Southern Morocco: The Sahara, The Coast & Marrakech
12 days, Marrakech to Marrakech
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Marrakech to Ouarzazate
Arrival Day. Make your way to the joining hotel for a brief welcome meeting before driving to Ouarzazate for an overnight stay at our accommodations there. Please arrive at the hotel meeting point before 2:30PM.
Please plan for your flight to arrive at the airport in Marrakech no later than 12:30PM.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins. After a brief welcome meeting, where your CEO will review the details of your tour you'll be on your way to Ouarzazate.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Les Jardins de Ouarzazate (or similar)
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Ouarzazate to Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp
In the morning before leaving the group will explore the famous atlas film studios in Ourzazate and learn a bit about the film making in Morocco. Drive to Zagora and then to Mhamid. From there head out into the Sahara desert for two nights of camping under the stars. The walk will take about two hours and we will arrive at the camp around sunset. Enjoy a cup of tea and watch the colors change in the sky as the sun slips below the horizon.
From Ourzazate we drive to Zagora along rural roads. In Mhamid (Oulad Edriss) we meet the local crew and start the desert journey to Erg Lihoudi. Any luggage will be brought to camp by jeeps. Dinner will be served fireside.The camp is in Erg Lihoudi. Our camps will be comfortable, but still somewhat basic. You’ll see some spectacular night skies.
Atlas Film Studios Tour
Discover the sets of blockbusters from years past at Atlas Film Studios, the largest film studio in the world. Get behind-the-scenes access to the sets and props used in the making of films like Raiders of the Lost Arc and Gladiator (2000), as well as TV show Game of Thrones. Wander past jetplanes, through a colosseum, and into a tomb as your guide reveals the scenes that they were used in and how they were built.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Desert Walk
Head out into the vast landscape of the Sahara, one of the world's largest deserts and walk along the sand dunes around you. Make sure to bring your camera for some fantastic photos of the desert's formidable landscape of sand.
Overnight at a Desert Camp
After travelling by foot into the desert enjoy some tea and watch the sunset near our desert camp for the night. Eat dinner around the fire and enjoy a quiet night beneath the starry skies.
Accommodation
Hotel Zagour - Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Erg Lihoudi Desert Camp to Bertam Oasis.
Wake up to a stunning sunrise, enjoy some breakfast at camp and then start the day. This is our second day of the Berber desert journey. Then you have a choice of walking or riding a camel to our lunch stop. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sahara as you travel like people have for millenniums. After lunch we’ll enter the 21st century again and travel to the next desert camp by 4x4. Arrive at the oasis of Bertam to catch sunset before having dinner fireside with stories and music.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Berber Desert Journey
Today you have the choice to walk or ride a camel. Its about a two to three hour walk or ride ride until we reach our lunch stop. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sahara as you travel like people have for centuries.
Bertam Oasis Overnight
After travelling by foot, camel, and 4x4 we'll arrive at the Bertam Oasis. This temporary overnight camp is more basic, and has been set up just for the group. Catch another desert sunset, enjoy dinner and stories around a fire and spend another night in tents under the stars.
Accommodation
Chez Belhou: Mobile desert Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Bertam Oasis to Skoura
After another sunrise out in the desert and some breakfast at camp the group will travel to Zagora by 4x4. Enjoy some free time to shower, freshen up, and relax by the hotel pool after our Sahara adventure. After lunch continue on to Skoura. Explore this oasis city famed for its date palms. Have dinner as a group in Skoura.
4x4
Roads? Where this rough-and-ready vehicle's going, we don't need roads.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take advantage of some free time in Zagora to freshen up at the hotel. Grab a hot shower washing the desert dust away and spend some time by the pool before lunch. It's the perfect way to feel refreshed after our desert adventure.
Free Time
Wander the town, visit the palm plantations, visit the markets, and imagine discovering this haven after days or months travelling through the desert.
Accommodation
Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Skoura/Marrakech
Travel back to Marrakech and enjoy free morning to see the city. In the afternoon the group will attend a cooking demonstration and learn how to make tanjia, a different form of tagine.
