Morocco
Itineraries
If you want to book a bespoke tour through a local company,
please see our recommended Tailormade Tour
Operator based in Marrakech. They have suggested itineraries
from 6-14 days, or you can liaise with them to make a personalised
one for you.
If you want to plan and book it all yourself, have a look at
some of our suggestions.
back to top1 Week - Souks and Seaside
An unhurried option, ideal for first time visitors, with
opportunities to stay at lovely hotels, dine out in style, go
shopping, visit some sites, walk the beach and possibly fit in a
day hike in the Atlas
Day 1-3: Fly to Marrakech. Spend 3 nights at one of our
recommended riads in the old medina, or for more breathing space at
one of the palmeraie hotels; for the full list click
here.
While based in Marrakech you could take a day trip (1-2 hr drive
one way) to the High Atlas for a walk and lunch at either the
Kasbah du Toubkal or Kasbah
Tamadot.
Day 4-6: drive (2hrs) to Essaouira for beach, harbour,
souks. Spend 3 nights at one of our recommended hotels and
guesthouses in Essaouira.
Day 7: Drive to Marrakech (2 hrs) for final 1 night,
shopping and feasting.
Day 8: Fly home
We'd recommend renting a car. Alternatively, take a taxi (about
US$100 (in 2009) for a return trip to Essaouira or Imlil in the
Atlas).
back to top1 Week - Mountain and the Medina
For those looking to relax amid beautiful scenery combined with
some shopping and culture at the end.
Day 1-5: Fly to Marrakech, drive to the foothills of the
Atlas Mountains (2 hours) and spend 5 nights either at the unique
Kasbah du Toubkal in Imlil, kasbah-style
Ksar Shama near Ouirgane, remote Douar
Samra, or for more luxury Kasbah Tamadot near
Asni. All offer peace and quiet, wonderful views and plentiful
opportunities for exploring the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages
either by foot or horseback.
If you've 'done' the Toubkal zone, consider Dar
Itrane in the eastern Atlas, which offers remote treks around
the Ait Bougmez valley and Jbel Mgoun (4069m).
Day 6-7: Drive back to Marrakech (2 hours) for shopping,
sightseeing and a traditional Moroccan feast. Spend 2 nights at an
intimate riad guesthouse, handy for shopping and souks, or a
palmeraie hotel if you want more space (full list of
hotels).
Day 8: Fly home
1 Week - Deserts and Gorges
Another option for the more adventurous or second-time visitor
would be to fly into Ouarzazate (limited flights, mostly domestic)
and head 45 mins to Skoura, where you can spend a week either at
the kasbah-cum-working-farm Sawadi, or at the
Jardins de Skoura. Both are well placed for hiking
in the Dades & M’gun gorges and 4x4 jeep tours into the
desert.
Or you could venture further south to the dunes of the Sahara.
either those around Mhamid or those around Erfoud - and stay at
Dar Azawad or Kanz Erremal
respectively. We'd recommend spending 3 nights there, allowing for
an overnight bivouac trip into the desert.
back to top10 days - A Bit of Everything
Day 1-2: Fly to Marrakech (2 nts) - choice of
hotels.
Day 3-5: Drive to the Atlas (1-2 hrs) and stay (3 nts)in a
mountain hideaway - choice of
guesthouses.
Day 6-8: Drive to Essaouira via Taroudant (6-7 hrs) for a
relaxing 3 nights on the coast - choice of
hotels.
Day 9-10: Return to Marrakech for last 2 nights
Day 11: Fly back home
back to top2 Weeks - Marrakech, Sahara, Fez and the Middle Atlas
If you have two weeks, you could see the most exciting parts of
southeastern Morocco. A good self-drive route encompassing
mountains, medinas, kasbahs, desert and beach would be:
Day 1: Fly to Marrakech and acclimatize (2 nts) -
choice of
hotels
Day 3: Drive across the dazzling landscapes of the Atlas
mountains towards Ouarzazate (4 hrs from Marrakech); visit the
hilltop castle of Ait Ben Haddou. Spend 2 nights at
Kasbah Ellouze, Sawadi or
Les Jardins de Skoura, exploring one of the
palmeraies or gorges on the intervening day.
Day 5: Continue on to Erfoud/Merzouga (2-3hrs) from where
you can take 4WD trips to see the sand dunes at Merzouga; camel
treks can also be organised. Stay 2 nights at Kanz
Erremal on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Day 7: Drive north via Erfoud and across the eastern Atlas
range, stopping for lunch at Midelt, to reach Fes (Fez) - 8 hrs
drive total. Spend 3 nights at this fascinating imperial city -
choice
of hotels in Fes.
Days 10-11: Head back towards Marrakech, stopping for a
night en route at the Riad Cascades dOuzoud (5-6
hrs drive. This is a remote mountain inn just yards from the
plummeting Ouzoud waterfalls, imbued with a spirit of genuine
Berber hospitality.
Days 12-14: Free time in Marrakech (2 hrs) for shopping,
celebratory feasts etc (2 nts).
Day 15: Fly home