Our 10 Days Geological & Mineral Tours
10 days geological mineral tours marrakesh. Mining for fossils in Morocco is a labor-intense and delicate process. Since fossils, intended to be sold as scientific curiosities, or in cases even as natural works of art, have to be retrieved from the ground undamaged. Typically, many of local Berber tribesmen with deep regional roots, work in small trenches and pits with picks, chisels and shovels. Each fossil digger, numbering in the thousands, typically has their own spot, and leaves their equipment there each night. After having been extracted from the earth, locals clean and prepare the fossils for sale.
The most common and famous finds are trilobites and the nautiloid cephalopod Orthoceras. Orthoceras often found in huge numbers in black limestone, and fossils, often polished along with the surrounding stone, are sold either as scientific curiosities, or fashioned into various ornamental shapes. Moroccan Orthoceras limestone is in cases fashioned into furniture, such as ornamental sinks, bathtubs, or coffee tables.
Day 1 : Marrakech – Sidi Rahal – Ouarzazate
The tour starts from Marrakesh and drive to Sidi Rahal ( quartz chalcedonies mine, amethyst, agate), after drive to Ouarzazate by passing through the high Atlas Mountain and arrive at evening Ouarzazate where we will spend night in riad/hotel
Day 2 : Ouarzazate – Beni Zoli – Alnif
leave Ouarzazate and drive to Beni Zoli Ordovician place which is very rich of the huge trilobites. Then we will drive to Alnif by passing through Serradrar and visit Silurian place where you can collect black Orthoceras, after go to Alnif where we will enjoy the night.
Day 3 : Alnif – Jbel tiskaouine – back to Alnif
We will head to Cambrian place famous of the yellow trilobites. The meal of lunch we will have picnic in the oasis and then afternoon we will visit Jbel Tiskaouine an Ordovician site and it famous in calymenes and flexycalymenes. And in evening we will back to the same hotel in Alnif.
Day 4 : Alnif - Isoumour – Atchana – Oesis of Mharch
In this day we will drive to Isoumour famous of trilobites. Where Devonian trilobites lived together. You will collect rolled phacops. Picnic on the road, after we will head to El Atchana place, it is also a Devonian, after we will collect red ammonite in Lakrabis and overnight in Mharch oasis in desert.
Day 5 : Oesis of Mharch – Lalla Mimouna site – Jbel Mdawar – Merzouga
During this day we will drive to Mecessi and visit Devonian trilobites in Lalla Mimouna area then Jbel Mdwar to collect Devonian Goniatites picnic in the site. Next, we will drive to Merzouga Erg Chebbi where we will enjoy night in hotel.
Day 6 : Merzouga – Taous – Kem Kem site – Boutariyt site – Back to Merzouga
In the morning we will head to Taouz and visit Hamada Kemkem place which is rich of fish crocodiles and spinosaurus bones and teeth. Then, gather echinoderms in Boutariyt area. And picnic in the old mine of vanadinites quartz and goethite filon. Then visit Mifis old laid mine. Next, back to hotel in Merzouga.
Day 7 : Merzouga – Azourz Site – Tisket Site – back to Merzouga
We will depart from Merzouga and drive to Azourz site where you will gather black Devonian Pyritised Goniatites. Afterafter, we will pass to collect trilobites at Tisket site. Then, visit a Brythe mine, picnic in the oasis there. In afternoon, we will collect sand roses made of gypsum and sand also bite of bones vertebras. Then back to hotel in Merzouga.
Day 8 : Merzouga – Erfoud – Ouarzazate
After breakfast in Merzouga we drive to Ouarzazate passing through different Berber villages and visit Todgha Gorge, then visit Dades Gorge before arriving Ouarzazate at evening, and overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 9 : Ouarzazate – Tizi N’Tishka – Marrakech
Drive back to Marrakesh by passing through tragical Tizi N’Tichka pass and and arrive Marrakesh early and lunch in Marrakesh and half day off in the souk in Marrakesh. and night overther.
Day 10 : Transfer you to airport
Transfer you to the airport, depending on your fligh time.
What is include during the tour:
- Touring in 4x4 Vihicle / Minibus / Bus
- Experienced English speaking Driver/Guide
- official local guides in imperial cities
- Camel ride in Sahara Desert
- Overnight at the Desert Camp
- Fuel of the transportation during the tour
- Braekfast and dinner in Sahara desert / Boumalane Dades / Ouarzazate
What is not include during the tour:
- Lunches
- Tips
- Drinks
- Travel inssurance
