Magic of the South5 days from Marrakech

Day by day

1. Day 01

   Marrakech – Marrakech

   Pick-up from the airport or any point in Marrakech at the time that suits you best, with a sign displaying the name of our agency, Unique Morocco Experience, and transfer to the riad.

   You will have the opportunity to get a first taste of the famous Jamaa El Fna square, where you can enjoy delicious food stalls, storytellers, music, dances, and games.

   Overnight in a riad in the medina.

2. Day 02

   Marrakech – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Skoura – Dades Gorges

   Breakfast and start of the journey towards the desert. Departure from Marrakech via the Col Tichka pass, where we will cross the Atlas Mountains, making stops to enjoy the magnificent views along the route.

   Optional visit to a small women’s cooperative that processes argan oil, where you can learn how this precious product is obtained, as well as the variety of culinary and beauty products provided by the argan fruit.

   We will continue on our way to Ouarzazate to visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and have lunch.

   In Ouarzazate, you can visit, if you are interested, the film studios where many famous Hollywood movies have been filmed.

   Next, we will encounter the village of Skoura, located in the heart of the palm valley. You can take a walk through the extensive and labyrinthine oasis, whose lush vegetation shelters beautiful secret kasbahs, and you can also visit its kasbah.

   From here, we will continue through the Valley of the Roses (famous for its rose cultivation) towards the Dades Gorges, where we will spend the night.

   Dinner and overnight in a hotel by the Dades River.

3. Day 03

   Dades Valley – Todra Gorges – Erfoud – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Desert

   After breakfast, we will continue along the banks of Boulmane, where a road lined with kasbahs (fortresses or castles) and ksour (citadels) opens up, with a landscape of ocher, red, and mauve colors. Around us, we will find rocky plateaus where dromedaries graze.

   After a journey filled with ksour, oases, and palm trees, we will arrive at Tineghir (home to the spectacular Todra Gorges) perched at an altitude of 1,350 meters and surrounded by a palm grove.

   Free time to walk through the gorges. We then continue to Erfoud (city of fossils) and pass through Rissani (the first imperial city), with its interesting market where the region’s nomads come to sell their livestock and buy the supplies they need.

   Finally, we will arrive in Merzouga, facing the high dunes of Erg Chebbi. After a welcome tea at the hotel, there will be an opportunity to go on a quad or buggy excursion or rest a bit before starting the camel trek into the desert.

   We will reach the tent camp in the middle of the high dunes desert, where we will spend the night.

   Dinner and a drum party around a bonfire.

4. Day 04

   Merzouga – Alnif – Draa Valley – Marrakech

   We highly recommend waking up early today to witness one of the most stunning sunrises from the great dunes of Erg Chebbi.

   After breakfast, we will return to the hotel on camelback.

   The rest of the day will be spent traveling back to Ouarzazate via the Draa Valley, one of the longest rivers in Morocco. There will be stops to admire the adobe kasbahs, Berber villages scattered along the route, and the fascinating geological formations of the Draa Valley.

   We will cross the Atlas Mountains again with their beautiful landscapes.

   Arrival in Marrakech is expected around 8:00 PM.

   Transfer to your riad in Marrakech.

5. Day 05

   Marrakech – Marrakech Airport

   Breakfast and start of the guided tour to explore Marrakech.

   We will begin with the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque (13th century), sister to Seville’s Giralda, a splendid symbol of harmony and the spiritual center of Marrakech today.

   Next, we will visit the Saadian Tombs (16th century), renowned for their central marble vault.

   Then, we will explore the Bahia Palace (16th century), a showcase of aristocratic life in medieval Muslim times, featuring the Ambassador’s Hall with its cedar wood ceiling.

   On foot, we will head to the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

   The visit starts around 09:00 and ends at 13:00. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport and end of our services.