We'll make the dish and seal it in the clay pot to cook overnight in the hamman. Then, explore the various food vendors in the Medina with your CEO and learn about the different ingredients. End the day with evening tea on the rooftop terrace overlooking the main square of Jemaa El Fnaa.
Your Foodie Moment: Tanjia Cooking Class
Not to be confused with the popular tagine, "tanjia" is distinct to Marrakech and one of the best local experiences for any traveller. Learn the history and culture behind this dish, then head to the market to pick up a clay vessel called tanjia - which the dish is named after - and the ingredients you will need, traditionally some meat and spices. Drop off your tanjia at the neighbourhood "furan" or communal oven to have it cooked in the ashes that heat the nearby hammam. The next day, pick up your tanjia and enjoy a delicious meal with the group.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Marrakech, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like practice your barter skills with a local merchant, get lost in the medina, and explore the gardens of Jardin Majorelle. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Musée de Marrakech
50MAD per personWander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
El Badi Palace
70MAD per personVisit the ruins of what was once the most ornate palace of the 16th-century. Its sunken gardens and pools give a glimpse into its former glory.
Marrakech Hammam Visit
500MAD per personVisit a hammam, a great way to get squeaky clean and soothe sore muscles. Enjoy a body scrub and massage in a traditional Moroccan bathhouse. Begin with a dry or hot room to prepare your skin and body, followed by a hot steam room. Then enjoy a body scrub and massage followed by a traditional mint tea.
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Marrakech
Visit the important sites within the medina this morning. Make stops to Jardin Secret and Bahia Palace. End the morning adventure with a trip to the bakery to learn a brief introduction into Moroccan bread making, then have a taste.
Collect your tanjia lunch on the way back to the Riad. Enjoy your own cooking as lunch on the terrace. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Marrakech on your own. Don't miss a chance to visit Jardins Majorelle with their vibrant blue garden houses and thriving plants.
Marrakech Medina Guided Tour
Enjoy a guided tour of the Medina in which you will make stop to Jardin Secret and Bahia Palace. End the tour with a stop at the bakery to grab some Moroccan bread to go with your tanjia lunch.
Free Time
Explore Marrakech on your own. Go back to the food stalls in the Medina, or visit the Djemaa El Fna Market in search of souvenirs.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Musée de Marrakech
50MAD per personWander around the salons of the ornate Mnebhi Palace displaying various collections of Moroccan art forms.
Djemaa El Fna Market Square Walk
Wander past fresh orange juice stalls and water sellers in colourful costumes reminiscent of an era past. See storytellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines as the day progresses. When the sun sets, the square fills with dozens of food stalls, and is packed with locals, entertaining chefs, and waiters.
Koubba Ba’adiyn
40MAD per personVisit one of the lasting relics preserved after the destructive Almohad rule - a 12th-century shrine displaying the sophistication of earlier Almoravid architecture and design.
El Badi Palace
70MAD per personVisit the ruins of what was once the most ornate palace of the 16th-century. Its sunken gardens and pools give a glimpse into its former glory.
Jardins Majorelle
200MAD per personVisit this enchanting garden in the heart of the city designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). Follow the pathways through trees, exotic plants, streams, and pools while watching the numerous birds who call this peaceful paradise home. (Please note that the entrance fee to Musée Yves Saint Laurent is an additional 30 MAD.)
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Marrakech
Set out on a full day excursion to Ouzoud, a beautiful oasis waterfall near the Atlas Mountains. Walk up the stairs to the top of the falls and enjoy breathtaking views of the flowing water. After a delicious lunch right near the falls the group will travel back to Marrakech. Enjoy a local dinner in the heart of Jamee Lafna Square.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ouzoud Waterfalls Visit
Travel to North Africa's highest multi-tiered waterfalls. At a height of 360ft (110m), the Ouzoud Falls are named after "the act of grinding grain" in Amazigh culture.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Riad Chambres d'Amis Marrakesh (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Marrakech/Agadir
Take advantage of a free morning in Marrakech to do some walking around and maybe shop in the medina for spices and Moroccan pottery. Depart for Agadir in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, visit Souk Lhad, the local market and have dinner on your own from one of the many food stalls.
