Itinerary
- Day 1
Essaouira
Your driver collects you at 8am and heads south on the motorway through argan tree forests toward Essaouira. This coastal town sits right by the water with blue and white buildings lining the streets. At the seafront fish market, you'll pick out fresh-caught fish that gets prepared right there for you to eat. After that, walk through the windy streets checking out local handicraft shops and thuja wood furniture makers. You'll spend the night in a riad.
Included Activities
- Visit Essaouira seafront and select freshly caught fish for preparation
Optional Activities
- Explore local handicraft shops along the streets
- Browse thuja wood furniture and carved artifacts
Landmarks/POIs Essaouira - Day 2
Essaouira to Sidi Ifni
Following breakfast, the drive takes you south along the Atlantic coast with Agadir passing by on your route. Keep going to Tiznit, which is known for its silver jewelry production and craftspeople. From there, take the coastal road to Sidi Ifni, a blue and white town with Spanish colonial architecture and character throughout. Overnight accommodation is in a riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel along the Atlantic coastal road
Optional Activities
- Stop in Tiznit to view silver jewelry market
Landmarks/POIs Sidi Ifni Tiznit Agadir - Day 3
Sidi Ifni to Tafraoute
Head north from Sidi Ifni back toward Tiznit and stop to wander through the souks there. Then drive upward into the Anti Atlas mountains, passing through Tighmi and Kerdous mountain passes on your way to Tafraoute. This route counts as one of Morocco's most beautiful mountain roads, so the drive itself is really the main event. Stay overnight in a riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wander the souks in Tiznit
Landmarks/POIs Tiznit Kerdous Pass Tafraoute - Day 4
Tafraoute to Taroudant
After breakfast, drive out to see the painted rocks near Tafraoute, an art project from 1984 by Belgian artist Jean Verame who used 18 tons of blue, pink, red, and black paint on the boulders. Later, travel north on the mountain road alongside the Ait Baha river to reach Taroudant, called 'the little Marrakesh' for its impressive ramparts and town walls. Spend time exploring the town before staying overnight in a riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the painted rocks created by Jean Verame
Optional Activities
- Explore Taroudant town
Landmarks/POIs Painted Rocks of Tafraoute Taroudant - Day 5
Taroudant to Sahara Desert
After breakfast, drive toward the desert crossing mountain passes at Tizi-n-Tighatine and Tizi-n-Ikhsane to get to Taznakht, known for Berber carpets and gelims. From here, continue south into the Sahara across stony landscape and the dried-up Lake Iriqui where fossils can be found. Grab lunch in Chagaga, then ride a camel and climb high dunes for sunset viewing. Dinner and sleep in nomad tents.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Chagaga), Dinner (Dinner at the foot of the dunes)
Included Activities
- Camel ride at Chagaga
- Climb sand dunes to watch sunset
- Fossil searching at Lake Iriqui
Landmarks/POIs Taznakht Lake Iriqui Chagaga - Day 6
Desert to Ouarzazate
Following breakfast at the bivouac, drive roughly 60 km across desert roads through the Sacred Oasis heading to M'hamid. Stop at Erg Lihoudi for a camel ride and have lunch near the village. Travel north up the Dra'a Valley past kasbahs and gardens along an ancient caravan route between river and mountains. Visit Kasbah Tamnougalte in Agdez, the oldest and most well-known kasbah in the valley. Push on to Ouarzazate via Tizi-n-Tififte pass and stay in a riad.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch just outside a village)
Included Activities
- Camel ride at Erg Lihoudi
- Visit Kasbah Tamnougalte
Landmarks/POIs M'hamid Sacred Oasis Erg Lihoudi Zagora Dra'a Valley Kasbah Tamnougalte Agdez Ouarzazate Tizi-n-Tififte Pass - Day 7
Ouarzazate to Marrakesh
After breakfast, drive north from Ouarzazate to Ait ben Haddou, Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site used in films like 'Alexander', 'Gladiator', and 'Kingdom of Heaven'. Continue through the Ounila Valley where villages and mountain scenery surround you. Stop in Telouet to visit the kasbah and maybe grab lunch there. Reach Marrakesh by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ait ben Haddou kasbah
Optional Activities
- Visit Telouet kasbah
- Stop for lunch in Telouet
Landmarks/POIs Ait ben Haddou Ounila Valley Telouet Marrakesh
