7 Days Tour from Marrakech to Desert & Coastal

Day 1: Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Dades Valley

Our circuit begins with energy from the first day: our driver/guide will pick you up at the Marrakech airport or at the agreed place (eg, the hotel) and we will leave for the Moroccan desert. To do this, we will have to cross the High Atlas, the great mountain range that acts as an imposing backdrop in any panoramic photo of the city. And we will cross it through the beautiful port of Tizi n’Tichka, about 2,200 meters above sea level, between Berber villages and snowy peaks from autumn to spring.

Already on the other side of this mountain range, an extensive desert territory opens up to us with beautiful ‘spots’ of color: these are the fertile valleys through which the famous Route of a Thousand Kasbahs (Valley of the Roses and Dades Valley) runs. As we will see, the Berber adobe fortresses are numerous here. We will stop at one of them to visit it in depth: Ait Benhaddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the filming location for blockbusters, such as Game of Thrones.

Our road trip will continue during the afternoon until we reach a town in the heart of the Dades Valley. There a picturesque riad awaits us, where you will also enjoy dinner.

Day 2: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga Desert

Our second day of the route will begin with a good breakfast at the riad and, immediately afterwards, we will hit the road to reach a unique place: the Todra Gorges. It is a set of gorges and rock walls that exceed 200 meters in height in some cases, giving us images that will remain indelible in our memory. We will travel by road and on foot, to immortalize the experience.

After that, the route will continue by road, via Erfoud, until reaching Merzouga. This town gives its name to one of the most beautiful corners of the Sahara Desert in Morocco: a sea of ​​golden dunes, also known as Erg Chebbi. To get to them we will have to climb on the backs of camels (one per person), as the Berber nomads have done since time immemorial.

The walk will take us to the tent camp where we will have dinner and spend the night. Previously, the desert will have given us a beautiful sunset, as usual. And at the end of the day, a sky full of stars will give us the most special of ‘good nights’.

Day 3: Merzouga Desert – Rissani – Nkob – Ouarzazate

On the third day of this tour, it’s time to get up early. But it will be worth it: before our eyes it will dawn with the magic that is customary in this part of the desert. After that, we will return on the back of the camels to return to the town of Merzouga. There will also be time for a restorative shower (at the camp or in a hotel, depending on the contracted package).

From here, Marrakech and the beach are far away: about 560 km and 700 km, respectively. But the places of interest are so numerous along the way that we will spend the next four days discovering them. To do this, we will head west to see another section of the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs. The first stop of this day will be Rissani, with a historic and very picturesque medina, probably the most interesting in southern Morocco.

Back on the road, the landscape will give us images of large palm groves among steep hills, humble villages with farmland and adobe fortresses that tell us about past caravan routes: Alnif, Tazarine, Nkob… and many more. Once we reach the Draa Valley, it will take us to Ouarzazate, the main city in the area, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

Day 4: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Essaouira

Our fourth day will begin with a delicious breakfast at the riad. After that, we will visit the Taourirt kasbah, located in this same city and which stands out for its good state of conservation compared to others nearby.

After this visit, we will cross the High Atlas again towards Marrakech, as is usual on our tours in the area. But for this case, we will not have stop (for the moment) in Marrakech city: the beach awaits us, so we will pass by to head directly to Essaouira city and arrive there at the end of the afternoon. A charming riad will be your home in this Atlantic coastal city.

Day 5: Essaouira – Marrakech

After a restful rest at the riad and an energetic breakfast, it is time to go out to see Essaouira. This historic city is a beautiful mix of Moroccan atmosphere and Portuguese architecture. The traditional medina and the small fishing boats are the best example of the former, while its fortress on the coast is the best legacy left of the ancient Mogador, the name by which this place was known when it was a Portuguese colony. You can visit it freely or with a guided tour (consult for more details), which will make you understand why it was chosen to film scenes from the third season of Game of Thrones… like in Ait Benhaddou, by the way.

Until the time of our meeting (approximately 4:00 p.m.) you will be able to visit all of this, taste the local cuisine, enjoy a swim in the sea or do water activities. Afterwards, we will return to the road to travel to Marrakech and spend the last stages of this circuit there. Therefore, the rest that awaits you at the Marrakech riad upon arrival will help you recharge your batteries for the next day.

Day 6: Visit Marrakech

You will start the day with a good breakfast at the riad, which will allow you to face your day in Marrakech. Unlike the previous day, the program includes a guided tour of the city in the morning: our official guide will make you discover the most interesting corners, such as the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the surroundings of the Kutubia mosque and, of course , the Jemaa el-Fna square, declared a World Heritage Site.

The afternoon will be free and, therefore, a perfect time to shop or add an additional cultural visit, such as the Majorelle Gardens or the Marrakech Museum, among many other options. The accommodation will be, again, in your picturesque riad, located in the heart of the centre.

Day 7: Transfer to Marrakech Airport

The last day, which begins with your corresponding breakfast at the riad and check-out, can still be used for the last purchases or visits during the morning, if the flight schedule allows it. And once the agreed time arrives, our driver will pick you up to take you to the airport. At that moment our services in this complete circuit will end: after saying goodbye, Marrakech, the beach and the Moroccan desert will already be part of your memory and we hope that they will be part of your hearts.