Marrakesh Trip Overview
See all the highlights of the Atlantic Coast, the Imperial Cities, the Atlas mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Visit Essaouira, the former Portuguese city at the beach
Take a look at the huge Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
See Rabat, Capital of Morocco
Explore the hidden gems in the Medinas of the Imperial cities Meknes and Fes
Pass through the Atlas Mountains: Middle Atlas, Anti Atlas and High Atlas
Visit a local Berber family and learn about Nomadic life in Southern Morocco
Ride a camel in Erg Chebbi to reach your desert camp
Spend and unforgettable night at a Desert camp
Ride through the dunes of Merzouga with a 4×4 car
Explore Todra Gorges and Dades Gorges
Visit the legendary world heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and Taourirt Kasbah
Explore the scenic Telouet Kasbah together with a local guide
Additional Info
* Duration: 12 days
* Starts: Marrakesh, Morocco
* Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
See all the highlights of the Atlantic Coast, the Imperial Cities, the Atlas mountains and the Sahara Desert.
Visit Essaouira, the former Portuguese city at the beach
Take a look at the huge Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
See Rabat, Capital of Morocco
Explore the hidden gems in the Medinas of the Imperial cities Meknes and Fes
Pass through the Atlas Mountains: Middle Atlas, Anti Atlas and High Atlas
Visit a local Berber family and learn about Nomadic life in Southern Morocco
Ride a camel in Erg Chebbi to reach your desert camp
Spend and unforgettable night at a Desert camp
Ride through the dunes of Merzouga with a 4×4 car
Explore Todra Gorges and Dades Gorges
Visit the legendary world heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and Taourirt Kasbah
Explore the scenic Telouet Kasbah together with a local guide
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Essaouira
Stop At: Essaouira, Essaouira, Marrakech-Safi
Be picked up in Marrakech and start your big adventure! Enjoy the drive through the breathtaking Moroccan countryside with its shattered villages, olive groves and wild Argantrees.
We can stop in a local co-operative run by women who extract the Argan oil from the trees and discover how it is processed into cooking oil and cosmetics. You can taste and buy the products if you like.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Essaouira Beach, Essaouira Morocco
After arriving in Essaouira, you can explore the charming city with its portuguese character by foot. Visit the busy harbour and watch the fishermen unloading their catch of the day, take pictures of the pittoresque fishing boats and enjoy fresh fish and seafood at its best.
In the former portuguese medina you can find beautifully shattered white-and-blue houses where local artists are selling their crafts and singing Bob Marley-songs. Visit the historic ramparts and imagine life in the 16th century on the fortress with its beautiful view of the shoreline.
Free time in Essaouira – no meals included
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in Essaouira
Day 2: Essaouira – Safi – Oualidia – El Jadida – Casablanca
Stop At: Safi, Safi, Marrakech-Safi
Today, we start after breakfast and we will make stops along the route to enjoy the coast and see the long beaches and the small cities of this part of Morocco.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: El Jadida, El Jadida, Casablanca-Settat
We will continue to Oualidia via the coastal road with its superb views and then to El Jadida, famous for its citadel and the cistern, reminders of the Portuguese occupation of the 16th Century.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Casablanca, Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat
In the evening, we’ll finally arrive to Casablanca, a modern city and home of industries and finance business as well as art galleries and fashion designers. Visit the spectacular Mosque of Hassan II situated directly at the ocean for sunset. A must see for every visitor of Casablanca!
Duration: 13 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Hotel in Casablanca
Day 3: Casablanca – Rabat – Volubilis – Meknes – Fes
Stop At: Rabat, Rabat, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra
Today after breakfast, we continue to Rabat. Rabat is the capital of Morocco, where we visit the magnificent mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II and enjoy the view of the Tour Hassan and its gardens to the old town of Rabat and the neighbouring city Salé across the river.
Visit the Kasbah Oudaya, the Medina of Rabat. Explore the small streets and look at the colorful fishing boats along the river side.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Volubilis, Morocco
Explore Volubilis: This UNESCO World Heritage Site are the largest Roman Ruins in North Africa and very well preserved. Volubilis lies in a stratetic position about 33 km north of Meknes and is famous for its mosaics. The best time for a visit is in springtime, when the wild flowers are in full bloom amongst the old stones. The roman city is over 2’000 years old and was destroyed at least at a big earthquake 1755. You can explore this fascinating site by your own or with a local guide (not included). There is also a museum on site.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Meknes, Morocco
After the visit of Volubilis, we continue to Meknes: this imperial city is famous for its luxurious palaces and beautiful mosques as well as one of the most important souks of Morocco. See the beautiful gate of Bab el-Mansour at the Place el Hedim, maybe the most beautiful of all the gates of the imperial cities.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Fes, Fes, Fes-Meknes
After the visit, we continue our trip to Fes where we’ll stay for the next 3 nights.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in the Medina of Fes
Day 4: Full day city tour of Fes
Stop At: Fes, Fes, Fes-Meknes
Today at 10:00 am after your breakfast your local city guide will pick you up and you’ll spend the whole day exploring the impressive city of Fez with its huge Medina «Fes el-Bali» together.
