Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
Start your time in Marrakech by walking through the vibrant medina and checking out the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque along with its peaceful gardens. You'll wander through historic souks like Souk el-Attarin and Souk des Teinturiers where leather dyeing happens, then see the intricate 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa. A half-day guided tour takes you through the UNESCO-listed Jemaa el-Fna square to experience the culture, history, and street performers. If you're interested, consider visiting the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, or Bahia Palace before heading back to your accommodation for dinner.
- Start point
- Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Marrakech)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Explore Souk el-Attarin spice market
- Visit Souk des Teinturiers leather dyeing workshops
- Tour Ben Youssef Madrasa (16th-century Islamic school)
- Half-day guided tour of Jemaa el-Fna square
Optional Activities
- Visit Saadian Tombs (500-year-old)
- Explore El Badi Palace (17th-century courtyard and sunken gardens)
- Tour Bahia Palace (19th-century with intricate woodwork and painted ceilings)
- Browse Souk Smata for slippers, rugs, and leather goods
- Explore Fondouks or Caravanserai (medieval traveler inns)
Landmarks Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Jemaa el-Fna Souk el-Attarin Souk des Teinturiers Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace 
- Day 2
Marrakech to Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades
Travel from Marrakech over the High Atlas range toward Ouarzazate, passing through Berber farmlands and villages with traditional mud-brick homes. You'll stop in Taddert to refresh and visit a local Argan Oil Co-operative where you can learn about and sample the oil. After crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 7,415 feet/2,260 meters with panoramic views, you'll descend to Ouarzazate, a gateway to the Sahara. From there, head east through the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs with mud-brick forts, through the Valley of the Roses, and arrive in Boumalne Dades by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Argan Oil Co-operative in Taddert
- Cross Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass
Optional Activities
- Studio tour in Ouarzazate (props, sets, and film locations from Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator)
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Ouarzazate El Mansour Reservoir Kelâat M'Gouna 
- Day 3
Boumalne Dades to Merzouga
Drive through the desert to Tinerhir, located in the center of an extensive oasis with 30 miles of lush palm trees. Check out the Todra Gorge at 984 feet/300 meters and take a leisurely walk along the Todra River. Continue through the arid landscape with optional stops in small towns like Erfoud to visit fossil craft workshops. As you approach Merzouga, you'll spot the massive sand dunes of Erg Chebbi rising over 656 feet/200 meters. Experience a camel trek into the desert to watch the sunset from a large dune, then return to your Erg Chebbi camp for dinner, relax by the campfire listening to traditional Berber music, and rest in a Bedouin-style tent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Todra Gorge
- Leisurely walk along Todra River
- Camel trek into Erg Chebbi desert to sunset dune
- Traditional Berber music experience at camp
Optional Activities
- Visit fossil craft workshops in Erfoud
Landmarks Tinerhir Todra Gorge Todra River Erfoud Erg Chebbi - Day 4
Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou
Rise early to witness the Saharan sunrise and explore more of the desert with optional activities like sandboarding, quad ATV tours, or pool relaxation. Visit the traditional Saharan village of Khemliya to enjoy drumming music and dancing. Head west to Rissani to see the livestock auction and explore Maison Touareg for authentic handicrafts. Continue toward Ouarzazate through the Draa Valley, stopping to pick up fresh dates from a local date palmery and lunch in Alnif. Reach the UNESCO-protected kasbah of Aït Benhaddou in the early afternoon, wander maze-like lanes past 11th-century buildings, and climb to the old Granary for views before staying in an old Kasbah converted into an auberge with dinner on a terrace overlooking the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on a terrace overlooking the river and valley)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional Saharan village of Khemliya with drumming and dancing
- Explore Aït Benhaddou UNESCO-protected kasbah
- Climb to old Granary at Aït Benhaddou
- Wander maze-like lanes and passageways of Aït Benhaddou
Optional Activities
- Saharan sunrise experience
- Sandboarding on dunes
- Quad ATV tour
- Pool relaxation at camp
- Visit livestock auction in Rissani
- Explore Maison Touareg (carpets, jewelry, pewter, leather goods)
- Visit movie filming sites in Aït Benhaddou (Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile)
Landmarks Khemliya Rissani Draa Valley Aït Benhaddou 
- Day 5
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech
Rise early to explore more of Aït Benhaddou Kasbah before the crowds arrive. Return to Marrakech through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass for stunning mountain views, and descend the north-facing slopes experiencing the dramatic change from arid desert to varied landscapes as you enter vibrant Marrakech. With free time in the afternoon, you can check out additional sites like the Almoravid Koubba, Marrakech Museum in the Dar Mnebbi Palace, or the Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts, or relax in cafés around Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning exploration of Aït Benhaddou
- Return journey through Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Optional Activities
- Visit Almoravid Koubba (only intact Almoravid monument)
- Marrakech Museum in Dar Mnebbi Palace (19th century with sculptures and Moroccan artwork)
- Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts (extensive woodwork collection)
- Relax in cafés around Jemaa el-Fna with tagine meal
Landmarks Tizi n'Tichka Pass Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts 
- Day 6
Marrakech to Amizmiz
Venture south of Marrakech to the small town of Amizmiz in the High Atlas Mountain foothills, about one hour away. Explore the modest market in the old town, then join your mountain guide to trek narrow roads and mule paths through surrounding hills. You'll hike between small Berber villages, observe local farmers and shepherds, and possibly see children on their way to school. Stop for lunch with a local family and learn how to make homemade bread. Continue hiking into the afternoon before arriving at another local Berber home for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local family with homemade bread preparation), Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Amizmiz market in old town
- Guided trek through mountain roads and mule paths
- Hike between Berber villages
- Lunch with local family and homemade bread preparation
- Dinner with local Berber family
Landmarks Amizmiz 
- Day 7
Amizmiz to Marrakech
Enjoy breakfast with your hosts before setting out on the trail with the option to continue hiking and explore additional hillside towns and regional scenery before your transfer back to Marrakech. Upon arrival, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit Majorelle Gardens, a lush escape near the medina perfect for cooling off in the afternoon heat. Then it's time to depart with your memories from this journey.
- End point
- Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Marrakech)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast with local hosts
Optional Activities
- Continue hiking to explore additional hillside towns and regional scenery
- Visit Majorelle Gardens
Landmarks Majorelle Gardens
