Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
You'll start in Marrakech by getting your bearings at Jemaa el-Fna, the city's central square where things are always buzzing with activity. From there, walk through the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and its surrounding gardens to see the architecture up close. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is next on your list, where you can see intricate tilework and calligraphy from the 16th century. After that, you'll wander through the medieval Fondouks, which line the old trade routes and give a real sense of how the city operated historically. If you're interested, there are a few optional stops: the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, or Bahia Palace, though those depend on your energy level and interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Jemaa el-Fna square
- Visit to Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Guided tour of Ben Youssef Madrasa
- Exploration of Fondouks (medieval traveler inns)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Saadian Tombs
- Tour of El Badi Palace courtyard and sunken gardens
- Visit to Bahia Palace with intricate woodwork and painted ceilings
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace 
- Day 2
Marrakech to Boumalne Dades
Heading east from Marrakech means driving towards the desert while passing through the High Atlas mountains. You'll see Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet) dominating the landscape and pass through traditional Berber villages with their mud-brick buildings. Around lunchtime, you'll stop in Taddert to eat, then tour a local Argan Oil Cooperative where women show how they extract oil from argan nuts. After crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass with its panoramic views, you reach Ouarzazate for a movie studio tour where famous films were actually shot. From there, the route takes you through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs towards Boumalne Dades, passing the fragrant Kela'a M'gouna (the Valley of the Roses) with traditional farming and nomadic herds visible throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Taddert), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Argan Oil Cooperative
- Movie studio tour in Ouarzazate
- Scenic drive through High Atlas mountains
- Exploration of Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
Optional Activities
- Visit to Musée du Cinema
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Ouarzazate Kela'a M'gouna Dades River 
- Day 3
Boumalne Dades to Merzouga
The drive continues east towards Erg Chebbi's sand sea near Merzouga. First, you'll stop in Tinerhir to see the river oasis and then explore the Todra Gorge, a 984-foot deep ravine carved by the Todra River with impressive buttes and plateaus surrounding it. At Erfoud, you'll visit a craft workshop to see how fossil-rich rocks become decorative objects (the town's known for both figs and fossils). Next comes Rissani's market town where you can check out the livestock auction and donkey parking lot. Later, you'll transfer to a camel for a trek across the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi to reach your camp. Before settling in, there's time to hike to a nearby dune, watch the sunset, and enjoy a warm meal by the fire with traditional music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Warm meal by the fire with traditional music)
Included Activities
- Stop at Tinerhir river oasis
- Exploration of Todra Gorge
- Visit to fossil workshop in Erfoud
- Visit to Rissani livestock auction and market
- Camel trek across Erg Chebbi sand dunes
- Sunset viewing from dune
Landmarks Todra Gorge Erfoud Rissani Erg Chebbi Merzouga - Day 4
Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou
Start early to catch the Saharan sunrise, then decide how you want to spend the morning: rent a sandboard, take an Erg Shibi tour around the dunes, or go for a quad ATV tour. Head south to Khemliya to explore this traditional Saharan village, and stop again in Rissani at Maison Tuareg to see traditional carpets, jewelry, and leather goods. From there, pass through acacia forests before reaching Alnif for lunch. The afternoon takes you through the Draa Valley with its dense date palmeries, and you'll finish at the medieval kasbah of Aït Benhaddou (a UNESCO-protected site). Once you're settled for the night in the old town, wander the empty alleys after the day crowds clear out. There's an option to pay a small fee to enter kasbahs and climb rooftops for views over the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Alnif), Dinner
Included Activities
- Saharan sunrise viewing
- Exploration of Khemliya Saharan village
- Visit to Rissani market and Maison Tuareg
- Exploration of Aït Benhaddou UNESCO kasbah complex
- Guided tour of kasbah alleys
Optional Activities
- Sandboard rental in Erg Shibi
- Erg Shibi tour around sand dunes
- Quad ATV tour
- Kasbah interior visits and rooftop access (nominal fee)
Landmarks Khemliya Rissani Alnif Draa Valley Aït Benhaddou 
- Day 5
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech
Get an early start exploring the narrow passageways of Aït Benhaddou's 11th-century fortified city before crowds arrive. Then you'll leave and head back to Marrakech, traveling over the High Atlas mountains and through Tizi n'Tichka Pass again. You'll notice the climate and landscape shift noticeably as you descend the north-facing slopes. Back in Marrakech by afternoon, things move at a slower pace. In the early evening, head to Jemaa el-Fna when it really comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, and games. Wander through the stalls and grab food from vendors, or sit at cafes with mint tea. Before heading back, take an evening stroll to see the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning exploration of Aït Benhaddou alleys
- Scenic drive over High Atlas mountains and Tizi n'Tichka Pass
- Evening experience at Jemaa el-Fna square
Landmarks Aït Benhaddou Tizi n'Tichka Pass Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque 
- Day 6
Marrakech to Essaouira
After breakfast, head west from Marrakech towards the Atlantic coast and the laid-back beach town of Essaouira. The route crosses rolling plains and goes through argan forests where goats sometimes graze on argan fruit in the trees. Essaouira offers a nice contrast to Marrakech's frenetic pace. For the rest of the day, you can choose what calls to you: explore the UNESCO-protected medina, ride horses or take a kitesurfing lesson on the coast, walk the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts (which have brass cannons and Atlantic views), or visit Diabat where Jimi Hendrix reportedly spent time. Dinner here means fresh seafood from local catches.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Meal of freshly caught seafood)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through argan forests
- Exploration of Essaouira medina
- Walk along Skala de la Kasbah (18th-century seafront ramparts)
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding on the coast
- Kitesurfing lesson
- Visit to Diabat
Landmarks Essaouira Medina Skala de la Kasbah Diabat 
- Day 7
Essaouira to Marrakech
Spend your morning watching kiteboarders on Essaouira's crescent beach, or try a kitesurfing lesson yourself if you're up for it. The strong Alizée trade winds make this spot popular for kite sports. After saying goodbye to the coast, head back to Marrakech with an optional stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative to see how the oil gets extracted. Once back in Marrakech, visit the Dar Di Said Museum to see clothing, antiques, jewelry, and carved Hispano-Moorish cedarwood decorations. Then tackle the complicated labyrinth of souks (Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata) tucked behind restaurants and shops, where you'll find spices, woodwork, and traditional slippers. Also check out the Souk des Teinturiers to watch traditional cloth and yarn dyeing methods.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dar Di Said Museum
- Exploration of Marrakech souks: Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata
- Visit to Souk des Teinturiers (dyers' souk)
Optional Activities
- Kitesurfing lesson in Essaouira
- Stop at Argan Oil Cooperative
Landmarks Dar Di Said Museum Souk el Attarin Souk Chouari Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers - Day 8
Marrakech
Depending on your flight time, you might visit the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, the only surviving Almoravid monument in the city. Then head to the Marrakech Museum, housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace. You'll see a large collection of both modern and traditional art, including artifacts from Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic cultures. This gives a solid overview before you depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Almoravid Koubba
- Guided tour of Marrakech Museum
Landmarks Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum
