Morocco Explorer: Desert Tour, Mountains & Culture

Upon your arrival at Marrakech Airport (RAK), our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax after your flight, settle in, and explore at your leisure. Additional nights before the tour can be arranged upon request. If you arrive early, visit the famous Djemaa el-Fna Square to enjoy Moroccan street food and experience the vibrant atmosphere with street performers and local vendors.

Start your day in Marrakech, the city’s second oldest Imperial City, with a morning tour of its key attractions. Visit the Menara Garden, the intricately designed Bahia Palace, the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, and the Dar Si Said Museum. After a lunch break at the hotel, spend the afternoon exploring the bustling old city center, where aromatic souqs and handicraft quarters offer an authentic taste of Morocco. The tour concludes at the vibrant Djemaa el-Fna Square, which is a must-see again in the evening for its lively street food stalls, musicians, and entertainers.

After breakfast, we depart from Marrakech and embark on a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tich'n'Tichka pass at 2260m altitude. Descending from the mountains, we visit Ait Benhaddou, Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site featured in numerous films. In the afternoon, we continue our journey through Ouarzazate and Kalaa Mgoune, arriving in Tinghir for an overnight stay.

Today, we leave Tinghir and head towards Erfoud, passing the impressive Todra Gorge with rock faces up to 250m high. Erfoud lies on the edge of the renowned Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Enjoy a 4x4 drive into the dunes before returning to your accommodation in Erfoud for the night.

You have two options for tonight. The standard tour includes a stay in an Erfoud hotel, with a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunrise or sunset. Alternatively, you can opt for a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunset, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at a comfortable Berber camp on the edge of the dunes.

You can rise early to witness an amazing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, either by taking a walk or a camel ride if you're staying in the desert camp. If you're at the hotel in Erfoud, you can opt for a 4x4 ride into the desert to enjoy the sunrise on the dunes.

After breakfast, we'll leave the desert and visit the impressive Tinjdad Oasis before heading to the Dades Canyon near Tinghir, where towering rocks reach up to 250 meters. Our journey continues along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,' passing through Kalaat M’Gouna and the Skoura Valley, eventually arriving at Ouarzazate, also known as the 'place of no noise.' This dramatic landscape, home to the famous Atlas movie studios, has been featured in many well-known films. In the afternoon, we'll take a short tour of the city before having dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we'll cross the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka pass again, heading back to Marrakech. You'll have the afternoon free to explore the souqs and bazaars for last-minute sightseeing and souvenir shopping. In the evening, enjoy your final night in Djemaa el-Fna Square after dinner at the hotel.

Our thrilling week in Morocco concludes today. Enjoy some free time until your airport transfer for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you can opt for additional activities like an early morning hot air balloon flight (lasting about 4 hours with 1 hour in the air) or a full-day excursion to the Ourika Valley, including lunch. You can also extend your stay in Marrakech with extra nights to enjoy these options or explore the city further.