8 days from Marrakech to the desert and Essaouira

Pick-up at 8:00 AM from your hotel, riad, or the square where you are staying in Marrakech. Departure for an 8-day, 7-night excursion to the Merzouga desert towards the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi N'Tichka pass at approximately 2,260 meters altitude. We will make stops to enjoy spectacular panoramic views and visit an Argan oil cooperative, where we will discover the production process and learn about its numerous health benefits. We will continue south and then turn off onto a 6 km track that will take us to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, where we will visit its famous Kasbah (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In this spectacular setting, renowned films such as Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile, Sahara, and Lunch in the Village have been filmed. We will then continue our journey to Ouarzazate, considered the gateway to the desert, the starting point for major expeditions and home to the magnificent Kasbah of Taourirt. From there, we will proceed to the Valley of Roses, passing through the vast Skoura palm grove, and finally arriving in the Dades Valley where we will spend the night.

Hotel accommodation with dinner and breakfast.

After breakfast, we'll travel to Merzouga. We'll ascend a path to a strategic mountain viewpoint to admire the gorges, then continue along a road dotted with beautiful Kasbahs, each one unique. After several stops, we'll arrive at one of the highlights of southern Spain: the Todra Gorge. At 300 meters high, the Todra River has carved a stunning canyon with towering vertical walls, a paradise for climbers and a truly unique place. We'll have lunch there and then continue into the desert to reach the impressive Merzouga Dunes, where we'll enjoy a traditional tea and a short rest. We'll leave our luggage at the hotel and depart on a camel caravan, which will take us to the Berber tent camp in about an hour. We'll stop along the way to watch the sunset over the dunes and stretch our legs before continuing to the camp. Before or after dinner, we'll have the opportunity to climb the dunes near the camp to enjoy the peace and quiet and the stars of this famous desert. We'll spend the night in a traditional Berber tent.

Accommodation in Berber tents with dinner and breakfast, and a live Berber music show after dinner.

We'll wake up early to watch the sunrise from atop a dune, then have a leisurely breakfast. You can choose to return to the hotel by camel or 4x4. We'll continue along the route, or you can relax by the pool or explore the dunes if the weather is nice. You can also take a quad bike or buggy excursion through the Erg Chebbi dunes. Afterward, we'll take the 4x4 to the village of Khamlia, home to the Gnawa people, musicians of sub-Saharan origin (Black Africa). They'll entertain us with music and dance while we enjoy mint tea (Berber whiskey). You can buy a CD of their music for €10 or give them a tip of at least €5. We'll then continue to Taouz, from where we'll travel along the old Paris-Dakar Rally track to see some wonderful rock carvings. We'll pass through the village of Jdaid, where we'll have lunch at a Berber family's home (Berber pizza and tea), and where you can also get a henna tattoo from a specialist (a tip is customary). If you're interested, you can take a stroll through the village of Ouzina and its oasis. In the afternoon, we'll go to our hotel nestled in the Ouzina desert, where we'll spend the night.

Accommodation at Kasbah Hotel Porte de Sahara Ouzina with dinner and breakfast

In the morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we'll travel along a dirt track to visit the nomads who live in the Ouzina area. Afterward, we'll go to the barite mines to see the workings and learn how they operate (barite is a mineral extracted there and transported to Europe, where it's used to make glass). Then we'll head to the Bourika Oasis, where we'll have a picnic lunch (Moroccan salad or similar) and grilled chicken. After lunch, we'll visit the Lost City or Oubahlou (the lost city or the Portuguese city), which consists of ancient Portuguese ruins. We'll take a stroll through the site, and in the afternoon, we'll arrive at the Ramlia Oasis, where we can enjoy tea at a café and explore the village and its oasis. In the late afternoon, we'll go to watch the sunset over the Erg Ouzina dunes to experience the tranquility and peace of this wild desert.

Accommodation at Riad Hôtel Porte De Sahara OUZINA with dinner and breakfast

We will wake up and have breakfast at 8:00 AM. We will then depart from the hotel for Marrakech on an 8-day, 7-night excursion from the Merzouga Desert, passing through Rissani, one of the oldest cities in Morocco and the capital of the Alaouite dynasty. There, we will stop at the edge of town to take a photo of the "Gateway to the Desert." Continuing through the arid yet fascinating pre-desert landscapes, we will reach the Draa Valley, where we will stop to admire this beautiful valley alongside the river of the same name. The Draa is the longest river in Morocco, crossing the entire country into Mauritania, and another section reaches the White Beaches. We will cross the Anti-Atlas Mountains (Ait Sauvage) to reach Ouarzazate, where we will have lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, we will cross the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, where you will be transferred to your accommodation. The afternoon is free to enjoy the rest of Marrakech.

Accommodation in a Riad with breakfast

After breakfast, depart at 8:00 AM for an excursion to Essaouira from Marrakech. The 3-hour journey takes you to the ancient port of Mogador, built by the Portuguese on a narrow peninsula next to a vast crescent of fine sand. Perfectly sheltered by its impressive 18th-century French-built ramparts, the city is largely pedestrianized and divided into distinct neighborhoods by its grid layout. From the top of the Skala, you can see the colorful fishing port, the fortresses, and the Spanish cannons. Essaouira is also famous for its refined handicrafts, especially wooden objects (thuya) beautifully inlaid with lemonwood, ebony, mother-of-pearl, or copper and silver threads. In the afternoon, around 4:30 PM, we return to Marrakech and drop you off wherever you wish. The afternoon is free to enjoy your last night in Marrakech.

Overnight in a Riad with breakfast

In the morning, after breakfast, you can take a guided tour of the city with a local guide if you are interested. At departure time, your flight will be transferred to the airport, and this concludes our 8-day, 7-night tour from Marrakech to the Merzouga Sahara Desert in Morocco.