Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakesh
You'll arrive in Marrakesh and head straight to Jemaa el-Fna square, the heart of the city. A caleche ride through the medina gives you a good sense of the layout and gets you oriented. After that, you'll check out the Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens before wandering through the souks on foot. As evening sets in, the square transforms with musicians, storytellers, and food vendors setting up everywhere. Grab dinner at one of the cafes overlooking the square and settle in to watch the entertainment.
Included Activities
- Calèche (horse-drawn carriage) tour of the medina
- Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens visit
- Souks exploration
Optional Activities
- Fondouk exploration
- Evening meal at food stalls in Jemaa el-Fna
- Café dining overlooking Jemaa el-Fna square
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque 
- Day 2
Marrakesh
Your half-day guided tour starts at the Ben Youssef Madrasa, where you'll see intricate 16th-century Islamic tilework, carved cedar, and the old student dormitories and prayer hall. Next comes the Dar Di Said Museum for traditional Moroccan arts, clothing, and jewelry. The afternoon is yours to navigate the souks on your own. You can hit Souk el Attarin for spices, Souk Chouari for woodwork, Souk Smata for slippers, and the Souk des Teinturiers to watch craftspeople work on leather and cloth dyeing.
Included Activities
- Ben Youssef Madrasa guided tour
- Dar Di Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts) visit
- Souks exploration including Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, Souk Smata, and Souk des Teinturiers
Landmarks Ben Youssef Madrasa Dar Di Said Museum Souk el Attarin Souk Chouari Souk Smata Souk des Teinturiers 
- Day 3
Marrakesh to Boumalne Dades
You'll leave early and drive east into the High Atlas with views of Mount Toubkal (13,671 feet), North Africa's highest peak. The route takes you through traditional Berber villages made of mud brick. At lunch, you'll stop in Taddert at a local argan oil cooperative where you can learn how women extract this oil. After that, you'll pass through Tizi n'Tichka for panoramic views, then tour a film studio in Ouarzazate to see where famous desert movies were shot. From there, you'll travel through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs toward Boumalne Dades, passing small farming towns and the fragrant Valley of the Roses near Kelaat M'Gouna.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Taddert)
Included Activities
- Argan Oil Cooperative tour in Taddert
- Tizi n'Tichka pass panoramic stop
- Movie studio tour in Ouarzazate
- Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs scenic drive
- Keláat M'Gouna (Valley of the Roses) pass-through
Optional Activities
- Musée du Cinema visit in Ouarzazate
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Ouarzazate Keláat M'Gouna 
- Day 4
Boumalne Dades to Merzouga
Today heads toward the Sahara and Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. You'll stop in Tinghir to see the river oasis and impressive rock formations, then explore Todra Gorge, a 984-foot-deep ravine cut by the river. In Erfoud, known for figs and fossils, you can tour a workshop where craftspeople transform fossil-rich rocks into decorative objects. Next is Rissani's market town with its livestock auction and donkey parking. As the massive sand dunes of Erg Chebbi come into view, you'll transfer to a camel for your trek across the sand to a Bedouin-style camp. You'll hike to a dune top to catch the sunset, then have a warm meal by the fire with traditional music.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Warm meal by the fire at Bedouin camp with traditional music)
Included Activities
- Tinghir oasis visit
- Todra Gorge exploration
- Erfoud fossil workshop tour
- Rissani market and livestock auction visit
- Camel trekking through Erg Chebbi
- Sunset dune hike
- Evening meal at Bedouin camp with traditional music
Landmarks Tinghir Todra Gorge Erfoud Rissani Erg Chebbi - Day 5
Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou
Wake early to watch the Saharan sunrise over Erg Chebbi's dunes. The morning offers options to rent a sandboard, tour the dunes, or try an ATV adventure. When ready, your driver will take you south to Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village, then through acacia forests with a lunch stop in Alnif. Later you'll pass through the Draa Valley with its dense date palm groves where you can pick up fresh dates. By late afternoon, you'll reach Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO-protected kasbah and former trade route stop. Spend the night in the Old Town. After day crowds leave, walk the empty alleys and pay a small fee to enter a few kasbahs and climb to rooftops for views of the surrounding area and Ouarzazate Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Alnif)
Included Activities
- Saharan sunrise viewing
- Khemliya traditional village exploration
- Draa Valley scenic drive
- Aït Benhaddou Old Town exploration
- Kasbah rooftop visits
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding in Erg Chebbi
- Sand dune touring
- ATV adventure in the desert
- Kasbah interior visits
Landmarks Khemliya Alnif Draa Valley Aït Benhaddou 
- Day 6
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakesh
You'll explore the narrow passageways of the 11th-century Ait Benhaddou before crowds arrive, then drive back north toward Marrakesh over the High Atlas through Tizi n'Tichka Pass. Notice how the climate and landscape shift dramatically as you descend the north slopes. You'll visit the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, the only surviving structure from the Almoravid Berber dynasty. After that comes the Marrakesh Museum in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace with exhibits of modern and traditional art plus Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic artifacts. Back at Jemaa el-Fna, you'll grab dinner at the food stalls.
