9 Days Private Mountains and Deserts Discovery Tour in Morocco

Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech

1. Marrakech
   4h
   We will pick you from Marrakech airport and take you to your locally owned riad in the magical medina of Marrakech.
   
   Founded in the 11th century and renowned for its treasure trove of mosques, palaces, and museums, Marrakesh is the most visited of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. At its heart is the medina, the original walled settlement around which the rest of the city was built. A maze of narrow streets and magical souks, its cobblestone streets are traversed by pedestrians and donkey carts instead of cars, and have changed very little in the hundreds of years since they were first laid out. Feel like you have stepped back in time!
   
   Depending on your arrival time you may either wish to relax this afternoon on your riad’s sundrenched terrace, or wander around the souks and Jma al Fna this evening. Everything comes to life at nighttime in Marrakech!
   
   Get some rest before our real adventure starts tomorrow!

Day 2: Marrakech and Local NGO

1. Marrakech
   3h
   Full day in Marrakech: after a delicious traditional Moroccan breakfast in your riad, we will head out to our first NGO visit at Association Amal.
   
   In Morocco, women make up only 25% of the workforce. Women’s labor is largely unpaid and undervalued. Amal is working to change that, and works to provide a safe and loving space where strong, resilient women can rewrite their narratives.
   
   Amal offers a unique training program for women to learn the ropes of cooking in a professional setting, earning a valuable skill-set that helps them secure their first job in the local food sector. We will make a visit to Amal’s beautiful training centre in Targa, and take part in a 3 hour cooking class, where you will learn about Moroccan culture and cuisine as well as the work of the NGO.
   
   You will make your own Moroccan dish from scratch as well as taking part in a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony, before finally eating the results of your hard work!
2. Marrakech
   4h
   After lunch, we will enjoy a walking tour of some of Marrakech medina’s historical and cultural sites with a guide, including the Koutoubia Minaret, the beautiful Palace of Bahia and the Ben Youssef Quranic School.
   
   This evening there are options: wander around the souks for a shopping experience like no other, relax on your terrace, or go for a traditional Moroccan spa treatment such as hammam or massage (additional charge for spa treatments)

Day 3: Atlas Mountain Discovery Day

1. High Atlas Mountains
   6h
   Today is a High Atlas Discovery Day to learn more about the Amazigh (Berber) way of life in the remote villages surrounding Marrakech.
   
   We will leave Marrakech, driving through the stunning Atlas Mountains to arrive to your guide’s village and drink tea with her family at her home.
   
   After tea, head further up the mountains and arrive to the spectacular Azzaden Valley, close to Mount Toubkal, and the mountain lodge that will be your home base for the day.
   
   We will enjoy lunch cooked by a local woman. In the afternoon, take a walk around village with your guide, visiting the fields and river, then visit a local woman’s house who will teach you to make tannourt, traditional Amazigh bread.
   
   You will be accompanied the entire day by a local guide who grew up in the village. Whilst enjoying a day of adventure and discovery, you will also be supporting the local economy through responsible tourism.

Day 4: Marrakech - High Atlas - Telouat Kasbah - Ait Ben Haddou - Ounila Valley - Ouarzazate

1. Ait Ben Haddou
   2h
   We will leave our accommodation in the mountains after breakfast and head Southeast, going through the Tizi N Tichka pass with stops for panoramic views and taking pictures of the small Amazigh villages that dot the landscape.
   
   Then, we will continue south to the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). You will be accompanied by a local guide.
2. Ouarzazate
   3h
   After lunch, we will continue to Ouarzazate, also known as “The Gate of the Desert.”
   
   In Ouarzazate, we will have the choice between a fun and interactive guided tour of the Atlas Studios. Famous films have been shot in this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, Sahara with Penélope Cruz and Game of Thrones
   
   If you prefer to be active, we have a 2 hour horseback riding option through the palm grove surrounding your hotel.

Day 5: Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Nkob - Merzouga Desert - Camel ride and night in a nomad tent in Merzouga

1. Draa Valley
   Pass by
   After breakfast we will depart for the Draa Valley where you can see one of the longest rivers in Morocco. On the way we will make a few stops to enjoy the view of the spectacular kasbahs that dot the road, as well as the beauty of the Draa valley.
   
   We will have lunch in Nkob or Alnif and then continue driving to reach the wonderful Merzouga dunes.
2. Merzouga Desert
   5h
   Here, we will swap our motorized transportation for a 4-legged one (camel!) to enter inside the heart of the desert.
   
   When we reach the camp, you will enjoy sunset and then dinner before spending the night in the dunes, listening to traditional Amazigh music, or stargazing. Our luxury desert camp has cosy beds, hot water, showers and private bathrooms in each tent.

Day 6: Merzouga – Khamlia – Ramlia – Tafrouate Sidi Ali

1. Khamlia
   1h
   To get the most out of your desert experience, we recommend you wake up early in the morning to watch the splendid sunrise over the Sahara dunes.
   
   After breakfast in the camp, we will head out into the heart of the desert. This is a really magical day, and a very unique experience. We will stop in Ramlia, a sleepy desert village and the end of the tourist trail.
2. Moroccan Sahara Desert
   1h
   Along our way today your guide will stop to share with you his local knowledge of the desert, from edible desert plants and tree sap, to the signs left behind by desert creatures moving at night. We will take a picnic lunch before continuing our exploration of the surrounding settlements.
3. Tafraoute Sidi Ali
   3h
   In the evening, we have a very special experience planned for you. You will spend the night in the sand in a traditional nomad tent made of goat hair, surrounded by nothing but the desert.
   
   Unlike other camps, there are no other camps around – this is a truly authentic desert experience.
   
   You can learn more about the nomadic way of life, and how families survive out here in the desert.
   
   We will enjoy a candlelit dinner cooked over a wood fire outside, before spending the rest of the evening relaxing under the stars and soaking up the silence of the desert.

Day 7: Sidi Ali - Tizgui Pools - Agdz

1. Tafraoute Sidi Ali
   1h
   After waking up to catch another splendid sunrise over the Sahara dunes, we will head to Agdz off road via the famous moto-rally road connecting Paris to Dakar.
2. Agdz
   5h
   In the afternoon we will arrive to Agdz. With endless palm groves and beautiful earthen clay architecture, the fortified ksour village of Agdz is located on the old caravan route connecting Marrakech to Timbuktu and played an important role for merchants carrying goods across the Sahara.
   
   We will take a drive to visit the Tizgui Pools, a magnificent natural pool surrounded by palm and fig trees, where you can take a dip if you are feeling brave. We will return to spend the evening in a beautiful lodge nestled in the palm groves, where you will enjoy dinner.
   
   There is also the option to have a traditional Moroccan hammam and/or massage tonight at the lodge.

Day 8: Agdz - High Atlas - Marrakech

1. Tizi n Tichka
   1h
   We will make our way back to Marrakech through the stunning mountains. We will stop for lunch in Ighrem n’Ougdal, a spot high up in the mountains with stunning panoramic views.
2. Marrakech
   4h
   We will arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, where today you have the option to go shopping in the souks, take part in a traditional Moroccan painting activity led by a local artisan, or simply spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel.
   
   Painting activity is included in the price.

Day 9: Departure day!

1. Marrakech
   Pass by
   Today your adventure with us ends! We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport after what we hope has been an unforgettable adventure!

Pickup details

Please share your desired pickup location with us so we can arrange to pick you up from your hotel, riad or the airport

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness