Arrival in Marrakech

Marrakech - Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival, a driver and guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to relax and recharge for the exciting week ahead, or embark on a brief city tour of Marrakech to get acquainted with the area. Consider visiting museums such as the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Berber Museum, along with the Majorelle Garden. Alternatively, indulge in a traditional hammam experience, which includes being covered in black beldi soap, exfoliated with a kessar mitt, and unwinding in a steam room.

As evening approaches, follow the enticing aromas to the food stalls in Jemaa el-Fna, the city’s iconic plaza bustling with markets, street food, and performers. Observe locals preparing authentic dishes and savor the flavors of Marrakech as the sun sets and street performers entertain.

Free Day in Marrakech

Marrakech - Discover the sights, sounds, and aromas of Marrakech on an optional half-day guided tour. Known as the “Red City,” you’ll understand why as you pass by the historic red sandstone walls and buildings. Your local guide will lead you through the vibrant and bustling medina (old town), starting at Jemaa el-Fna. From here, explore some of the best souks (markets), including spices at Souk el Attarin, Moroccan slippers at Souk Smata, brass, silver, and other blacksmith goods at Souk Haddadine, and dyed cloth at Souk des Teinturiers.

Next, visit the intricate woodwork and ornate ceilings of the Bahia Palace before heading to the city’s largest mosque, Koutoubia Mosque. The tour concludes with a visit to the 12th-century Menara Gardens, a UNESCO-protected historic public park. For a different perspective of the city, consider a sunrise hot air balloon ride, enjoying breakfast while taking in the desert landscape.

Mountain Hike in Imlil & Lunch with a Local Family

Imlil - The following day, transfer from Marrakech to your accommodation in Imlil in the High Atlas. Depart early and drive through a picturesque valley known for its lush meadows and beautiful green gardens. Even in winter, you’ll see various plants, shrubs, and trees. Stop in the city of Asni, home to 20,000 residents, playing a vital role for regional inhabitants. Every Saturday, the town hosts a weekly souk for exchanging goods and stocking up on food.

Continue driving between the hills of the Atlas Mountains and the Moulay Brahim Gorge, enjoying the stunning scenery. Your next stop is the village of Imlil in the heart of Toubkal National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a glass of mint tea with your guide before embarking on an easy hike to Armed, the highest and largest village in Imlil Valley.

Guided Hike in Imlil Valley

Imlil - Experience the breathtaking scenery of the Atlas Mountains and Mount Toubkal, standing at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). With a private hiking guide, enjoy a 3-4 hour walk within the Imlil Valley, meeting locals and learning about the area’s history. Take in the views as you pass forests, streams, and panoramic vistas. This easy hike will lead you through a couple of traditional Berber villages, where you can sit with locals and hear their stories.

Transfer to Skoura Oasis via Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate

Skoura - From Imlil, journey to the desert, crossing the High Atlas, where you can often see Mount Toubkal’s peak on a clear day. Observe Berber villages with traditional mud-brick homes, farmland, and village activities. En route, stop at Taddert for refreshments and visit the Argan Oil Co-operative to see the process and sample the oil. Near the top of the Tizi n’Tichka pass, enjoy panoramic views over the mountain range and the winding road down the mountainside.

As you descend, notice the climate becoming drier toward Ouarzazate, a rapidly growing town due to the movie industry. Here, you can tour one of two movie studios, showcasing landscapes across the desert, Africa, and the Middle East. Then, visit medieval Aït Benhaddou, Morocco’s most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its old ksour dating back to the 11th century.

Skoura Oasis Walk, Pottery Factory & Lunch with a Local Family

Skoura - Immerse yourself in Skoura’s unique culture. The southern regions of Morocco offer a green oasis of vegetation, ideal for quaint towns to flourish. A local guide will lead you on a leisurely one-hour walk through the area, stopping in villages to meet locals. Admire the unique architecture, listen to regional history stories, observe traditional farming techniques, enjoy live entertainment, and more. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the people and their lifestyles, including a visit to a traditional pottery factory and old kasbahs.

At lunchtime, join a family in their traditional home. While savoring local cuisine, learn more about Moroccan cooking and the history of this unique culture. Conclude your meal with an authentic tea ceremony, then return to your accommodation.

Transfer to Zagora via Saghro Mountains & Draa River Valley

Zagora - Meet your driver in the morning after breakfast and continue east to the charming city of Zagora. Cross the Jbel Saghro mountains through the Tizi n’Tinififft pass. Along the way, pass through Agdz, a bustling service center, before continuing into the fertile soils of the Draa River Valley. Follow the valley southward through dense palm tree clusters until reaching Zagora. Its prosperity, achieved from successful date cultivation, is evident in the wide central avenue and the quality of its buildings.

Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your accommodation to relax, rest, and prepare to explore Zagora’s palm groves.

