7 days private tour from Marrakech

The adventure begins in Marrakech, where you leave the city’s vibrant souks and rooftop cafés behind for the dramatic landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains. The climb over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass reveals endless mountain switchbacks, terraced fields, and Berber villages clinging to hillsides. Descending toward the desert side, you reach Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO-protected ksar of mud-brick houses, famous for its cinematic history and its timeless beauty. Continuing east, the road takes you through Ouarzazate and the Skoura oasis before narrowing into the winding Dades Valley, where towering rock formations and dramatic gorges mark the day’s final stretch. Here, surrounded by crimson cliffs, you settle in for the night in one of Morocco’s most photogenic landscapes.

The morning light paints the rock walls of the Dades Valley in rich shades of red and gold before you head toward the Todra Gorges. This natural wonder features towering limestone cliffs that form a narrow canyon, perfect for a short walk along the cool river. Leaving the mountains behind, the road straightens as it crosses the pre-Saharan plains toward Erfoud, a small town known for its fossil workshops and date palms. Soon, the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from the horizon, and you arrive in Merzouga. Here, the adventure shifts pace as you trade wheels for a camel and ride into the desert, watching the sunset turn the sands into waves of fire before spending the night in a Berber tent beneath a sky crowded with stars.

A sunrise over the dunes is worth the early wake-up, with soft light revealing endless curves of sand. After breakfast, you set off for Rissani, a market town once central to caravan trade routes, still buzzing with stalls selling spices, textiles, and local produce. The road leads through Alnif and Tazarine, passing wide, barren plains broken only by clusters of date palms and occasional adobe villages. The scenery begins to change as you approach the Draa Valley, its lush greenery a stark contrast to the surrounding desert. By late afternoon, you reach Zagora, a historic stop on the route to Timbuktu, where the pace of life slows under the palm-shaded streets.

This is a day of pure road-trip adventure, venturing into Morocco’s remote and less-traveled landscapes. Leaving Zagora, you drive south toward Foum Zguid, a small desert town at the edge of the Sahara. The road passes rocky plateaus and occasional nomadic encampments before continuing west toward Tata, where palm groves line the edges of dry riverbeds. The Anti-Atlas Mountains rise ahead, their craggy peaks and deep valleys creating an otherworldly backdrop. By evening, you arrive in Tafraout, nestled in a valley surrounded by massive pink granite boulders that glow in the setting sun, making it one of the most striking villages in southern Morocco.

Morning in Tafraout offers time to explore its surroundings, from the famous Painted Rocks to nearby Amazigh villages. Heading west, the road winds toward Tiznit, a fortified town with a long history as a center for silver craftsmanship. The medina’s narrow streets lead to shops selling traditional jewelry, while the town’s ramparts provide a glimpse into its past as a Saharan trade outpost. From Tiznit, you continue toward the Atlantic coast, where the scenery shifts from rocky mountains to open ocean. Arriving in Agadir, you find a modern seaside city with a long sandy beach and a relaxed promenade, perfect for unwinding after days of desert and mountain travel.

Today’s drive follows Morocco’s wild Atlantic coastline, where the road alternates between cliffside views and stretches of open beach. Small fishing villages dot the route, along with groves of argan trees that sometimes host the famous tree-climbing goats. As you approach Essaouira, the crisp sea breeze carries the scent of salt and grilled fish. Inside the city’s UNESCO-listed medina, whitewashed houses with blue shutters line narrow alleys filled with artisans at work. The bustling harbor, the rhythmic crash of Atlantic waves, and the relaxed atmosphere make Essaouira an inviting stop before your final return to Marrakech.

The last day begins with the soft coastal light of Essaouira before you head inland toward Marrakech. The road crosses gentle hills and farmlands, with occasional roadside stalls selling argan oil and ceramics. We will drop you off at your hotel or at the Marrakech airport.