15 Day Marrakech, Essaouira & Erg Chigaga Deluxe Desert Tour from Marrakech

This bespoke private Morocco tour from Marrakech is suited to travelers who would like a more relaxed experience of Morocco. It offers guests time to absorb the essence of Morocco’s diverse regional culture, with a focus on the Imperial city of Marrakech and regions south of Marrakech, rather than those north of the city. This deluxe tour includes a glamping experience in the more authentic Erg Chigaga desert region of the south. If you’re visiting Morocco, but you’re more interested in exploring its other iconic cities, you may prefer our Morocco tours from Tangier or our Morocco tours from Casablanca.

DETAILS

DEPARTURE LOCATION: Marrakech

DEPARTURE TIME: According to your flight schedule

RETURN LOCATION: Marrakech/ Optional: Casablanca

RETURN TIME: According to your flight schedule

WEAR: Free clothing.

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INCLUDED:

A/C Transportation
Spot Tour Guides
Hassan 2 Mosque

NOT INCLUDED

Meals & all drinks
Personal expenses
Tips
Any other non-specified service

ITINERARY

Day 1

MARRAKECH - ARRIVAL

Upon your arrival at Menara Airport, we will meet with you and provide a transfer to your accommodation. The activities for the day will depend on the timing of your flight. One option is to take a approximately 3-hour horse-drawn carriage ride around the city, known as a caleche. You will spend the night in Marrakech, with dinner and breakfast included in your accommodation.

Day 2

Marrakech

After breakfast, we will meet with you at your accommodation at a time that is convenient for you. You will then be joined by a private local guide from Marrakech for a full-day, guided tour of the city's historic and cultural sites. The tour will begin with a walking tour around the Koutoubia Mosque area and gardens. You will also visit the beautifully mosaiced Bahia Palace and Pashas Hareem, as well as the ornately tiled Saadian Tombs. You will have the opportunity to explore the vast ruinous El Badi Palace and have lunch at the oldest artisan-restored Riad in the Medina. In the afternoon, you can marvel at the artisan's skill in the tranquil Ben Youssef Madrasa, and explore an Aladdin's cave of souks in the UNESCO-listed Medina. The tour will include photo stops at your discretion, and will conclude with a return to your accommodation in the late afternoon or early evening. One night's accommodation in Marrakech, including dinner and breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 3

Day Tour Marrakech To Ourika Valley.

We will meet you at your accommodation after breakfast. You will then embark on an approximately 50-minute drive to the Ourika Valley, where you will visit the Anima Garden, which is filled with colorful art installations. Next, you will visit the Jardin-bio aromatique, where you can enjoy a relaxing outdoor herbal footbath. Afterwards, you will be invited to a Berber Family Home to participate in an informal mint tea ceremony. After the ceremony, you will take a scenic drive through the Ourika river valley, where you will find cafes with tables and chairs set up in the shallow river bed. You will then continue on to the mountain village of Kasbah Bab Ourika, where you can have lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the panoramic views of the valley below. There will be several opportunities to stop and take photographs along the way. You will return to your accommodation in the late afternoon or early evening. One night's accommodation in Marrakech, including dinner and breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 4

MARRAKECH

We will meet with you at your accommodation after breakfast and take a short drive to Marrakech's new town, Gueliz, to visit the Yves St Laurent complex. The complex includes the Majorelle Gardens with a courtyard café, shop, and Berber exhibition, as well as the Yves St Laurent Museum with a courtyard café housed in a contemporary building. After that, we will visit Le Jardin Secret, an Islamic garden that has been recently restored and is "hidden" in the Medina. After lunch, you will have the option to return to your accommodation to freshen up before taking a short drive to the iconic Mamounia Hotel & Gardens for optional afternoon tea. Alternatively, you can have free time to do as you please. Dinner is not included in this itinerary, so you can choose to visit a city eatery if you wish. One night's accommodation in Marrakech, including breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 5

Marrakech To Tamassint Oasis.

After breakfast, we will meet with you at your accommodation and embark on a journey through the High Atlas Mountains and Tichka Pass. Along the way, we will visit the Kasbah Telouet, which is known for its distressed but highly decorative appearance. We will also explore the UNESCO and international film location Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. If you wish, you can also visit a local Berber co-operative bakery. We will have lunch in the Ait Ben Haddou area and make photographic and refreshment stops as desired. We will arrive at the Tamassint Oasis in the late afternoon. One night's accommodation in Tamassint, including dinner and breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 6

Tamissaint Oasis To Zagora.

We will meet with you at your accommodation later in the day to give you a chance to relax. Afterwards, we will visit the town of Ouarzazate, which has been used as a location for many international films. A local professional guide will take us on a short walking tour of the Agdz Palmerie, and we will have lunch at the Kasbah Tammougalt with beautiful panoramic views. Then, we will take a scenic drive through the Draa Valley, which is lined with date palms and crumbling kasbahs. There will be opportunities for photography and refreshments along the way. We will arrive in our hometown of Zagora in the mid to late afternoon. One night's accommodation in Zagora, including dinner and breakfast.

Day 7

Zagora To Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp.

We will meet with you at your accommodation after breakfast for a walking tour of Zagora Palmerie, guided by a local. You will have the option to visit Saharan silversmiths and then meet with a Tamegroute guide to explore the Kasbah Tamegroute, which is home to several families. You will also visit the unique artisan Tamegroute pottery with outdoor kilns and the Ksar Ouled Driss Museum, which displays traditional Saharan household objects. After lunch in the Saharan town of M'hamid, where the tarmac ends and only desert lies ahead, you will embark on a 60km unmarked desert piste adventure drive to the Chigaga Camp, arriving there in the late afternoon. You will have the opportunity to take as many photograph stops as you like, and there is also the option to climb the towering dunes for a sunset view. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy Sharan hospitality in a surreal setting, with live drumming, a campfire, dinner, and a canopy of stars. One night's accommodation in a deluxe camp, including dinner and breakfast.

