Morocco Fossils and Minerals Tour: 12 Days of Fossil Hunting from Marrakech
Trilobites, ammonites and dinosaur remains from the Anti-Atlas to the Sahara
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Tour at a Glance
Duration
12 days and 11 nights
Tour Type
Private tour for your group only
Starts and Ends
Marrakech, with airport pick-up
Overnight
Hotels and riads, and a night in a starry desert camp
Highlights
Trilobite quarries, the Kem Kem dinosaur beds, Tissardmine quarry and the Merzouga dunes
Price
On request. Contact us for a free quote
Hunt Fossils from Marrakech to the Sahara
Hunt for trilobites, ammonites, orthoceras and dinosaur bones on this 12-day Morocco fossil tour. Starting and ending in Marrakech, you cross the High Atlas, dig through the Anti-Atlas and the Maider Basin, and explore the famous fossil beds around Erfoud and Merzouga.
Along the way you see palm valleys, gorges, kasbahs and the Sahara dunes, and spend a night in a starry desert camp after a camel ride. It is an ideal trip for fossil collectors, geology fans and curious travellers alike.
Tour Highlights
- An agate mine near Sidi Rahhal and the salt mine caves near Telouet
- Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Stromatolites near Ait Saouen in the Anti-Atlas
- Cambrian and Devonian trilobite sites
- Goniatites, phacops and Asaphus trilobites in the Sahara
- The Kem Kem dinosaur beds
- Tissardmine quarry, famous for orthoceras and ammonites
- Rock carvings and tumuli near Taouz
- A camel ride and a night in a starry camp
- The Erfoud fossil museum, the Todra and Dades Gorges
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary can be modified and designed according to your requirements and needs. Contact us to adapt it.
Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Our Morocco Fossils and Minerals Tour start by picking up from the airport and taken to your hotel. You might get your first taste of Moroccan culture in the famous Jamaa lafna square.
Day 2
Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate
Your driver picks you up early in the morning in Marrakech, and you head south over the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres, with views of Berber villages, kasbahs and oases along the way.
You stop at Ait Ben Haddou, the fortified village (ksar) that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987 and a location for many films, including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. In the afternoon you continue to Ouarzazate, the “Hollywood of Africa”, where you spend the night.
Stops on Day 2
- Marrakech
- Ait Ben Haddou
- Ouarzazate
Day 3
Ouarzazate, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Draa Valley and Alnif
After breakfast, we head southeast. Our first stop is near Ait Saouen village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. We’re on the hunt for Stromatolites.
We cross the Saghrou Mountains to reach the Draa valley. It’s famous for its palm trees. We’ll stop in Jbel Kissani for Trilobites and Azatos. Our journey takes us through Berber villages to Alnif for the night.
Stops on Day 3
- Ouarzazate
- Anti-Atlas Mountains
- Draa Valley
- Alnif
Day 4
Alnif, Messisi, Fzou, Maider Bassin and Tafraouet
Today, we visit the Tiskaouine Quarry, a Cambrian site. We’re looking for yellowish trilobite and Calymine. Then, we head to Atchana/Jbel Isoummir for Devonian trilobites and rolled phacops.
By afternoon, we arrive in Tafraouet. We’ll spend the night here.
Stops on Day 4
- Alnif
- Messisi
- Fzou
- Maider Bassin
- Tafraouet
Day 5
Tafraouet, Ramlia and Ouzina/Jdaid
After breakfast, we visit the Zerge Quarry for Phacops. Then, we go to Jbel Mrakib for Phacops and Goniatites. We’ll take an off-road journey deeper into the Sahara desert.
We aim to find Asaphus (Asaphellus) Trilobites in Tifrda hells. We’ll spend the night in Ouzina or Jdaid village.
Stops on Day 5
- Tafraouet
- Ramlia
- Ouzina/Jdaid
Day 6
Ouzina, Taouz and Merzouga
After breakfast, we pass through Jdaid Rock Carving. We’ll stop in Oued Ziz site near Taouz for rock carvings and tumuli. We’ll also visit the Filoun 12 Mineral mine and Kem Kem Dinosaur beds.
These sites are home to ancient fishes, crocodiles, and Spinosaurus bones and teeth. We’ll spend the night in Merzouga desert.
Stops on Day 6
- Ouzina
- Taouz
- Merzouga
Day 7
Merzouga, Mefis Mine and Tissardmine Fossils Quarry
In the morning, we start our new day, exploring the area with its sand dunes. We see nomads living in tents. We also visit an association of people from Sudan and Mali to enjoy their music and traditions.
