7-Day Agadir Morocco Sahara Desert Tour

Arrive in Agadir, located on the southern Atlantic coast. A representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. After check-in, the day is free to explore the city.

Agadir is known for its beaches and relaxed pace. Visit Agadir Beach, a 10 km stretch of sand lined with cafes and restaurants. Explore Marina d’Agadir, a harbor with shops and waterfront dining. For local culture, browse Souk El Had, one of Morocco’s largest markets, offering produce, spices, and crafts. For views, head to Agadir Kasbah ruins on the hill above the city ideal at sunset.

Evening: Optional dinner at a recommended local restaurant. Return to the hotel for overnight.

• Driving Time: Airport transfer only
• Where You’ll Stay: Hotel in Agadir
• Meals: None included (recommendations available)
• Highlights: Agadir Beach, Marina, Souk El Had, Agadir Kasbah
• Optional Activities: Beach, souk shopping, sunset at the Kasbah

After breakfast, meet your driver/guide and head south from Agadir along the Atlantic coast. First stop: Tiznit (1 hr), known for silver jewelry. Visit the Silver Souk to see artisans and shop. Explore the medina and see the old city walls.

Continue to Mirleft, a fishing village with cliff-lined beaches and a blend of Berber and colonial architecture. Free time to explore the town center or relax at a local café.

In the afternoon, arrive at Legzira Beach, known for red stone arches carved by ocean waves. One major arch collapsed in 2016; the remaining one is still notable, especially at sunset. Walk along the multi-kilometer beach, explore rock formations, and possibly see local fishermen.

Surfing is available (equipment/lessons extra). Overnight at a hotel near Legzira Beach, many with terraces overlooking the Atlantic.

• Driving Time: 3 hrs, 170 km
• Where You’ll Stay: Hotel near Legzira Beach
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Highlights: Tiznit Silver Souk, Mirleft, Legzira Beach arches
• Optional Activities: Beach walk, photography, surfing (extra)

After breakfast, depart the coast and head inland toward the Anti-Atlas Mountains. The route passes through coastal plains, rocky terrain, and Berber villages. First stop: Tafraoute, set in a valley of pink granite mountains. The area features distinctive rock formations and almond trees that bloom in early spring.

Explore Tafraoute’s town center: shops offer local goods like babouches, argan oil, and almond products. If it’s Wednesday, visit the weekly market. Optionally, see the Painted Rocks boulders painted in the 1980s by Jean Vérame.

After lunch, continue to Taroudant. Arrive in the late afternoon, check into a riad or hotel. Walk the 16th-century city walls, especially at sunset. Explore the Arab and Berber souks for spices, produce, and crafts.

Evening: Dinner at your riad or a recommended local restaurant.

• Driving Time: 5 hrs with stops, 250 km
• Where You’ll Stay: Riad or Hotel in Taroudant
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Highlights: Anti-Atlas Mountains, Tafraoute, Painted Rocks, Taroudant walls and souks
• Optional Activities: Artisan cooperatives, Medina exploration

After breakfast at your riad, travel east from the Souss Valley into Morocco’s saffron-growing region. First stop: Taliouine, the saffron capital. If visiting in October–November, saffron harvest may be in progress. Visit a saffron cooperative to learn about cultivation and see processing. Cooperative shop offers saffron products. Optionally, visit the Saffron Museum in a restored kasbah for historical context.

Lunch in Taliouine, possibly saffron-flavored dishes. Continue through the Anti-Atlas Mountains toward Ouarzazate. Arrive late afternoon, check into hotel, rest, then explore the city known for its film industry.

Optional visits: Cinema Museum at former Atlas Studios, with film sets and props from Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Game of Thrones. Also visit Kasbah Taourirt, former Glaoui residence with maze-like rooms and cedar ceilings.

Evening: Dinner at hotel or a local restaurant.

• Driving Time: 5 hrs with stops, 220 km
• Where You’ll Stay: Hotel in Ouarzazate
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
• Highlights: Taliouine saffron cooperatives, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate studios, Kasbah Taourirt
• Optional Activities: Cinema Museum, local market exploration

After early breakfast, depart Ouarzazate toward the Sahara. Drive through rocky plateaus and arid terrain along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, with fortified earthen houses marking the route. Pass through Tazarine, noted for its date palm oases and desert transition landscape.

Stop for lunch in a Berber village local tagine or couscous. Arrive in Merzouga by afternoon. Brief rest at a hotel, then begin a one-hour camel trek into Erg Chebbi dunes, guided by camel handlers. Wear a traditional cheich for sun/sand protection. Arrive at luxury desert camp before sunset to watch the colors shift from atop the dunes.

Camp includes tents with beds, linens, and private bathrooms. Dinner served under stars or in dining tent. Evening features Berber music around a fire and stargazing. Optional: sandboarding on dunes or quad biking (extra cost). Overnight in camp.

• Driving Time: 6 hrs with stops, 350 km
• Where You’ll Stay: Luxury Desert Camp in Merzouga
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
• Highlights: Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, desert transition, camel trek, sunset, Berber music, stargazing
• Optional Activities: Sandboarding, quad biking (extra)

Wake early for Sahara sunrise, then return to camp for breakfast. Camel ride back to Merzouga, followed by time to freshen up. Depart westward through desert-edge landscapes with small towns and oases.

By late morning, arrive at Todra Gorges: canyon walls up to 300 m high, narrowing to 10 m. Walk along the riverbed; see climbers on cliff faces. Shops and cafes near the entrance.

Optionally visit a nomad family in mountain caves for tea and cultural exchange.

Afternoon: drive to Dades Valley, known for “monkey fingers” rock formations. Stop at a panoramic viewpoint of Dades Gorges and serpentine road. Learn geological history from guide.

Arrive in Boumalne Dades, check into hotel with valley views. Dinner features local dishes. Evening free to relax and stargaze.

• Driving Time: 4 hrs with stops, 250 km
• Where You’ll Stay: Hotel in Boumalne Dades
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
• Highlights: Desert sunrise, Todra Gorges, nomad family visit, Dades Valley/Gorges
• Optional Activities: Rock climbing, pottery workshops

Depart Boumalne Dades for Marrakech via the Valley of Roses, known for rose water production and the annual May festival. During rose season, you may see product-making demonstrations and buy rose-based cosmetics.

Continue westward into the High Atlas Mountains, passing traditional Berber villages and rugged terrain. Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at 2,260 m, the highest major road pass in North Africa. Make stops at scenic viewpoints.

Optionally visit a Berber home to share tea and observe traditional bread baking.

Descend toward Marrakech; terrain shifts to red earth and palm groves. Arrive in the city by late afternoon or early evening. Depending on schedule, transfer to your hotel or directly to Marrakech Menara Airport.

If staying in Marrakech, evening options include visiting Jemaa el-Fnaa square with its street performers and food stalls. Guide can suggest restaurants and activities. Extensions and guided city tours available on request.

• Driving Time: 6 hrs with stops, 350 km
• Meals: Breakfast included
• Highlights: Valley of Roses, High Atlas Mountains, Tizi n’Tichka Pass, Berber villages, Marrakech arrival
• Optional Activities: Marrakech Medina tour, Jemaa el-Fnaa visit