birding trip to the Atlas in 5 Days/4 Nights

1. NOTE: If you have a specific date please let us know your arrival and departure dates!
2. Tour Cost: The price is depends on number of participants, for the price please contact us
3. Group Size: Max 8 people, if you are a tour company or big group please contact us

Description:

amazing 5 days birdwatching tour in Morocco at the best time of the year. This Trip goes further than a simple birdwatching tour, the culture and history of the region will amaze you, and the landscape will take your breath away. this country provides amazing opportunities for birding that seem to have been put together for this purpose alone.

Itinerary

Day 1 Marrakech Airport - High Atlas Mountains - Oukaimeden

Meet and welcome you at Marrakech Airport or hotel in Marrakech then we will drive up to the High Atlas Mountains. As we drive along with the cultivated fields, we should find a good mix of resident species such as Southern Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Moroccan Magpie, Moussier’s Redstart, and House Bunting. Slightly higher up, among the rocky slopes, we will search for Blue Rock Thrush and the endemic Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker. When we reach the ski resort at Oukaimeden, we will check the snowline for the handsome Crimson-winged Finch. Other species here include Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough, and Atlas Horned Lark.

Day 2 High Atlas Mountains - Ouarzazate - Boumalne du Dades

After an early breakfast, we leave the mountains behind, perhaps pausing again en route for Levaillant’s Woodpecker. From the flat plains of Marrakech, we turn back uphill and drive to Boumalne du Dades via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260 Meters), a spectacular and long drive. On the way we’ll try for yet another endemic, Tristram’s Warbler. This species has very specific habitat requirements away from its wintering grounds and is not always easy to find. As the road climbs into the hills, we may start to see some raptors such as Long-legged Buzzard and Bonelli’s Eagle both possible. Before reaching Boumalne du Dades we’ll stop in Ouarzazate to explore the barrage at Mansour Eddahbi. Here we have the chance of seeing Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilts, and Maghreb Lark, as well as Cormorants and Herons and a selection of waders.

Day 3 Boumalne du Dades – Tagdilt Track – Dades Gorge – Ouarzazate

Today we will start early, to head to the Tagdilt Track before sunrise. This is, without doubt, one of the top areas for birding in Southern Morocco. Excellent chances exist for seeing for Red-rumped Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch, Thekla Lark, Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Short-toed Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, and the highly nomadic Thick-billed Lark. If the heat allows, we will dedicate most of our day to exploring this area, Chances also exist for the Pharaoh Eagle Owl “GAYUIN“. Early in the afternoon, we will visit the Dades gorges where Bonelli’s Eagle and Tristram’s Warbler breeds then we travel back to Ouarzazate.

Day 4 Ouarzazate – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

A long journey back from Ouarzazate to Marrakech. We will drive through the High Atlas Mountains, stopping at the scenic and impressive Tizi N’Tichka Pass (2260 Meters) to admire its fabulous geological rock formations, We will do some birding stops on the road. Late in the afternoon, we arrive in Marrakech. Free evening to visit the old quarter of Marrakech and the impressive Jema-el-Fna square which is an unbelievable experience for any visitor – snake charmers, water sellers, and spice stalls plus the charm of bargaining in the Souk (Optinal).

Day 5 Marrakech – Airport

If time allows some more birding in the Marrakech area, then transfer to the airport where the trip ends.

1. NOTE: This is a flexible itinerary that may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions, and other related factors.