Day 1: Marrakech: Exploring the Red City by local Guide

Welcome to Marrakech! Marrakech is nicknamed the “Red City” because of the natural pigments in the sandstone used to construct walls and buildings, and it has always been a major economic center.

Centered on the main square of Marrakech, Jemaa el–Fna: to the north are the souks, to the west are the Koutoubia Mosque and gardens, and the Kasbah (old fortress) area Located in the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace and El Badi Palace are in the south. In the southwest corner, you will find calèches, which provides a unique way to visit the Medina (Old Town). Inimperial city, you will find Majorelle Gardens, an ideal place to get away from the crowds.

Start your day at the Koutoubia Mosque with its towering minarets. Note the open spaces and courtyards along the many alleys: these hot pots or caravans were once hotels used by merchants and merchants and their animals. Strolling through the open-air market, be sure to visit Souk des Teinturiers to see how the workers dye cloth and wool using traditional methods.

Next, visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic School and admire the carved cedar ceiling, zellij (complex tile work) and Islamic calligraphy. Visit the 500-year-old Saadi tomb or visit the 19th century Bahia Palace, one of the largest and most luxurious palaces at the time. If time permits, you can visit the 17th century El Badi Palace for comparison.

Day 2 Over the High Atlas mountains and into the boumalen Dades

Leaving the busy city, head east to the desert and climb the High Atlas Mountains the highest peak at 2260 m. Along the way, you will see many Berber villages up of traditional clay brick buildings.

Visit the local argan oil cooperative to learn how local women extract precious oil from argan to make oil for the health, food and cosmetic industries. Follow the winding road to Tizi n’Tichka pass and stop for a panoramic view and enjoy the lunch in Kasbah ait benhaddou

Continue to the east and pass through the berber village. Many of the castles were built with Kasbas (rammed earth), and fell into disrepair. When you head to Boumalne Dades, you will pass many small towns where you can see the traditional farming methods in use. As you walk through the fragrant “valley of roses” Kela’a M’gouna, look out for the nomads who care for the animals. You will eventually arrive at Boumalne Dades village, the main town that connects the Dades River to your night traditional riad.

Day 3 Desert villages, fossil workshops, and Sahara desert camp

Today, you will continue driving east to your final destination: the sand sea of ​​Erg Chebbi sahara desert outside Merzouga. Along the way, stop at Tinghir city to admire the river oasis that extends to both sides of the town. The surrounding desert landscape shows impressive hills, terraces and plateaus.

Nearby, you will have the opportunity to explore the Todra valley, deep gorge cut by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud. Known for its figs and fossils, visit a craft workshop to learn how fossil-rich rocks are skillfully transformed into practical and decorative objects. Buying fresh figs here is also a good idea!

When you are close to Erg chebbi, the dunes is in the middle of the Morocco Sahara Desert, stop in the first capital in Morocco of Rissani, and be sure to explore the livestock auction and the “donkey parking “. Leaving Rissani, you will see the beginning of the huge sand dunes sea area of ​​Erg Chebbi.

After arriving at Erg Chebbi in Merzouga town, change gears and take to your personal camel to begin your beach trek and cross the dunes to the Bedouin camp. Hike to the top of the nearby sand dunes to watch the sunset, and then enjoy a warm meal by the fire.

Day 4 Date palms valley – movie locations at Aït Benhaddou Kasbah

Wake up early to admire the desert sunrise and further explore the Sahara Desert: rent a sand table, take an Erg Chebbi dune tour or a four–WD tour, or relax by the swimming pool in nearby Merzouga town.

Head south to Khemliya, a traditional black Saharan village . Here, you can enjoy traditional Gnawa music, drumming and dancing, and then take a walk in the village and the cultivated land on the beach. You will have a second chance to visit Tuareg House in Rissani, a warehouse that sells traditional arts and handicrafts, including carpets, jewelry and leather products. From there, walk through the umbrella trees of the acacia forest, and then arrive at Alnif for lunch. Continue through the Draa Valley, which is full of date palm trees, and there is another opportunity to pick a box of dates for a drive.

Continue west to the desert center and popular filming locations of Ouarzazate. Due to the growing popularity of the film industry, you can choose to visit one of the two film studios and imagine how the nearby area appears in many movies. Some popular film works include Gladiator, Black Hawk Fall, Prometheus, American Sniper, and Game of Thrones. To learn more about the history of the area and the filmmaking process, go to the Musée du Cinema.

Continue west to medieval Aït Benhaddou. As a UNESCO site, Aït Benhaddou is the most famous castle in Morocco. Once upon a time, it occupied an important position on the trans-Saharan trade route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate and the southern desert. After the daytime crowds leave, spend the night in the old town and stroll through the empty alleys. Pay a nominal fee to enter some old castles and climb the roof to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Day 5 : Back to Marrakech; Depart 

Before the crowds flood into the old castle, explore the narrow passages and alleys to truly feel this fortified city built in the 11th century. Leaving Aït Benhaddou, returning to Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’Tichka Pass.

After exploring the tranquil desert towns and various deserts of Morocco, you will soon return to the bustling city of Marrakech. You may wish to spend the afternoon at a slower pace-find a cafe near Jemaa el-Fna and enjoy your last Moroccan meal before taking your flight home.