Grand Morocco Tours – 14 days from Marrakech to Essaouira and Sahara Desert
Day 01: Meet you at the airport:
Upon your flight arrival, our driver will be waiting to meet you at the airport. As we meet, we pick you up and drive to the hotel. Overnight will be in Marrakech.
Day 02: Marrakech – Essaouira:
In the morning we meet you in the reception going into a very fantastic nice trip discovering the sceneries of “Mogador” Essaouira. Along the road we will see a lot of Argan trees and goats climbing the trees. In order to have idea about the process of making oil, we will stop in women argan cooperative “optional”. During this tour you explore the old fortified fishing port of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. This Morocco-Portuguese town is the favorite of wind and kite surfers due to the shallow waters. Essaouira is typical of many small fortified Moroccan townships. In the past it was considered to be one of the most essential ports in Morocco, and still in certain manners. Essaouira is a world heritage city. Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 03: Essaouira – Agadir – Tiznit – Mirelft:
After you have your breakfast in the hotel, we pick you up leaving Essaouira to Mirelft. Our drive will take us along Atlantic Coast enjoying some panoramic views… we will drive through remoted villages hidden deep in mountains until we arrive to Agadir for an overview of the whole city, it is a very picturesque site. Our journey will lead us to drive by Tiznit and El Gzira beach to arrive to Mirelft. Spend overnight in the area.
Day 04: Mirelft – Tiznit – Taroudant:
Today we leave this amazing silent town heading off to Taroudant. We will drive back our same road all the way to Agadir, then shift right taking the direction to Taroudant. The town is known as the “Grandmother of Marrakech” because it looks like a smaller Marrakech with its surrounding ramparts. During the sixteenth century, the Saadi Dynasty briefly used Taroudant as a capital before it moved its royal seat onwards to Marrakesh. Today, the city has the feel of a small fortified market town on a caravan route. Most of local inhabitants are Berbers. Late afternoon, we arrive to our hotel.
Day 05: Taroudant – Taliouine – Ait Benhadou Kasbah:
Get up in the morning, have your breakfast and then get prepared to leave Taroudant for Ait Benhadou Kasbah. Our journey will take us via various small villages along the road until we arrive to Tilouine. This town is famous for producing safran. Later on, we continue our trip to our destination, Ait Benhadou. It is a UNESCO Heritage and very chosen site for so many Hollywood films such as: Gladiator and The Game of Thrones… We will explore the kasbah and walk through its alleys. We check into the hotel.
Day 06: Ait Benhadou Kasbah – Ouarzazate – Skoura Oasis – Dades Valley:
In the morning after the breakfast, we leave the hotel and drive further south to Ouarzazate. The city is known to be the capital of kasbahs as well the gateway to Sahara Desert. Ouarzazate has so many sites to offer such as Atlas Studio, Kasbah Taourirt and Cinema Museum. Again, the city is nicknamed the ‘African Hollywood’ because so many movies were filmed here. Later on, we leave Ouarzazate towards the beautiful Kasbah called « Amridil ». A kasbah dates back to the 17th century, believed to be built by Ennasiri Family. After so, we continue via Rose Valley which is known for all different products of rose such as: rose water, rose cream, rose oil…etc. Our journey will lead us to Dades Valley to arrive to a geological natural rock shapes called « monkey toes », then we persist to Dades Gorges which provide us with impressive view from the top of mountains. Overnight in Dades.
Day 07: Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Merzouga:
After having your breakfast, we re-start our trip to Sahara Desert. We will have to visit and see Todra Gorges which is a fabulous natural site worthy to see and have a walk through. After so, we make it to Sahara Desert via Erfoud, known to be the capital of dates and fossils. As we arrive to Merzouga, we shift the vehicle for dromedaries and get ready for adventure. The dromedaries will take us across Erg Chebbi dunes enjoying the sceneries of the area. The sunset view on top of the dunes will be the best experience ever. Arrive to the camp in the middle of dunes, we receive you with a cup of tea as hospitality. Dinner and breakfast will be served in your luxury camp. The tents are well equipped with all needs.
Day 08: Sahara Desert Sightseeing:
Wake up early in the morning to attend and enjoy a spectacular sunrise, when the color of the dunes and the play of shadows are an awesome sight. Set up over the dunes, waiting for the sun to rise and meanwhile feel the cold morning breeze are feelings you will not find elsewhere but here in the Desert. After so, back to the camp for breakfast and shower, then get ready for free day around Sahara Desert. You will have a unique opportunity to visit Gnaoua village “Black people” originally from Mali, Niger…. They will entertain you with their authentic instruments. After spending a worthwhile moment with Gnaoua; we drive deep in the Desert for a panoramic view that shows the contrast of golden dunes with black volcanic rocks. Later on, a cup of tea with nomad family is worth to explore the way they survive and feel the harshness of life for being a nomad. We follow our path to a left behind coal mine. Back to the village of Merzouga for lunch. Back to the hotel for free time. Night in the hotel.
Day 09: Free day in Merzouga:
Today will be dedicated to relax and enjoy spare time at the hotel. We do propose you desert activities such as quad & buggy ride.
Day 10: Merzouga – Draa Valley – Agdez – Ouarzazate:
After having your breakfast at the hotel, your luggage collected, then get ready to leave Sahara Desert for Ouarzazate. Upon our agreed time, we meet you at the reception and drive to Sijilmassa, one of the oldest towns in Morocco. If our visit to this town corresponds the day market (Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday), we will walk through the city. Later on, we continue along Berber villages like Alnif and Nkoub. Stop for lunch in one of local restaurants before we cross the palm groves of Draa. Our adventure persists with a panoramic view in Agdez and the breath-taking landscapes of Anti Atlas Mountains. Late afternoon, arrive to Ouarzazate. Check into your hotel.
Day 11: Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech:
Get up in the morning, have your breakfast and get ready to leave Ouarzazate. Before we leave, a short tour through the city is inevitable. Kasbah Taourirt, Cinema Museum as well as Atlas Studio are in our bucket-list for today. After doing so, we will take our way through the windy road of Atlas all the way to Marrakech. Early afternoon, arrive to Marrakech and check for the hotel.
Day 12: Marrakech tour:
After breakfast, our guide will meet us at the hotel’s reception to start the exploration of Marrakech “the red city of Morocco ”. During our walk tour, we will cover the main historical and cultural points that Marrakech is replete with. We will insist on to see the most essential heritage as Saadi Tombs (OPTIONAL), Koutoubia Mosque ‘External side”, Bahia Palace, the Souk of the city, and then we walk through the famous square of the medina… we will have lunch in one of the local restaurants right by the square. Free afternoon to walk the city on your own.
Day 13: Marrakech tour & hammam:
Today will be spent exploring more of that Marrakech has to offer. Our journey will take us out of old medina to visit Majorel Gardens, Menara Gardens, walk through the modern streets of modern area…we take you to a traditional hammam to relax. Around 06pm, we meet you again at the lobby and drive for a fantastic dinner with show. Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 14: Transfer to airport:
Upon the flight time, we pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the airport. End of our services.