Duration: 7 hours
Stop At: Bab Bou Jeloud, Fes Morocco
We start the day at Bab Boujloud, one of the gates which lead into the Medina.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Al Attarine Madrasa, Rue Talaa Kebira, Fes, Morocco
In the morning we will visit some of the beautiful ancient buildings like the Medersas of Bou Inania and El-Attarine (Koran schools for religious studies) and the University and Mosque of Karaouine.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Museo Nejjarine, Pl. Nejjarine, Fes 30030 Morocco
Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and discover traditional tools, carpets, furniture and musical instruments in a beautifully restaurated caravanserai.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Chouara Tannery, Hay Lablida Chouara, Fes 30030 Morocco
After lunchbreak in one of the hunderts of restaurants in the medina (not included), we continue our tour to the famous tanneries, where the leather is processed still the same as hunderts of years ago. You can observe the workers from a lookout and they will be glad to explain you the different workings steps if you are willing to bargain for a bag or new belt afterwards. But be aware of the bad smelling of the furs and coloring goods!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Royal Palace of Fez, Avenue Omar Ibnou Khattab, Fes 30004 Morocco
Outside the medina lies the Royal Palace with its large plaza lined with palm trees.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Fes, Fes, Fes-Meknes
Last but not least we will drive up a hill to the cementary Bab Fettouh, where we’ll enjoy the panoramic view over the white sea of houses of the Medina. Individual dinner in the medina and overnight in Fes.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in the Medina of Fes
Day 5: Day Trip to Chefchaouen
Stop At: Chefchaouen, Chefchaouen, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
Enjoy the changeing landscapes along the way on your drive from Fes until you reach the small city of Chefchaouen in the mountains with its blue and white houses, often decorated with colorful flowers. The medina is quite small and you can explore it by yourself without needing a guide.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Place Outa el Hammam & Kasbah, Avenue Hassan II, Chefchaouen 91000 Morocco
Enjoy lunch at a rooftop terrace overlooking the main square „Outa el Hammam“, the big mosque and the Kasbah. You will have about 4 hours to explore Chefchaouen, so there is also enough time to spot the local women washing their clothes at the river and see the small waterfalls „R’as el Maa“ or hiking uphill until you reach a very special mosque which was a gift from the Spanish people to the inhabitants of Chefchaouen, but was never used for prayers. The view though from the hill over the medina is incredible!
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in the Medina of Fes
Day 6: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Middle Atlas – Midelt
Stop At: Ifrane, Ifrane, Fes-Meknes
We start our journey in the morning and head for the Middle Atlas Mountains. Stop for a coffee in Ifrane, also known as «Switzerland of Morocco» with its chalet like houses.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pass By: Azrou, Azrou, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
From here we are heading south through several typical villages and you will have the opportunity to spot nomad families living in their tents along the road.
Stop At: Zaida, Zaida, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
After lunch in Zaida, we continue our drive and enjoy panoramic views passing the mountain villages
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Midelt, Morocco
Today, we’ll spend the night in the mountain village Midelt in a Hotel.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Hotel in Midelt
Day 7: Midelt – Errachidia – Ziz Valley – Erfoud – Merzouga
Pass By: Midelt, Morocco
After breakfast we continue our drive and enjoy panoramic views crossing the Tizi N’ Talghoumt pass.
Stop At: Erfoud, Erfoud, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Enjoy a fantastic view of the valley of the River Ziz lined with thousands of date palms. Here, we’ll meet your local guide for a walking tour around the biggest Date Palm Oasis in the valley of Ziz.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
In the afternoon, you will arrive at your accommodation in the Region of Merzouga, with a great view of the red dunes. Relax at the pool or go for a walk!
