HomePackages, Trips & Tours11-night Marrakech, South, Camp & Coast trip
11-night Marrakech, South, Camp & Coast trip
11-night trip combines Marrakech, spectacular rural and desert scenery and the serenity of the Atlantic coast. The amount of days can be adjusted to your schedule
The tour starts in Marrakech and ends in Essaouira, but can be adapted to your needs.
This trip showcases the wonderful variety that Morocco offers. It starts in the souks and chaos of Marrakech. From there you travel over the awe-inspiring High Atlas Mountains and the kasbahs of Telouet and Ait Benhaddou to your guesthouse, Kasbah Azul in the Draa valley. From here, there are some wonderful serene walks in the palm oasis. The following day you travel through the Draa Valley and its hundreds of decaying kasbahs, on to the vastness of the desert. After the desert, the scenery alternates between stark mountain and lush oasis. The landscape around Tafraout is some of the most beautiful in Morocco.
You end up Essaouira, a chilled coastal town, with wide beaches, a calm medina, and a developing and diverse restaurant scene.
Koutoubia mosque, Marrakech
The Ksar of Ait Benhaddou
Kasbah Tamnougalt, Agdz, Draa Valley
We provide transport in a 4WD from Marrakech to Essaouria. From there, we can organise transport to your next destination. Marrakech is 2 hours 45 minutes from Essaouira
As a guide price (this of course depends on the accommodation selected and transfers requried), the 11-night trip costs 4,600 euro for 2 people. This includes:
- 11 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected accommodation including breakfast.
- All meals, drinks and activities (except quad bikes) at the desert camp
- Transport (5 days) in a 4WD Land Cruiser from Marrakech to the desert and ending in Essaouira with an experienced English-speaking and knowledgeable driver.
- Guided tours in Marrakech and Essaouira.
- Transfers on arrival and departure.
The summary of the trip is as follows:
- 3 nights at a riad in Marrakech.
- 1 night at Kasbah Azul in the Draa Valley.
- 2 nights at the Main Camp.
- 2 nights at El Malara in Tafraout.
- 3 nights at a riad in Essaouira
Date palm grove near Tata
Evening light on Jbel el Kest, Tafraout
Sandy beach at Sidi Kaouki, near Essaouira
Example itinerary:
Days 1-4 – Marrakech
Marrakech. There are literally hundreds of riads to select from. Our recommended riads are the excellent Riad Adore, Riad TM Nights, and at the top-end, Le Farnatchi or Villa des Orangers. On day 2, we would organise a full day guided tour of Marrakech. We can also organsise evening food tours, bike tours, cooking classes and hot air balloon rides.
Day 4 – Draa Valley
Depart at about 0800 to 0900. The trip to Kasbah Azul is about 5h30 plus stops. The route is via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the spectacular Ounila Valley, the Glaoui Kasbah of Telouet and the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, an UNESCO heritage site. You then pass through the administrative town of Ouarzazate (there are a couple of film studios here for film buffs). Overnight at Kasbah Azul, which has a beautiful location adjacent to the verdant palm oasis.
Days 5 and 6 - Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp
Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp. The trip to the camp is about 4 hours 30 minutes plus stops. The route follows the Draa river and its palm oasis to Zagora. 15 minutes after Zagora you reach Tamegroute, famed for its green glazed pottery, ancient koranic library and zaouia (Islamic religious school). You enter the desert at the frontier town of M’Hamid el Ghizlane, and from here it is 1h45 bumping through the desert to the camp.
Days 7 and 8 – Tafroute in the Anti-Atlas Mountains
El Malara in Tafroute. There are several different routes from the camp to the coast. The one via Tafraoute is the most spectacular. It takes 7 hours plus stops. Tafraoute is located in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, which provide a gorgeous backdrop in the evening sunlight. The drive via Tata and Igherm features stunning geological topography, verdant oasis and also some ancient rock art. The guesthouse of El Malara has a terrace that looks onto the mountain range. It’s tranquil, beautiful and serene.
Days 9, 10 and 11 – Essaouira
Exiting Tafraoute via a beautiful valley, the route goes via Tiznit, Agadir and the surfing capital of Morocco, Taghazout. From here you follow the road north from which there are some fabulous views of the coast. The route then goes slightly inland, where there are thousands of argan trees. You might, by chance, encounter the famed goats that graze in the trees. The trip is 7 hours plus stops. In Essaouira we would organsise a half-day private tour. We can also organise a cooking class. Essaouira is also an excellent place to horse ride, quad bike, and surf. Overnight at either Villa Maroc, Salut Maroc or Villa Garanace.
Day 12 – Depart
Transfer to wherever your would like to go. This includes Marrakech (2 hours 45 minutes) and Casablanca ( 5 hours).
Green glazed pottery in Tamegroute
The Main Camp late afternoon
Zaouia above the Tata palm grove