Moroccan Explorer: Ouarzazate
5 - Day Itinerary
Start: Ouarzazate | End: Marrakech, Fes, Ouarzazate, Tangier, Essaouira or Rabat
For travelers who want to see the best of Morocco in less time without missing depth or magic.
Day 1
Your journey begins in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert and home of cinematic kasbahs. Visit the grand Taourirt Kasbah and, time allowing, the Atlas Film Studios. Drive east to explore the lush Skoura Oasis, scattered with palm groves and the iconic Kasbah Amridil.
Overnight in Skoura or Dades Valley
Dinner & breakfast included
Day 2
Drive through the Valley of Roses, where handmade cosmetics and fragrant water are still crafted from blossoms each spring. Continue to the towering cliffs of the Todra Gorge for a scenic walk or lunch break. Arrive in Merzouga by late afternoon for a camel ride into the dunes, watching the sun set over the Sahara.
Overnight in a luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
Dinner & breakfast included
Day 3
After sunrise and breakfast in the dunes, explore the desert culture around Merzouga. Visit Khamlia village for live Gnawa music, enjoy tea with a nomadic family, and explore the ancient Rissani market, one of Morocco’s most authentic. Stop in Erfoud, famous for its fossils and date production.
Overnight in Erfoud or nearby guesthouse
Dinner & breakfast included
Day 4
Travel north through the stunning Ziz Valley, where green palm groves weave through canyon walls. Continue into the Middle Atlas Mountains, passing cedar forests and Berber villages. Stop for lunch en route and enjoy the cooler air as the scenery shifts.
Overnight in Midelt
Dinner & breakfast included
Day 5
Option A: Continue to Fes
Drive through mountain passes to the cultural capital of Fes. Arrive by early afternoon for a medina orientation walk or transfer directly to your hotel or airport.
Drop-off in Fes
Option B: Return to Ouarzazate
Loop back through the High Atlas via Tinghir and the Dades Valley with scenic breaks along the way. Optional lunch in Boumalne Dades or Kalaat M’Gouna (famous for its rose distilleries).
Drop-off in Ouarzazate
Price Includes
Price Excludes
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Private modern transport with A/C and fuel
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Pick-up and drop-off at your chosen airport or accommodation
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Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
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4 nights accommodation (kasbahs, desert camp, and guesthouses)
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Camel ride into the dunes
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4x4 transfer to/from camp (alternative to camel)
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All breakfasts & 4 dinners
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Visits to kasbahs, gorges, valleys, souks, and fossil towns
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Flexible scenic stops and cultural insights
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Lunches
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Drinks
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Tipping (Optional)
5 Day Trip Highlights
Walk through the cinematic Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, featured in Game of Thrones and Gladiator
Visit Rissani, one of Morocco’s most vibrant traditional markets, and taste its famed date-based dishes
Ride camels into the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and spend the night under the stars in a luxury Sahara camp
Experience real desert culture in Khamlia village with live Gnawa music and tea with nomadic families
Hike between the dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge and explore the lush palm oases of the Dades and Ziz Valleys
Travel through diverse landscapes—from arid canyons to cedar-covered mountains—on your way to Fes or back to Ouarzazate
6 - Day Itinerary Extension
Day 6
Spend a full day in the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Navigate the ancient medina of Fes el-Bali with a local guide, visiting the Al Quaraouiyine University, tanneries, madrasa, and artisan workshops. Sample sweet pastilla, sip mint tea, and soak in the atmosphere of living history.
Overnight in Fes
Optional Add-On: Private hammam, calligraphy class, or traditional cooking experience
7 - Day Itinerary Extension
Day 7
Depart for the Rif Mountains to reach Chefchaouen, the iconic Blue City. Wander its quiet, blue-washed lanes, visit the kasbah, and relax over a rooftop lunch. It’s the perfect soft landing after Fes’s intensity.
Overnight in Chefchaouen
Optional Add-On: Weaving demo, photography tour, or hike to the Spanish Mosque at sunset
8 - Day Itinerary Extension
Day 8
Leave the mountains and head to Tangier, where Atlantic meets Mediterranean. Visit the Kasbah Museum, Cap Spartel, and Hercules Cave, then enjoy seafood by the port. Take in the coastal breeze and multicultural vibe of this gateway city.
Overnight in Tangier
Optional Add-On: Gallery visit or medina walk with local poet/guide
9 - Day Itinerary Extension
Day 9
Travel down the Atlantic coast to Rabat, Morocco’s refined capital. Visit the Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Kasbah des Oudayas. Walk along the Bouregreg River or unwind in the Andalusian Gardens. This stop adds calm and elegance before wrapping up.
Overnight in Rabat
Optional Add-On: Guided night stroll or garden-side dinner with live oud music
10 - Day Itinerary Extension
Day 10
From Rabat, choose your final destination:
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Head to Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque, then continue to Marrakech for departure or a final cultural immersion
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OR travel to Essaouira, the seaside haven, for a relaxed finale with beach walks, artisan shopping, and fresh grilled fish in the port
Overnight in Marrakech or Essaouira
Final airport transfer included
