Day 1 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Arrival in Marrakech

The Maroc Travel driver/guide will take you to the riad hotel in the old town. In the evening, you can head straight to the famous Jemaa el-Fna square with its acrobats, snake charmers, storytellers, dancers, music, and many food stalls.

Day 2 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Start your tour along the old caravan route and kasbahs: from Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou

After breakfast at the riad, your individual journey through southern Morocco truly begins. You depart in a comfortable, chauffeured vehicle, traveling along the city walls of Marrakech, across the Haouz Plain toward the High Atlas Mountains. On clear days, the snow-capped peaks are visible well into spring. A winding road leads to the Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass (2,260 m). It can be chilly here, so be sure to bring a jacket for photo stops.
After the pass, we descend to the village of Telouet with its ancient mud kasbah, built in the 19th century by the Berber Glaoua dynasty along the historic caravan route from Timbuktu to Fez. Via the Ounila Valley, with its small Berber villages and impressive scenery, we arrive at the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou. This beautifully preserved fortified village has served as a setting for many famous films. You have time for a walking visit. Reaching the hilltop granary (agadir) requires a steep climb, but you may also choose a relaxed walk through the village streets or along the river.

Overnight stay in Aït Ben Haddou in a charming riad or in Ouarzazate (Tarbounte) in a hotel with a swimming pool.

Day 3 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Aït Ben Haddou or Ouarzazate – Dadès Gorge – Todra Gorge

Today we drive to the dramatic gorges on the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. From Ouarzazate begins the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs,” lined with fortress-like houses surrounded by gardens and palm groves, such as in Skoura. Beneath the palms lie small irrigated fields growing barley, vegetables, mint, henna, and alfalfa.
In the Rose Valley near Kalaat M’Gouna, rose hedges surround the fields. If your trip coincides with the second weekend of May, you may witness the rose harvest and festival, when rose petals are processed into oil, cream, water, and soap. Moroccans traditionally use rose water to welcome guests and flavor pastries.
Later, we leave the main road for stunning views of the Dadès Gorge before continuing via Tinghir to the impressive Todra Gorge, where sheer rock walls rise up to 300 meters.

Dinner and overnight stay in a charming hotel near the Todra Gorge.

Day 4 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Todra Gorge – Sand Dunes of Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

Along the Todra River and its fertile valley, we return to Tinghir and continue southeast through vast plains dotted with palm groves. Past Erfoud, we reach the foot of the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, a highlight of the journey for many travelers.
Here, you enjoy a camel ride to a desert camp with traditional Berber tents. The dunes rise up to 200 meters, and those who wish can climb them for breathtaking views. Sunset in the desert is unforgettable, and once night falls, the star-filled sky is truly spectacular.

Overnight stay in a desert tent or a kasbah hotel.
Tents offer privacy for couples with separated sleeping areas. Beds, blankets, towels, and shared sanitary facilities are provided.

Day 5 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Merzouga – Alnif – Tazzarine – Draa Valley – Agdz

Early in the morning, a camel ride takes us out into the desert to watch the sunrise. Afterwards, we enjoy breakfast at the kasbah hotel, with time to shower if desired.
The journey continues to Rissani, where we visit local fossil workshops. Traveling through the stony desert and the village of Tazzarine, a filming location for the movie Babel, we reach the lush Draa Valley. Near Agdz lies Tamnougalt, an ancient kasbah set within a vast palm grove, famously described in Jeffrey Taylor’s book The Valley of the Kasbahs.

Dinner and overnight stay in Tamnougalt.

Day 6 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Draa Valley – Ouarzazate – High Atlas – Marrakech

Today is the longest driving day of the tour. The road climbs past striking rock formations to the Tizi-n-Tinififft pass (1,660 m) as we leave the Draa Valley. Near Ouarzazate, there is time to visit Kasbah Taourirt or the Atlas Film Studios, especially enjoyable for children.
Afterwards, the route continues through the High Atlas Mountains over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, returning to Marrakech.

Overnight stay in Marrakech.

Day 7 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Visit Marrakech – Free Time

Enjoy a full day in Marrakech to visit palaces and museums, wander through the souks, and shop for souvenirs. A visit to the cobalt-blue Jardin Majorelle is highly recommended. In the evening, a final visit to Jemaa el-Fna allows you to soak up the atmosphere, scents, sounds, and spectacle of the square.

Day 8 – Individual Tour of Southern Morocco with Desert
Departure – Transfer to the Airport

Depending on your flight time, you may still have time to explore Marrakech. A private transfer will take you to the airport, ensuring arrival two hours before departure. After this memorable individual journey through southern Morocco, it is time to say “ma’a s-salama” – see you again soon.