border, with the option to visit another Jurassic site, and metal mines in Rass Kmouna, we will spend the night in a Hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Alnif via Mount Djbel Issimour, also known as the Trilobites Mountain. Search for Phacops trilobites at two different locations before settling in at Hotel Meteorites in Alnif for the night stay.

In the morning, visit a large Orthoceras fossil mine on the road to Tazzarine. Continue to the ancient pre-historical drawings of Ait Ouazik. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay in Zagora.

Depart Zagora by driving through the Draa Valley, Morocco’s longest river. Continue to Ouarzazate, one of Morocco’s most famous tourist attractions, before ending the day with an overnight stay in a hotel at the city.

Following our visit to Ouarzazate, we will drive approximately 27 kilometers and arrive at Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This remarkable location has served as the backdrop for numerous Hollywood productions such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Gladiator,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Prince of Persia,” and more. The Kasbahs, or fortresses, showcase the unique and exotic Moroccan architecture and culture. After we explore the kasbah, we’ll continue our journey through the High Atlas Mountains, passing through the “Tichka pass,” eventually leading us to Marrakech.

Following a delicious breakfast, our day will be dedicated to exploring the highlights of Marrakesh under the guidance of a local expert. Marrakesh holds the distinction of being one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. Our comprehensive tour will encompass visits to significant landmarks, including the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Quranic mosque, and a stroll through Morocco’s most extensive traditional souk. You’ll have some free time to savor lunch in the vicinity of the bustling Jemaa El-Fna square.

In the afternoon, we will continue our journey with visits to the impressive Koutoubia mosque, the largest in Marrakesh, and the enchanting Majorelle garden. To conclude the day, we will provide a convenient transfer to your accommodation, and you’re welcome to explore the vibrant Jemaa El-Fna square at your own pace.

Today, following your departure flight timetable, we will head towards Casablanca airport, where we will finish our 13 Day Morocco Fossils Tour.