Marrakech Airport - Overnight in Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! Just outside the Airport in Marrakech; you will be warmly welcomed by your private driver who holds a sign with your name. You can already withdraw some Dirhams or exchange your foreign currency at the Airport. Your comfortable accommodation awaits you.
Bathed in the pink glow of its adobe walls, the lovely Marrakesh throws open its doors to all culture lovers. Architectural masterpieces and traces of the human experience stand within these walls. Marrakesh is composed of an array of influences that defy eras, a mosaic of colors where the wonders of the past and the present come into focus. its Djemaa-el-Fna square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, and musicians. In the evening the square transforms into a huge open-air restaurant with smoke rising from the many food stalls.
** Approximate driving is 30mins (stops are NOT included).
Marrakech discovery with your local guide
Right after your breakfast, you are being picked up by a local guide for 3 hours walking tour. Discover some of the most important historical sites, and the old medina and souks of Marrakech. You'll visit the Bahia Palace, and Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque (from outside), the famous square Djemaa El Fna and parts of the medina and souks. This tour will be done on foot since most of the medina is closed to traffic. During the day you'll stop for lunch (not included). Entrance Fees are not included.
Please enjoy the afternoon exploring the new city at your own leisure; most of our travelers find it easy to navigate on their own and visit the Jardin Majorelle taking a local taxi; not like the old Medina which is like a maze :)
The Jardin Majorelle is the creation of French painter Jacques Majorelle, who spent 40 years injecting his passion and creativity into this magical garden. Complete with enchanting little lanes, tranquil streams, and over 300 species of stunning plants, Jardin Majorelle is perfect for those who need a break from the busy city.
Marrakech - Tizi-n-Tichka Pass - Ait Ben Haddou
This morning, you are going to pick up your Rental Car - self-drive; you have a long road ahead of you, especially, because of the many curves, and you pass the highest mountain pass of Morocco, the Tizi-n-Tichka which is at a height of 2260 meters. You will notice many beautiful views and small Berber villages on your way to Ait Benhaddou. In total it’s about 200 km, but keep in mind that the average speed is not higher than 60 km per hour.
In Ait Benhaddou you are staying in Hotel La Kasbah. If you wish to dine here, please make your reservation upon arrival in the hotel. The choice of restaurants in Ait Benhaddou is fairly limited. Please note that there is no ATM in Ait Benhaddou where you can withdraw money.
You have enough time to visit the beautiful Kasbah which is under the protection of Unesco.
** Approximate driving is 4.5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Ait Ben Haddou - Ouarzazate - Dades valley - Todgha Gorges
It's time to leave Ait Benhaddou. The first stop next is the Hollywood of Morocco "Ouarzazate" which lies in a valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Most of its visitors are tourists who are making their way to the Sahara Desert or the opposite. They stop here to stock up on provisions before making their way out to one of the greatest desserts in the world.
Just after, you are off to Todgha! The distance for today is about 210 km. During good weather, it’s worthwhile to drive from Boumalne-du-Dadès to the Dades Gorge (Gorge du Dades). The roundtrip takes about an hour and a half but the landscape is very beautiful. You continue from Boumalne Dades to Tinerhir. From Tinerhir a road leads to the Todra Gorge (Gorges du Todgha). The Gorge is a few km further. In case you want to eat dinner at your accommodation, please make a reservation upon arrival. If you have time you can arrange a guide (via the hotel) who can show you the surroundings.
** Approximate driving is over 3.5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Todgha Gorges - Rissani - Merzouga Erg Chebbi dunes
This morning, you enjoy your breakfast listening to birds just outside, then, you get in your rental car and leave the Todra Valley to head towards the desert dunes. It’s a beautiful route where the landscape changes constantly. The driving distance today is about 210 km, but keep in mind that the average speed is not higher than 60 km per hour.
From the Todra valley, you drive back to Tinerhir to take the road towards Tinejdad and to Merzouga via Rissani. Pay close attention to the signs along the road for the exit of your Kasbah/Auberge where you will stay in a beautiful tent next.
