10-Day Morocco Tour: Marrakech, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains

A warm welcome with some traditional Moroccan sweet cookies, dates, and a bottle of water. We’ll transport you to your lodging or riad, where you can settle in and enjoy your first evening in Marrakech.

Explore Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage City, focusing on its iconic sites and vibrant culture. Capture the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace, and Jemaa el-Fna Square.

Explore the artisan souks and photograph the city’s bustling medina. After your exploration, return to the riad for rest and relaxation.

Continue your Morocco tour into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing dramatic peaks and traditional Berber villages. The scenic road leads through the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at approximately 2,260 metres, often snow-covered in winter, with breathtaking panoramic views.

Along the way, pause for photographs or enjoy a café stop. A highlight of the day is the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified village and one of Morocco’s most famous kasbahs, featured in films such as Game of Thrones.

After exploring Ait Benhaddou, travel toward Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa” for its film studios. Continue through the winding Tizi’n-Tinififft pass to Agdz, in the heart of the lush Draa Valley.

Begin the morning with a traditional Moroccan breakfast at your accommodation before exploring the remarkable Draa Valley.

Visit Tamnougalt Kasbah, a well-preserved historic kasbah overlooking the Draa Valley. Continue through the valley, stopping at palm groves and small Berber villages such as Timidert or Tinzouline.

Explore the oasis and its ancient irrigation systems before discovering Cascades Tizgui, a hidden waterfall and small paradise cared for by a local man for around forty years.

Drive through the scenic Draa Valley, passing lush palm groves and traditional Berber villages as you depart Agdz in the morning.

Stop at Nkob, known for its historic kasbahs and stunning mountain views, then continue through Alnif, famous for its fossils and minerals.

Continue to Rissani, where you can explore the local market before reaching Merzouga and the gateway to the Sahara.

Transfer by 4×4 or camel to Madu Luxury Camp and experience a breathtaking sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes, followed by a night beneath the stars with traditional Berber music.

Start the day early with a mesmerizing desert sunrise. Walk to the dunes and back before enjoying a hearty breakfast.

Visit nomadic families living behind the dunes of Erg Chebbi by jeep. Stop for tea and gain an insight into their unique desert lifestyle.

Continue to the mines of Mascara and then to Khamlia, where you’ll be enchanted by the music of the Gnaoua people, descendants of travelers from Mali and the Tuareg.

Take time for portrait photography before enjoying a delicious Berber pizza for lunch. Continue to Merzouga before returning to the hotel to relax by the pool.

Depart Merzouga and travel toward Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops and lively local markets.

Continue to Jorf, a village famous for its traditional khettara irrigation system, where you can explore ancient underground water channels.

Drive to Goulmima and discover Ksar Igoulmimen, an authentic fortified village with well-preserved mud-brick architecture. Visit Ksar Chrif, a lesser-known but historically rich site offering a glimpse into the region’s past.

Continue through rugged High Atlas landscapes and remote Berber villages before reaching Amellago, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by dramatic gorges and serene mountain scenery.

Depart Amellago and drive through its breathtaking gorges, following a scenic route through remote Berber villages and rocky landscapes.

Arrive in Tinghir, a vibrant town nestled in the Todgha Valley. Explore the famous Todgha Gorges, with towering cliffs and a refreshing river.

Stroll through the lush palm groves and visit the old Jewish quarter for a glimpse into the region’s history.

Continue toward Boumalne Dades through dramatic mountain scenery and small kasbahs. Admire the Dades Gorges, famous for their winding roads and distinctive rock formations such as the “Monkey Fingers.”

After breakfast, depart at dawn for the village of Aït Youl. The off-road adventure begins as you leave the main road and enter the Boutaghrar Valley, a spectacular region of remote Berber villages and dramatic mountain scenery.

The rugged track winds through the Mgoun Massif, offering panoramic views and the opportunity to visit nomadic families living in caves. Experience their traditional lifestyle and share a cup of tea with them.

Continue through the Valley of Roses, passing terraced fields, rose plantations and ancient kasbahs before reaching Kalaat M’gouna, the center of Morocco’s rose industry.

From there, rejoin the paved road toward Skoura and settle into a kasbah surrounded by palm groves.

Start your day in Skoura with a visit to the local pottery workshops, where artisans create traditional Moroccan pottery from the region’s distinctive red clay.

Observe the creation of tagines, vases and other handcrafted pieces before continuing to Ouarzazate, often called the “Gateway to the Sahara.”

Explore the famous Atlas Film Studios and visit Kasbah Taourirt, a remarkable example of traditional Moroccan architecture.

Continue toward Marrakech either through the picturesque villages of Talwat or via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, both offering spectacular High Atlas scenery.

We are transferred back to the airport. It is time to say goodbye to our hosts and catch your flight back home.

If you wish, you can always extend your journey and stay a few more days in Marrakech.