7 Days Marrakech Essaouira and Sahara Desert Tour
Discover Morocco on this 7 days Marrakech desert tour to the Atlantic coast, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Explore the lively streets of Marrakech, enjoy a full-day trip to Essaouira, cross the High Atlas Mountains and visit the spectacular Dades and Todra Gorges. Continue through Erfoud to the golden dunes of Merzouga, where you can ride a camel and spend the night in a desert camp. Travel through Rissani, the Draa Valley and Agdz before reaching Ouarzazate. Finish your adventure with a scenic drive back to Marrakech Airport.
This itinerary combines cultural discovery, coastal scenery, mountain landscapes and desert experiences. Your professional driver/guide accompanies you throughout the journey and helps you discover Morocco at a comfortable pace.
7 days Marrakech desert tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Upon your arrival at Marrakech Airport, your professional driver/guide welcomes you and takes you to your riad or hotel in the heart of the city. Enjoy the first views of Marrakech as you travel through its lively streets and traditional neighborhoods. After check-in, take time to relax after your journey.
If your arrival time allows, explore the nearby streets, visit a local café or enjoy your first Moroccan dinner. You can also walk around Jemaa el-Fna Square and discover its lively atmosphere, food stalls and traditional performers. Spend the night in Marrakech.
Day 2: Guided Tour of Marrakech
After breakfast, meet your local guide and explore the historic heart of Marrakech. Visit the Bahia Palace and admire its decorated rooms, peaceful courtyards and traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. Continue to the Saadian Tombs and discover the history of the Saadian dynasty. Your guide shares stories about the city and its rich cultural heritage.
Walk through the colorful souks, where artisans create leather goods, lamps, carpets and traditional objects. Explore the old medina and enjoy the atmosphere of its narrow streets. Later, visit the Koutoubia Mosque area and finish your tour at Jemaa el-Fna Square. Enjoy free time to shop, relax or try Moroccan cuisine. Spend another night in Marrakech.
Day 3: Day Trip from Marrakech to Essaouira
After breakfast, leave Marrakech and travel west toward the Atlantic coast. Enjoy the changing landscapes as you cross the Haouz plain and pass traditional villages. Along the way, you may see argan trees and local cooperatives where women produce argan oil using traditional methods. Continue to Essaouira, a charming coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue doors and a relaxed atmosphere.
Explore the historic medina, walk along the old ramparts and enjoy views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the fishing port, watch local fishermen at work and discover the lively fish market. You can enjoy fresh seafood at a restaurant near the harbor before taking a relaxing walk along the beach. In the afternoon, return to Marrakech and spend the night in your riad or hotel.
Day 4: Marrakech to Dades Gorges via the High Atlas Mountains
After an early breakfast, leave Marrakech and cross the spectacular High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n Tichka Pass. Enjoy panoramic views of mountain peaks, green valleys and traditional Berber villages. Stop along the route to take photographs and discover the landscapes of southern Morocco. Continue to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, where you can explore its earthen houses, narrow lanes and impressive architecture.
After lunch, travel toward Ouarzazate and continue through the Valley of Roses and the beautiful landscapes of the Dades region. Follow the road through traditional villages and impressive rock formations until you reach the Dades Gorges. Enjoy the scenery and take time to relax at your hotel. Spend the night in the Dades Valley.
Day 5: Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges, Erfoud and Merzouga
After breakfast, leave the Dades Valley and travel toward the Todra Gorges. Stop to explore the impressive canyon, where high limestone cliffs rise above a narrow river. Walk through the gorge, enjoy the fresh mountain air and admire the dramatic rock walls. Continue through traditional villages and palm groves toward Erfoud, a town famous for its fossils and date production.
Continue to Merzouga, where the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi welcome you to the Sahara. Meet your camel guide and enjoy a memorable camel ride across the dunes as the sun sets over the desert. Reach your desert camp, enjoy a traditional dinner and relax around the campfire with local music. Spend the night in a comfortable desert camp beneath the stars.
Day 6: Merzouga, Rissani, Agdz and Ouarzazate
Wake up early to admire the sunrise over the dunes before enjoying breakfast at the camp. Return to Merzouga and continue to Rissani, a historic trading town with a traditional market. Walk through the souk and discover local spices, dates, handicrafts and everyday life in the region. Continue west through the landscapes of the Draa Valley, where long palm groves and traditional kasbahs follow the river.
Travel through Alnif and the scenic desert landscapes toward Agdz. Enjoy views of the green oasis and the surrounding mountains before continuing along the Draa Valley toward Ouarzazate. Arrive in the late afternoon or evening, check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening. Spend the night in Ouarzazate.
Day 7: Ouarzazate to Marrakech Airport
After breakfast, leave Ouarzazate and travel north toward Marrakech. Cross the High Atlas Mountains and enjoy the changing scenery along the Tizi n Tichka road. Your professional driver/guide takes you through mountain villages and panoramic viewpoints, with short stops when the schedule allows.
Continue toward Marrakech and reach the airport in time for your departure flight. Your 7-day Morocco adventure ends with wonderful memories of the Atlantic coast, the Atlas Mountains, historic kasbahs and the Sahara Desert.
Included
- Private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional driver/guide throughout the tour
- Airport pickup on arrival and transfer to your accommodation
- Airport transfer on the final day
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Breakfast during the tour
- One dinner at the Merzouga desert camp
- Camel ride in the Sahara Desert
- One night in a desert camp
Excluded
- Lunches and drinks
- Dinners except the dinner at the desert camp
- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
- Local guide fees in Marrakech
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance and international flights