Itinerary
- Day 1
Marrakech
You'll arrive in Marrakech and dive right into the city's main attractions. Start at Jemaa el-Fna Square, where you can wander through the souks to the north and take in the energy of this central hub. Head west to see the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens, then move south toward the kasbah area where you'll find the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace. Consider taking a horse-drawn carriage through the medina if you want an easier way to cover ground. By evening, return to Jemaa el-Fna to experience the atmosphere with musicians, storytellers, and food stalls.
Optional Activities
- Caliche (horse-drawn carriage) tour of the medina
- Explore fondouks (medieval inns converted to residences and shopping areas)
- Visit Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens
- Browse food stalls and street food at Jemaa el-Fna Square
- Dine at cafés overlooking Jemaa el-Fna Square
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fna Square Koutoubia Mosque Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace El Badi Palace Majorelle Gardens - Day 2
Marrakech to Ouarzazate
You'll head east from Marrakech, climbing into the High Atlas mountains and passing through Berber villages as you go. Stop in Taddert for lunch and tour a local Argan Oil Cooperative to see how women process argan oil. After that, cross over the Tizi n'Tichka pass where you'll get panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From there, continue to Ouarzazate, a desert hub and popular filming location. You can visit one of the movie studios and the Musée du Cinema if you're interested in learning about the area's filmmaking history (55°F/13°C to 75°F/24°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tour of Argan Oil Cooperative in Taddert
- Stop at Tizi n'Tichka pass for panoramic views
- Tour of movie studios in Ouarzazate
- Visit Musée du Cinema
Landmarks Mount Toubkal Tizi n'Tichka Pass - Day 3
Ouarzazate to Zagora
You'll continue east toward Zagora, crossing the Jebel Sarhro mountains through the Tizi-n-Tinififft pass. Drive through Agdz and then follow the lush Draa River valley southward, passing through date palmeries and stopping at local stalls for road trip snacks. Once you reach Zagora, walk around the central avenue and explore the buildings before heading to your accommodation outside the city. If you're up for it, you can take a camel trek into the desert to reach a Bedouin-style campsite. You'll watch the sunset, have dinner, and enjoy traditional drumming and singing before sleeping under the stars (70°F/21°C to 95°F/35°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Camel ride to desert campsite
Optional Activities
- Stop at date palmery stalls for snacks
- Explore Zagora city
Landmarks Jebel Sarhro Draa River valley - Day 4
Zagora to Aït Benhaddou
You'll wake early to catch the desert sunrise before camel riding back to your transfer point. Stop in Tamegroute, a small city with sand-colored houses on the desert's edge. Explore the Islamic Library, which holds almost 50,000 volumes from around the world, and visit one of the oldest family-run pottery workshops to see how locals make Tamegroute's distinctive green pottery. Head back toward Ouarzazate, then continue on to the UNESCO-protected Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, a former trans-Saharan trade hub. After day crowds leave, walk through the empty alleys, pay a small fee to enter individual kasbahs, and climb up to rooftops for views of the settlement (50°F/10°C to 85°F/29°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Camel ride at sunrise
Optional Activities
- Explore Islamic Library in Tamegroute
- Tour family-run pottery workshop in Tamegroute
- Enter individual kasbahs at Aït Benhaddou (nominal fee)
- Climb kasbahs for rooftop views
Landmarks Tamegroute Islamic Library Aït Benhaddou Kasbah - Day 5
Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech
You'll explore the narrow passageways of the 11th-century fortified city early, before crowds arrive and make it crowded. Then you'll leave Aït Benhaddou and travel back to Marrakech, heading up and over the High Atlas mountains through the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. As you descend, you'll notice the dramatic shifts in climate and landscape. Back in Marrakech, take a slower pace and consider a food tour through the medina or visit Jemaa el-Fna for food stalls. Later, take an evening stroll and see the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque before heading back to your accommodation (50°F/10°C to 80°F/27°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Food tour of the medina
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna and eat at food stalls
- Evening stroll to floodlit Koutoubia Mosque
Landmarks Tizi n'Tichka Pass Koutoubia Mosque - Day 6
Marrakech to Essaouira
You'll head west toward the Atlantic coast and the beach town of Essaouira, traveling over rolling plains and through argan forests where goats sometimes climb trees. There's an option to stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative along the way if you're interested. Essaouira offers a nice contrast to Marrakech's busier pace. Spend your time here walking the 18th-century Skala de la Kasbah seafront ramparts, exploring the UNESCO-protected medina, or visiting the windswept beach. You can also venture to Diabat, where Jimi Hendrix reportedly spent time. Consider trying water sports like windsurfing or horseback riding, then end your day with fresh seafood for dinner (60°F/16°C to 75°F/24°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Stop at Argan Oil Cooperative
- Walk Skala de la Kasbah (18th-century seafront ramparts)
- Explore UNESCO-protected medina
- Visit Essaouira beach
- Taxi excursion to Diabat
- Windsurfing lesson
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Freshly caught seafood dinner
Landmarks Skala de la Kasbah Essaouira medina Diabat - Day 7
Essaouira to Marrakech
Spend your morning in Essaouira, called the Windy City for its strong Alizée trade winds. Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders on the crescent beach, and take a lesson if you're interested in trying it yourself. Then return to Marrakech. Depending on your flight time, you may have time to check out the kasbah area south of Jemaa el-Fna, including the Saadian Tombs, 17th-century El Badi Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter), 19th-century Bahia Palace, 12th-century Almoravid Koubba, and the Marrakech Museum in the 19th-century Dar Mnebbi Palace (60°F/16°C to 75°F/24°C).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders
- Windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson
- Visit Saadian Tombs
- Explore El Badi Palace
- Walk through Mellah (Jewish quarter)
- Visit Bahia Palace
- See Almoravid Koubba
- Visit Marrakech Museum
Landmarks Essaouira beach Saadian Tombs El Badi Palace Bahia Palace Almoravid Koubba Marrakech Museum
