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Discover with your loved one the highlights of Southern Morocco. This trip includes a few nights in the medieval city of Marrakech, soaking up its vibrant African-Arab-European culture. Once drunk with the heady atmosphere of city life, head out towards the mountains and desert to experience a much simpler and rural way of life. Immerse yourself in Berber culture among some fantastic scenery and enjoy a camel trek in the Sahara dunes and a night under the stars. Finally head to the mountains and enjoy a lovely time in a relaxing environment before heading back home.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Marrakech

Arrive at Marrakech airport where your driver will meet you and take you straight to your riad. After checking in and enjoying a mint tea, take a horse and cart trip around the city as a fun way to help you get your bearings. We have loads of fantastic riads but Riad Adore speaks for itself.

medina

Days 2 & 3 - Exploring the Souks

Spend the next 2 days enjoying everything Marrakech has to offer. Take an early morning visit to the Majorelle gardens before it gets too hot and all the bus loads of tourists arrive. Spend afternoons visiting the various mosques and historical sites, not forgetting to indulge yourself with a traditional Moroccan exfoliation and massage in a local hammam.

Lastly, and not to be missed is the main square at night where you can wander amongst the snake charmers, storytellers and henna tattooists before sitting atop a rooftop bar with a chilled glass of wine watching the action unfold beneath you.

Day 4 - Over the Atlas

You will leave Marrakech early and within 30 minutes be winding your way up the Atlas Mountains to the Tizni-Tichna pass and the gateway to the desert in the south. A good lunch-time stop is the World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou  – a rock fortress and village carved into the mountains. In the afternoon you head south to the quiet town of Agdz for the night. Kasbah Azul is a perfect place to unwind after the travelling.

Morocco desert

Day 5 - Into the Dunes

From Agdz, you travel along the Draa valley, famous for its oases and pottery until you reach the end of the road at M’hamid. From here it is 4×4’s (and camels only) and you have an hour or so to reach the desert camp in the massive dunes of Chiggaga. Here you will be sleeping in tented accommodation. Maybe climb a dune to watch the sunset and then settle to watch your nomad hosts prepare dinner and entertain you while you eat. Then to bed under the stars.

Day 6 - Crossing the Desert and off to Taroudant

The next morning it is worth waking early for a short camel trek to watch the sunrise and then a leisurely breakfast. Once packed up it is a gentle day’s travelling across the desert and iriqi dry lake bed to exit the desert at Foum’sguid where you pick up the road again. From  here it is around 4 hours driving along the southern flank of the Atlas Mountains. You pass through first Tazenacht which is the centre of the Berber rug making industry so a good shopping point if luggage allowances permit. You also pass the main area for growing saffron, more expensive by weight than gold and it can be possible to visit one of the farms up in the valleys. You finish for the night in Taroudant, one of the prettiest towns in the south, and you should have a chance for a quick tour before heading to Dar Zitoune for the night

Morocco desert

Day 7-9 - Hit the coast

Travel from Taroudant up the winding coast road to Essaouira to relax for 3 days.

There is loads to do in the area around Essaouira: camel trekking or quad-biking on the massive beaches, loads of watersports and the town itself has fabulous souks and loads of places to eat.

Stay in a lovely riad in the old town of Essaouira at classy Villa de l’O

Day 10-12 - Head into Atlas

Within around 3.5 hours you enter the mountains and Kasbah Bab Ourika  where you can soak up the views. Many people visit the Atlas Mountains just to relax but for those who want exercise, there are a number of trekking trails directly from the Kasbah and trips can be arranged from starting points deeper in the mountains.

Day 13 - Home

Your driver will collect you for the trip back to the airport and your flight home, assuming you manage to get all your souvenirs and memories within your baggage allowance

Details -

Total cost for this trip based on 2 people sharing is £ 1200  per person including accommodation on B&B(8 nights) or half board (3 nights) basis. Also included are all transfers in a private vehicle with English-speaking driver who will do his utmost to ensure you get the most out of your trip.  The Luxury Desert Camp costs an extra £150pp.

