8-Day Southern Morocco Luxury Tour with Sahara Camp and Essaouira

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Day 01

Welcome to Morocco and Journey to Aït Benhaddou

• Greetings from Morocco! When you arrive at Marrakech Menara International Airport, your driver and guide will be waiting to welcome you. From there, drive across the Atlas Mountains to the renowned desert citadel of Aït Benhaddou. Many well-known films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones, have used this city as a setting.
• When you arrive in the evening, you and your guide can walk around the defences. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an impressive illustration of southern Moroccan architecture. Most of the fort's structures are homes, and the site is encircled by strong defensive walls reinforced by angled towers and an armoured gate. Visit the location for a complete view of pre-Saharan earthen construction methods.
• After that, check into your quaint and cosy hotel, enjoy your first Moroccan meal, and get some well-earned rest.

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Day 02

ATV Adventure, Camel Caravan, and Saharan Skies

• ATV tours around Kasbah Aït Benhaddou will get your heart rate up this morning. Visit the film studios to discover why Ouarzazate is known as the "Hollywood of Morocco." Later in the day, drive into the Sahara Desert.
• Leave the paved road behind and ride in a caravan of camels into the desert at the end of the drive. In the evening, arrive at camp in time for dinner, served with traditional music.
• Before unwinding for the night in the comfort of your opulent tent, take in the views of the starry night sky.

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Day 03

Sunrise in the Sahara and Return to Marrakech

• Rise early today for sunrise over the sand dunes. After breakfast at camp, spend the morning exploring the surrounding desert. You might enjoy sandboarding down the dunes, or simply relax and take in the silence.
• Afterward, drive to Marrakech, crossing the stunning and remote desert plains and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon after stopping for lunch along the way in a Berber village.
• After settling into your opulent riad in the heart of Marrakech's medina, savour a fine Moroccan meal.

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Day 04

Marrakech Monuments, Mellah, and Medina Souks

• Before setting out on a full-day tour of the Ochre City, enjoy breakfast at your riad. Begin with a visit to the well-known Koutoubia Mosque to admire traditional Moroccan architecture and tile mosaics. Then continue to the Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs. Visit the Mellah to learn more about Morocco's important but little-known Jewish heritage.
• Pause for a midday meal on a terrace overlooking the spice markets. Try a tagine and a cup of cooling mint tea before heading out in the afternoon to explore the souks, or markets, spread throughout the medina's narrow lanes. The shops offer everything from clothing to spices and household items, along with a wide range of Moroccan-made gifts and souvenirs.
• In the evening, make your way to the expansive Djema El Fna Square to witness a vibrant medley of street entertainers, fortune tellers, musicians, and food vendors.

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Day 05

Majorelle Gardens and Leisure in Marrakech

• Explore Majorelle Gardens, a one-hectare (two-acre) botanical garden and artist's landscape garden in Marrakech, Morocco.

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Day 06

From Marrakech to Essaouira via Balloon Ride and Vineyard

• Take an early morning hot air balloon ride over the palm oases and tiny Berber villages surrounding Marrakech.
• Visit an Argan oil cooperative en route. This ingredient has become increasingly popular in cosmetic and beauty products worldwide. To extract 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of oil, approximately 88 lbs (40 kg) of labour are needed, carried out by a workforce primarily made up of women. Unfortunately, argan trees are exploited because of the high demand and labour-intensive process.
• After that, have lunch and sample some local wines at Val D'Argan, a nearby vineyard. Arrive in Essaouira late in the day and spend the evening relaxing by the sea.

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Day 07

Historic Quarters and Seaside Charm in Essaouira

• After breakfast, head out for a guided tour of the city's historic neighbourhoods, beginning with the medina, artisan cooperatives, and Jewish heritage sites. Essaouira exudes a laid-back coastal vibe thanks to its stunning blue and white architecture, easygoing coastal charm, and lovely beaches. Throughout the day, learn about the city's Carthaginian, Roman, and Portuguese past.
• Discover the woodworking shops, artist communities, and quiet alleyways that line the old town, as well as the 18th-century sea walls. After watching fishermen unload their day's catch along the harbour, pause for a delicious seafood lunch in a sidewalk cafe.
• Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city at your own pace. Enjoy browsing the relaxed market and medina for pottery, wood carvings, and other gifts. If you are feeling adventurous, try kitesurfing or another water sport.

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Day 08

Departure to Casablanca Airport

• After saying goodbye to your driver and guide, who by this point may feel like lifelong friends, travel to Casablanca Airport to catch your next flight home. Safe travels!