Morocco: Marrakech to Sahara
Souks, riads, Atlas Mountains, and a night under Saharan stars.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Marrakech
Bahia Palace tour
Bahia Palace
Explore the Medina souks (spices, leather, lamps)
Medina Souks
Lunch at Nomad restaurant (rooftop)
Nomad
Madrasa Ben Youssef
Ben Youssef Madrasa
Jardin Majorelle (YSL garden)
Jardin Majorelle
Sunset at Jemaa el-Fnaa square — food stalls and performers
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Dinner at a traditional riad
Marrakech Medina
Day 2
Marrakech
Hot air balloon ride over the palmeraie
Marrakech Palmeraie
Saadian Tombs visit
Saadian Tombs
Lunch at Le Jardin (hidden garden café)
Le Jardin
Hammam spa experience (traditional bath)
Hammam Mouassine
Moroccan cooking class
La Maison Arabe
Rooftop dinner at Dar Yacout
Dar Yacout
Day 3
Aït Benhaddou
Drive through the High Atlas Mountains (Tizi n'Tichka pass)
Tizi n'Tichka
Stop at a Berber village for mint tea
Atlas village
Arrive at Aït Benhaddou — UNESCO kasbah
Aït Benhaddou
Lunch at a kasbah restaurant
Aït Benhaddou
Explore the fortified village and climb to the top
Aït Benhaddou kasbah
Continue drive to Ouarzazate — Atlas Film Studios
Atlas Film Studios
Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate
Day 4
Merzouga
Drive through Draa Valley and Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge
Walk through the dramatic Todra Gorge canyon
Todra Gorge
Lunch in Tinghir oasis town
Tinghir
Continue drive to Merzouga (Sahara edge)
Merzouga
Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi sand dunes
Erg Chebbi
Sunset over the Sahara from the dunes
Erg Chebbi dunes
Berber camp dinner under the stars with live music
Desert camp
Day 5
Merzouga
Sahara sunrise from the dunes
Erg Chebbi
Camel ride back to Merzouga, breakfast
Merzouga
4x4 desert tour to Khamlia village (Gnawa music)
Khamlia
Lunch at a desert auberge
Merzouga
Begin drive back west toward Marrakech
N10 highway
Overnight stop and dinner in Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate
Day 6
Marrakech
Drive back to Marrakech over the Atlas
Tizi n'Tichka
Arrive in Marrakech, freshen up
Marrakech
Farewell lunch at Café des Épices
Café des Épices
Last souvenir shopping in the souks
Medina Souks
Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport
Marrakech Airport
Where to stay
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