10 Days Imperial & Desert Discovery
- 10 Days / 9 Nights
- From 2 to 18
- Marrakech
This extraordinary 10-day circuit takes you on a grand loop through the most breathtaking landscapes and hidden treasures of southern Morocco, starting and ending in the magical city of Marrakech. From the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas to the endless golden dunes of Erg Chegaga, and from the ancient caravan routes of the Draa Valley to the wild Atlantic coastline, this journey is a masterclass in Moroccan diversity.
You will traverse forgotten kasbahs, sleep beside the Sahara, cross the volcanic Anti-Atlas mountains, discover the Berber heartland of Tafraout, and stroll the windswept medina of Essaouira. This is not just a tour — it is a complete immersion into Morocco’s soul, combining adventure, culture, history, and natural wonder at every turn.
1. High Atlas Mountains & Tizi n’Tichka Pass
Cross one of Morocco’s most dramatic mountain passes, winding through Berber villages perched on rocky hillsides with sweeping panoramic views that take your breath away.
2. Telouate Kasbah & Ait Ben Haddou
Explore the crumbling grandeur of the Glaoui Kasbah at Telouate, then discover the UNESCO-listed fortress village of Ait Ben Haddou — a cinematic icon of the ancient Silk Road.
3. Dades & Draa Valleys
Follow the Valley of Roses and the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through the Dades Gorge to the Draa Valley — Morocco’s longest river valley, lined with oases, palm groves, and ancient earthen fortresses.
4. Erg Chegaga – Morocco’s Wildest Sahara
Reach the remote and magnificent Erg Chegaga, far from the tourist crowds, where vast seas of golden dunes stretch to the horizon — a raw, unforgettable Saharan experience.
5. Iriki Lake & Tata Oasis
Discover the ghostly dried salt lake of Iriki, a surreal lunar landscape, and the lush palm-fringed oasis town of Tata, a hidden gem of Morocco’s deep south.
6. Anti-Atlas & Tafraout
Journey through the ancient granite landscapes of the Anti-Atlas to Tafraout, a jewel of the Ameln Valley, famous for its painted rocks, almond blossoms, and timeless Berber culture.
7. Atlantic Coastline & Essaouira
Emerge from the mountains to the wild Sous coast, passing through historic Tiznit and charming Taroudant before reaching the windswept blue-and-white port city of Essaouira — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
8. Haouz Plains Return to Marrakech
Complete your grand circuit across the fertile Haouz plains, returning to the Red City with memories of a journey that has taken you across the full spectrum of Morocco’s extraordinary landscapes.
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas Mountains – Telouate – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Depart Marrakech early and head south through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). Stop at the atmospheric Telouate Kasbah, former stronghold of the Glaoui clan, before continuing to Ait Ben Haddou — the spectacular UNESCO-listed ksar that has served as backdrop for countless films. Arrive in Ouarzazate, the “Gateway to the Desert,” and explore its famous film studios and Taourirt Kasbah.
- Accommodation: Ouarzazate
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Ouarzazate – Boumalne Dades – Tinghir
Leave Ouarzazate and travel east along the celebrated Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, through the Valley of Roses towards Boumalne Dades. Explore the dramatic Dades Gorge with its twisted rock formations and green valley floor before continuing to Tinghir, a beautiful oasis town at the foot of the Atlas. Discover the breathtaking Todra Gorge — 300-metre walls rising sheer from a narrow canyon floor.
- Accommodation: Tinghir
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3: Tinghir – Tizi n’Tzazert – Nkoub – Zagora
Venture off the beaten track, crossing the high Tizi n’Tzazert mountain pass through spectacular scenery into the remote and beautiful Draa Valley. Pass through the village of Nkoub, a hidden treasure of 45 kasbahs, before descending to Zagora — the starting point of ancient camel caravans that once made the 52-day journey to Timbuktu. Stroll the palmery and discover the legendary “Tombouctou 52 Jours” sign.
