The Mysteries of Southern Morocco: 13 Days from City to Desert

Morocco, welcome! Your driver and guide will meet you at the Marrakesh International Airport. They will then transfer you to your hotel for check in. Marrakesh, the second-largest city in the country, is known as « Red City » because of the natural color of its buildings. It has a lively, vibrant vibe. You can start exploring the city by visiting Jemaa El-Fna. Here you can grab a bite and then wander the many vendor stalls before heading back to your hotel to get ready for tomorrow’s busy day.

This morning’s guided tour takes you to Marrakech. It begins with a visit the stunning courtyard and gardens of the 19th century Bahia Palace. The nearby Koutoubia Mosque dates back to 1147. After that, you’ll pass through the historic gates of Marrakesh and wander through narrow alleyways among souks and hidden fondouks which are historical inns that once housed merchants and travelers. You’ll return to Jemaa el-Fna with its street food vendors and market stalls later.

Your local guide will lead you to the most popular souks during the tour. The famed spice towers of Souk el Attarine will be on display. You can also shop for handmade babouche slippers in Souk Smata. You don’t have to be an expert in haggling. Your guide will help you. You can also go to Souk des Teinturiers and see locals weaving and hanging yarn.

Stop by for a break from the seemingly endless Moroccan heat. Majorelle Gardens This afternoon. The botanical garden features many subtropical plants and trees. There are also peaceful courtyards, fountains and paths. The former home of Jacques Marojelle, a French artist, can be found within the gardens. Paul Sinoir, a French architect, designed the house. It also houses the Berber Museum The Yves Saint Laurent Museum .

Essaouira is your next destination. This picturesque coastal city is known for its beaches and historic old town. You’ll travel three hours from Marrakesh through rolling plains to reach an argan tree forest. This is the only ecosystem in which these trees can grow and thrive. It’s possible to spot goats in the trees, which is something you might not expect. The argan fruit is a favorite treat for local goats, and they will climb the branches to enjoy this delicious treat.

Your driver will stop at a cooperative where women make argan oil. This oil is well-known for its beauty and health benefits. Before heading to the coast, you can see the production process and perhaps pick up a sample.

Enjoy a relaxing self-tour in Essaouira. The small, coastal city of Essaouira is well-known for its historic medina and beautifully designed layout. The city’s rich history includes influences from the Romans, Phoenicians and Portuguese. It is a great spot for surfing, with the year-round trade winds. It was a mecca for hippies during the 1970s. Today, it is an artist’s town with a highly art-centric population. It also hosts a large number of bohemians each year at its Gnaoua Festival.

As you walk through the narrow streets of the medina, you will feel the city’s charm. They cover 75 acres (30 ha), and will take your to souks and street vendors, leafy plazas and whitewashed homes with ornate wood doors. The streets eventually lead to the city’s main square, Mulay El-Hassan. This square is lined with restaurants as well as hotels. Visit the 16th century Portuguese Castelo Real de Mogador, as well as the two defensive structures of the city, the BorjEl Barmil tower or the Skala de la Kasbah.

Learn more about Essaouira’s Jewish history at Haim Pinto. This well-preserved synagogue is a historical site that dates back to the 18th century. You can admire the door paintings, carved emblems, and the Mellah (a Jewish District and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Next, visit the port area to see traditional wooden boat builders. They supply fishing vessels for Morocco’s entire coast, as well as France. You should also visit the fish auction which is held in the market hall right outside the port gates. Make sure you try the grilled Sardinines! ).

Create your tour

You will travel approximately 3.5 hours from Essaouira along the coast road to Agadir. This drive takes you through lush valleys and arid areas. You can stop at Imsouane to stretch your legs and get a cup of mint tea from a local seller. Another surf town is Taghazout. This town has beautiful white houses, many restaurants and miles of beach.

After you have settled in your hotel in Agadir, you can explore the rest of the city. You can begin your tour by walking along the beach and watching the surfers take to the waves. Agadir is a very popular tourist destination. Later, you can visit Agadirbirds Valley for a break from the heat.

Visit Agadir Crocodile Park for more wildlife. This park was originally established to protect Nile Crocodiles, but is now home to many generations of the reptiles. Stop by the Kasbah Abufella to end your day. This former palace was built in the 16th century for King Mohammad Achaikh, the Saadian dynasty. You can either relax in your hotel tonight or enjoy a Moroccan meal at a local eatery.

Today’s drive will take you to Taroudant. This is the former capital of Souss. Also known as « little Marrakesh ». This peaceful village was once the capital of the Saadian Empire in the 16th century. It is surrounded by beautiful scenery and has restaurants, lively souks and a well-preserved madina.

You can shop in Taroudant’s Souks and have a snack. Then, climb up to the ramparts where you can admire the beauty of the surrounding countryside. You will be taken by your driver to Tiout where you can see palm groves and the remains of an old kasbah. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant and then take a donkey ride through the kasbah. This is where the 1950s movie « Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves was filmed. After lunch, you will return to your Taroudant Hotel for the evening.

Taroudant is known for its historical medina, which is the town’s main attraction. Take time to explore it. Begin your day by walking through the medina and admiring its old gates and walls, including Bab Selsla and bab Targont . For more shopping, you can return to the souks. Or, if your interest is in exploring the area outside of the city, you can visit Agadir Tsguent. This easy hike takes you to an ancient fortress with stunning views. The mansion Palais Claudio Bravo is also available. This was once home to Claudio Bravo, a Chilean painter.

