Tour Overview
An immersive 11-day Southern Morocco Tour starting and ending in Marrakech. This journey combines the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, ancient kasbahs, Todgha Gorge, and the breezy Atlantic coast of Essaouira. Perfect for adult travelers (18+) seeking a mix of culture, nature, adventure, and local experiences.
Carefully selected riads, guesthouses, and desert camps, including a night in a traditional Berber tent in the Sahara.
Air-conditioned 4WD vehicles or minibuses, comfortable for desert drives and mountain roads.
Qualified, multilingual local guides and drivers with expert knowledge of Morocco’s mountains, desert, and coast.
Marrakech → Riad → Imlil → Armed Village → Sidi Shamharouch → Aït Ben Haddou → Women Cooperative → Ouarzazate → Magoun Valley → Todgha Gorge → Merzouga → Erg Chebbi Dunes → Camel Ride → Agdz → Jbel Saghro Mountains → Essaouira → Medina → Beach → Argan Cooperatives → Marrakech
Itinerary
This 11-day adventure takes you from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to the vast dunes of the Sahara and finally to the breezy Atlantic coast of Essaouira. Designed for adult travelers (18+), this tour blends culture, mountains, desert, and ocean for a full Moroccan experience.
DAY 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! Arrive in Marrakech at any time, where your adventure begins. You’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers at 6:00 PM for a welcome briefing and introduction to the journey ahead.
Afterward, settle into your riad and enjoy your first evening in the vibrant Red City.
Includes:
Airport transfer
Evening welcome meeting (6:00 PM)
Overnight stay in a riad in Marrakech
DAY 2: Marrakech → Imlil (High Atlas Mountains) Armed Village
After breakfast, begin your adventure with a 1.5-hour drive to Imlil, a charming Berber village and one of the most famous settlements in the High Atlas Mountains.
Upon arrival, leave the van and prepare for a 1-hour walk to reach your guesthouse in Armed Village. Check in and enjoy your lunch, then get ready for a 4-hour hike as physical training to reach the shrine of Sidi Shamharouch, where your guide will share its fascinating story.
Return to the guesthouse in the evening and relax.
Highlights:
Scenic drive to Imlil (1.5–2 hours)
Guided walk or optional mule trek through Berber villages
Check-in and lunch at the guesthouse
4-hour guided hike to Sidi Shamharouch shrine
Evening rest at the guesthouse
Overnight: Guesthouse in Imlil
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guided hike, guesthouse accommodation
DAY 3: Imlil → Aït Ben Haddou
After breakfast, prepare for a short walk of 30–60 minutes, depending on your pace, to meet your van in Imlil village. Begin your drive through the High Atlas Mountains via the scenic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, reaching an elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level. Then descend toward Aït Ben Haddou, an ancient 11th-century kasbah built by nomads from different regions of Africa.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for appearing in many notable films, including The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones. You will also visit a women’s cooperative to learn traditional rug-making techniques.
Highlights:
Drive through the High Atlas via Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Visit the UNESCO-listed Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
Explore a women’s cooperative to learn rug-making
Overnight: Guesthouse in Aït Ben Haddou
Includes: Breakfast, guided tour of Ksar Aït Ben Haddou
DAY 4: Aït Ben Haddou → Todgha Gorge
Today begins with an easy drive through Ouarzazate, a Moroccan city famous as a filming location for many national and international movies. Continue through Magoun Valley, a beautiful region renowned for its annual Rose Festival, giving it the nickname “Rose Valley.” This area is also a major producer of rose-based products.
You will then arrive at a stunning natural area featuring two impressive canyons, popular with rock climbers and hikers alike. Explore the palmeraie, filled with diverse trees and vegetation, and enjoy a gentle hike or walk through the scenic surroundings.
Highlights:
Travel through Skoura and the Valley of Roses
Explore Todgha Gorge and enjoy an evening walk in the canyon
Hike or walk through the palmeraie
Overnight: Hotel in Todgha Gorge
Includes: Breakfast, dinner, guided walking tour
DAY 5: Todgha Gorge → Merzouga (Sahara Desert)
After breakfast, begin your journey across the scenic desert landscapes toward the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, located at the edge of the Sahara. Along the way, admire the dramatic desert scenery and traditional villages.
Upon arrival, experience an unforgettable camel ride into the dunes at sunset, enjoying the serene atmosphere and breathtaking views. In the evening, settle into a traditional desert camp, where you’ll enjoy a local dinner accompanied by Berber music, immersing yourself in the culture of the Sahara.
