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From Sea to Sand Sea

Essaouira, Morocco

Explore the Beaches, Mountains, and Desert in this Tour of Morocco

Trip at a Glance:

Daily Itinerary


Day 1: Marrakech (Arrival)

Day 2: Marrakech – Essaouira

Day 3: Essaouira – Agadir – Tifnit Beach

Day 4: Tifnit Beach

Day 5: Tifnit Beach – Tafraoute

Day 6: Tafraoute – Agdz

Day 7: Agdz – Merzouga (Camel Trek)

Day 8: Merzouga – Kelaat M’Gouna

Day 9: Kelaat M’Gouna – Marrakech
Day 10: Marrakech (Transfer to Airport)

Includes:
  • Private 4×4 Transportation
  • English Speaking Driver/Guide
  • Stay on Secluded Private Beach
  • Guided Tour of Tinghir
  • Entrance Fees
  • Camel Trek
  • Overnight Stay in Berber Tents
  • 9 Nights of Accommodation
  • 9 Breakfasts
  • 6 Dinners
  • 1 Lunch
Excludes:
  • Meals not specified
  • Alcohol
  • Airfare
  • Gratuities

Enjoy Moroccan hospitality from the sea to the desert with a few mountains in between.  Stay at a secluded private beach and camel trek into the dunes of the desert in this 10 day tour of Morocco — a great option for a honeymoon!   Morocco has something for every one and this tour will give you a little taste of each!

NOTE: The itinerary below is a sample.  As with all of our tours, this one is fully customizable based on your interests and arrival/departure city and extra days to explore can be added to the tour.

Day 1: Marrakech

Upon your arrival at the airport, your personal driver will greet you and transfer you to your riad in Marrakech for the night where you will have an opportunity to rest and recuperate from your travels.  Depending on your time of arrival, you may wish to explore a little and your driver will be at your disposal should you need him.  A local city guide can also be arranged.

Day 2: Marrakech to Essaouira
(Approximate travel time: 3 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast

essaouira, Morocco, tour of morocco
Goats in Argan Tree (Photo Credit: Ili Nadhirah)

You and your driver will depart from your riad in Marrakech ‪after breakfast to make your way to the ancient walled city of Essaouira, known by the Portuguese as Mogador.  Along the way, you will see groves of Argan trees from which Morocco’s liquid gold (Argan oil) is produced with the unique help of local goats and visit a cooperative to see the traditional methods by which the oil is still produced today.  Upon arrival in Essaouira and  after checking into your riad, you will be taken to the edge of the sea to have your pick of fresh seafood for lunch.  After lunch, you will have the afternoon to discover this beautiful city.  You can explore on your own or, if you prefer, we can arrange for a local city guide to show you around.   When you have finished exploring,  your driver will take you back to your riad for the evening.

Day 3: Essaouira to Tifnit Beach via Agadir
(Approximate travel time: 3 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Following breakfast, you will depart from your riad to travel down the scenic Moroccan coast to Agadir taking time to stop for photographs and tea. Upon your arrival in Agadir, you will visit the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella – a fortress which was originally build in 1572.  The panoramic views of the city and the bay of Agadir are not to be missed!  Next, you will visit the Agadir Marina and beach for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the water, followed by an afternoon of shopping and browsing at the Souk El Had which is the largest market in the region.  The laid back attitude of this famous surf town translates to a low key souk experience which makes shopping for souvenirs enjoyable.  When you’ve had  your fill (and before you’ve blown your budget), you will be driven to Tifnit just south of Agadir where your beach front accommodations await.

Day 4: Tifnit Beach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

No driving today!  Soak up the sun and relax by the ocean, as you enjoy a full day on your private beach in this unique location.

