Arrive in Marrakech, where your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to get settled in to a beautiful riad in the medina (old city). Enjoy your first taste of Moroccan cuisine at dinner before a long night of restful sleep.

Accommodation: Palais Khum (or similar)
Drive time: None

Today you’ll spend the full day in Marrakech, beginning with a leisurely breakfast before meeting your guide for a mid-morning walking tour of the medina. The tour will cover history, culture and visit the famed palaces of the city with a nice lunch break and plenty of time for shopping. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you wish!

Accommodation: Palais Khum (or similar)
Drive time: None

It’s time to say goodbye to Marrakech and head for the hills! After breakfast you’ll meet your guide to begin the journey over the stunning High Atlas Mountains to the village of Ait Ben Haddou, home to Morocco’s most famous kasbah. The structures have been beautifully preserved thanks to its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and have served as the backdrop for many films, including Gladiator, Babbel & Game of Thrones. Anyone who’s up for it will have the chance to walk all the way up to the watchtower and imagine spotting caravans arriving from Timbuktu!

Accommodation: Riad Caravane or similar
Drive time: 3-4 hours

Onward! Today we continue the journey towards the Sahara by way of the Draa Valley, North Africa’s biggest palm oases. You’ll have plenty of stops along the way to marvel at the lush gardens and crumbling kasbahs, eventually arriving at a magical palm-laden riad that you’ll call home for the night. Kick back with a cold beer from the bar and the sparkling pool!

Accommodation: Riad Lamane or similar
Drive time: 2.5-3 hours

It’s time to go to the Sahara! After breakfast you’ll join the drivers, first stopping in the village of Tamegroute for a visit to the pottery cooperative. From there you’ll continue south with one more stop in M’Hamid, which is the last village before the open desert and your guide’s hometown.

His family will welcome you in for tea, snacks and the all-important turbans! Once everyone is fed and properly attired it will be time to leave the pavement behind and hit the sand! The dunes will get bigger and bigger as you go, and eventually you’ll reach camp, complete with traditional camel-wool tents, real beds, a full staff to prepare delicious meals and beautiful gathering spaces. The day will conclude with a sunset camel ride, candlelit dinner and traditional campfire music.

Accommodation: Desert camp (queen beds in large tents with solar lights, basic bathhouse with western toilets, huge dining tent and plenty of carpets and cushions all over the place to lounge upon)

Drive time: 2-2.5 hours

Today you’ll enjoy a big breakfast in camp before departing the desert. You’ll pass over Lake Iriki, a now-dry lakebed that was until fairly recently the center of life for the nomadic tribes. Eventually you’ll reach the pavement, soon taking a break at a local women’s carpet weaving cooperative. The final destination for the day is Taroudant, a small fortified city often called “Little Marrakech.” Taroudant is a nice stopover en route to the coast with very walkable souks and none of the tourist hassles of Marrakech.

Accommodation: Dar Zahia or similar
Driving: 5+ hours driving with plenty of breaks!

The final destination of the trip is Essaouira, a small fortified ancient city on the coast that has a reputation as an artist/musician enclave (it was supposedly an old Jimi Hendrix hangout, and was a filming location for Game of Thrones too!). It’s whitewashed walls and picturesque port make for a relaxed, enjoyable place to wander, shop and enjoy the view.

Accommodation: Villa Quieta or similar
note: Villa Quieta is set a bit outside of the medina which makes it a quiet, relaxing oasis near the water but requires a short drive to the medina. If you prefer to be inside the medina and walk everywhere we can choose a different place - your choice!

Drive time: 3 hours

You’ve got two full days in Essaouira to do as you wish! Hamid can help arrange a cooking class, water activities or a hammam spa visit, and you’ll also have plenty of free time for shopping, wandering or just lying by the pool with a book.

Accommodation: Stay at Villa Quieta or similar
Drive time: None

Departure day!

After a final leisurely breakfast and a final look at the sea, it will be time to head back to Marrakech to catch your flights. Afternoon or evening departures are recommended to ensure a relaxed day, but your guide will make sure you are there in plenty of time no matter what.

Drive time: 3 hours