- Accommodation: Zagora
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Zagora – M’Hamid El Ghizlane – Erg Chegaga
Travel south along the Draa Valley through one of Morocco’s most evocative landscapes — palm groves, kasbahs, and desert villages — to M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last oasis before the Sahara. From here, venture deep into the desert by 4×4 to reach the remote and magnificent Erg Chegaga, one of Morocco’s largest and most unspoilt ergs. Arrive at your desert camp and watch the sunset paint the dunes gold.
- Accommodation: Erg Chegaga Desert Camp
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5: Erg Chegaga – Iriki Lake – Tisint – Tata
Wake to a magical Saharan sunrise before embarking on a remarkable cross-desert journey by 4×4. Cross the vast Iriki salt lake — a ghostly, moonlike landscape that was once a great inland sea — and continue through Tisint, a remote desert village famous for a historic meteorite find. Arrive in Tata, a surprising oasis town hidden in a lush palm grove amid dramatic rocky mountains.
- Accommodation: Tata
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: Tata – Anti-Atlas – Tafraout
Journey through the spectacular Anti-Atlas mountains, crossing a landscape of ancient red granite, sculpted boulders, and dramatic passes. Arrive in Tafraout, the jewel of the Ameln Valley, set amid a stunning amphitheatre of pink granite peaks. Explore the village, visit the famous painted rocks of artist Jean Vérame, and wander the traditional market.
- Accommodation: Tafraout
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7: Tafraout – Tiznit – Atlantic Coast
Descend from the mountains through the Ameln Valley to Tiznit, a charming walled town famous for its silver jewellery and traditional medina. Continue west to the Atlantic coast, where the rugged Sous-Massa coastline meets the ocean in dramatic fashion. Enjoy fresh seafood at a local coastal restaurant and spend the evening listening to the waves.
- Accommodation: Atlantic Coast
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8: Atlantic Coast – Sous Plain – Taroudant
Travel along the coast and then inland across the fertile Sous Plain — Morocco’s great agricultural heartland, with the Atlas to the north and Anti-Atlas to the south — to Taroudant. Known as the “grandmother of Marrakech,” this beautifully preserved walled city offers a relaxed medina, a bustling souq, and stunning views of the Atlas mountains. Explore its ancient ramparts and tanneries.
- Accommodation: Taroudant
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9: Taroudant – Agadir – Coastal Strip – Essaouira
Head north through Agadir, Morocco’s modern resort city, and then follow the magnificent Atlantic coastal road northward. This spectacular drive passes cliffs, fishing villages, argan forests, and golden beaches before arriving in Essaouira — the enchanting blue-and-white port city with its UNESCO-listed medina, ancient ramparts, and creative arts scene. Explore the fishing port and the windswept rampart walk at sunset.
- Accommodation: Essaouira
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10: Essaouira – Haouz Plains – Marrakech
Begin your final day with a morning stroll through Essaouira’s medina, exploring its blue boat workshops, art galleries, and spice-filled souqs. Depart and journey inland across the wide Haouz Plains, the agricultural heartland surrounding Marrakech, with views of the Atlas mountains shimmering on the horizon. Arrive back in Marrakech, completing a grand 10-day circuit through the most diverse and spectacular landscapes of southern Morocco.
- Accommodation: Marrakech
- Meals: Breakfast
Included Services
- Private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver/guide throughout the tour
- 4×4 vehicle for desert and off-road sections (Erg Chegaga, Iriki Lake)
- Pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
- 9 nights accommodation in selected hotels, riads and desert camp
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (9 dinners, 9 breakfasts)
- Desert camp experience at Erg Chegaga
- Visit to Ait Ben Haddou UNESCO site
- Telouate Kasbah visit
- Fuel and all road expenses
- Tizi n’Tzazert mountain pass crossing
Excluded Services
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and attractions
- Local guides unless specified
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities (camel trekking, sandboarding, etc.)
- Visa fees if applicable
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