Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
You'll arrive in Marrakech and spend time getting your bearings in this vibrant red-walled city. A caleche ride takes you through the medina where you can wander through fondouks and check out the Koutoubia Mosque gardens. Once evening hits, head to Jemaa el-Fna Square where you'll find musicians, storytellers, and food stalls creating an electric atmosphere.
- Start point
- Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Calèche (horse-drawn carriage) tour of the medina
- Explore fondouks (medieval inns)
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Explore Jemaa el-Fna Square
- Dining at food stalls in Jemaa el-Fna
- Dining at cafés overlooking Jemaa el-Fna Square
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Square Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Gardens Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace El Badi Palace Majorelle Gardens - Day 2
Marrakech
This morning you join a half-day guided tour to see the Ben Youssef Madrasa and its intricate 16th-century Islamic architecture and traditional craftsmanship. After that, the Dar Di Said Museum shows off clothing, antiques, and jewelry. Later you'll navigate through the souks where spices, woodwork, traditional slippers, and leather dyeing techniques fill the narrow passageways.
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Visit Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts)
Optional Activities
- Explore Souk el Attarin
- Explore Souk Chouari
- Explore Souk Smata
- Visit Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk)
Landmarks Ben Youssef Madrasa Dar Di Said Museum Souk el Attarin Souk Chouari Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers - Day 3
Marrakech to Boumalne Dades
You head east toward the desert, climbing into the High Atlas mountains and passing through Berber villages with views of Mount Toubkal. Lunch comes at a local Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert where you'll see how women extract argan oil. From there, you continue through Tizi n'Tichka pass and check out a movie studio in Ouarzazate, then drive through the Valley of the Roses toward Boumalne Dades.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Taddert), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert
- Movie studio tour in Ouarzazate
Optional Activities
- Visit Musée du Cinema
- Explore Valley of the Roses
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Ouarzazate Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs Kelâat M'Gouna Dades River - Day 4
Boumalne Dades to Merzouga
Early on you drive east toward Merzouga and the Sahara, stopping in Tinerhir to see the river oasis. Todra Gorge comes next, a 984-foot deep ravine that's impressive to walk through. You'll visit Erfoud to watch craftspeople transform fossils into decorative pieces, then explore Rissani market town before transferring to a camel. The trek over Erg Chebbi sand dunes brings you to your camp by sunset, ending with dinner by the fire.
- Meals
- Dinner (Warm meal by the fire with traditional music)
Included Activities
- Explore Todra Gorge
- Visit fossil craft workshop in Erfoud
- Camel trek over Erg Chebbi sand dunes
- Sunset hike on sand dunes
Optional Activities
- Stop at Tinerhir river oasis
- Visit livestock auction in Rissani
- Explore Rissani market town
Landmarks Tinerhir Todra Gorge Erfoud Rissani Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 5
Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou
Rising early, you catch the Saharan sunrise and can try sandboarding or quad ATV tours if you're interested. The traditional village of Khemliya is on your route, and you'll stop in Rissani again to browse carpets and jewelry. After lunch in Alnif, you travel west through the Draa Valley to reach Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-protected kasbah where you explore the old town's alleys once crowds thin out.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Alnif), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Watch Saharan sunrise
- Rent sandboard and explore Erg Chebbi
- Join Erg Chebbi dunes tour
- Quad ATV tour
- Explore Khemliya village
- Visit Maison Tuareg in Rissani
- Pick up dates in Draa Valley
- Enter kasbahs at Aït Benhaddou (nominal fee)
Landmarks Khemliya Rissani Alnif Draa Valley Aït Benhaddou - Day 6
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech
Get an early start walking through the narrow passageways of this 11th-century fortified city before tourist crowds arrive. You'll head back to Marrakech by climbing over the High Atlas and through Tizi n'Tichka Pass, watching the landscape and climate shift dramatically. Once back, visit the Almoravid Koubba and the Marrakech Museum housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace with its collection of modern and traditional art plus Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic pieces. The day finishes at Jemaa el-Fna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Aït Benhaddou's old town
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
- Visit Marrakech Museum
Optional Activities
- Dining at food stalls in Jemaa el-Fna
Landmarks Aït Benhaddou Tizi n'Tichka Pass Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum Dar Mnebbi Palace Jemaa el-Fna Square - Day 7
Amizmiz
You travel south to Amizmiz at the foothills of the High Atlas and explore the local market. After meeting your mountain guide, you trek along quiet roads and mule paths through remote areas, walking between traditional Berber villages on the hillsides. You'll observe local farmers and shepherds, then visit a local family to learn about their life and share a traditional lunch with them. Later another Berber family welcomes you for more warm hospitality and a meal.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch with local Berber family), Dinner (Warm meal with local Berber family)
Included Activities
- Guided mountain hike from Amizmiz
- Visit and lunch with local Berber family
- Visit local Berber family home
Optional Activities
- Explore Amizmiz market
Landmarks Amizmiz High Atlas Mountains - Day 8
Amizmiz to Marrakech
Breakfast with your hosts happens early, then you continue hiking through local scenery and nearby towns before heading back to Marrakech. Once there, you explore the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna to see the Saadian Tombs with their 500-year-old craftsmanship. The sunken gardens of El Badi Palace come next, followed by a walk through the Mellah Jewish quarter to reach Bahia Palace. An evening stroll takes you to view the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with host family), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of kasbah area
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Visit El Badi Palace
- Walk through Mellah (Jewish quarter)
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Evening viewing of Koutoubia Mosque
Landmarks Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Mellah Bahia Palace Koutoubia Mosque - Day 9
Marrakech to Essaouira
You head west toward the Atlantic coast and the beach town of Essaouira, driving through rolling plains and argan forests where goats climb argan trees. This laid-back port city offers a different vibe from Marrakech's intensity. Walk the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts with brass cannons and ocean views, then explore the UNESCO-protected medina and windy beach. For Jimi Hendrix fans, a taxi trip to Diabat is possible. Finish with fresh seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Argan Oil Cooperative
- Walk Skala de la Kasbah
- Explore UNESCO-protected medina
- Visit Essaouira beach
- Visit Diabat
- Seafood dinner
Landmarks Essaouira Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira Beach Diabat - Day 10
Essaouira to Marrakech
Your morning in Essaouira means watching windsurfers and kiteboarders on the crescent beach, which gets strong Alize trade winds year-round. If you're up for it, grab a windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson. Later you leave for Marrakech, stopping for last-minute souvenir shopping or a visit to the lush Majorelle Gardens to cool off before your departure home.
- End point
- Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders
- Windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson
- Souvenir shopping in Marrakech
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
Landmarks Essaouira Beach Majorelle Gardens
