9 Day Morocco Mountains and Deserts

We will pick you from Marrakech airport and take you to your locally owned riad in the magical medina of Marrakech.

Founded in the 11th century and renowned for its treasure trove of mosques, palaces, and museums, Marrakesh is the most visited of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. At its heart is the medina, the original walled settlement around which the rest of the city was built. A maze of narrow streets and magical souks, its cobblestone streets are traversed by pedestrians and donkey carts instead of cars, and have changed very little in the hundreds of years since they were first laid out. Feel like you have stepped back in time!

Depending on your arrival time you may either wish to relax this afternoon on your riad’s sundrenched terrace, or wander around the souks and Jma al Fna this evening. Everything comes to life at nighttime in Marrakech!

Get some rest before our real adventure starts tomorrow!

Discover the heart of Marrakech on our immersive half-day walking tour. Your expert local guide will meet you at your riad after breakfast, before leading you through the city’s vibrant history and culture. Visit iconic landmarks like the majestic Koutoubia Minaret, the stunning Bahia Palace, and the historic Ben Youssef Quranic School. Wander the winding alleys of the medina, where you’ll see skilled artisans at work, and end your journey at the lively Jamaa El Fna Square – Marrakech’s unforgettable cultural hub.

We recommend lunch in the old medina. This afternoon, options include going for a traditional Moroccan hammam, doing some shopping in the medina, or taking part in an activity with a local artisan.

Overnight in your riad.

Step far beyond the tourist trail and into the heart of Amazigh (Berber) life with this unforgettable day in the High Atlas Mountains. Just 65km from Marrakech, yet a world away, this immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to connect with a remote village community that few visitors ever see.

Accompanied by a local guide—an inspiring young woman who was the first in her village to finish high school—you’ll journey by 4×4 through stunning mountain landscapes to her family home, where you’ll be welcomed with traditional tea and warm hospitality.

From there, venture deeper into the Azzaden Valley, near majestic Mount Toubkal, and settle into a peaceful mountain lodge. Take part in a hands-on cooking class with village women, learning how to prepare authentic Moroccan tagine and salad. After lunch, explore the village on foot, visit local fields and rivers, and learn to make tannourt, traditional Amazigh bread, in the home of a local woman.

This is more than just a day trip—it’s a meaningful cultural exchange. Every part of the experience is rooted in and run by the community: from your guide and driver to the cooks and host families. By joining, you’re directly supporting education, women’s empowerment, and sustainable rural tourism in the Atlas Mountains.

Tonight will be spent in a mountain lodge.

We will leave our accommodation in the mountains after breakfast and head Southeast, going through the Tizi N Tichka pass with stops for panoramic views and taking pictures of the small Amazigh villages that dot the landscape.

Then, we will continue south to the ksar (fortified village) of Ait Ben Haddou where we will visit the famous Kasbah (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986). After lunch, we will continue to Ouarzazate, also known as “The Gate of the Desert.”

In Ouarzazate, we will have the choice between a fun and interactive guided tour of the Atlas Studios. Famous films have been shot in this spectacular stage, including Gladiator, Sahara with Penélope Cruz and Game of Thrones.

If you prefer to be active, we have a 2 hour horseback riding option through the palm grove surrounding your hotel.

After breakfast we will depart for the Draa Valley where you can see one of the longest rivers in Morocco. On the way we will make a few stops to enjoy the view of the spectacular kasbahs that dot the road, as well as the beauty of the Draa valley.

We will have lunch in Nkob or Alnif and then continue driving to reach the wonderful Merzouga dunes.

Here, we will swap our motorized transportation for a 4-legged one (camel!) to enter inside the heart of the desert. Your camel ride will last around 1.5 hours, during which you will stop on top of a big dune to catch the sunset. Here you can also have a go at sandboarding (included).

When you reach the camp, you will find your luggage waiting for you and enjoy dinner before spending the night in the dunes, listening to traditional Amazigh music, or stargazing. Our luxury desert camp has cosy beds, hot water, showers and private bathrooms in each tent.

To get the most out of your desert experience, we recommend you wake up early in the morning to watch the splendid sunrise over the Sahara dunes.

After breakfast in the camp, we will head out into the heart of the desert. This is a really magical day, and a very unique experience. We will stop in Ramlia, a sleepy desert village and the end of the tourist trail.

Along our way today your guide will stop to share with you his local knowledge of the desert, from edible desert plants and tree sap, to the signs left behind by desert creatures moving at night. We will take a picnic lunch before continuing our exploration of the surrounding settlements.

In the evening, we have a very special experience planned for you. You will spend the night in the sand in a traditional nomad tent made of goat hair, surrounded by nothing but the desert.

Unlike other camps, there are no other camps around – this is a truly authentic desert experience.

You can learn more about the nomadic way of life, and how families survive out here in the desert.

We will enjoy a dinner cooked over a wood fire outside, before spending the rest of the evening relaxing under the stars and soaking up the silence of the desert.

After waking up to catch another splendid sunrise over the Sahara dunes, we will head to Agdz off road via the famous moto-rally road connecting Paris to Dakar.

In the afternoon we will arrive to Agdz. With endless palm groves and beautiful earthen clay architecture, the fortified ksour village of Agdz is located on the old caravan route connecting Marrakech to Timbuktu and played an important role for merchants carrying goods across the Sahara.

We will take a drive to visit the Tizgui Pools, a magnificent natural pool surrounded by palm and fig trees, where you can take a dip if you are feeling brave. We will return to spend the evening in a beautiful lodge nestled in the palm groves, where you will enjoy dinner.

There is also the option to have a traditional Moroccan hammam and/or massage tonight at the lodge.

We will make our way back to Marrakech through the stunning mountains. We will stop for lunch in Ighrem n’Ougdal, a spot high up in the mountains with stunning panoramic views.

We will arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon, where today you have the option to go shopping in the souks, take part in a traditional Moroccan painting activity led by a local artisan, or simply spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel.

Today your adventure with us ends! We will pick you up from your riad and take you to the airport after what we hope has been an unforgettable adventure!