The Morocco Geology and Fossil Tour is a 16-day adventure for travelers passionate about fossils, minerals, desert landscapes, and Moroccan culture. Starting in Casablanca, this geology and fossil tour winds through lush oases, sweeping deserts, palm-filled valleys, and the majestic Atlas Mountains.
Along the way, you will visit key fossil and mineral sites, experience traditional towns and local cuisine, and soak in the stunning scenery of southern Morocco. This Morocco Geology and Fossil Tour offers a perfect blend of natural wonders, cultural experiences, and hands-on fossil and mineral exploration, making it an unforgettable journey across Morocco.
Casablanca (Google Map)
Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca
Upon arrival at Mohammed V Airport or your hotel, you will be picked up to begin your journey. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco with the world’s tallest minaret, and enjoy a relaxing walk along Casablanca’s Atlantic coastline. Overnight stay in Casablanca.
After breakfast, drive approximately three hours to Marrakech. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the vibrant medina, the bustling Jemaa el-Fna square, and the colorful local markets. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of this iconic Moroccan city.
Drive through the majestic High Atlas Mountains, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery along the way. Stop at Sidi Rahal, a renowned site for finding quartz, agate, and amethyst, and experience hands-on fossil and mineral exploration. Enjoy a traditional lunch with a local miner before continuing your journey across the mountains to Ouarzazate. Overnight stay in Ouarzazate.
After breakfast, head to a stromatolite site near Ouarzazate to explore some of Morocco’s oldest fossil formations. Continue your journey through the scenic Draa Valley, dotted with lush palm groves and traditional kasbahs. Enjoy a picnic on-site amid this beautiful landscape. Later, travel to Serradrar to collect black Orthoceras fossils, a rare and fascinating find. Overnight stay in Alnif.
After breakfast, visit a Cambrian trilobite site, where you can discover impressive large yellow trilobites in their natural formations. Take a relaxing break at a nearby desert oasis, enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Continue to Jbel Tiskaouine, a renowned location for Ordovician fossils, and collect specimens under the guidance of local experts. Return to Alnif for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit the Isoumour site to collect Devonian trilobites, enjoying a scenic picnic at the site. Continue to Atchana and then Lakrabis, where you can hunt for vivid red ammonites, a rare and striking fossil type. In the late afternoon, drive to the tranquil oasis of M’harch and relax. Overnight stay at the oasis.
After breakfast, stop at Mecessi and Jbel Mdawar to collect trilobites and goniatites, two fascinating fossil types. Enjoy a scenic picnic in the desert before continuing your journey to the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes. Experience the vast desert landscape and relax in the golden sands. Overnight stay in Merzouga.
After breakfast, visit Kem-Kem near Taouz to explore sites rich in dinosaur bones and fossilized fish. Continue to Boutariyt to collect crinoid fossils, then stop at Filon 12 Mine, famous for vanadinite, quartz, and other minerals. Enjoy a traditional Berber pizza lunch, and pass by the historic Mifis Mine on your way. Overnight stay in Merzouga.
Goniatites, Trilobites, and Baryte Mining
After breakfast, visit Tisrdmint to collect goniatites and then head to Tisket for trilobite fossil hunting. Explore a working baryte mine to observe mineral extraction in action. Enjoy lunch in the area, then continue collecting unique specimens such as sand roses and fossilized bone fragments. Return to Merzouga for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit the Hamarlaghdad fossil area to observe crinoid fossil extraction in action. Continue to Erfoud and tour a local fossil factory, where you can see how Morocco’s fossils are prepared and preserved. Overnight stay in Erfoud.
After breakfast, visit Mibladen, Ahouli, and Sidi Ayad to collect stunning azurite and malachite minerals. Enjoy a scenic picnic in the valley or have lunch at a local restaurant. After your mineral-hunting adventure, return to Midelt for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, drive through the Middle Atlas forests and picturesque small towns, taking in the stunning landscapes and enjoying scenic stops for photos along the way. Immerse yourself in Morocco’s natural beauty before reaching your overnight stay near Beni Mellal.
Oued Zem Fossils and Return to Casablanca
After breakfast, head to the Oued Zem phosphate area to search for a variety of fossilized teeth and bones, including mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and ancient fish. Continue your journey back to Casablanca, enjoying the scenic drive through Morocco’s landscapes. In the evening, stop at the famous Rick’s Café for a relaxing dinner and soak in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Overnight stay in Casablanca.
Enjoy a leisurely day in Casablanca with free time to explore the city at your own pace. Shop for souvenirs in local markets, stroll along the Atlantic coastline, or simply relax by the sea and take in the views. Overnight stay in Casablanca.
After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V Airport for your flight home. This marks the end of your unforgettable Morocco Geology and Fossil Tour, filled with fossil and mineral exploration, desert adventures, Atlas Mountain landscapes, and rich Moroccan cultural experiences.
