Arrive Marrakech, depending on your time of arrival you will have the afternoon/evening to explore the wonders of Marrakech. Visit the Jemaa El Fna Square, the Old Medina, the Koutoubia Minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Botanical Gardens, the ruins of Elbadi Palace where you can see the tanners and dyers quarters, join the hustle and bustle and bargain in the souks or if you just want to sit back and get orientated, take a position in one of the many cafe’s & restaurants that border the main square and observe the madness beyond.

Where you’ll be staying

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

Embark on a picturesque journey into the enchanting High Atlas Mountains, driving for approximately 2 hours until you reach the captivating village of Imlil. Upon arrival, stow away your main luggage and transfer your essentials to pack mules. Begin a delightful 1-hour hike towards the serene village of Aroumd, perched on a rocky outcrop. As you ascend, be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring vistas of the High Atlas Mountains, and immerse yourself in the authentic Berber (Amazigh) culture that flourishes in this remote haven.

Prepare to spend a remarkable evening at a charming mountain gite, lovingly managed by a local family. Indulge in the warm embrace of traditional hospitality and savor the delectable flavors of authentic cuisine, accompanied by the comforting scent of woodstoves and freshly baked bread. Delight in the opportunity to explore the village and its idyllic farmlands, absorbing the tranquility of the surroundings. Weather permitting, those eager for adventure can embark on an optional hike of approximately eight kilometers, leading to the revered pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. This exhilarating journey, lasting around 4 hours in total, rewards hikers with breathtaking vistas and a profound sense of accomplishment.

Regardless of your fitness level, the unhurried pace of Aroumd invites you to wander and discover its treasures, providing a cherished escape from the trappings of the modern world.

Where you’ll be staying

• Gite (1 night)

Included Activities

• Atlas Mountains – Guided trek

Optional Activities

• Atlas Mountains – Mule ride MAD90

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Important Note:

If you plan to embark on the hike to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine, it is essential to have suitable footwear. Opt for a sturdy pair of walking shoes with a firm and slip-resistant sole. This will ensure your safety and comfort as you traverse the frequently used trails, which can be muddy and precarious.

During your stay at the homestay, please be aware that the facilities, including the bathroom and sleeping arrangements, are shared. However, despite this arrangement, you can expect a cozy, comfortable, and truly exceptional experience that is characteristic of Morocco Getaway

Today’s driving time is approximately 2 hours.

Journey along spectacular mountain roads and over Morocco’s highest pass, the Tizi n’Tichka (2260 m) to Ait Benhaddou on the barren edges of the Sahara. Centuries ago, Ait Benhaddou was an important stop for the caravans passing through as they carried salt across the Sahara, returning with gold, ivory and slaves. Today, its grand kasbah is still one of the most beautiful in all of Morocco and a World Heritage site. This fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture and is also famous for its role on the silver screen, featuring in numerous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile and Gladiator.

Why not join a simple cooking demonstration of Morocco’s most famous cuisine: couscous and tagine. Our local friends will explain the secrets and subtleties of these traditional meals as the ladies of the kitchen prepare a feast.

Where you’ll be staying

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Telouet – kasbah visit
• Ait Benhaddou – Kasbah guided tour
• Ait Benhaddou – Tawesna Tea Break

Optional Activities

• Ait Benhaddou – Cooking Demonstration & Dinner – MAD100
• Ait Benhaddou – Henna Tattoo – MAD55

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Special Note

Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Journey south towards the mighty Sahara, stopping en route in Ouarzazate. The film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate is the location where productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky and Black Hawk Down were filmed. Travel through the lush Draa Valley to Zagora, home to the famous ‘Tombouctou 52 Days’ sign. Zagora is known as the ‘doors of the desert’, as it’s the last town before the Draa River. This is a palmeraie town with great pottery and ceramic workshops on the way into the desert. Take a stroll through the palm groves of Amazrou, exploring the ksars and surrounding countryside.

Where you’ll be staying 

• Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Ouarazate – Atlas Movie Studios – MAD80
• Ouarzazate – Kasbah Taourirt – MAD20

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Special Note

Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Our route continues along the rugged, jagged and desolate Jbel Tadrart Mountain ranges taking us through seas of sand occasionally punctuated by lush oasis of date palms, to the interesting township of Tamegroute. Once a famous settlement and home to religious scholars since the 11th century, Tamegroute houses a shrine to its spiritual leader. Visit an intriguing library filled with ancient scripts of science, literature, the Koran and stories of the prophet Mohammed. We’ll also join a local friend to uncover the underground kasbah and its famous, but unique, ceramic pottery industry. A great spot to pick up a memorable souvenir. Drive on until we reach the end of the road at the frontier town of M’Hamid, take a short camel ride, with the dunes as a magical backdrop. Head into the dunes in 4WD vehicles. Our rough piste track runs parallel to the Algerian border, across stony Hamada desert whose only populace is small scatterings of hardy nomadic people and their camels, until we reach the massive Erg Chigaga dunes in the late afternoon.