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in Merzouga or Hassilabied
Day 8: Merzouga 4×4 Dunes Tour
Stop At: Merzouga, Merzouga, Draa-Tafilalet
Start your visit to the area around Merzouga and the land of the Ait Khebbach tribe with pick-up from your accommodation in a spacious and comfortable 4×4 vehicle.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Khamlia, Khamlia, Draa-Tafilalet
We’ll continue with a visit to the village of Khamlia. Here, you’ll enjoy the inhabitants’ music and dance, and have the opportunity to try their instruments and learn to play some desert music of your own!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Afterwards, take a 4×4 down a gravel road to the Lake of Merzouga (also named Lake Tamezguida), which appears seasonally from November to May during the rainy season in Middle Atlas. This is the best spot to see desert birds, and sometimes even flamingos! Return to your accommodation in Merzouga in the late afternoon.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Erg Chebbi Dunes, Morocco
Settle in your private tent and drink some mint tea before the traditional dinner is served. You can spend the night watching for shooting stars or dance around the camp fire to the beat of the desert drums.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a private tent in a desert camp in the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, Merzouga
Day 9: Merzouga – Rissani – Erfoud – Todra Gorges – Dades Gorges
Stop At: Erg Chebbi, Erg Chebbi, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
Wake up by the first strays of light to watch the sunrise over the sahara before you enjoy your typical breakfast. We return on the camel’s back or 4×4 to the desert lodge.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rissani, Rissani, Meknes-Tafilalet Region
In Rissani we will have the opportunity to visit the local market with the «donkey parking» and have a look at some fossils outside the city.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gargantas del Todra, Tinerhir 45800 Morocco
After lunch break, we will follow the road along the river to reach the gorges of Todra, where you can take a short but spectacular hike between the up to 300 m high rock walls.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dades Gorges, R704 Atlas Mountains, Boumalne Dades 45350 Morocco
Before arriving at our Riad for the night in the Dades valley, we head to Boumalne Dades where you can make some nice pictures of the special rock formations which look like monkey hands.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in the Dades Valley
Day 10: Dades Gorges – Saghro Mountains – Nkob – Draa Valley – Zagora
Pass By: Jbel Saghro, Morocco
Today, you will leave the Dades valley and take a secluded way through the Saghro-Mountains, a region secluded from the “big tourism”. You can explore beautiful landscapes and maybe even visit a Nomad family to have some tea and see how they live with their kettle.
Stop At: Nkob, Nkob, Souss-Massa
Have lunch in Nkob, overlooking the impressive Draa Valley with its huge palm groves.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Zagora, Zagora, Souss-Massa
After, we’ll continue our way through the Draa valley in direction of the “desert capitol” Zagora, where we’ll spend the night.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in Zagora
Day 11: Zagora – Tamegroute – Agdz – Anti Atlas – Ouarzazate
Stop At: Amzrou, Morocco
We’ll have enough time to visit Zagora and its surroundings like the Jewish quarter in Amzerou and have a look at the huge palm groves.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Tamegroute, Morocco
Along the way, we stop at a Saadian town of the 16th century which is called Tamegroute. There, we are able to visit an old coran library and a subterranean Kasbah together with a local guide.
Tamegroute is also famous for its pottery shops.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Agdz, Agdz, Souss-Massa
We’ll continue with the drive to the village Agdz, which means “resting place” and which is located on the old caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu. Check out the beautiful view over the date palm groves to the characteristic mountain Jbel Kissane.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco
In the afternoon, we’ll pass over the vast but impressive Anti Atlas Mountains to your Riad in Ouarzazate, where we’ll stay overnight.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in a Riad in Ouarzazate
Day 12: Ouarzazate – Oasis Fint – Ait ben Haddou – Telouet – High Atlas – Marrakech
Stop At: Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Draa-Tafilalet
Today we will see a lot of different landscapes on our way back to Marrakech. Admire the views of the Valley of a thousand Kasbahs and the famous movie city in Morocco and the berber Village along the road.
The old town of Ouarzazate is named Taourirt. You’ll have some time there to explore the narrow pedestrian streets on your own and visit the palace with its countless rooms which seem like a labyrinth.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Atlas Film Studio, Km 5, road of Marrakech BP 28, Ouarzazate 45000 Morocco
Continue to the Atlas Corporation film studios, where you can discover the diverse sets and listen to the anecdotes of the multiple movies and actors. Several famous movies like Gladiator, Babel, Prince of Persia, and recently The Physician have been shot in those studios. Guided tour of the movie studios in a group – about 60 min duration
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Douar Ait Ben Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou 45000 Morocco
A little outside of Ouarzazate lies Aït Ben Haddou, the fortified clay city with its numerous ksars and kasbahs, where several famous movies such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia have been shot. This photogenic city is also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore it together with a local guide.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Telouet Kasbah, Telouet Morocco
Continue through the breathtaking landscape to Telouet. This fortress was occupied by Thami el Glaoui before he was expelled by independence efforts. One section has unfortunately disintegrated into red sand, but you can still visit the beautiful rooms with mosaic tiles and wood carvings.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Marrakech, Marrakech, Marrakech-Safi
After the visit of Telouet, we pass the High Atlas mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass with scenic views along the road and many opportunities to take photos. End of your tour with drop off at your accommodation in Marrakech or at the meeting point.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: No accommodation included in Marrakech (End of Tour)