It's your chance this evening to ride your camel and explore the surrounding dunes near your accommodation for a wonderful sunset experience; take some memorable photos and enjoy some free time walking or even jumping :)
** Approximate driving is over 3.5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Merzouga - Ouarzazate
If you are an early riser you'll be rewarded with a sunrise just outside your tent facing the sand dunes. Nearby, Khamleya is a traditional Saharan village (with its people originally from Mali). Here, if the time allows, you better check the time of your time, you can enjoy traditional music, drumming, and dancing before you leave toward your final destination which is the peaceful palm grove of Agdz where your traveling time slows and let you live the nature you seek after the last night in the Sahara dune camp.
From Rissani you follow the road taking you to Alnif. The landscape along the way is a mixture of desert and wild-west. It's totally different from the road you took to the Sahara. It is very quiet. So, turn on your music and head the road to your charming Kasbah where a beautiful room is waiting for you. The soon you arrive and park your rental car, you can make the reservation for your dinner and why not a traditional Hammam as well if available. It's the right time to get your energy back and get the sense of this special body treatment.
** Approximate driving is 4.5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Agdz - Tazenakht - Taliouine - Taroudant
You wake up and enjoy your tasty breakfast. Then, you get into your rental car and travel to the next destination, Taroudant. It is framed by ramparts and has a great legacy and a rich history. Here the bustle of modern life blends seamlessly with heritage and tradition. The souks know a lot of activity which gives you the chance to wander through the alleys, bargain with the shopkeepers, and, most importantly, walk to the stalls to appreciate the variety and quality of local foods and handicrafts. Also, the leather here is particularly well known the same as the Berber, or Amazigh jewelry.
Just before arriving at Taroudant, you will have the opportunity to stop at some local towns which are a must to visit. You first arrive at Tazenakht which is well knows by its locally made carpets that will steal your heart from you for sure. They are made by the local women who are highly trained and committed to working on those amazing products. The next stop will be at Taliouine where you will notice people are speaking of Safran and its locally made products which are very precious to the locals especially that this is their source of income, and they are very proud of it.
We have no doubts you will love it here!
** Approximate driving is over 5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Taoudant - Agadir - Essaouira
Finally, it's the time to visit Essaouira city once known as Mogador and also as the bride of the Atlantic. But, first, after an hour and a half driving, you will arrive at Agadir where you might have a short stop to visit either its main Souk El Had or the beach for a café and enjoy some sun.
When you are ready, you can keep on toward your final destination. This evening, you will drop your rental car off and enjoy the peace in your accommodation. You can also take a quiet walk in the shade of its ramparts, which also stand-in for the walls of Astapor, the red city on the television series "Game of Thrones". Climb to the top of them and retrace a watchman's rounds: from here you can see the Iles Purpuraires and the hawks and seagulls that soar over the nature preserve. In the distance, surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing fanatics can't get enough of the quality winds!
You just need to enjoy it and be culturally enriched: the mesmerizing Essaouira-Mogador is a destination that offers you 1,001 dreams you seek!
** Approximate driving is 4.5 hours (stops are NOT included).
Essaouira at your own leisure
Today there is no need to wake up early. It's your relaxation day where you are allowed to treat yourself as royals. So, take all the chances you have because you earned it :)
Essaouira has more than its natural, untamed beauty to win your heart. Here, in the place once known as Mogador, prepare to be wowed by the skill of the town’s craftsmen, who are among the most talented in all Morocco. Strolling under the Scala along the blockhouses of the old fort is a great way to admire the cabinetmakers and inlayers as they work thuja wood, silver and copper wire, mother of pearl or camel bone with equal parts dexterity and ingenuity.
Its standing as a city at the crossroads of civilizations also makes Essaouira a beloved place for artists. There are various galleries to celebrate beauty and creativity, and its myriad beauties are sure to blow you away!
Essaouira - Marrakech Airport
Your trip to Morocco has come to an end already!
We hope that you have had a pleasant stay and looking forward to welcoming you again in the future. Your driver takes you to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight.
We wish you a safe flight back home!
** Approximate driving is 3 hours (stops are NOT included).
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Tours |
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10 Days / 9 Nights |
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Everyday |
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French, English, Germany. |
Destination city | Marrakech |
Departure city | Marrakech |
City of Passage |