Agadir, Kasbah Oufella, Morocco, tour of Morocco
View of Agadir from Kasbah Oufella

Day 5: Tifnit Beach to Tafraoute
(Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a lazy breakfast, you will say goodbye to the surf and head for the hills as you journey through the Anti-Atlas mountain range to the town of Tafraoute.  The name comes from the Berber word that means basin and this quaint town is nestled in a hollow amongst the rocky terrain.  Here in the almond capitol of Morocco, you will find a unique art installation created in 1984 by Belgium artist, Jean Veran, and a team of Moroccan collaborators who painted the landscape with 18 tons of blue, white, red, and violet paint.  You will have a chance to walk or bike amongst the colorful rocks.  Later, you will have an opportunity to explore the town before retiring to your kasbah for the night.

Day 6: Tafraoute to Agdz
(Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Agdz, Kasbah Tamnougalt, Morocco, Tour of Morocco
Kasbah Tamnougalt in Agdz

After breakfast, you will continue through the Anti-Atlas mountain range until you reach the lush Draa Valley, also known as the valley of a million palm trees, and to the town of Agdz.  Here, you can explore the local palmeraie and have a guided tour of of the ancient local Kasbah.  The name Agdz means “resting place” and this oasis was an important stopping point of the old salt caravans.  Relax and enjoy the Moroccan hospitality of a traditional Kabah with a delicious meal on the terrace overlooking the palmeraie before  retiring for the night.

Day 7: Agdz to Merzouga
(Approximate travel time: 6 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, you will continue your tour of Morocco, making your way alongside the Draa Valley towards the sand sea of the Sahara.  There will be plenty of stops along the way to stretch your legs and take photographs.  In Rissani, the last town of significant size before you reach the dunes of Merzouga, you will have a chance to search for fossils.  The Sahara was once under the ocean and this is evident from the abundance of squid and snail fossils that really aren’t too hard to find.  Afterwards, you will continue on the final stretch of today’s journey to Merzouga on the edge of Erg Chebbi, where you will transfer to your next mode of transportation — a camel — and trek into the dunes to your Berber camp for the night. Once there, you will climb the nearest dune to watch the sunset and then relax and watch the stars come out.  Dinner will be served and traditional music will be played, before retiring to your tent for the night.

Day 8: Merzouga to Kelaat M’Gouna
(Approximate travel time: 4 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Merzouga, Camel Trek, Morocco, tour of Morocco
Camel Guide in Erg Chebbi

Today your camel guide will wake you before dawn so that you can watch the sunrise over the giant dunes.  Afterwards, you will once again take to your trusty camel and trek back to the kasbah on the edge of the sand sea where breakfast will be served and you will have an opportunity to shower and prepare for the day.  After breakfast you will head towards the Valley of the Roses, named after the Damask roses that grow in abundance there.  Along the way you will stop in Todgha Gorge where you will have an opportunity to walk through the most impressive part of the canyon.  In this narrow section of the gorge (as little as 33 feet wide), the rock walls climb straight up 525 feet on either side.  Next you will continue on to the town of Kelaat M’Gouna where your kasbah for the night awaits.

Day 9: Kelaat M’Gouna to Marrakech
(Approximate travel time: 5 hours)
Meals Included: Breakfast

Valley of Roses, Morocco, Tour of Morocco
Old Kasbah in Roses Valley

After breakfast, you will depart Kelaat M’Gouna and make your way to Marrakech.  You will pass through the city of Ouarzazate famous for its movie studios (sometimes called the Hollywood of Morocco) before arriving at Ait Ben Haddou.  If this impressive ksar looks familiar, it is because it has starred (or at least made an appearance) in many movies and TV shows including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia,  and Game of Thrones.  After lunch and exploring, you will begin your ascent into the High Atlas mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass reaching altitudes of nearly 7500 feet above sea level.  There will be plenty of stops for photographs as you take in the breathtaking vistas before arriving back to your riad in Marrakech for the night.

Day 10: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast

Departure day.  If you didn’t have an opportunity to explore Marrakech on your arrival day and depending on your departure time, a local city guide can be arranged.  Otherwise, your driver will take you to the airport and see you off wishing you bon voyage and au revoir until you next tour of Morocco!

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