Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
You'll arrive in Marrakech and start by getting oriented around Jemaa el-Fna square, where the energy and crowds give you a real sense of the city. From there, head to the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and walk through its gardens before checking out the Ben Youssef Madrasa to see the intricate 16th-century Islamic architecture. After that, wander through the medieval fondouks, and depending on your energy level, you might fit in the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, or Bahia Palace if time allows.
- Start point
- Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Marrakesh)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation around Jemaa el-Fna square
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and gardens
- Explore Ben Youssef Madrasa
Optional Activities
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Explore El Badi Palace
- Visit Bahia Palace
- Browse fondouks (medieval inns)
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque Ben Youssef Madrasa Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace 
- Day 2
Marrakech to Boumalne Dades
Leave Marrakech early heading east, and as you climb through the High Atlas mountains you'll get views of Mount Toubkal and pass several Berber villages. Stop in Taddert for lunch and tour a local Argan Oil Cooperative to understand how the oil gets produced. Continue on through the Tizi n'Tichka pass, then detour to Ouarzazate for a movie studio tour before traveling along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Move through Kela'a M'gouna's rose valley heading toward Boumalne Dades, where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Taddert)
Included Activities
- Tour of Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert
- Movie studio tour in Ouarzazate
- Travel through Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs
- Pass through Kela'a M'gouna (Valley of the Roses)
Optional Activities
- Visit Musée du Cinema in Ouarzazate
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass Ouarzazate Kela'a M'gouna 
- Day 3
Boumalne Dades to Merzouga
Head east toward the Sahara with a stop in Tinerhir to see the river oasis and the impressive Todra Gorge. Continue on to Erfoud and visit a craft workshop where they transform fossil-rich rocks into decorative pieces. After passing through Rissani's livestock market (complete with donkey parking), you'll transfer to a personal camel in Merzouga and trek across Erg Chebbi's sand dunes to reach your Bedouin-style camp. Watch the sunset from the dunes and enjoy traditional music and fire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Warm meal by the fire at Bedouin camp with traditional music)
Included Activities
- Stop at Tinerhir river oasis
- Explore Todra Gorge
- Visit fossil craft workshop in Erfoud
- Browse Rissani market
- Camel trek over Erg Chebbi dunes
- Sunset viewing from dune top
- Meal and traditional music at Bedouin camp
Landmarks Tinerhir Todra Gorge Erfoud Rissani Erg Chebbi Merzouga 
- Day 4
Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou
Wake early to see the Saharan sunrise, then choose your adventure: sandboarding, an Erg Shibi dune tour, or quad ATVing. Head south to the village of Khemliya, then return to Rissani to browse Maison Tuareg for carpets, jewelry, and leather goods. Travel through acacia forests and stop in Alnif for lunch before moving through the Draa Valley's date palm groves. End at the medieval UNESCO-protected kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, spending your evening walking the quiet alleys and climbing rooftops for valley views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Alnif)
Included Activities
- Saharan sunrise viewing
- Visit Khemliya village
- Browse Rissani market and Maison Tuareg
- Travel through Draa Valley date palmeries
- Explore Aït Benhaddou kasbahs
- Evening stroll through old town alleys
Optional Activities
- Sandboard rental
- Erg Shibi tour around sand dunes
- Quad ATV tour
- Date purchase from Draa Valley
- Rooftop exploration and climbing for views (nominal fee)
Landmarks Khemliya Rissani Alnif Draa Valley Aït Benhaddou 
- Day 5
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech
Explore the 11th-century fortified city's narrow passages and alleys early before tourists arrive. Start your return to Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas mountains and the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, where you'll notice how the climate and landscape shift dramatically. By evening, head to Jemaa el-Fna as it fills with musicians, performers, and snake charmers. Grab dinner from the food stalls or have mint tea at a café, then take an evening walk to see the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning exploration of Aït Benhaddou alleys
- Evening visit to Jemaa el-Fna
- Evening stroll to view floodlit Koutoubia Mosque
Optional Activities
- Evening meal at Jemaa el-Fna food stalls
- Café dining overlooking Jemaa el-Fna
Landmarks Aït Benhaddou Tizi n'Tichka Pass Jemaa el-Fna Koutoubia Mosque 
- Day 6
Marrakech Mountain Trek
Drive south for about an hour to Amizmiz in the High Atlas foothills and check out the modest market in the old town. A mountain guide will lead you trekking through narrow roads and mule paths between small Berber villages, where you'll see local farmers, shepherds, and children going about their day. Stop for lunch with a local family and learn to make homemade bread, getting real insight into how they live. Continue trekking in the afternoon before heading back to Marrakech.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local Berber family)
Included Activities
- Explore Amizmiz market
- Mountain guide trek through High Atlas
- Visit Berber villages
- Lunch with local family
- Homemade bread-making lesson
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay with local family with extended hiking the next day
Landmarks Amizmiz - Day 7
Marrakech to Essaouira
After breakfast, head west toward the Atlantic coast and the beach town of Essaouira, traveling across rolling plains and through argan forests where you might spot goats in the trees. Arrive in this laid-back port city and spend the day exploring. Walk the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts with old brass cannons and Atlantic views, then check out the UNESCO-protected medina and windswept beach. If interested, visit Diabat where Jimi Hendrix spent time, then enjoy freshly caught seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through argan forests
- Walk Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts
- Explore UNESCO-protected medina
- Access windswept beach
Optional Activities
- Stop at Argan Oil Cooperative
- Visit Diabat (Jimi Hendrix connection)
- Seafood meal at local restaurant
Landmarks Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira Diabat 
- Day 8
Essaouira to Marrakech
Spend your morning in Essaouira watching windsurfers and kiteboarders take advantage of the strong Alizée trade winds on the crescent beach. Consider an optional kiteboarding lesson if you want to try it yourself. Head back to Marrakech in the afternoon, and depending on your flight schedule, stop at the 12th-century Almoravid Koubba (the only surviving Almoravid monument) or the Marrakech Museum in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace, which shows modern and traditional art plus Berber, Moroccan Jewish, and Islamic artifacts.
- End point
- Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco (Marrakesh)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders at Essaouira beach
- Visit Almoravid Koubba
- Explore Marrakech Museum
Optional Activities
- Kiteboarding lesson
Landmarks Essaouira Beach Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum
