Discover the hidden geological wonders of Morocco on this 14 Day Fossils and Minerals Tour From Casablanca. Perfect for fossil collectors, amateur geologists, and curious travelers, this journey takes you across breathtaking landscapes, from the Atlantic coast to the edge of the Sahara Desert and into the rich fossil beds of the Atlas Mountains.
You’ll visit world-famous sites from the Cambrian, Ordovician, Devonian, and Cretaceous periods, hunting for trilobites, ammonites, orthoceras, shark teeth, dinosaur bones, vanadinite crystals, and so much more. Along the way, you’ll meet local miners, learn from expert fossil guides, stay in charming riads, desert hotels, and even experience a camel ride through the golden dunes of Merzouga.
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (Google Map)
On the first day, we will warmly welcome you at Casablanca airport and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can either relax and recover from your journey or take a short tour around Casablanca to see some of its highlights. This day is all about preparing for the exciting fossil-hunting adventure ahead.
After breakfast, begin a scenic 3-hour drive to the magical city of Marrakech. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore the bustling Jemaa El Fna square or relax at your Riad.
Start your fossil adventure with a visit to Sidi Rahal, rich in quartz chalcedonies, agates, and amethysts. Meet a local miner and learn about extraction methods. After a field picnic, continue across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass to the desert gateway of Ouarzazate.
Travel through the stunning Draa Valley, dotted with palm groves and ancient kasbahs. Stop at the Beni Zoli site, home to giant Ordovician trilobites. After a picnic, continue to the Silurian site at Serrarid to collect black orthoceras and arrowheads.
Overnight in Alnif.
Explore the Cambrian fossil beds to find large yellow trilobites. In the afternoon, visit Jbel Tiskaouine, rich in calymenes and flexicalymenes. Enjoy the peaceful desert landscape as you return to Alnif.
Overnight in Alnif.
Head to Boumaaur’s famous trilobite past paradise to collect rolled phacops. Visit another Devonian site, Atchana, then collect rare red ammonites in Lkbiraks. End the day in the tranquil oasis of Mharch.
Overnight in Mharch.
Travel to Mecessi and collect Devonian trilobites at Jbel Mimouna, followed by Goniatites at Jbel Madwar. Arrive at the golden dunes of Merzouga to witness sunset over the Sahara.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Visit the Kem Kem site near Taouz, famous for fossilized crocodile bones, shark teeth, and spinosaurus remains. Continue to Boutariyt for echinoderms, then explore quartz and geothite veins at Filon 12. End the day with a camel ride and sunset over Erg Chebbi.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Collect black Devonian pyritised goniatites at Azourz. Visit the Tisket site for trilobites, then an active barite mine. Explore Holy Oasis and Boutariyt for vertebrae-shaped bones, barite, gypsum, and desert roses.
Overnight in Merzouga.
Drive to the famous Hamar Laghdad site, rich in corals, brachiopods, and orthoceras. Enjoy a picnic near the fossil beds, then visit a local fossil workshop in Erfoud to see how fossils are transformed into museum-quality pieces.
Overnight in Erfoud.
Journey through the Atlas Mountains and visit the Oued Zem phosphate region, where shark teeth fossils are found. Arrive in Midelt for an overnight stay between the High and Middle Atlas ranges.
Overnight in Midelt.
Visit the abandoned Mibladen lead mine to look for baryte, vanadinite, and cerrusite. Tour the old miner’s village, enjoy a field lunch, and later collect azurite and malachite at Sidi Ayad. Return to Midelt.
Overnight in Midelt.
Drive through cedar forests and scenic valleys to Beni Mellal. After a short rest and lunch, continue to Casablanca.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to Casablanca or Marrakech airport. We hope you return with unforgettable memories and a fossil collection to treasure.
The 10-day Fossil & Mineral Collecting Tour is a perfect mix of adventure, science, and culture. With the expertise of our amazing driver and guide, Iddir, every moment feels smooth, safe, and enriching. From Jurassic beds in the Middle Atlas to trilobite-rich sites in Alnif and dinosaur remains in Kemkem, the experience is unforgettable. Highlights like camel trekking in the Sahara and nights in desert camps make this tour truly unique. Perfect for fossil lovers and explorers alike.
Morocco is one of the world’s richest countries for fossils and minerals. Key fossil-rich regions include Erfoud, Alnif, and the Anti-Atlas / Saharan border zones, where trilobites, ammonites, orthoceras, and other marine fossils are commonly found.
For most guided tours, no special permit is required for surface collecting of small specimens. However, export of fossils and minerals is regulated by Moroccan law. Our experienced guides will ensure that all collecting activities comply with local regulations, and any large or scientifically significant discoveries must be properly reported.
Yes! On our tours, guests are welcome to keep small surface specimens as personal souvenirs. For larger or unique discoveries, our team will guide you on the appropriate procedures in accordance with Moroccan laws.
The ideal time for these tours is from October to April, when the weather is mild and pleasant. Summer months can be very hot in desert areas, so we recommend cooler seasons for the best comfort and exploration experience.
Absolutely! Our tours are designed for all levels of interest, from professional geologists to families and curious travelers. Our guides explain geological and fossil concepts in simple, engaging ways, so everyone can enjoy and learn, regardless of background or experience.
We recommend bringing:
You don’t need to worry about special tools, we provide all the necessary excavation equipment
Morocco is one of the world’s richest countries for fossils and minerals. Key fossil-rich regions include Erfoud, Alnif, and the Anti-Atlas / Saharan border zones, where trilobites, ammonites, orthoceras, and other marine fossils are commonly found.
For most guided tours, no special permit is required for surface collecting of small specimens. However, export of fossils and minerals is regulated by Moroccan law. Our experienced guides will ensure that all collecting activities comply with local regulations, and any large or scientifically significant discoveries must be properly reported.
Yes! On our tours, guests are welcome to keep small surface specimens as personal souvenirs. For larger or unique discoveries, our team will guide you on the appropriate procedures in accordance with Moroccan laws.
The ideal time for these tours is from October to April, when the weather is mild and pleasant. Summer months can be very hot in desert areas, so we recommend cooler seasons for the best comfort and exploration experience.
Absolutely! Our tours are designed for all levels of interest, from professional geologists to families and curious travelers. Our guides explain geological and fossil concepts in simple, engaging ways, so everyone can enjoy and learn, regardless of background or experience.
We recommend bringing:
You don’t need to worry about special tools, we provide all the necessary excavation equipment