You can get flights from as little as £100 per person return and do ask us for advice.  Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.

What's included?

Included:
  • Prices start from £1200 per person
  • Accommodation on B&B basis (3 nights half board)
  • Private transfers (air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver)
  • Local taxes
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
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Marrakech
The start and finish for most Morocco Holidays. Highlights are the souks in the old Medina, the main square in the evening, the Majorelle gardens and the historical sites. You should definitely stay in a Marrakech Riad for at least a few nights but also some beautiful villas and hotels on the edge of town in rural Marrakech. Click for suggested riads More
Essaouira
Essaouira is our favourite at all times of year. Probably the prettiest coastal town in Morocco and loads to see and do. Great camel trekking, horse-riding, surfing kite/windsurfing, cooking lessons, lovely medina (more relaxing shopping than Marrakech). Also great places to stay in town and in the village click below for suggestions More
High Atlas Mountains
Incredibly close to Marrakech but a world apart, the Atlas mountains are an essential visit. Go for a day trip (trekking or driving tour), or stay in one of the beautiful kasbahs perched on a hilltop to relax and soak up the views More
Sahara Desert
The massive dunes of the Sahara should be on anyone's "bucket list" and it is easy to do a trip into the desert from Marrakech, Fes or the coast with a bit of planning More
Ait Ben Haddou
One of the most famous sights in Morocco, Ait Ben Haddou is a rock fortress on the south side of the Atlas. Always a good stopping point on our desert tours and a must for the photo album More
The Gorges
The Todra and Dades Gorges maybe a little over-hyped but certainly worth a stop on the way to Mezourga - part of our Desert & Gorges Tour More
Taroudant
A pretty walled town within easy reach of Agadir (so a lot of day trippers from the package hotels) but also a great place for a night's stop between the desert and the coast More
Agadir
Having been re-built after and earthquake 50 years ago it doesn't have as much charm as other Moroccan cities but the beach and climate are lovely More
Oualidia Lagoon
A small seaside town built up around a pretty estuary and lagoon. Home to La Sultana, the best coastal hotel in Morocco and can easily be combined with a visit to Marrakech and Essaouira More
Rabat
Less well known as a tourist destination but with recently introduced direct flights from the UK it is an interesting city where you can see the modern Morocco alongside the rivermouth Kasbah and the medina More
Casablanca
The biggest city in Morocco and an industrial sprawl. We generally advise not stopping there and even if flying to Casablanca head North to Fes/Rabat or south to Marrakech/Essaouira. If you are passing through it is worth visiting the spectacular seafront mosque.
Chefchaouen
The town of Chefchaouen is beautifully situated on a mountainside, often referred to as the blue pearl due to its shimmering blue buildings. It's worth learning the history behind the choice of this color, which contributed to the town's fame, making it one of the most photographed places in Morocco. In Chefchaouen, explore the picturesque medina with winding alleys and the Kasbah with its lush gardens, serving as a haven of freshness in the city center. Chefchaouen is a paradise for walkers, not only because of its most beautiful streets and alleys, which create an unreal impression but also due to the hiking trails around the city. Besides the Old Town, it's worth visiting the main square, Uta el Hamman, with numerous cafes, and seeing the 15th-century El Adamaa Masjid mosque in white-orange colors with its characteristic octagonal minaret. Chefchaouen is an excellent choice for a one-day trip or a relaxing overnight stay. More
Fes
Fes makes for a fabulous long weekend or as part of our "Grand Tour". The highlight is the medina which most people prefer to Marrakech, partly as it is on a hill you are much more aware of the geography. Also, do a day trip to the Roman ruins at Volubilis and ask about a night or two in the village of Bhalil More
Merzouga
The second good dune area of Morocco is Erg Chebbi by Merzouga - easier to get to (no 4x4 needed) and whilst the dunes are stunning we prefer Erg Cheggaga for a proper desert experience. More

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Itineraries & Destinations