A Taste of Morocco
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Morocco
Marrakech is only a short flight from the UK, but it feels a world away and so exotic. You’ll be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your riad-style hotel, which is located on the edge of the old medina. The rest of your day is free to relax or explore. Your hotel is just a short walk, through the maze of souks, to the city’s famous Djemaa el Fna Square where fire eaters, traditional storytellers and snake charmers take the stage. In the evening the square is transformed into a large open-air restaurant, packed with smoking eateries where you can tuck into freshly grilled fish and kebabs, soak up the atmosphere and people watch.
Day 2 – Couscous in the souks
This morning you’ll meet your guide and head into the souks to buy ingredients for your own delicious meal. When you’ve filled your bags with ingredients it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get cooking in our Moroccan cooking workshop. You’ll be taught how to prepare a traditional tajine, along with the preparation of couscous, Moroccan salad and other traditional dishes. You’ll then sit down to feast on your first home-made Moroccan meal and be back at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 3 – The Sahara starts here: Ait Benhaddou
Today you’ll leave the magical city of Marrakech and travel south by hire car. The first leg of the route, straight across the Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou is very scenic and takes around 3.5 hours. From the highest point of the pass there are sweeping views across the mountains and the road winding through the rocks way down in the valley. You’ll spend the night directly opposite the famous kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. Wandering through the shaded streets is like stepping back in time. We recommend visiting the kasbah this afternoon, because you’ll be driving on to the desert tomorrow.
Day 4 – Sleeping in the sand dunes
After breakfast it’s time to hit the road again and begin your desert adventure. The journey will take around 5.5 hours via the desert town of Zagora, through a lunar landscape, to the last palm oasis of M’Hamid which is located on the edge of the Sahara. Here you’ll leave your car and climb onto a camel for the final journey into the desert. After around 1.5 hours of plodding through the dunes you will see a traditional Bedouin tented camp, which is where you will be spending the night. The camp consists of a maximum of 15 tents with basic facilities. You’ll sleep on a mattress in a tent. There’s a separate tent where meals are served and a tent with basic sanitary facilities. After a traditional meal, you can spend hours watching the starry sky. The sensation of being surrounded by endless desert is incredibly calming and the silence is overwhelming.
Day 5 – Sunrise over the dunes & onto Zagora
Getting up early for a spectacular sunrise over the dunes is highly recommended. After an early camp breakfast, as the temperature starts to rise, climb back on your camel and slowly plod out of the desert back to M’Hamid. Having swapped four-legged transportation for four wheels, continue your journey to Zagora, where you will spend the night. In our experience it’s nice to have a day of relaxing after a night in the desert, instead of rushing off to the next stop. The riad in Zagora we have selected is set amongst tropical gardens and benefits from a swimming pool. Use this day as a rest day or explore the atmosphere in the village of Zagora.
Day 6 – Ouarzazate: Hollywood in Morocco
Time to continue your Moroccan journey as you drive to Ouarzazate – a journey of around 2.5 hours. You may not have heard about Ouarzazate, but you have probably seen it without knowing, as this scenic town, surrounded by the vast Atlas Mountains, has been the backdrop in many films including Lawrence of Arabia. It’s also (surprisingly) home to one of the biggest film studios in the world where Gladiator, Jewel of the Nile and Game of Thrones have been filmed (amongst others). Once you’ve checked into your traditional riad you may want to drive the short distance to Atlas Studios for a visit as it’s open to the public.
Day 7 – Return to Marrakech
This morning you’ll set off on a scenic drive back to Marrakech, a journey time of approximately 3.5 to 4 hours. Upon arrival, return your hire car and head back to the same centrally located hotel for your final night. This afternoon offers a chance to revisit any attractions or areas you might have missed during your first stay, and the opportunity to pick up souvenirs and explore more of this vibrant city before bidding farewell.
Day 8 – Departure from Marrakech
Today, your Moroccan adventure comes to a close as you’re picked up from your hotel and driven to Marrakech airport in time for your flight home.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Upgrade to our In Style accommodation
For this roundtrip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this roundtrip select our In Style option below.