Souk El Had Visit
Souk Lhad is the biggest souk (market) in Morocco’s city of Agadir. A popular place with locals and tourists alike. There are about 6,000 different stalls with vendors selling a wide assortment of Moroccan items from clothing and rugs to fresh fruits and vegetable. Wander the stalls, find some delicious treats to try, and soak in the beautiful atmosphere of a bustling market in Morocco.
Free Time
Marrakech's lively and bustling atmosphere is just waiting to be enjoyed. Wander through the Medina searching for the best North African flavours and spices to add to your home collection. You can shop for a carpet, a lamp, or pottery while trying Moroccan delicacies along the way. You could visit Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, or relax in the Hammams.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Hotel Aferni Agadir (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Agadir/Sidi Kaouki
Today we go local. Drive to Sidi Kaoukki and walk along Tamri beach to take in the views of the shoreline and rock formations before an exhilerating sandboarding experience on the nearby towering dunes. Finish the journey to Sidi Kaouki for lunch and take part in a cooking class with a local family. After lunch, have tea on the terrace and end the day with free time to simply go for a walk along the beautiful waterfront of this small fishing town or stroll down the beach and search for the perfect place to watch sunset.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tamri Beach Sandboarding
Tamri Beach is a coastal haven that captivates with its unique blend of beauty and adventure. Stroll along the pristine shoreline, where time has sculpted mesmerizing rock formations. Venture further to discover towering sand dunes that invite the thrill of sandboarding. The golden slopes offer an exhilarating experience, a perfect fusion of adrenaline and joy.
Your Foodie Moment: Local Lunch and Traditional Cooking Demonstration
Visit a local family for lunch, a regional cuisine cooking class, and a bread making experience with the hosts. After lunch, enjoy a tea on the terrace then end the day with the opportunity to walk along the beautiful beach of this small fishing town that is quickly becoming a favorite with surfers.
Accommodation
Dar Afoulky Sidi Kouaki (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 10Sidi Kaouki/Oualidia
Travel to Oualidia today with a few stops en route. First up is Essaouira for a visit to this historic walled city. Spend time in the old city and oldest international port city in Morocco. Choose to grab some lunch or visit the beach and sample some of the fresh fish dishes prepared by the local food stalls along the water. Then continue further north to Safi, famous for having the largest pottery market in Morocco. See the old town and the Ceramic Market. You’ll arrive in Oualidia in the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Essaouira City Visit
Essaouira has a very spirited vibe. This walled city is the oldest international port city in Morocco. It's also home to a colourful harbour with a lively, bustling medina.
Safi Visit
Safi is a must stop to see the largest pottery market in Morocco, which features some of the best examples of Moroccan pottery. Browse through some the beautiful inventory here and enjoy the hum of constant activity around you. Afterwards pay a visit to the old town and the ceramics market.
Accommodation
Hotel L'Hippocampe Oualidia (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Oualidia
Enjoy a full free day in Oualidia. Here the beach is beautiful and there’s a lagoon that allows for a more quiet area for swimming away from the surf. Later in the day choose to go to the OSTREA oyster farm for a farewell dinner overlooking the beach. In the evening if the weather is permits, the group will enjoy the sunset.
Free Time
Spend the day in this sleepy little village. Overlooking a truly beautiful coastal lagoon, Oualidia serves as a wonderful place to enjoy the happy and tranquil living here in Morocco. There's a large variety of outdoor activities like swimming, birdwatching, and surfing. Kayak rentals and standup paddle board rentals are available.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
OSTREA Oyster Farm Visit
Oualidia is known as Morocco's oyster capital along with their lagoon and shellfish farming. Visit the OSTREA Oyster Farm and try some of these uniquely flavoured oysters and learn all about the cultivation process.
Accommodation
Hotel L'Hippocampe Oualidia (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Oualidia/Marrakech
After breakfast transfer back to Marrakech, about three hours from Ouilidia, arriving around 12pm. The tour ends on arrival to the airport or at the Marrakech hotel for those have booked post-tour nights.
Please do not book departing flights any earlier than 4PM.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.