Included Activities
- Aït Benhaddou early morning exploration
- Almoravid Koubba visit
- Marrakesh Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Evening meal at Jemaa el-Fna food stalls
Landmarks Tizi n'Tichka Pass Almoravid Koubba Marrakesh Museum Dar Mnebbi Palace - Day 7
Marrakesh to High Atlas Mountains (Amizmiz)
You'll head south to Amizmiz, a small mountain town in the High Atlas foothills. After checking out the humble Old Town market, your mountain guide will lead you along quiet roads and mule paths through remote terrain with few other visitors. You'll trek between traditional Berber villages perched on hillsides, watching farmers and shepherds go about their day. The terraced farmland shows how locals transformed the mountainside for agriculture. During lunch, you'll visit a local family to see how they live and share a traditional meal. That evening, you'll arrive at another Berber family's home where you'll relax as their guest, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch with local family), Dinner (Warm meal with local Berber family)
Included Activities
- Amizmiz Old Town market exploration
- Guided mountain hike
- Berber village visits
- Traditional lunch with local family
- Evening meal and overnight with local Berber family
Landmarks Amizmiz - Day 8
High Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh
After breakfast with your hosts, you'll continue exploring the local mountain scenery and nearby towns before heading back to Marrakesh. Once there, you'll explore the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna and visit the Saadian Tombs with their 500-year-old craftsmanship. Next are the sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace and the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter. You'll also stop by the 19th-century Bahia Palace. Back in the medina as evening falls, you'll take a stroll to see the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque before heading in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with hosts before departure)
Included Activities
- Mountain scenery exploration
- Saadian Tombs visit
- El Badi Palace and sunken gardens visit
- Mellah (Jewish quarter) exploration
- Bahia Palace visit
- Koutoubia Mosque evening viewing
Landmarks Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Mellah Bahia Palace Koutoubia Mosque - Day 9
Marrakesh to Essaouira
You'll leave early heading west with your driver toward the Atlantic coast and Essaouira, a laid-back beach town. The route crosses rolling plains and passes through argan forests where, if you're fortunate, you'll spot goats grazing in the trees. Essaouira offers a stark contrast to busy Marrakesh. You'll walk the Skala de la Kasbah, an 18th-century seafront with old brass cannons and Atlantic views. The UNESCO-protected medina is yours to explore, along with the windswept beach. A short taxi ride takes you to Diabat if you're interested in the Jimi Hendrix connection. Finish with fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Skala de la Kasbah walk
- UNESCO-protected medina exploration
- Beach walk
Optional Activities
- Argan Oil Cooperative stop
- Diabat village taxi ride
- Fresh seafood dinner
Landmarks Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira Medina Essaouira Beach Diabat 
- Day 10
Essaouira to Marrakesh
Start by watching windsurfers and kiteboarders work Essaouira's crescent beach. The town earns its 'Windy City' nickname from strong Alize trade winds, making it a major kiteboarding hub. If you're feeling adventurous, a kiteboarding lesson is available. Then you'll say goodbye to the coast and return to Marrakesh. Once back, you can do last-minute shopping for gifts and souvenirs or, depending on your schedule, visit the Majorelle Gardens for some peace and quiet. These lush, expansive gardens offer a perfect escape from the afternoon heat and medina crowds before heading home.
Included Activities
- Return transfer to Marrakesh
Optional Activities
- Windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson
- Shopping in Marrakesh medina
- Majorelle Gardens visit
Landmarks Majorelle Gardens Essaouira Beach