Where you’ll be staying

• Desert camp (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tamegroute – Ancient Library
• Sahara Desert – Camel Ride
• Sahara Desert – 4WD to Erg Chigaga dunes
• Tamegroute – Underground kasbah guided tour

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Special Note

Our nomad-style camp is a simple affair with bedding and basic toilet facilities provided. Our local friends will prepare a hearty feast so all we have to do is soak up the experience. The camp consists of two large fixed traditional nomadic-style woollen tents. Our camp does provide blankets and simple mattresses but for extra warmth and your own comfort, you might like to bring your own sleeping bag in the winter months from November to March. Due to passenger feedback, all departures in the summer months of July and August use a slightly altered itinerary in the Sahara. We’ll take a 4WD safari to the remote Erg Chigaga dunes but instead of camping in the dunes, we stay at a fixed camp in Ouled Idriss. This camp is more comfortable and better suited during the high summer temperatures.

Rejoin our minivan and continue towards Oulad Berhil. This drive takes us through more superb desert scenery and along a route that’s a reserve for the indigenous argan trees – if we’re lucky we might come across the famous image of goats climbing these trees in search of their tasty nuts. Please note that this is a long travel day and we won’t arrive at our accommodation until late afternoon/early evening. Our riad tonight is 45 km outside of Taroudant and offers the chance to relax by the pool.

Where you’ll be staying

• Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Special Note

Today’s total driving time is approximately 7 hours.

This morning we’ll visit Taroudant en route to Essaouira. Taroudant is a vibrant market town located in the fertile Souss plains. With an energetic, bustling city centre this is a great opportunity to see an untouched traditional Berber lifestyle. The souks of the medina teem with sights, sound and colour, with terrific bargains to be found. Leave the valleys of the magical High Atlas Mountains behind and head towards the windswept Atlantic Coast and Essaouira.  The name Essaouira means image, which is appropriate since it’s such a picturesque town. Its charm is undeniable – within the stone ramparts you’ll find whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters, art galleries and wood workshops. This laidback artists’ town is a former Portuguese trading colony and was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations. The town faces a group of rocky islands – called the Mogador – and is surrounded by an expanse of sandy beaches and dunes.

Where you’ll be staying

• Riad (1 night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Special Note

Today’s driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Join our local guide for a walking tour through the UNESCO World Heritage medina, Jewish mellah, port and skala ramparts. You have some free time to soak up the romantic ambience. Everything in the small centre is within walking distance and the beach is clean. Wander the harbour and its adjacent fish markets where you can witness the daily auction. A freshly-cooked plate of the day’s catch is highly recommended. Browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries that make this little town a particularly pleasant place to unwind for a few days. It has a growing reputation for its unique art and is becoming even more famous for its burled Thuya wood – delicately formed and inlaid in tiny shops, which are built into the thick walls of the Portuguese ramparts. The scent from the oils used to polish the richly coloured wood permeates the air and makes walking down the streets incredibly pleasant.

Where you’ll be staying

• Riad (1 night)

Included Activities

• Essaouira – Tour leader walk

Optional Activities

• Essaouira – Hamam (public baths) – MAD200
• Essaouira – Berber Massage – MAD350
• Essaouira – Horse Riding – MAD250

Meals Included

• Breakfast

After breakfast we depart for Marrakech,  On arrival, meet with a local guide and head off to the old medina through an early voyage. Our visit is at the excellent Bahia Palace, an amazing manor fabricated in way back to 1866. It was a haven of ex-slaves who had ascended to positions prominence in the management of Moulay Hassan. Our investigation leads as to the peaceful internal patios, filled with the fragrance of orange bloom, and the numerous abolition spots and salons that incorporate a homely and rich abode. This is before heading back to the Djemaa El Fna. The remnants of the day is marked by further prodding the streets and leisure shopping in the bazaars.

Where you’ll be staying

• Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

• Marrakech – Palais El Badi
• Marrakech – Palais Bahia
• Marrakech – Medina guided walk tour
• Marrakech – Fresh orange juice tasting

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Note

Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Marrakech. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Marrakech at any time. Alternatively, join an post-tour extension to discover more of this fascinating country’s attractions. Speak to your Tour leader about extra activities to do around Marrakech.

Meals Included

• Breakfast