Transfer to Erg Chigaga Desert

Erg Chigaga - After breakfast, explore Zagora and its surroundings. Visit the Jewish Quarter of Amzerou and the large palm groves, then continue toward the village of Mhamid. On the way, stop at Tamegroute, a 16th-century Saadian settlement, to see the Sufi zawiya, an underground kasbah, and a traditional green pottery factory, typical of this region. Mhamid marks the end of the Draa Valley and “the end of civilization.” Switch to a jeep for a 40-mile (65-km) off-road adventure through dunes, plateaus, and a lost oasis.

Pause for a picnic beneath palm trees in the Ras Nkhel oasis before continuing to Erg Chigaga, arriving just before sunset. Ride a camel to traverse the dunes, which shimmer in shades of red and yellow in the evening light.

Desert Adventures, Discover Nomadic Life

Erg Chigaga - In the heart of the wild regs (desert plateaus), join nomads in their daily search for grazing lands and water, and food preparation. Observe how they spend the night beneath wooden tents in the middle of nowhere, feed the camels and other animals, learn to weave a camel wool carpet, and cook using traditional utensils and a wood fire.

After your nomadic experience, ride your camel back to camp to enjoy the setting desert sun before dinner and retiring for the night.

Taroudant via Foum Zguid across the Anti-Atlas Mountains

Foum Zguid - Rise early to witness the first rays of sunshine over the desert, enjoy breakfast, and then set out in your 4WD to explore the old Paris-Dakar route to Foum Zguid. Cross Lake Iriqui, a dried-up salt lake in Iriqui National Park that becomes a swamp during rainy periods. In this unique park, you may spot wild animals, including lizards, snakes, gazelles, and possibly hyenas. Stop for lunch in the Berber village of Taznakht, then continue over the Anti Atlas Mountains to Taroudant.

Taroudant, a caravan city known as “Little Marrakech” or “Grandmother of Marrakech,” features high city ramparts, a historic old town, and lively souks reminiscent of its namesake. Take some time to explore before settling into your riad (house with a garden/courtyard).

Explore Taroudant, Transfer to Essaouira via Agadir

Taroudant - Spend today exploring Taroudant’s surrounding ramparts and historic medina, the town’s highlight. Admire the old walls and gates like Bab Selsla, Bab Targont, and Bab Ouled Bounouna. Walk or bike around the walled town’s perimeter. Then, head into the souks and browse the artisan shops. You’ll also find tanneries similar to those in Fes and Marrakech. Stop for a meal at a restaurant or café, or enjoy mint tea in one of the hotel gardens. Outside Taroudant, visit Agadir Tasguent. An easy hike leads to an old fortress with exceptional views, or visit the mansion, Palais Claudio Bravo.

In the afternoon, travel west to Agadir on the Atlantic coast and north to Essaouira, the “white pearl.” Explore this quaint artists’ town, a peaceful contrast to bustling Marrakech.

Private Morning Cooking Class in Essaouira

Essaouira - Discover Morocco’s flavorful cuisine with a cooking class at a traditional riad in Essaouira. With a local chef and culinary enthusiast, learn to prepare one of Morocco’s most popular and authentic dishes: tajine. This dish is named after the signature ceramic pot used to cook it. Typically, tajine features meats, vegetables, and/or fruit, such as dates or apricots, to add sweetness to its savory flavors. This hands-on experience concludes with a delicious lunch, a conversation with your host, and a cup of traditional mint tea.

The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the charming and historic city of Essaouira on your own. If you’d like to include an additional activity, consider an ATV adventure, a traditional spa and hammam experience, sandboarding just outside the city, horseback riding, or a windsurfing/kitesurfing lesson.

Return to Marrakech, Food Tour, Henna or Babouche Workshop

Marrakesh - As you transfer from Essaouira to your accommodation in Marrakech, watch for goats in the nearby argan trees. Goats naturally climb the trees to eat their fruit and leaves, but many farmers now “encourage” them to do so, as passing travelers have become an additional income source.

Upon arrival, settle into your lodging before heading into the vibrant Marrakech for a private food tour through the city’s medina. Taste 10 traditional delicacies, ranging from Morocco’s unique sweets to an authentic and savory tajine. Learn about the country’s essential ingredients, cooking techniques, and culinary culture. Alternatively, participate in a henna workshop to learn how to draw designs on your hands, arms, or feet, or learn to design and craft your own babouche (traditional slippers).

Departure from Marrakech

Marrakech - This morning, after breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for one last stroll through Jemaa el-Fna before transferring to the airport for your departing flight.

• 13-night accommodation
• Inclusive of breakfast
• Dinner provided
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Tips
• Lunches

Embark on a 14 day journey starting and concluding in the vibrant city of Marrakech that takes you deep into the heart of Southern Morocco. Experience the High Atlas firsthand as you interact with local Berbers and explore the Imlil Valley, followed by a visit to the historically significant Aït Benhaddou after crossing Tizi n’Tichka. Heading further south, you’ll experience a night in Skoura and a trek through its captivating oasis, coupled with a camping experience amidst the Erg Chigaga dunes. Then, travel west to the lesser-known city of Taroudant, located beyond the Anti Atlas. Finally, unwind in Essaouira, situated on the Atlantic Coast, with some relaxation time and a tajine cooking class.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.