Day 8

Erg Chigaga To Foum Zguid.

You will start your day with a relaxing morning at camp. If you wish, you can also wake up early for a sunrise climb of the dunes or try sandboarding. Afterwards, you will meet with your camels and guide for a approximately 3-hour camel trek around the dune sets. You can have lunch at the camp or while trekking. After lunch, you will transfer to a 4x4 and leave the Sahara. You will take an unmarked 90km desert drive following the dry lake of Iriki over dunes and pistes, partly following the old Paris Dakar rally route. You will arrive in Foum Zguid in the late afternoon or early evening. There will be opportunities for photographic and refreshment stops along the way. One night's accommodation in Foum Zguid, including dinner and breakfast.

Day 9

Foum Zguid To Taroudant.

Join us for a tour of Morocco's ancient camel trade routes after having breakfast at your accommodation. We will take a scenic drive through the atmospheric and remote post-desert landscapes and visit the colorful Berber carpet-making town of Tazenakht. We will then journey into the mountainous saffron-growing region of the country and make a unique visit to a saffron co-operative in the traditional mountain village of Taliouine. We will have a traditional village lunch before continuing on to the majestic city of Taroudant, where we will arrive in the late afternoon. In the early evening, we will take a caleche ride around the city, which is a relaxing way to view the walled city, especially after a desert drive. There will be photographic and refreshment stops along the way as desired. One night's accommodation in Taroudant, including dinner and breakfast.

Day 10

Taroudant To Essaouira

After breakfast, we will meet with you at your accommodation and introduce you to our private, local, and professional Taroudant guide. Together, you will visit the Medina, markets, and souks of Taroudant. After lunch, you will embark on a scenic drive to Essaouira, making photographic and refreshment stops as desired. You can expect to arrive in Essaouira in the late afternoon or early evening. One night's accommodation in Essaouira, including dinner and breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 11

Essaouira

We will meet with you at your accommodation in the mid-morning, giving you time to relax before starting your tour. A local, private guide will take you on a walking tour of the UNESCO port town of Essaouira, known for its ancient ramparts and sweeping sandy bay. The ramparts have been used as a film location for scenes in the movie "Othello" by Orson Wells and the TV series "Game of Thrones." You will have the opportunity to visit the artisans who craft their wares below the ramparts and choose your catch of the day at the fish market, which will be cooked for you at a local rooftop café. After lunch, you may wish to explore the relaxed Medina and souks, browse the art galleries and artisan shops, or enjoy the street cafes. We will return to your accommodation at a time of your choosing and make photograph and refreshment stops as desired. Dinner is not included in this tour, so you are free to visit a local eatery if you wish. One night's accommodation in Essaouira, including breakfast, is also included.

Day 12

Essaouira

We will meet with you at your accommodation after you have had breakfast. From there, we will visit the wilder coastline of Diabet, which is just a short drive from Essaouira. This is the same stretch of coast where musician Jimi Hendrix lived for a short time, and we will visit a colorful beach shack café that pays tribute to him. There is also the option to go horse riding or camel riding along the beach for one hour. Afterwards, we will visit the only winery in southern Morocco and have lunch at the winery's restaurant, where you can try authentic dishes of the region. If you wish, you can also participate in a tasting of the winery's wines. After lunch, you can relax in the vineyard's grounds and garden. We will return to your accommodation in the mid to late afternoon, making photo and refreshment stops as you desire. Dinner is not included tonight, so you can choose to visit a local eatery if you wish. One night's accommodation in Essaouira, including breakfast, is also included in this tour.

Day 13

Essaouira

Today is a day of relaxation and freedom, with no set schedule. You are free to do as you please or, if you prefer, we can help you plan activities or excursions of your choosing. At the end of the day, you will have the option to stay overnight in Essaouira, where you will be provided with accommodation including dinner and breakfast.

Day 14

Essaouira To Marrakech.

We will meet with you at your accommodation at a time that is convenient for you. Our first stop today is Marrakech, where we will visit a co-operative that specializes in producing high-quality culinary and Argan oil. You have the option to have lunch at a goat cheese farm, where you can observe goats grazing in the Argan trees. We will arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Dinner is not included in this itinerary, so you will have the freedom to choose your own city eatery if you wish. One night's accommodation in Marrakech, including breakfast.

Day 15

Airport Transfer to Marrakech Or Casablanca

Today's activities will be based on your departure flight schedule. Please allow at least 45 minutes to travel to Menara Airport in Marrakech, plus a minimum of 2.5 hours before your flight for check-in and security procedures. If you are departing from Casablanca Airport, please allow at least 3 hours for travel plus a minimum of 2.5 hours before your flight for check-in and security procedures. We hope you had a wonderful trip and look forward to seeing you again in the future. Goodbye!

Please keep in mind that the tour itinerary listed is just a suggestion. If it does not align with your preferences, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are more than happy to create a customized and tailor-made tour or trip for you that is based on your specific interests and the duration of your stay. The price of the tour may vary depending on the number of people in your group and the quality of the accommodation chosen. As the transportation cost is fixed, the price will be divided among the number of people. For more information, please feel free to contact us.