Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
You'll arrive in Marrakech and get settled at your hotel. Depending when you land, the afternoon or evening opens up for exploring. Head into Jemaa El Fna Square and wander the old medina's narrow streets, poke around the souks if you're up for some bargaining, or just grab a seat at a café and soak in the atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Visit Jemaa El Fna Square
- Explore the Old Medina
- Visit Koutoubia Minaret
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Explore Majorelle Botanical Gardens
- Visit ruins of Elbadi Palace and see tanners and dyers quarters
- Bargain in the souks
- Café and people-watching
Landmarks Jemaa El Fna Square Koutoubia Minaret Bahia Palace Majorelle Botanical Gardens Elbadi Palace 
- Day 2
Marrakech to High Atlas Mountains (Aroumd)
A 2-hour drive takes you into the High Atlas Mountains toward Imlil. You'll transfer your main bags to pack mules and hike for about an hour to reach the Berber village of Aroumd. The evening happens at a family-run mountain gite where you'll eat local food and experience real hospitality.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional authentic cuisine at mountain gite)
Included Activities
- Atlas Mountains – Guided trek
- Transfer from Imlil to Aroumd (1-hour hike)
Optional Activities
- Atlas Mountains – Mule ride (MAD90)
- Optional hike to Sidi Chamharouch pilgrimage shrine (approximately 8 kilometers, approximately 4 hours total)
Landmarks High Atlas Mountains Imlil Aroumd Sidi Chamharouch 
- Day 3
High Atlas to Ait Benhaddou
The drive today crosses Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka at 2260 m, with spectacular mountain scenery. You'll arrive at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO site known for clay architecture and film locations like Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. An optional cooking class lets you learn tagine and couscous preparation from locals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Telouet – kasbah visit
- Ait Benhaddou – Kasbah guided tour
- Ait Benhaddou – Tawesna Tea Break
Optional Activities
- Ait Benhaddou – Cooking Demonstration & Dinner (MAD100)
- Ait Benhaddou – Henna Tattoo (MAD55)
Landmarks Tizi n'Tichka Pass Telouet Kasbah Ait Benhaddou 
- Day 4
Ait Benhaddou to Zagora
Head south through Ouarzazate, Morocco's film capital where Lawrence of Arabia and Black Hawk Down were shot. Then travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, called the 'doors of the desert'. Check out palm groves around Amazrou and explore the ksars dotting the countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Ouarzazate – Atlas Movie Studios (MAD80)
- Ouarzazate – Kasbah Taourirt (MAD20)
Landmarks Ouarzazate Atlas Movie Studios Kasbah Taourirt Draa Valley Zagora Amazrou Palm Groves - Day 5
Zagora to Erg Chigaga Desert
You'll drive through rugged mountains and desert oases to Tamegroute, where an ancient library holds scripts on science and religion. See the underground kasbah famous for ceramic pottery. After that, you reach M'Hamid for a short camel ride, then a 4WD takes you across Hamada desert to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes. You'll settle into a nomad-style camp for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hearty feast prepared by local friends at desert camp)
Included Activities
- Tamegroute – Ancient Library
- Sahara Desert – Camel Ride
- Sahara Desert – 4WD to Erg Chigaga dunes
- Tamegroute – Underground kasbah guided tour
Landmarks Jbel Tadrart Mountain Ranges Tamegroute Tamegroute Ancient Library Tamegroute Underground Kasbah M'Hamid Erg Chigaga Dunes 
- Day 6
Erg Chigaga to Taroudant Area
The minivan heads toward Oulad Berhil through spectacular desert. You'll drive through an argan tree reserve where goats sometimes climb the trees for nuts. This is a long travel day, so you won't reach the riad until late afternoon or early evening. The location sits 45 km outside Taroudant with a pool to relax by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Argan Tree Reserve Oulad Berhil - Day 7
Taroudant to Essaouira
Start in Taroudant, a vibrant market town on the Souss plains where you can experience Berber culture in the medina souks. From there, head to the Atlantic Coast and Essaouira with its white buildings, blue shutters, galleries, and wood workshops. The town faces the rocky Mogador islands and has sandy beaches nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks Taroudant High Atlas Mountains Essaouira Mogador Islands 
- Day 8
Essaouira
A local guide walks you through the UNESCO medina, the Jewish mellah, port, and Skala ramparts. You'll have free time afterward to explore at your own pace. Wander down to the harbor and fish markets for fresh seafood, browse shops and art galleries, and check out the Thuya wood workshops built into the old Portuguese walls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Essaouira – Tour leader walk
Optional Activities
- Essaouira – Hamam (public baths) (MAD200)
- Essaouira – Berber Massage (MAD350)
- Essaouira – Horse Riding (MAD250)
Landmarks Essaouira Medina Essaouira Jewish Mellah Essaouira Port Skala Ramparts - Day 9
Essaouira to Marrakech
After breakfast, you'll drive back to Marrakech. Once there, a local guide takes you into the old medina to visit Bahia Palace, an 1866 mansion that once housed ex-slaves who became prominent in royal service. The courtyards smell like orange blossoms and have ornate rooms throughout. Then you'll return to Djemaa El Fna with free time for shopping and bazaar browsing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bahia Palace visit
Optional Activities
- Marrakech – Palais El Badi
- Marrakech – Palais Bahia
- Marrakech – Medina guided walk tour
- Marrakech – Fresh orange juice tasting
Landmarks Bahia Palace Djemaa El Fna Palais El Badi 
- Day 10
Marrakech Departure
Your tour finishes after breakfast at the hotel in Marrakech. You can leave whenever suits you since there are no planned activities. If you want, chat with your tour leader about extensions or other things to do around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Post-tour extensions and additional activities around Marrakech (consult tour leader)
