MULTI-DAY MOROCCO TOUR
8-Day Marrakech, Sahara Desert & Essaouira Coast Tour
A private multi-day Morocco tour combining Marrakech, the Sahara Desert, and the relaxed Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira.
DURATION
8 Days / 7 Nights
ROUTE
Marrakech Loop (Desert & Coast)
GROUP SIZE
2-16 People
TYPE
Private Multi-Day Tour
Tour Overview
This 8-day private tour combines two very different sides of Morocco — the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert and the breezy Atlantic coast at Essaouira — both starting and ending in Marrakech. It is a great choice if you want variety without long one-way transfers.
Traveling by private vehicle with your own driver, this multi-day Morocco tour pairs a genuine Sahara Desert experience with relaxed time by the ocean.
Tour Highlights
- Explore Marrakech, including the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa
- Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass
- Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah
- Explore the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges
- Camel trek into the Sahara Desert dunes at Merzouga
- Overnight in a private desert camp under the stars
- Relax in Essaouira, a laid-back Atlantic port town
- Explore the Essaouira medina and its fishing harbor
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech — Guided City Tour
On arrival in Marrakech, explore the city with a local guide. Highlights typically include the Bahia Palace, celebrated for its ornate courtyards and painted ceilings; the Koutoubia Mosque, whose 12th-century minaret has served as an architectural model across the region; and the lively souks, where you can shop for spices, leather, and traditional crafts across dozens of specialized market lanes.
In the evening, experience Jemaa el-Fnaa as it fills with food stalls, musicians, and storytellers — one of the most iconic public squares in Africa, and rarely the same twice.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 2: Marrakech to Dades Valley — via the Atlas Mountains & Ait Ben Haddou
Head south into the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, stopping at viewpoints and in small Berber villages along the way. Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified UNESCO World Heritage kasbah built almost entirely from rammed earth, its dramatic silhouette having featured in numerous international film productions.
Continue through Ouarzazate and the Skoura oasis, arriving in the Dades Valley by late afternoon, where dramatic rock formations rise above terraced fields along the river.
Overnight in a guesthouse in the Dades Valley.
Day 3: Dades Valley to Merzouga — via the Todra Gorges
Visit the Todra Gorges, a dramatic limestone canyon with cliffs rising over 300 meters, popular with rock climbers from around the world, before continuing east as the landscape shifts from green valley to desert plain.
In the late afternoon, ride by camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi as the sun sets, arriving at your desert camp for mint tea, a traditional dinner, and an evening of Berber music around the fire beneath a sky full of stars.
Overnight in a private desert camp near Merzouga.
Day 4: Merzouga to Ouarzazate
Wake early for sunrise over the dunes before beginning the return journey toward Ouarzazate, sometimes called the gateway to the desert and home to Morocco’s well-known film studios, where sets built for major international productions still stand against the natural desert backdrop.
Overnight in Ouarzazate.
Day 5: Ouarzazate to Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass back to Marrakech, arriving with the afternoon free to rest, shop in the souks, or revisit anything you missed on Day 1.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 6: Marrakech to Essaouira
Drive west to the Atlantic coast and the walled town of Essaouira, known for its laid-back atmosphere, working fishing harbor, and near-constant sea breeze that has made it a favorite among windsurfers and kitesurfers. The town’s fortified ramparts and blue-and-white architecture reflect its history as a strategic Portuguese and later international trading port.
Spend the afternoon exploring the medina’s art galleries, thuya-wood workshops, and seafood stalls at the port, where you can pick a fish straight from the day’s catch and have it grilled on the spot.
Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 7: Essaouira — Free Day by the Coast
A full day to enjoy Essaouira at your own pace — walk the ramparts overlooking the ocean, relax on the beach, or take an optional boat trip to the nearby Purple Islands. Fresh seafood at the port remains a highlight for many travelers, and the town’s relaxed pace makes it a popular spot to slow down after the desert and the mountains.
Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 8: Essaouira to Marrakech — Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Marrakech for your onward flight, bringing an end to your private tour combining the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic coast.
What’s Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver for 8 days
- Fuel and all transportation costs
- Accommodation for 7 nights (Marrakech x2, Dades guesthouse, desert camp, Ouarzazate, Essaouira x2)
- Daily breakfast
- Dinner in the desert camp
- Camel trek in Merzouga
- Guided city tour in Marrakech
What’s Not Included
- Flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and tips
Good to Know Before You Go
- This tour is ideal if you want variety — desert and coast — without long one-way transfers, since it starts and ends in Marrakech.
- Best time to travel: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer comfortable temperatures for both the desert and the coast.
- Essaouira is breezier than Marrakech year-round — bring a light jacket even in warmer months.
- Desert nights get cold, even when the daytime temperature is warm — pack a warm layer for the evening in Merzouga.
- Read more about Essaouira in our guide to this charming coastal town, or what to expect from a night in the Sahara Desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
START PLANNING
Ready for the Sahara and the Atlantic coast?
Tell us your travel dates and group size, and we’ll help you plan this journey from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert and the coastal town of Essaouira.