From Marrakech: Desert and Essaouira
7 days
A fully personalised 7-day tour of Morocco offers travellers great contrasts. On the one hand it allows you to discover the city of Marrakesh in all its splendour, but also the city of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, wandering through the narrow streets of its souk, where the series “Game of Thrones” was filmed. All this while having the opportunity to enjoy a crossing of the Atlas Mountains to reach a very different landscape: The Sahara Desert, in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, to enjoy its tranquillity and a dinner under the stars, getting to know the Amazigh (Berber) culture at first hand, one of the highlights of the trip.
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](travel to marrakesh)
Day 1: Menara Airport Marrakesh - Riad in the city centre
We pick you up at the airport of Menara Marrakesh depending on your arrival time and take you to the Riad in the city centre, you will have a free day to rest and, as the Riad is in the centre of the medina, you will have the possibility to have a small tour in the medina and have dinner in the famous square of Marrakech, “Jamaa El Fnaa”. Accommodation with breakfast at the Riad.
Day 2: Marrakech - High Atlas - Telouat - Ait ben haddou - Ouarzazate
Pick up at 09:00 at the Riad with private vehicle in the direction of Ouarzazate crossing the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi Ntichka pass, at an altitude of 2.260m, the highest point of the country, where we will enjoy incredible landscapes and where we will make several stops to take pictures of the Amazigh (Berber) villages. Then we will take a small road and enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds it until we reach the Kasbah of Telouat, we will visit the Kasbah and enjoy a typical meal in the village. In the afternoon we will continue through the Ounila Valley between Amazigh (Berber) villages where families live in adobe houses lost in the mountains until we reach the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986). Several famous films have been shot in this spectacular setting, such as Gladiator and Obelix as well as TV series such as Game of Thrones. After visiting the Kasbah we will leave for Ouarzazate, considered the great gateway to the desert. Dinner and hotel accommodation.
Day 3: Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Merzouga Desert - Night in nomad tents
After breakfast we will depart for the famous Draa Valley, where we will see one of the longest rivers in Morocco. We will make several stops to see the beautiful adobe kasbahs and Berber villages that dot the route and the wonders of the Draa Valley. After lunch in Nkob or Alnif, we continue on a 2 hour drive to the impressive dunes of Merzouga. A desert of fine sand dunes where we will change the car for dromedaries, to enter the heart of the dunes and contemplate an unforgettable sunset. Afterwards, we will arrive at the camp where we will stay in Haimas, tents made of camel’s hair, like those used by the desert nomads. Dinner and overnight in Haimas in the heart of the desert under a spectacular blanket of stars.
Day 4: Merzouga Desert - Rissani Market - Todra Gorges - Dadès Valley
After a hearty breakfast, we bid farewell to the desert and set off for Rissani where we will visit the market (if we are lucky and it is one of the market days: Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday). We continue on to Erfoud where there is also the possibility of visiting the fossilised marble factory before continuing on to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. 1 hour later we arrive at one of the strongest points of the High Atlas: the Todra Gorges. The Todra River has formed a gorge with vertical walls of enormous proportions and great beauty; it is a climber’s paradise and a unique place. Lunch on site and a half-hour walk is recommended to see and enjoy the Gorges in detail. In the afternoon we continue to the Dadès Valley, also known as the Valley of figs, passing through Boumalne Dadès and stopping at the “monkey fingers”. Dinner and night in the Dadès Gorges.
Day 5: Dadès Valley - Valley of Roses - Skoura palm grove - High Atlas - Marrakech
After breakfast, we can enjoy one of the best views of the Dadès Valley. We will do so from one of the most strategic places the mountains have to offer. From there we will be able to observe the number of kasbahs and the picturesque nature of each one of them, then we will leave towards a road dotted with various Kasbahs of great interest. After several stops to enjoy the route of the Thousand Kasbahs, the Valley of the Roses and the great palm grove of Skoura, we will arrive in Ouarzazate and visit the Kasbah of Taourirt, former residence of the Glaoui or Pasha of Marrakech, the Cinema Studios and the Cinema Museum, if you are interested. Lunch in the village and in the afternoon departure back to Marrakech crossing the mountain pass of Tizi Ntichka with photo stops. Here we will leave behind the lunar landscape, which will give way to the predominant colours of green, ochre, etc. Arrival in Marrakech at about 6 p.m., transfer to the riad to rest and regain strength.
Day 6: Marrakech - Essaouira
After breakfast at the riad in Marrakech we head towards the city of Essaouira or the pearl of the Atlantic, this city, declared a World Heritage Site, maintains the charm and authenticity of a land lost in time. Essaouira has become an essential stop on a trip to Morocco. The adventurous explorer will be fascinated by the hospitable friendliness of the people of this city, which is not surprising since they have lived for centuries at the crossroads of cultures, civilisations and religions. Afternoon free to go for a walk around the medina. Accommodation in Essaouira.
Day 7: Essaouira - Marrakech - Airport
After breakfast at the riad, you can take a walk through the medina, visit the port, and then enjoy a lunch of freshly grilled fish in the local restaurants of the port. If you wish, we can hire a local guide who will give you a tour of the town, although we recommend that you do the visit on your own, as it is the best way to visit this small town. In the afternoon, return to Marrakech and if you wish, we can make a stop at a women’s cooperative to see a demonstration of local women preparing argan oil, transfer to the airport according to your flight time and end of our service.
Standar*
500€/person
- With standard hotels, including**:
- 2 nights in Marrakech in a Riad with breakfast
- 1 night in Ouarzazate in hotel with half board (dinner and breakfast)
- 1 night in Haimas in the desert dunes with half board
- 1 night in the Dadès Valley in a half-board hotel
- 1 night in Essaouira in a Riad with breakfast
- Dromedary excursion in the desert
- Typical henna tattoos in the desert
- Traditional drumming party/ workshop in the desert
- Private 4×4 vehicle
- English-speaking guide for the entire duration of the tour
- Airport transfers
The prices indicated are per person, travelling with private vehicle and accompanying guide in groups of four people and with accommodation in a double room in the “standard” category. These prices will vary depending on the number of people travelling, the category of accommodation (“Standard”, “Charming” or “Luxury”) and the tourist season.
***Price does not include:***Transport to and from the country of origin, medical or travel insurance, midday meals, dinners in Fez, Marrakech and Essaouira, drinks, tips and personal expenses.
