Highlights

• Scenic drive from the Atlantic coast into Morocco’s interior via argan forests and the Souss Valley

• Explore Taroudant, a walled medina known as “Little Marrakech”

• Journey through the saffron-producing region of Taliouine and the Berber rug village of Taznakht

• Drive along the palm-filled Draa Valley and admire ancient kasbahs and oasis towns

• Sunset camel trek into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi and overnight in a luxury desert camp

• Experience Berber music and traditional dinner under the stars in the Sahara

• Optional sandboarding, fossil site visits, and nomad encounters in the Merzouga region

• Explore the dramatic Todra Gorge and the winding roads of the Dades Valley

• Visit iconic film locations in Ouarzazate and the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou

• Cross the scenic High Atlas Mountains via Tizi-n-Tichka Pass

• End your journey with a coastal return to Essaouira via Marrakech

What's Included

• Private transport in an air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan

• Hotel or riad pick-up in Essaouira and drop-off in Essaouira

• English-speaking driver/guide throughout the tour

• 3 nights in boutique hotels or guesthouses (private rooms with en-suite)

• 2 nights in a luxury desert camp (private tent with en-suite)

• Sunset and sunrise camel rides in the Erg Chebbi dunes

• Traditional Berber music and campfire experience in the desert

• Dinner and breakfast at all accommodations

• Bottled water and traditional Moroccan tea at the camp

• Scenic stops, cultural visits, and photo opportunities along the way

Not Included

• Lunches

• Local guides

• Entrance fees

• Tips

Itinerary

Day 1: Essaouira to Taroudant

Depart the Atlantic coast and begin your journey inland, passing through the rolling argan forests of the Souss plain. If the season is right, you might spot goats climbing the argan trees. Drive south past Agadir, then veer inland toward Taroudant, a charming fortified city often nicknamed “Little Marrakech” for its red walls and lively souks. Once there, wander the bustling medina, visit the ancient ramparts, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the palm-shaded gardens. Dinner and overnight in a traditional riad within the old city walls.

Day 2: Taroudant to Agdz (via Taliouine and the Anti-Atlas)

After breakfast, set out through the dramatic landscapes of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, where jagged peaks and hidden valleys create a truly unique backdrop. Stop in Taliouine, famous for its saffron farms — you can visit a small saffron cooperative to learn about this precious spice. Continue your drive through the desert landscapes of the south, with a scenic stop in Taznakht, a village known for its Berber rugs. By afternoon, descend into the lush Draa Valley, a ribbon of green lined with palm trees and ancient kasbahs. Reach the peaceful town of Agdz, where the river meets the desert, and settle into a tranquil kasbah-style guesthouse.

Day 3: Agdz to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Desert)

Begin your journey deeper into the Sahara, driving along the fertile Draa Valley, flanked by towering palm groves and mudbrick villages. Pass through Nkob, known for its 45 kasbahs, and make your way through arid plateaus and rocky plains toward Rissani, a historic desert town once ruled by the Alaouite dynasty. After a break, reach Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. Here, trade your vehicle for a camel and trek into the vast golden sands, arriving at your luxury desert camp just before sunset. Enjoy mint tea, dinner under the stars, and Berber drumming around the campfire.

Day 4: Merzouga Desert Exploration

Wake to the sight of the rising sun casting shadows on the dunes, followed by a hearty breakfast. The day is yours to explore the desert region: visit nearby fossil quarries and workshops in Erfoud, meet a nomadic family over tea, or venture across the dunes in a 4x4. If you’d like, try sandboarding or simply relax and take in the solitude of the desert. Depending on your pace, you can spend this night either at the edge of the dunes in Merzouga or return to your camp for another magical evening under the stars.

Day 5: Merzouga to Ouarzazate (via Todra & Dades Gorges)

After breakfast, leave the desert behind and head toward the spectacular Todra Gorge, where 300-meter-high cliffs tower above a narrow canyon floor. Enjoy a short walk or a break near the river before continuing through the Dades Valley, known for its twisted rock formations and the winding “Monkey Fingers” road. Pass traditional Berber villages and rose-filled oases as you continue west through Skoura, a palm oasis dotted with crumbling kasbahs like Amridil. Arrive in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara and the filming location for countless movies. Overnight in a comfortable riad or boutique hotel.

Day 6: Ouarzazate to Essaouira (via Marrakech)

Today you’ll begin the long but scenic return west, crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the dramatic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop at panoramic viewpoints and, if time allows, take a short detour to visit the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Marrakech, where you can pause for lunch or a brief exploration, then head west toward Essaouira, arriving in the early evening to conclude your unforgettable journey across Morocco’s diverse landscapes.