Marrakech back to Marrakech
Trip Highlights
Arrival at Marrakech: You will be picked up from the airport upon your arrival and transferred to the Riad, located in the Medina, the historical center of Marrakech. It's just a two-minute walk from the famous Jamaa El Fna square. In the afternoon, we recommend exploring the Medina on your own, especially the square where you'll find narrators, jugglers, diviners, snake charmers, dancers, and more. Overnight stay at the Riad.
Activities
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival At Marrakech:
Arrival at Marrakech: You will be picked up from the airport upon your arrival and transferred to the Riad, located in the Medina, the historical center of Marrakech. It's just a two-minute walk from the famous Jamaa El Fna square. In the afternoon, we recommend exploring the Medina on your own, especially the square where you'll find narrators, jugglers, diviners, snake charmers, dancers, and more. Overnight stay at the Riad.
Day 2:Cross the High Atlas Mountains, visit Ait Ben Haddou, and reach Dades Valley:
We will pick you up at 8:30 in the morning in a private 4x4 vehicle to depart for Ouarzazate through the High Atlas mountains. Along the way, we will pass through Tizi Ntichka port, which is the highest point in our country at 2,260m. You can enjoy beautiful landscapes from the viewpoints and take pictures of the Berber villages. Next, we'll take a smaller road leading to Telouet Kasbah, where you'll have some free time to enjoy a typical meal in town.
In the afternoon, we will continue through the Ounila Valley, where you can see small Berber villages and families living in adobe houses nestled in the mountains. Our destination is the Ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for being a backdrop for many films. After visiting the Kasbah, we'll head to Ouarzazate, also known as "The Gateway to the Desert." Dinner will be at the hotel where you'll spend the night.
Day 3: Continue to Merzouga, ride camels to a Berber camp, and sleep under the desert stars:
After breakfast, we'll depart for the Draa Valley, home to one of the longest rivers in Morocco. Along the way, we'll make stops for pictures and admire the spectacular kasbahs and Berber villages. You'll have some free time for lunch in Nkob or Alnif. After a two-hour drive, we'll reach the magnificent Merzouga dunes, known as the "Desert of powdery sand dunes." Here, we'll switch from motorized transportation to camels and venture into the heart of the desert. Upon reaching the camp, you'll stay in camel hair tents, similar to those used by nomad families. Enjoy dinner and a night under the beautiful starry sky.
Day 4: Watch the sunrise over the dunes, explore the desert, and head to a hotel:
This day is dedicated to the desert. Begin with a "Date with the Sunrise," a must-see spectacle in the middle of the desert. After sunrise, we'll return to Merzouga on camels for a hearty breakfast. We'll then follow the Erg Chebbi dunes, home to the Big Dune of Morocco, standing over 250 meters tall. Driving along the former "Paris-Dakar" route, we'll reach the mountains bordering Agelia. Stops include Tissardmin Oasis with fossil quarries, nomad settlements, and a viewpoint to admire the entire Erg Chebbi. We'll visit Kamilia Village, originally from Mali, for tea and a Gnawa music concert.
Next, transfer to your accommodation with free time to explore the town or the nearby dunes and witness the sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 5: Visit the Rissani Market, Erfoud, Todra Gorges, and the Dadès Valley:
After breakfast, we leave the desert and head to Rissani to visit the market (market days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). We continue to Erfoud, where you can explore fossilized marble workshops. Then, we proceed to Touroug and Tinjdad palm groves, followed by a visit to the Todra Gorges, known for their cliff-sided canyon. Lunch is recommended in this stunning location. A short walk through the gorges allows you to appreciate the landscape's beauty.
In the afternoon, we continue to the Dadès Valley, also known as the figs valley, passing through Boumalne Dadés and the "monkey legs." Dinner and overnight stay at the Dadès Gorges.
Day 6: Discover the "One Thousand Kasbahs Road" and return to Marrakech:
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic view of the Dadès valley from a strategic lookout in the mountains. Then, we'll travel through a road dotted with various kasbahs of tourist interest. After experiencing the "One thousand kasbahs road," the Roses Valley, and the Skoura palm grove, we'll arrive in Ouarzazate to visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former residence of the Glaoui or Marrakech pasha. Optionally, you can visit the cinema studios and the cinema museum. Enjoy lunch in town, and in the afternoon, begin your journey back to Marrakech through the Tizi Ntichka mountain pass. Take advantage of stops for photos and witness the transition from the lunar landscape to a colorful one. Arrival in Marrakech around 6 pm, followed by an overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 7: Explore the Marrakech Medina and historical sites with a local guide:
In the morning, embark on a guided tour of the Marrakech Medina. Begin by admiring the great wall surrounding the Medina, visit the Koutoubia Minaret, and explore Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Gardens, and more. Finally, reach Jamaa El Fna square, which takes on a different atmosphere during the day.
In the evening, you have free time to haggle in the souk or discover hidden gems in the Medina. Accommodation will be at the Riad.
Day 8: Depart from Marrakech:
After breakfast, you have free time in the morning until your departure time. We will assist you with your luggage and guide you to the boarding gate at the airport.
More info
Period
Year round
Duration
8 days
Grade
Easy