Later, we venture deeper into the desert to see the nomadic lifestyle. We discover the Tisardmine Quarry, famous for its orthoceras and Ammonites.
In the afternoon, we return to the hotel to prepare for a camel ride. We ride camels for about an hour to reach the starry camp where we spend the night.
Stops on Day 7
- Merzouga
- Mefis Mine
- Tissardmine Fossils Quarry
Day 8
Merzouga Desert, Rissani, Erfoud, Todra Gorges and Dades Gorges
After breakfast you drive to Rissani, a traditional market town that was the origin of Morocco’s ruling family, where the souk sits under red arches. You continue through Erfoud and the Tafilalet oasis to Tinghir and the Todra Gorges, one of the most impressive canyons in Morocco, and then along the Dades Valley to the Dades Gorges.
Stops on Day 8
- Merzouga Desert
- Rissani
- Erfoud
- Todra Gorges
- Dades Gorges
Day 9
Dades Gorges, Roses Valley and Ouarzazate
After breakfast, a local guide joins us for a 4 to 5 hour trek. We start in AIT OUGLIFF, a Berber village with ancient ruins and trees. We see unique rock formations and enjoy a picnic in the valley.
Then, we return to the car and head to our next destination. We drive through the rose’s valley and Skoura palm trees to Ouarzazate in the afternoon. We spend the night in a Riad.
Stops on Day 9
- Dades Gorges
- Roses Valley
- Ouarzazate
Day 10
Ouarzazate, Atlas Mountains and Marrakech
After breakfast, we visit the kasbah of taourirt, a famous castle. Then, we head back to Marrakech. We spend the night in a Riad.
Stops on Day 10
- Ouarzazate
- Atlas Mountains
- Marrakech
Day 11
Full Day in Marrakech
You explore Marrakech with a local guide. The highlights include Jemaa El Fna square, the old medina and its souks, the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Koranic school. The rest of the day is free to shop in the souks or relax.
Day 12
Departure
Transfer to the airport and the end of our services of The Morocco Fossils and Minerals Tour
What Is Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotel and riad accommodation as described
- Transport in a 4x4 or suitable vehicle
- Local guide for the itinerary and the Dades trek
- Camel ride and overnight desert camp in Merzouga
Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees (for example the Erfoud fossil museum)
- Tips
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
What to Bring
- Warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter
- Sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes
- Comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag
- Cash for lunches, drinks and tips
- A camera and a power bank
Is This Tour Right for You?
This tour suits fossil collectors, geology enthusiasts and curious travellers. It involves long drives and off-road tracks to quarries and sites in remote areas.
If you would like fewer fossil stops and more sightseeing, see our 7-day tour from Ouarzazate to the Sahara.
More Tours You May Like
Prefer a different kind of journey? Compare our other tours.
A 12-day trek through Berber villages to Ighil M’Goun (4,068 m), the second-highest peak of the High Atlas.
Kasbah Taourirt, Atlas Studios, Ait Ben Haddou and the Draa Valley on the way to the desert.
After a short stay in Marrakech, cross the High Atlas and pass heritage sites and the “Hollywood of Morocco” on the way to the desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fossils can I find on this tour?
Trilobites (Cambrian and Devonian), phacops, goniatites, orthoceras and ammonites, plus stromatolites and Kem Kem dinosaur remains.
Can I take fossils home?
Rules on collecting and exporting fossils vary by country and by site, so ask us before you travel and always follow local regulations.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts and ends in Marrakech, with an airport pick-up on day 1 and a transfer on day 12.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation as described in the itinerary is arranged for you, with the meals listed in the included section. Contact us to confirm the details for your dates and group size.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. The itinerary can be modified according to your requirements, and we can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco. Tell us what you need on our contact page.
When is the best time to go?
The tour runs all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, summer is very hot in the desert and winter nights are cold, so bring warm clothes.
What should I bring?
warm layers, as desert nights can be cold in winter, sun protection, sunglasses and a scarf for the dunes, comfortable shoes and a small overnight bag, cash for lunches, drinks and tips and a camera. Read our tips in the Morocco FAQ.
How do I book or get a price?
Fill in the form at the bottom of this page or email travelstomorocco@gmail.com with your dates and the number of people, and we will reply with a free quote.
Plan Your Trip
Helpful pages before you book:
Ready to Hunt Fossils in Morocco?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you a free quote for this trip.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95
Ask for Prices
Please fill in the form below or contact us directly by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will answer you as soon as possible. Include your tour date and the number of people.