10-Day Desert Tour from Agadir

Overview

A private itinerary for travelers eager to explore Morocco's iconic imperial cities, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, and Meknes, while experiencing the magic of the Sahara Desert. Customizable to your interests and needs.

Highlights

• The Atlantic charm of Essaouira and its historic medina
• A guided city tour of Marrakech
• Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque and Rabat's Oudayas Kasbah
• Fes's labyrinthine old medina and traditional craftsmanship
• Crossing the Middle and High Atlas Mountains
• A camel trek and overnight in a luxury Sahara desert camp
• Ancient kasbahs and lush palm valleys
• Berber traditions in Taliouine and Taroudant
• The picturesque Draa Valley and Ait Benhaddou

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. 1

   Agadir – Essaouira

   Explore Agadir's beach promenade, kasbah views, and souks, then travel to Essaouira, a charming Atlantic town blending Phoenician, Portuguese, Berber, and French influences, with a UNESCO-listed medina, ramparts, artisan shops, and harbor.

2. 2

   Essaouira – Marrakech

   After a seaside morning, head inland toward Marrakech through forests of argan trees dotted with tree-climbing goats, visiting local women's cooperatives producing argan oil.

3. 3

   Full-Day Marrakech Tour

   Visit the ornate Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace ruins, and the Koutoubia Mosque, plus the Jewish Quarter. After lunch near Jemaa el-Fnaa square, discover the Majorelle and Menara Gardens and enjoy the evening's street performances.

4. 4

   Marrakech – Casablanca

   Travel to Morocco's commercial capital, with its wide boulevards and Atlantic coastline. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, before a relaxed evening stroll along the seaside Corniche.

5. 5

   Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes – Fes

   Visit the royal Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Andalusian-style Oudayas Kasbah in Rabat, then travel inland to Meknes for its grand gates, stables, and Moulay Ismail's mausoleum, before continuing to Fes.

6. 6

   Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Imilchil

   Drive through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, passing Ifrane, Morocco's "Little Switzerland." Stop in Azrou to meet wild Barbary macaques and continue to Midelt and on to Imilchil, a remote Berber village famous for its lakes and tribal traditions.

7. 7

   Imilchil – Todgha Gorges – Merzouga Desert

   Travel through spectacular mountain scenery to the dramatic Todgha Gorges, then head southeast to Erfoud and Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara. Mount your camel and ride through the Erg Chebbi dunes to your luxury desert camp for a traditional dinner and live music under the stars.

8. 8

   Merzouga – Rissani – Draa Valley – Ait Benhaddou

   Witness the Sahara sunrise, then return by camel to Merzouga village and visit Rissani's traditional market before continuing through Alnif and N'kob to the Draa Valley, admiring the palm groves and kasbahs en route to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. 9

   Ait Benhaddou – Taliouine – Taroudant

   Visit the kasbah known for its role in films like Gladiator and Game of Thrones, continue through Taznakht, renowned for Berber carpets, and stop in Taliouine, Morocco's saffron capital, before arriving in Taroudant, often called "Little Marrakech."

10. 10

    Taroudant – Agadir (Tour End)

    Explore Taroudant's ancient walls, traditional souks, and laid-back atmosphere, then drive back to Agadir through the scenic Souss Valley, arriving in the afternoon to mark the end of your tour.