Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert – 6 Days

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Discover the beauty of Morocco with this 6-day itinerary focused on Marrakech and the desert. Begin in bustling Marrakech and explore the medina’s souks, fondouks, madrasas, palaces, and secret gardens. Cross over the High Atlas mountains and explore the vast landscapes and sand dunes of the Sahara. You’ll wander medieval markets, marvel at palaces and mosques, and explore ancient kasbahs and desert towns.

Highlights

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Morocco Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring the “red city” of Marrakech

Welcome to Marrakech (nicknamed the “Red City” for its red sandstone walls and buildings). Once an important trading capital for Atlas mountain tribes, Marrakech remains an exciting former imperial city. A major economic center, Marrakech is home to Africa’s busiest square, Jemaa el-Fna. Begin exploring Marrakech’s ancient medina (old quarter), starting with the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. Though the mosque cannot be entered by non-muslims, it’s worth checking out its 12th-century foundations and 253 feet (77 m) minaret. Visit the fountains and pools in the adjoining garden.

Indulge your senses as you explore the complicated labyrinth of souks (markets), tucked behind ordinary restaurants and shops. Check out Souk el Attarin, Souk Chouari, and Souk Smata for a selection of spices, woodwork, and babouche (traditional Moroccan slippers). Visit Souk des Teinturiers (the dyers’ souk) to see how cloth and yarn are dyed using traditional methods. Next, admire the fine example of Moroccan Islamic architecture of the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a 16th-century Koranic school, and note the ornate detail of its interior: carved cedar ceilings, sculpted plaster, and zellij tiling.

Return to Jemaa el-Fna as the sun begins to set and enjoy the show as the square comes alive with musicians, dancers, and snake charmers. Explore the many stalls and vendors to find something to eat. 

Day 2: Over the High Atlas mountains to Ouarzazate and Boumalne Dades

Leave the busy city behind and head east toward the desert, ascending the High Atlas mountains. See if you can spot Mount Toubkal, the highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Along the way, you will pass many Berber villages—made up of traditional mud-brick buildings. Lunch in Taddert and tour the local Argan Oil Cooperative and discover how the local women extract the precious oil from the argan nut to make oil used in the health, food, and cosmetic industries. Follow the winding road to the Tizi n’Tichka pass and stop to appreciate the panoramic view. 

Continue east to the desert hub and filming location, Ouarzazate. Join a movie studio tour and discover which of your favorite movies were filmed in the nearby desert regions. Movie buffs may appreciate a visit to the Musée du Cinema. Travel along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs towards Boumalne Dades. Pass many small towns and see traditional farming methods in use. Be on the lookout for nomads tending to their animals as you make your way through fragrant Kela’a M’gouna, the “Valley of the Roses”. You’ll eventually arrive in Boumalne Dades, a major town bridging the Dades River.

Day 3: Desert towns, oases, and camping in the Sahara below the stars

Today you will drive further east to your final destination: the sand sea of Erg Chebbi outside of Merzouga. Along the way, stop in Tinerhir to admire the river oasis that extends on either side of the town. The surrounding desert landscape reveals impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus. Nearby, you will have the opportunity to explore the Todra Gorge, a 984 feet (300 m) deep ravine, cut by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud. Known for its figs and fossils, visit a craft workshop and discover how the fossil-rich rocks are skilfully transformed into practical and decorative objects.

As you near Merzouga—the town closest to the Sahara—stop in the market town of Rissani and be sure to visit the livestock auction as well as the “donkey parking lot”. Leaving Rissani behind, you will start to see the beginnings of the massive sand sea of Erg Chebbi, looming on the horizon. Upon reaching Merzouga, switch gears and transfer to your personal camel to begin your trek over the sands and to your Bedouin-style camp. Hike to the top of a nearby dune to watch the setting sun, before enjoying a warm meal by the fire, listening to traditional music.

Day 4: Merzouga to Aït Benhaddou kasbah

Day 5: Transfer to Marrakesh, Explore

Casablanca is a modern, commercial capital of Morocco and is home to the Hassan II Mosque. It sits on an outcrop over the Atlantic and has a 690-foot (210 m) minaret—the tallest structure in Morocco and the tallest minaret in the world! It’s estimated the courtyard can hold 80,000 worshipers, with room for 25,000 inside. What makes this mosque unique is that it’s one of the few mosques in the country where non-Muslims can enter. Join a morning tour and admire the exquisitely ornate artisanship: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble floor detailing, and gilded cedar ceilings.

Upon arriving in Marrakesh, settle into your accommodation and take the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace. In the early evening, the main square, Jemaa el-Fna, comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, and food stalls. Wander the square at your leisure and have a bite and a glass of fresh mint tea in one of the many cafés that sit above the square and enjoy the spectacle below.

Day 6: Depart Marrakesh

Marrakesh nicknamed the “Red City” (for its 1000-year-old red sandstone city walls and buildings), is a major economic center and home to a thriving medina. Begin west of Jemaa el-Fna and walk toward the striking minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens. The 253-foot (77 m) high minaret is the tallest tower built in Marrakesh. Explore the stalls in Souk el-Attarin (Spices), Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths), and Souk Smata (slippers) before visiting the Ben Youssef Madrasa (Islamic school) for a taste of 16th-century architecture and marvel at the details.

As you walk Marrakesh’s alleys, notice the fondouks—medieval inns along ancient trade routes that provided travelers and merchants with shelter and supplies. Today, some have been converted into residences, while others are shopping areas and workshops that you can explore. Depending on your energy level, you may wish to visit a few sites south of Jemaa el-Fna. Some options to consider are the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs, the extensive courtyard and sunken gardens of the 17th-century El Badi Palace, or the intricate woodwork and painted ceilings of the 19th-century Bahia Palace. Or, if you prefer a quiet respite from the afternoon heat to end your trip, you may wish to check out Majorelle Gardens and relax amid sub-tropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms.

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