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8-Day Marrakech, Ouarzazate & Essaouira Tour
  • Tour Category

    Group Tour

  • Tour Types

    Nature, Culture, History

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    Arabic

Description

Discover the Moroccan Sahara: Berber kasbahs, remote sand dunes, camels, and beautiful mountains. There are chances of seeing the Atlantic Ocean, famous fortified villages, oasis towns, stunning valleys, and more. Explore Ait Ben Haddou, the Erg Chigaga dunes, and more in just 8 days!

Highlights
  • Explore the famous Ait Ben Haddou
  • Enjoy a night under the stars at your desert camp
  • Check out the Palais Bahia, a great example of Muslim architecture
  • Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech expand_more
    • Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to the hotel in Marrakech.

    • The rest of the day is free for you to explore Marrakech.

  • Day 2: Ait Ben Haddou expand_more
    • This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2260 metres), to Ait Benhaddou on the edges of the Sahara (approximately 6 hours). Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. It was once an important stop for caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory, and slaves. The town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones, and Gladiator.

    • Enjoy a guided walk through the winding streets of Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill, from where you can enjoy the views across the surrounding plains.

    • The evening is free, with the option of partaking in a local cooking demonstration and meal of Morocco's most famous dishes: couscous and tagine. 

    Accommodation: Hotel/Riad

  • Day 3: Ouarzazate to Zagora expand_more
    • This morning, you'll journey south towards the Sahara, stopping in the regularly used film location of Ouarzazate along the way (approximately 5 hours in total).

    • Continue to travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, a small oasis town on the Sahara fringe that is perfect for an overnight stop.

    • On arrival, take a stroll through the palm groves, explore the ksars and wander around the surrounding countryside. 

    Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 4: Erg Chegaga Sahara expand_more
    • Drive along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges and through seas of sand and past the occasional desert oasis of date palms to the township of Tamegroute.

    • On arrival, visit an intriguing library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature, the Koran, and stories of the prophet Mohammed (subject to unregulated opening times).

    • Afterward, join a local guide to uncover the underground Kasbah.

    • Carry on driving to the frontier town of M'Hamid (approximately 1 hour).

    • From here, take a short camel ride through the dunes, then jump into 4WD vehicles and drive to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes.

    • Arrive in the late afternoon.

    • Enjoy a night under the stars at your desert camp. 

    Accommodation: Desert Camp

  • Day 5: Taroudant expand_more
    • Travel to the market town of Oulad Berhhil by minivan. The journey should take around 8 hours in total, including several stops. This drive goes through desert scenery and along a route that is a reserve for the indigenous argan trees. If you're lucky, the group might come across the famous image of goats climbing these trees in search of nuts.

    • Arrive at your accommodation by the early evening and relax after a long day of travel. 

    Accommodation: Riad/Hotel

  • Day 6: Taroudant to Essaouira expand_more
    • In the morning, take to the souqs and haggle with local traders for silver jewellery or colourful Moroccan ceramics and mosaics.

    • Afterward, head west to the coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 5 hours). The name Essaouira means image, which is appropriate since it is such a picturesque town. Its charm is undeniable; within the stone ramparts, you'll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries, and wood workshops.

    • You will arrive in the early evening, so there won’t be much time to look around today. 

    Accommodation: Riad

  • Day 7: Essaouira to Marrakech expand_more
    • Today, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port, and skala (sea wall).

    • Afterward, enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Maybe grab a freshly-cooked plate of the day's catch at the port, or browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries.

    • In the afternoon, transfer to Marrakech. 

    • Enjoy free time on arrival to explore or partake in optional activities. Maybe check out the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi. 

    Accommodation: Hotel

  • Day 8: Marrakech to Airport expand_more
    • Finally, your adventure ends after breakfast with a transfer to Marrakech Airport. 

What's Included
  • Travel by minibus and camel

  • 4x4 in Sahara

  • Escorted trek with an English-speaking guide and appropriate local guides

  • Accommodation: 6 nights hotels, 1 night Bedouin camp in the desert

  • Meals: All breakfasts and 2 dinners included

What's Excluded
  • International flights

  • Travel insurance

  • Other activities and services

  • Tipping

  • Drinks

  • Food in cities

Meeting Point

Marrakech, Morocco

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Adult
4 To 16 USD 860 Per Person

This is a group tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 860 / person