Morocco Coast to Desert Adventure – 12 Days

Morocco, welcome! Your driver and guide will meet you at the Menara Airport in Marrakech. They will then transfer you to your hotel. You can relax and take a break from your hectic week or go on a brief city tour to learn more about the city.

Jemaa el–Fna is the city’s main square and it comes alive in the evening with performers, snake charmers as well as food stalls and games. You can explore the old town of Medina by walking around the souks (markets), vendors, and performers or from afar. Enjoy the show from a nearby cafe and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants.

Marrakesh, Morocco’s second largest metropolis is known as « Red City » due to its natural red pigment. Today’s tour will begin at the Bahia Palace. Here you’ll see its courtyard and gardens as well as the interior of the building with its intricate woodwork, ornamented ceilings, and explore the building’s interior. Your guide will then take you to the Koutoubia Mosque & Gardens. This is the largest mosque in the city. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque, but you can still enjoy its exterior and grounds, including the distinctive minaret. You can enter the medina by passing through one of its gates. Then, you can wander through the narrow alleyways and find hidden hotels and souks from the other side.

With your guide, you can stroll to a few of Jemaa el-Fna’s most popular souks. The famed spice towers of Souk el Attarin, and traditional Moroccan slippers in Souk Smata are just a few examples. Souk des Teinturiers is a place where you can see locals weaving and dyeing cloth and yarn. You can also visit Le Jardin secret. This sanctuary, located in the heart the medina is made up of a series of palaces that are set within a beautiful garden. The garden is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture and Islamic art. It offers refreshments and snacks, and is the perfect place to relax after sightseeing.

You can also choose to visit a Hammam, a traditional Moroccan spa, if you prefer to relax now. Relax in the steam rooms and enjoy a relaxing massage. You can also take a private tour of the medina to discover Marrakesh’s culinary delights later in the evening. Marrakesh, a bustling city filled with charming alleyways and lively squares is the ideal place to lose yourself in as you follow the scents and tastes of each snack.

Today you will leave Marrakesh, and follow the west coast across vast rolling plains. You’ll also pass through an argan tree forest that is endemic to this region of the world. Goats may be seen eating the argan fruits high up in the branches. For an informative tour of the ethical production of argan oil, you can stop at a cooperative run by women.

You can spend the rest of your day in the city of laid-back Essaouira. This is a refreshing contrast to the frenzied Marrakesh. The Skala de la Kasbah, an 18th-century seafront fortification, is a great place to walk along the coast. European engineers designed the wall, which is lined with old brass cannons that offer stunning views of the Atlantic. Before you head to the sandy beach, take a look at the UNESCO-listed Medina. Enjoy fresh seafood at Essaouira as you walk back.

Today is your day to explore. Why not take a stroll? For the perfect souvenirs, stop by traditional shops. The Spice Souk is the best place to find herbal medicine, Berber lipstick and exotic spices. Ghassoul is clay used in face masks. As you browse ceramics, spices and art, chat with local artisans. You can see the city’s central Mulayel-Hassan square lined with shops, restaurants, and hotels.

There are optional activities for those who want more action. Kite surfing is one of the most popular activities in the city. Because of the wind that blows along its bay, the coast is perfect for surfing. Sand surfing is a great option if you prefer to stay dry. You can also ride on horseback along the beach. Enjoy the ocean breezes and the scent of the sea.

Create your tour

Your driver will meet you at the beach to take you along a scenic coastal drive. You’ll make a stop in Aourir for a seafood lunch on the beach before continuing inland to Taroudant. The walled-market town of Taroudant is a hidden gem that allows you to experience its charm as you explore the city. After checking in at your hotel, the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy. You’ll feel like you have stepped back in time as you stroll through the ochre-colored buildings, cobbled streets and charming souks.

Today is your chance to visit Taroudant’s historic medina and surrounding ramparts, which are the town’s highlights. You can admire the old walls and gates such as Bab Selsla and bab Targont and bab Ouled Bounouna. You can walk or cycle around the walls of the town. You can then explore the souks and artisan shops. There are also tanneries that look like those in Marrakesh and Fes. You can stop by a cafe or restaurant to grab a bite or enjoy mint tea in the hotel gardens. Visit Agadir Tsguent outside of Taroudant. A short hike will take you to an ancient fortress that offers breathtaking views.