Take a tour of Paradise Valley this afternoon. This desert oasis is surrounded by mountains and palm trees, and has natural pools. The stunning setting allows you to relax in the turquoise waters and sunbathe on the rocks. You can also cliff-jump into the deep pools. Your driver will drive you along the Honey Road through the desert until you reach this green oasis. It will take you only 20 minutes to reach the pools. Enjoy a relaxing time in the pool and refreshing yourself with refreshments.

You can have both beaches and forests with a visit Souss Masa National Park. This beautiful area is located along Morocco’s Atlantic Coast. You will have the chance to see all the highlights, including Youssef Ibn Tachfin Reservoir and Massa Valley. The park also houses Audouin’s gulls and rare northern bald ibis. Birdwatchers will have a lot to see here.

Today, discover authentic Morocco as you travel through the crossingroads of old desert caravans that brought rice, sugar, and cotton to trade among the tribes. Your driver will take you to Morocco’s most remote desert, the Erg Chigaga. This is part of Iriqui National Park. It’s a remote area with no major cities making it the ideal place to enjoy the quiet and peace of the desert.

You will drive through Lake Iriqui by Jeep and take to the offroads. This salt lake, which turns into a swamp in the rainy season, is where you’ll be driving. The majestic dunes of Chigaga will be your destination. Here you can enjoy luxury « glamping », under starry desert skies.

As you travel with your Berber guides, live the life of a nomad through the heart and desert plateaus of the Wild Regs. Assist the guides in their daily search for water and grazing lands, as well as preparing dinner. You will also have the opportunity to feed and assist with other animals such as camels, weave a wool carpet for them, and learn how to cook over wood fires using traditional utensils. You can ride a camel into the desert to see the stunning landscape lit by the setting sun.

You can make your desert exploration more thrilling by taking a unique adventure that takes to you to the best sandboarding spots in Erg Chigaga. You can rent a board to learn how to navigate the shifting dunes. You can go slowly down the smaller hills or faster down the steeper slopes.

Your guide will take you to Zagora. You’ll visit the desert village Mhamid El Ghizlane with its surrounding oasis, and the small town Tamegroute where you will find the Koranic School Ezzaouia Ennaciria. This is also where Morocco’s famous green pottery is made. This unusual craft is fascinating and you will learn the techniques that went into it. After your drive, you will arrive in Zagora in the late afternoon. Once you have checked in at your hotel, you can explore some of the city by yourself.

You can take a walk by the Draa River or stroll through the giant palm grove that stretches for miles and contains more than 30 varieties. Visit the traditional souk if you are able to make it to the city on Sunday or Wednesday. This market is dedicated to all things related to dates, including household wares and various food items. After you’re done shopping, go to a local restaurant for dinner before returning to your hotel.

Continue your journey to Ouarzazate. This is the gateway to the Sahara. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive through the Draa Valley. You’ll also cross the Tzi N’Tinifift pass. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views, lush palmeries and mountains. People from the surrounding valleys have been doing business in Ouarzazate’s sprawling Taourirt Kasbah for centuries. A modern garrison town was built here in the 1920s to supervise France’s colonial interests. This was once an isolated outpost. The city’s name means « no noise » which is a fitting reference.

Upon arrival in the city, you should head straight to the kasbah for panoramic views of the surrounding area. You might be able to see the red-mud city Ait Benhaddou or the Todra Gorge on a clear day. You’ll find a prayer area through keyhole archways, traces stucco and an original Tataoui ceiling on the second floor. You can also shop in the backstreets for local crafts and other items as you wander around the village within the kasbah walls. Ouarzazate also boasts a significant Mellah Jewish quarter, with an old synagogue as well as plenty of vibrant souks.

Ouarzazate’s involvement in the film industry has made it more popular. You can visit one of the local movie studios such as Atlas Film Studios or the nearby Musee du Cinema. Get a close-up look at the props and sets used in films such as « Black Hawk Down, » American Sniper, « Prometheus, » and « Game of Thrones. » Regular guided tours take you on tours that will take you to the sets and workshops located on-site. You never know, you might even be discovered by a talent scout.

Today, transfer to Marrakech. A drive from Ouarzazate takes you through the scenic Tizi N’Tichka Pass. It also passes over the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll leave Ouarzazate and drive through the flat plains to reach Ait Benhaddou. This is Morocco’s most popular kasbah, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ksour (old fortress) dates back from the 11th century, when it was an important point along the trans-Saharan route between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate. Explore the historic alleyways, passageways, markets, and other attractions of the old town.

Continue onward through the changing landscapes near the mountains. The winding drive offers sweeping views across the peaks. Notable is the highest peak in the range, Mount Toubkal at 13,671 feet (4.167 m). You’ll soon notice that the rocks quickly transition into foothills, and then back to flat plains as you descend.

You can then return to the bustle of Marrakesh after this peaceful drive. After checking in to your hotel, you can head back to Marrakech for a quick meal or last-minute shopping. You might also want to take the time to visit some of the city’s most popular sights.

Your Morocco tour ends today when your driver takes you from Marrakech to the airport. Enjoy a safe and pleasant journey to home or to your next destination.