Explore south Morocco ¦ From the colorful chaotic medinas of Marrakesh, venture on a journey to explore the depths of local civilization, and then enjoy the golden sandy landscape of the Sahara Desert in a wild area Erg Chegaga.
The best time to visit is .
Brief Itinerary for South Morocco & Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakesh Tour
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marrakech Arrival and City Exploration |
| Day 2 | Discover Marrakech a Feast for the Eyes |
| Day 3 | Marrakech to Zagora | Capture Atlas Mountain Views on the Way |
| Day 4 | Zagora M'Hamid Erg Chegaga | Sahara Desert Adventure |
| Day 5 | Erg Chegaga Zagora Ouarzazate | See a Desert Sunrise and Aït Benhaddou |
| Day 6 | Ouarzazate Marrakech | Free Afternoon |
| Day 7 | Marrakech Free Day | Farewell Dinner |
| Day 8 | Marrakech Departure |
- Monica Mo
- 8 years of travel advisor experience
- Has helped 5,000+ clients
Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Highlights Travel (HT Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Highlights Travel (Only With HT) included in this tour:
Ride a Horse-Drawn Carriage Inside and Outside Marrakesh's City Wall
If you want to submerge yourself in the historical and cultural side of Marrakesh, the medina (old city) is a must-see place. The best way to explore it is by taking a horse-drawn carriage ride inside and outside the city wall.
Discover the Architectural Highlights of Marrakesh
Admire the splendor of Bahia Palace, and visit Koutoubia Mosque, which is considered to be a true masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Drive over the Atlas Mountains to Enjoy Contrasting Views
You will cross the magnificent Tizi n'Tichka Pass and the stunning Draa Valley on the way from Marrakesh to Zagora, as well as a succession of oases and impressive kasbahs (citadels).
Meet a Local Family in a Small Village
Visit a local family in their home on the way from Zagora to the Sahara Desert, sit back to enjoy some tea and coffee, and learn more about Moroccan life in the countryside.
Enjoy a Dinner and Overnight Camping under the Stars in the Sahara
Experience a Bedouin tent camp. Enjoy an evening dinner under the starry sky with candle light and music performed by local desert musicians.
Visit Morocco's Most Impressive Kasbah Complex at Aït Benhaddou
Built around 1,000 years ago, the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most famous historic landmarks. Many famous movies and TV series including "A Game of Thrones" were filmed there.
Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration
Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful tour for you.
- Once you land at the airport in Marrakech in the morning local time, we will drive directly to your hotel and check in.
- Take a stroll through the Medina of Marrakesh. You will get a good introduction to the city there, perfect for your first day in Marrakech, as you take a horse-drawn carriage ride inside and outside of the city walls.
- On your journey, you can enjoy the beautiful Majorelle Garden, which until 2008 was maintained by the internationally-renowned stylist and fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
- After a long day with an early morning start, we expect you will be ready to return to your hotel in the afternoon, where you can enjoy warm service during a relaxing evening with a special welcome dinner.
- To start your day, there is a visit to the famous Koutoubia Mosque. Its majestic silhouette can be seen for miles around.
- From there you will be driven to the Saadian Tombs. They were built in the 1700s on top of the remains of former dynasties' burial sites.
- Then go on to Bahia Palace, which is considered one of the grandest palaces in the Morocco. You will be mesmerized by the 150-room citadel.
- Continue to explore the unique Jemaa el Fna Square with its lively folklore. The place is a true showcase for Moroccan traditions and is on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. From Jemaa el Fna, venture into the traditional markets which have a colorful array of items from for leatherware to spices.
- After breakfast, your day will start with a visit to the small town of Zagora. You will cross the magnificent Atlas Mountains, across Tizi n'Tichka, which with its 2,260 meters (7,420 feet) altitude traverses the highest mountain chain in North Africa. The road over the pass was built in the 1920s by the French colonial empire.
- Then drive through the Draa Valley, where you will experience fortified villages, where the people live as if time stood still a hundred years ago. The road south of Ouarzazate leads us across the desert plateau of Jbel Tifernine.
- After a short break at the small Berber town of Agdez angular and pale red, jutting out of the desert, and located at the edge of an idyllic palm-filled oasis, you will continue south towards Zagora.
- Along the way, the drive will pass a row of oases and impressive kasbahs, such as the elegant and well-preserved Timed Kasbah. Upon arriving at Zagora, where you will stay, a hearty dinner will be prepared for you.
- After breakfast, head out for an adventure in the desert. Here you head south along the road past the fortified little village of Tamegroute, where a group of Islamic scholars founded a school back in the 1800s. This school and its library are still in use, although it's in no way comparable to the greatness of the past.
- Later, pay a visit to a local family in their home in another small village called Tagounite. This is a highlight for many clients, as you will have an opportunity to see and experience the life of Moroccans in the countryside.
- After the family visitation, you will travel on to the Sahara, where you will experience the amazing sand dunes of M'Hamid.
- After lunch (optional), you will travel further into the desert by jeep. Spend the night in a real Bedouin tent camp. There you will experience dinner under the open and starry sky, surrounded by candlelight, where you can sit back, relax, and be entertained by local desert musicians.
- This is a real and authentic One-Thousand-and-One-Nights-style adventure!
- Rise early in the morning to soak in the awesome sunrise before breakfast. Afterward, you will continue to Ouarzazate, originally founded by the French Foreign Ministry in 1928.
- On the way, you will visit Morocco's most impressive kasbah complex at Aït Benhaddou, where scenes for numerous Hollywood productions, from "Laurence of Arabia" to "The Jewel of the Nile" and "Gladiator" were filmed. The Aït Benhaddou kasbah, which is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites, is set on a bright reddish sandstone hill overlooking the Mellah River.
- After lunch (optional) at a local restaurant with panoramic views of the Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, you will continue to Ouarzazate, where you will stay the night. Dinner will be served at your hotel.
- After some enriching days in Morocco's "Great South" you will return to Marrakech over the beautiful Tizi n'Tichka Pass. There, you could rest at your hotel or explore some more sights or markets. Your tour guide can give you some suggestions on how you can spend your evening.
- Day 7 is a free day for you to discover again the colorful markets and do any last-minute souvenir shopping.
- In the evening a farewell dinner has been arranged. You will be picked up and taken to an old 19th-century palace, which has been transformed into a traditional Moroccan restaurant. There you will be treated to a sumptuous meal and the lively entertainment of traditional dance and music.
- After breakfast at your hotel, your transfer to the airport awaits.
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.
|
Atlas Medina Hotel & Spa
|
La Petite Kasbah
|
Dar Chamaa
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Our Service Includes:
Groups of 4 or more enjoy a more competitive price.
- One-to-one consultancy
- Knowledgeable local guides
- Private drivers/driver guides and vehicles as listed
- Hand-picked hotels
- Breakfasts and meals as listed
- Entry to all attractions on the itinerary
- Transportation as listed
- A 24/7 helpline while traveling
Tour code: gh-mr-2