You can also visit the stunning beaches, dunes and forests of Souss Massa National Park. This scenic area is located just south of Agadir on Morocco’s Atlantic Coast. You will explore the highlights of the park, including Youssef Bin Tachfine Reservoir and Massa Valley. Be on the lookout for rare bird species. This area is home to rare and endangered pink flamingoes and Audouin’s gulls. You’ll be returning to Agadir via Tiznit. You can browse the shops and enjoy a tasty Moroccan lunch at a local eatery.

Today, you’ll see a stunning desert scene that is not well-known to tourists. You will discover authentic Morocco at the intersection of the old caravans that once transported sugar, cotton, rice, and other goods across Morocco. You will visit traditional and nomadic markets and get the opportunity to see Morocco’s wildest desert, Erg Chigaga. You will take an off-road Jeep ride through Lake Iriqui. This salt lake is located in the Iriqui National Park and can become a swamp when it rains. Then you’ll reach Chigaga’s majestic dunes and stay the night in luxury tents under the stars of southern Morocco.

You’ll be accompanied by nomads as they search for water and grazing lands in the heart of the wild . Watch as they sleep under wooden tents in the middle the desert. You will also learn how to weave a wool carpet for the camels, and how to cook on a wood stove using traditional utensils. After your nomadic experience you will ride your camel back to your camp to enjoy the setting sun and a night under the stars.

Sandboarding offers more excitement for those who are looking to experience the Erg Chigaga’s dunes. The longer you ride down, the larger the dune. Hire a sandboard to explore the dunes while you are immersed in the vastness and beauty of the Sahara Desert.

Your guide will take you to Zagora. You’ll also stop at the desert village MhamidEl Ghizlane along the way. The small village of Tamegroute is located at the gateway of the desert, 9 miles (15km) away from Zagora, in the south of Morocco. Their pottery is a major craft activity in the Draa valley. It was made using ancient techniques brought from Fes. Here you can see how this unique green pottery is made.

After that, go to the Dunes of Tinfou You can stop at the two high dunes 16 miles (25km) south of Zagora to get a taste of the desert before you drive onwards to Zagora in the late afternoon. You’ll be greeted by the city at the crossroads and the surrounding oasis. After checking in, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Enjoy a scenic ride from Zagora towards Ait Benhaddou. The verdant Draa valley will be your first stop. Cross the Tizi n’Tinifift pass to enjoy the stunning views of the valley, its lush palms, and majestic mountain ranges. Stop by Ouarzazate for a picturesque stop. This town is known as the « Gateway to Sahara ». The town’s 19th century Taourirt Kasbah is worth a visit. The stunning views from the top will amaze you. Clear days will allow you to see Ait Benhaddou as well as the green Draa valley.

Film industry helped to make the town popular. Visit the studios to see what they do. Musee du Cinema Get a close-up look at the props and sets used in films such as « Black Hawk Down, » Prometheus, and « Game of Thrones » to learn more about the filmmaking process. Ouarzazate has an important Mellah Jewish quarter, with an old synagogue, and lots of vibrant souks to peruse. You’ll arrive at the medieval after you get back on the road. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah . After you have settled into your hotel, explore the old town at your own pace.

The morning tour takes you to Ait Benhaddou which is Morocco’s most well-known kasbah, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ksar, an old fortified village, dates back to the 11th Century when it was a key point along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate. This location is often used for filming movies such as « The Mummy, » the « Gladiator » and « Kingdom of Heaven. » To enjoy incredible views, climb to the top of the old granary and look out over the historic camel caravan routes and the kasbah.

You’re in for a refreshing change of scenery when you climb up the High Atlas. Mount Toubkal stands at 13,671ft (4,167m). As the road descends, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains at the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Stop by Taddert to see how olives are used for different purposes. You can then descend the hills to the northwest, passing through valleys cut into the hillside. Return to Marrakesh after enjoying the peace and tranquility of the desert and mountains. Relax at Jemaa el-Fna before checking into your hotel.

Morrocco is over. Transfer privately from your Marrakesh hotel to the airport in order to catch your flight home or to your next destination. Goodbye ma’a salama!