South Morocco #2 – Marrakesh & The Sahara Desert

This day is all about arriving and getting your first taste of Marrakesh. We recommend aiming for a flight that lands around noon. After we pick you up at the airport, we’ll head to the hotel to drop off your luggage and grab lunch by the main square. We’ll then start our 2.5-3 hour guided walking tour through the Medina, including a stop at a traditional Moroccan pharmacy. That evening we’ll organize an optional traditional welcome dinner to set the tone for the days ahead. Want to study up on what you’ll be eating? Check out our Moroccan food guide.

Our day begins with a hotel breakfast (included) so we can fill up before heading out! This day we will be passing through Ouarzazate, also known as the “Door of the Desert” and the Atlas Mountains. We will stop in Tizi n’Tichka for some amazing panoramic picture opportunities and continue South following the 6km track that leads to the village of Aït Ben Haddou, famous for its Kasbah (which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and where several famous movies and series, such as Gladiator I and II, Game of Thrones and more recently The Odyssey were filmed. Then we will continue to the Rose Valley where our accommodation will be waiting for us. Dinner for this evening will be included at our hotel.

After a complimentary breakfast, we’ll continue on a route filled with beautiful scenery and unforgettable Kasbahs (Islamic Fortresses), each one unique from the next. We will then arrive at one of the most iconic places in the South of Morocco: the Todra Canyon. Cliff walls of epic proportions and immense beauty surround the channel of the River Todra; it’s a climber’s paradise!

Time to head to the Sahara Desert. After selecting some traditional Berber gear from our favourite local shop, we will take our essentials and head to our Berber camp just at the entrance of the desert. We will take our camels out to the dunes where we will have the chance to sandboard and catch the sunset over the Sahara before heading to dinner at the camp. You can climb the dunes near the camp with a warm cup of tea and enjoy the peace and quiet of the desert and relax after the adventure-filled day. Finally, we’ll be spending the night in luxury Berber tents, under a spectacular canopy of stars.

On this day, you’ll have the chance to hop on a quad (ATV) and take the dunes for a spin. It’s an optional add-on (to be paid in cash during the trip), but if you’re up for a little adventure, it’s a perfect way to feel the desert air on your skin. Imagine cruising over the sands with your friends, the sun setting behind you.

We’ll also be throwing a party right there in the dunes. We’ll have music playing and a great setup to enjoy the night in a pretty unique setting. It’s definitely going to be one of the highlights of the trip.

After an unforgettable night in the desert we start with an early climb to the closest dune, to catch a glimpse of the sun rising over the dunes. Then a filling breakfast before we kick off a full day on the road as we head back to Marrakesh.

Important: Our drive back to Marrakesh will take the entire day. This means we won’t get back to Marrakesh before 20:00/21:00. Please keep this in mind before making any plans for this evening.

In the evening you will be free to wander the plaza and enjoy the many available options!

Our final day begins with a relaxed breakfast at the hotel to fuel up for our last few hours in Morocco.

This morning is all about enjoying the city at your own pace. Whether you want to visit a monument you missed, treat yourself to a traditional hammam, or hit the souks for some last-minute gifts (be sure to check out our guide on the best souvenirs to bring home!), the time is yours.

We will have free time until our shuttles take us to the airport for our different departure flights. For those who have booked an optional extra night in Marrakesh, don’t worry, an airport transfer will be organized for you the following day.