Overnight: Berber tent in the Sahara
Highlights:
Scenic drive to Erg Chebbi dunes
Sunset camel ride in the Sahara
Traditional dinner with Berber music in a desert camp
DAY 6: Merzouga → Agdz
Start the day with an optional sunrise experience over the golden dunes of Merzouga—an unforgettable way to bid farewell to the desert. After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive across the dramatic landscapes of the Jbel Saghro mountains, making stops along the way to explore local fossil sites and enjoy the unique geology of the region.
By afternoon, arrive in Agdz, a charming oasis town and the perfect place to unwind after your desert adventure. In the evening, take a guided walking tour with your tour leader through the quiet village streets before enjoying a relaxed dinner.
Includes:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional sunrise over the dunes
Visit to local fossil sites
Scenic drive through the Jbel Saghro mountains
Guided walking tour in Agdz
Overnight stay in a lodge or guesthouse in Agdz
DAY 7: Agdz → Essaouira
Get ready for an unforgettable drive through the only region in Morocco famous for producing both saffron and argan oil. Along the way, you’ll make several enriching stops to discover the cultural and natural treasures of southern Morocco. You’ll also enjoy a scenic stretch along the Atlantic coast before reaching your destination.
You will:
Explore landscapes filled with saffron fields and argan tree groves.
Experience a long, picturesque drive through desert plains and the Atlas foothills leading to the Atlantic coast.
Visit a women’s cooperative to learn about the traditional production of argan oil.
Arrive in Essaouira by evening, a charming coastal city.
Overnight stay in a hotel or riad in Essaouira.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 8: Essaouira
Discover Essaouira, also known as Mogador, a beautiful city set along the Atlantic Ocean. Begin your day with a guided tour through the old medina, where you’ll uncover the city’s rich history and unique character. Essaouira has a special charm and laid-back vibe that sets it apart from other Moroccan destinations.
After the tour, enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Stroll along the beach, wander the ramparts, or soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the local fish market. For those seeking adventure or relaxation, optional activities such as surfing, horseback riding, or a traditional hammam experience are available.
Includes:
Meals: Breakfast
Guided tour of Essaouira
Relaxing afternoon in the coastal city
Free time to explore the medina, beach, ramparts, and fish market
Optional activities: Surfing, horseback riding, or hammam
Overnight stay in Essaouira
DAY 9: Essaouira → Marrakech
After a relaxed morning in Essaouira, it’s time to say goodbye to the coastal charm of Mogador and set off toward your next adventure—Marrakech. Known as the “Red City,” Marrakech is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and energy, offering a completely different experience from the coast.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and take some time to rest and prepare for the discoveries that await you in this remarkable city.
Includes:
Meals: Breakfast
Free morning in Essaouira
Scenic drive to Marrakech
Overnight stay in Marrakech
DAY 10: Marrakech
Start your day with a guided tour of Marrakech’s historic old city. Explore one of its most iconic landmarks, the Bahia Palace, and wander through the lively souks of the medina, where colorful stalls, narrow alleys, and UNESCO World Heritage sites showcase the city’s unique charm.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time to further discover Marrakech at your own pace—whether it’s relaxing in a café, strolling through the gardens, or shopping in the bustling souks.
In the evening, meet your tour leader for a memorable farewell dinner to celebrate the journey you’ve shared.
Includes:
Meals: Breakfast
Guided tour of Marrakech (including Bahia Palace & medina)
Free afternoon to explore Marrakech independently
Overnight stay in a riad in Marrakech
Day 11: End of Tour
Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping or simply relaxing before your journey home. Private airport transfers are available upon request.
This marks the end of your Moroccan adventure—thank you for traveling with us, and we look forward to welcoming you again!
Includes:
Free time before departure (according to flight schedule)
Optional airport transfer
End of services
Tour Summary
Tour Name: Southern Morocco & Atlantic Escape
Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Start & End: Marrakech
Group Size & Ages: Small group (12–16 travelers), Adults 18+
Travel Style: Immersive small-group adventure
Includes: Accommodation, desert camel trek, private transportation, guided visits, daily breakfasts, and select dinners
Physical Activity: Moderate (walking tours, light hikes, camel ride)
Tours notes
Physical Activity: Moderate walking tours, mountain hikes, and a camel ride in the desert. Basic fitness level recommended.
Group Size & Age: Small group experience (12–16 travelers). Minimum age 15 with an adult; adults 18+ recommended.
Accommodation & Meals: Stay in selected riads, guesthouses, and desert camps. Daily breakfast is included; some dinners are included in mountain and desert areas.
Transportation & Guides: Private air-conditioned van with driver, guided city and desert tours, and professional local tour leader throughout the journey.