Desert & Ocean

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 01

   Day 1

   Marrakech – Ouarzazate

   Departure at 9am from your accommodation in Marrakech, heading south by 4x4. Beyond the Haouz plain the High Atlas comes into view, often capped with snow. We then descend through Berber villages clinging to the mountainside to Télouet, once the pasha’s village. Lunch break in the old village, followed by a guided visit of the kasbah, a blend of Berber and Andalusian architecture.

   In the afternoon the road continues through the Ounila valley to the famous ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a short visit of its lanes, rich in history and anecdotes. Arrival in Ouarzazate in the late afternoon, with dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

2. 02

   Day 2

   Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dadès valley

   Meet at 9am for a short briefing, then head for the Skoura palm grove, 40 km from Ouarzazate, a lush oasis on the southern side of the Atlas. Stop at the Amridil kasbah, dating from the 17th century. We continue to Kelâat M’Gouna, where the M’Goun has its source, a valley that produces tonnes of roses every year in May.

   We pass through Berber villages, then a pretty track leads us to the nomads’ caves to share tea in the middle of nowhere. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse (auberge), with local cuisine.

3. 03

   Day 3

   Dadès – Zagora – M’Hamid

   We leave the greenery of the Dadès to travel further south, towards arid landscapes. Crossing of the Tizi n’Tazazert pass, a key route for nomadic transhumance, with a fine view of the M’Goun from the top.

   In the afternoon we join the famous Drâa valley and follow it to M’Hamid, the gateway to the desert, stopping to visit the village of Tamegroute and its potters. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

4. 04

   Day 4

   M’Hamid – sacred oasis – Erg Chegaga

   Next stop, the dunes! We leave the tarmac for the Paris-Dakar tracks, between dunes and wild plateaus. There is no shortage of vegetation: acacias, tamarisks and calotropis dominate this part of the Sahara. Picnic stop at the sacred oasis.

   On arrival at the Erg Chegaga dunes, you settle in at the camp, then enjoy a walk or a camel ride to savour the silence and serenity of the desert. Dinner and overnight in a nomad tent (separate toilets and showers).

5. 05

   Day 5

   Erg Chegaga – Taliouine – Taroudant

   Early in the morning, climb the dunes to watch a magnificent Saharan sunrise. After breakfast we continue along the tracks to Foum Zguid across the dry lake Iriki, then skirt the jbel Bani range to join the road to Taliouine, the saffron capital, where we stop for lunch.

   We continue to Taroudant, nicknamed “little Marrakech”, to visit its souk and the ramparts that protect the town. If you wish, a short horse-drawn carriage ride in the evening. Dinner and overnight in a riad.

6. 06

   Day 6

   Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira

   Departure at 9am towards the Atlantic Ocean. From Agadir we follow the coast road, with its magnificent scenery and fishing villages. At midday, a fresh sardine tagine by the sea and, if you enjoy surfing, a short session in Taghazout (optional).

   Arrival in Essaouira in the late afternoon, with dinner and overnight in a riad.

7. 07

   Day 7

   Essaouira – Marrakech

   A free morning in Essaouira, the former Mogador, to visit or wander the medina at your own pace, then discover the old port and the fishermen’s workshops.

   In the afternoon, meet our driver for the road back to Marrakech, with transfer to your hotel.

Places on this trip

• Marrakech
• Ouarzazate
• Agadir
• Aït Benhaddou
• High Atlas
• Skoura
• Valley of Roses
• Dadès and Todgha gorges
• Drâa valley
• Erg Chegaga
• Essaouira
• Taroudant and Taliouine