8-Day Morocco Sahara Tour with Aït Benhaddou and Essaouira

• Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to your hotel in the city.

• The rest of the day is free for you to explore Marrakech at your own pace.

• This morning, journey along mountain roads and over Morocco's highest pass, Tizi n'Tichka (2260 metres), to Aït Benhaddou on the edge of the Sahara (approximately 6 hours).

• Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Aït Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. It was once an important stop for caravans crossing the Sahara, carrying salt south and returning with gold, ivory, and slaves.

• The town also 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 the Old Town, making your way to the top of the hill for views across the surrounding plains.

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

Accommodation: Hotel/Riad

• This morning, you'll journey south towards the Sahara, stopping in the frequently used film location of Ouarzazate along the way (approximately 5 hours in total).

• Continue through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, a small oasis town on the fringe of the Sahara that makes a perfect overnight stop.

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

Accommodation: Hotel

• Drive along the rugged and desolate Jbel Tadrart ranges, 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 on 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 continue by 4WD vehicle to the massive Erg Chigaga dunes.

• Arrive in the late afternoon.

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

Accommodation: Desert Camp

• Travel by minivan to the market town of Oulad Berhil. The journey should take around 8 hours in total, including several stops.

• This drive passes through desert scenery and follows a route that is a reserve for the indigenous argan trees.

• If you're lucky, the group may come across the famous sight of goats climbing these trees in search of nuts.

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

Accommodation: Riad/Hotel

• In the morning, head into the souqs and haggle with local traders for silver jewellery or colourful Moroccan ceramics and mosaics.

• Afterward, travel west to the coastal town of Essaouira (approximately 5 hours).

• The name Essaouira means image, which is fitting for such a picturesque town. Within its stone ramparts, you'll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries, and wood workshops, and its charm is undeniable.

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

Accommodation: Riad

• 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. Perhaps 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 take part in optional activities. You may wish to visit the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi.

Accommodation: Hotel

• Your adventure ends after breakfast with a transfer to Marrakech Airport.