Morocco Fossil and Geology Tour – 13-Day Discovery Experience
Explore Morocco’s extraordinary geological landscapes on a professionally guided Morocco Fossil and Geology Tour designed for fossil collectors, geology enthusiasts, and adventure travelers. This 13-day journey combines fossil hunting, mineral exploration, desert scenery, and cultural highlights across Morocco.
Morocco Fossil and Geology Tour Overview
This extended Morocco fossil and geology tour takes you from the Middle Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert and historic imperial cities. Throughout the journey, you will explore Jurassic, Devonian, Ordovician, and Cretaceous fossil sites while discovering Morocco’s rich mineral heritage alongside experienced local guides.
Morocco Fossil and Mineral Tour Highlights
- Fossil hunting at world-class geological sites
- Mineral collecting at historic mines and quarries
- Exploration of extinct volcanoes and paleo-river beds
- Sahara Desert experience in Erg Chebbi
- Cultural visits including Aït Ben Haddou and Marrakech
- Small-group tour with expert guidance
Morocco Fossil and Geology Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Casablanca
Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, light orientation may begin the same day. Afterwards, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2 – Casablanca to Midelt via Timahdite
Following breakfast, travel toward Azrou in the heart of the Middle Atlas. Along the way, stop for a picnic in the cedar forest, home to Barbary macaques. Later in the morning, visit the extinct Michlifen volcano, known for olivine-rich formations. In the afternoon, explore a Jurassic fossil site near Timahdite featuring brachiopods and bivalves. If time permits, a Cretaceous shark-tooth site near Bakrit may also be visited. Overnight in Midelt.
Day 3 – Midelt Geology Tour: Mibladen & Sidi Ayad
After breakfast, head toward the historic Mibladen mining district, famous for barite, cerussite, and rare vanadinite. Next, continue to the abandoned Ahouli mine to observe old mining equipment. Following a picnic in the valley, collect azurite, malachite, and fluorite at Sidi Ayad. Later in the day, return to Midelt for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Midelt to Erg Chebbi via Ziz Valley Fossil Sites
In the morning, travel south through the dramatic Ziz Gorges, where Jurassic brachiopods and bivalves can be collected. Afterwards, continue through the Ziz Valley to explore Cenomanian Cretaceous sites rich in echinoids such as cidaris and micraster. After lunch, drive to Erfoud before continuing to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Dinner and overnight in the desert.
Day 5 – Merzouga Fossil and Mineral Exploration
Today, journey south of Merzouga toward the former M’Fis mining area, once rich in lead and manganese. Afterwards, explore the Kem Kem paleo-river beds, well known for fish, crocodile, and dinosaur remains. Following a picnic, visit Filon 12, a mineral-rich site producing vanadinite, quartz, and citrine. Later in the afternoon, examine Devonian layers containing rolled Phacops trilobites before returning to Merzouga.
Day 6 – Devonian and Cretaceous Fossil Hunting in Merzouga
After breakfast, begin the day by collecting Devonian goniatites, often preserved in goethite or pyrite. Subsequently, explore trilobite-bearing layers nearby. Following lunch in a sacred palm oasis, continue to a Cretaceous site near Safsaf to search for sand roses and vertebrate fossils. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Day 7 – Erfoud Fossil Quarries to Alnif
Following breakfast, visit a large crinoid quarry near Erfoud to observe extraction methods. Afterwards, travel to Mount Boutchrafine to collect Devonian trilobites. Later in the day, tour a fossil factory to see how large stone blocks are transformed into decorative items. In the evening, arrive in Alnif for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – Alnif Trilobite Fossil Hunting Day
This full day focuses on trilobite collecting. In the morning, explore Cambrian sites known for large Paradoxides specimens. After a desert picnic, continue to the Ordovician layers of Jbel Tiskaouine, famous for calymene and flexicalymene trilobites. Overnight in Alnif.
Day 9 – Alnif to Todra Gorge and Ouarzazate
Depart Alnif in the morning and travel toward the spectacular Todra Gorge. After time to walk through the canyon, continue through the Valley of Roses toward Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight in the city.
Day 10 – Aït Ben Haddou, Salt Mine & Ourika Valley
After breakfast, visit the UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou. Next, explore a traditional salt mine before crossing the High Atlas Mountains to the Ourika Valley. Overnight in the valley.
Day 11 – Ourika Valley hiking and Transfer to Marrakech
In the morning, enjoy a guided walk through the Ourika Valley, visiting Berber villages and waterfalls. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Marrakech. Overnight in a traditional riad.
Day 12 – Exploring Marrakech
Today is dedicated to discovering Marrakech. Visit the Medina, souks, gardens, palaces, and the famous Jemaa el-Fna square. Free time is available for shopping or relaxation.
Day 13 – Departure from Marrakech
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech Airport according to your departure schedule. End of your Morocco Fossil and Geology Tour.
