Journey Beyond Travel

This particular Morocco holiday is best for those looking for a more rugged and off-the-beaten-path experience, and truly not for the weary. This itinerary takes you past kasbahs and fertile oases valleys, and deep in to the Sahara Desert. Experience the stark beauty of the Anti-Atlas Mountains before ending your trip in the quaint, coastal town of Essaouira or in the green valley of Ouirgane at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. This itinerary has some various options from which to choose below. This route is available from September to June.

Day 1: Pick up from Marrakesh | Zagora
Today, you will be picked up in the morning in Marrakesh. From there, you will drive over the High Atlas Mountains. After a stop for lunch, you will continue to Zagora where you'll be staying in a lovely bed and breakfast. If it's hot, you can relax in the shade of the gardens or take a dip in the pool. Today's drive is six hours.

Day 2: Tamegroute | Mhamid | Erg Chigaga Sahara Desert
Today, you'll leave Zagora and visit the holy town of Tamegroute, known for its library with ancient manuscripts, and green pottery. Once you reach M'hamid, you'll drive off road to Erg Chigaga and spend the night camping out at the edge of the dunes. This edge of the Sahara Desert is quite different than its sister spot, Erg Chebbi, in Merzouga. The landscape is rocky with sparse vegetation until you reach the golden sand dunes of Erg Chigaga. Drive for two hours, plus two more hours off road.

Day 3: Iriki | Tata | Taroudant
Wake up and head out of Erg Chigaga to drive past Iriki, a dried lake bed, and marvel at the mirage before you. Enjoy the diverse landscapes as you drive past the stark beauty of the Anti-Atlas mountains, through lush oases valleys, then towards the tail-end of the High Atlas where you'll see plenty of Argan trees, endemic to Morocco. Spend the night in the hidden gem of Taroudant. Drive for three hours off road, plus five more hours.

Day 4: Essaouira or Ouirgane
Today you can choose to go to the laid-back, coastal town of Essaouira via Agadir. The drive will take for hours. Or, you can head to the Ouirgane valley at the foothills of the High Atlas mountains via the Tiz n Test mountain pass. The drive will take five hours.

Day 5: Essaouira or Ouirgane
You have the whole day recovering from your adventure to explore Essaouira. You can walk along the ramparts, have grilled fish for lunch next to the port, wander along the beach, stroll through the whitewashed medina, or shop for Thuya wood handicrafts. If you would like and wind permitting, you will be able to try kayaking, kite surfing, or wind surfing--Essaouira is the "Wind Capital" of North Africa! If Ouirgane is opted, relax for lunch at a Berber family's home en route of a day hike exploring the region.

Day 6: Marrakesh
Head to Marrakesh this morning. This will give you the opportunity to get any last-minute gifts before you depart. The drive from Essaouira takes three hours. The drive from Ouirgane takes an hour and a half.

*Shortened version of above itinerary.
Day 1: Pick up from Marrakesh | Zagora
Same as above.

Day 2: Tamegroute | Mhamid | Erg Chigaga Sahara Desert
Same as above.

Day 3: Iriki | Foum Zguid | Tisselday near Ait Ben Haddou
Wake up and head out of Erg Chigaga. Drive past Iriki, a dried lake bed, and marvel at the mirages before you. From Foum Zguid, you will pass Taznakht and spenf the night in in the quaint village of Tisselday, near Ait Ben Haddou. Drive for three hours off road, then three more hours.

Day 4: Drop Off in Marrakesh
You can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ait Ben Haddou if desired before heading to Marrakesh. Telouet is another option, weather permitting. The drive takes four to five hours; add four hours of off-road driving if you are interested in visiting Telouet.