Discover Sahara to Sea: Morocco Essaouira Tour – 8 days

After breakfast, continue your journey southward towards M'hamid, nestled at the edge of the magnificent Sahara Desert. Cross the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass and descend into the stunning Dra'a Valley, captivated by its abundance of palm trees, heralding the valley's oasis life. This valley boasts an impressive 44 varieties of dates, with the harvest season peaking in September. Savor the freshest dates at the bustling souk (market) in Agdz.

Visit Kasbah Tamnougalt, then follow the ancient caravan road, passing by captivating villages and verdant gardens, testaments to the valley's rich history and vibrant culture.

Near the Tansikht police checkpoint, your driver can point out fascinating dinosaur footprints etched in the rock. Take a short detour from Tinsouline to discover the 4,000-year-old rock carvings of animals long extinct in Morocco at Foum Chenna.

Continue to Zagora, the Dra'a Valley's largest oasis, for lunch. Afterward, arrive in Tamgroute, renowned for its exquisite green-glazed pottery, often seen in Marrakech and throughout the south. Explore the town's ancient Quranic library, famous for its exquisite hand-written Arabic texts, many now housed in Rabat's National Library.

Finally, journey 45 minutes to your luxurious camp nestled amidst the dunes outside M'hamid. Immerse yourself in the silence and beauty of the Sahara, enjoying comfortable king-sized beds, tasteful Moroccan décor, and private bathrooms, all designed to enhance your desert experience.

Rise early and witness the Sahara's breathtaking dawn spectacle. Vibrant hues paint the dunes, and dancing shadows create an awe-inspiring scene. Back at camp, savor a traditional Moroccan breakfast before venturing deeper into the region.

Journey across the now-dry Dra'a River to the old village of M'hamid. Witness desert dwellings built entirely of adobe, with covered streets offering refuge from the scorching summer sun. Explore the village, learn about life in this harsh yet beautiful environment, and perhaps share a cup of tea with a local family.

After lunch, embark on a 60km off-road adventure through the Sahara's diverse landscapes. Traverse towering "erg" dunes, vast "hammada" plains, and verdant oases, each offering a unique glimpse into the desert's grandeur.

Upon arrival at your luxurious Erg Chegaga camp, check in and indulge in a refreshing cup of tea. Then, embark on a camel ride to the summit of the dunes, the largest in Morocco, stretching 45km and soaring 300m high. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring sunset as it paints the vast landscape in golden hues. Nomadic life here thrives amidst the wind, sandstorms, and scarce rain, a testament to human resilience.

Enjoy dinner and a peaceful night under the stars in your luxurious camp, offering the same amenities as your M'hamid haven.

Fuel up with breakfast before your 90km journey across the stony desert and the dried-up Lake Iriqui. Stretch your legs and keep your eyes peeled for fascinating fossils!

Reach Foum Zguid, the first town after the desert and the gateway to the paved road. Travel west on the ancient Algeria-Zagora caravan route, passing vibrant oases and the majestic Jebel Bani Mountains, which gradually transition into the Anti-Atlas range.

Explore the Kasbah and museum in Tata, offering a glimpse into the town's rich history. Next, venture to Imaoun to discover intriguing rock carvings etched into the outcrops, remnants of a bygone era.

Head north along the Tata River, passing through the charming Berber town of Tiata Tagmoute before reaching your final destination: Tafraoute. Enjoy a restful night in a beautiful guesthouse.

After breakfast, you will discover this region of Morocco, which is not very popular among tourists, but gives you a glimpse of life in the south and the oases. You will visit the rocks painted by the Belgian painter Jean Veran, in a striking art project. The stone formations contrast with the golden-red landscape and create a unique and surreal effect. The project was done in 1984 with 18 tons of paint sprayed by local firemen. The colors have faded over time, but the project is still impressive. From there, you will continue traveling north, passing through varied landscapes and beautiful Berber villages. You will arrive in Taroudant, also known as the “little Marrakech” because of the huge and intact city walls that surround the town. You will spend the night in a beautiful riad, where you will also have dinner.

In the morning, you will visit the medina of Taroudant, which is remarkable for its massive ramparts and its beautiful medina. You can also stop by the souk (local market), where you can find silver jewelry, colorful Moroccan ceramics, and mosaics. Traveling west, you will reach Agadir, following the Souss river valley with its thousands of argan trees, which are native to Morocco. Argan oil is highly nutritious and is also used for cosmetic purposes for the skin and hair. The leaves and the leftovers from the oil extraction are used as animal feed. The road then goes along the coast, passing through Taghazout, a surfers’ paradise, and the Anti-Atlas Mountains, with stunning views of the Atlantic coast. Finally, you will reach the famous blue and white coastal town of Essaouira. You'll spend the night at a stunning riad in the center of the medina.

Essaouira is a favorite destination for many tourists. It is a small and charming town on the Atlantic coast, formerly known as Mogador by the Portuguese. You have the whole day to explore this lovely town at your leisure. Start your exploration by visiting the Medina, where you can find local handicrafts, especially thuja wood furniture, carvings, and small artifacts, sold in the colorful shops along the winding alleys. At the seafront, you can pick some fresh fish and have it cooked for you on the spot for lunch. In the afternoon, walk along the ancient fortifications that surround the town, built by the Portuguese. You can still see many of the cannons that were used to protect the town on the walls facing the sea. Visit the Skala and the fortified ramparts, which were used as a filming location for the popular TV series Game of Thrones, and the opening scene of Orson Welles’ adaptation of Hamlet. This is a great place to take photos and enjoy the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira’s beautiful beach, with a variety of water sports, including surfing, makes this fishing town a perfect destination for beach lovers. Essaouira is also a great place to relax after a trip to the desert. You can chill on the beach, in the cozy cafes by the port, or in the many little shops scattered around the town.

After a traditional Moroccan breakfast in your riad, you drive back to Marrakech. You pass by hilly slopes where almost every tree is an argan tree. Along the way, you can stop and take pictures of a rare sight: goats climbing the argan branches to eat the leaves and the nuts. This is not a myth, it really happens! You can also visit a women’s cooperative that showcases argan products. You can see how the oil is extracted and processed from the nut kernels, and taste argan oil with Moroccan bread and mint tea, a delicious treat. The quality is better and cheaper than most of the exported products, so if you want to take some home, this is a good chance to buy some. After lunch, you continue traveling through the Haouz plains and past several villages of the Chichaoua region, where you can stop for a tea or coffee break, overlooking the countryside. When you arrive in Marrakech, your driver will be happy to take you to your riad or to the airport for your flight.