ITINERARY

Welcome to Marrakech, the "Red City," named for the natural pigment in the sandstone used to build its walls and buildings. Marrakech has long been a major economic center.

Orient yourself around Marrakech's main square, Jemaa el-Fna. To the north are the bustling souks (el Attarin, Haddadine, and Smata), while the Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens lie to the west. The kasbah area, home to the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, and El Badi Palace, is to the south. On the southwest corner, you can find calèches (horse-drawn carriages) for a unique medina tour. For a break from the crowds, visit the serene Majorelle Gardens in the Ville Nouvelle.

Begin your exploration at the Koutoubia Mosque with its towering minaret. Notice the open courtyards of the fondouks or caravanserais, once inns for traders and their animals. Wander through the souks and visit the Souk des Teinturiers (Dyers' Souk) to see traditional dyeing methods for cloth and wool.

Next, explore the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa, known for its carved cedar ceilings, intricate zellij tile work, and Islamic calligraphy. Visit the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs, the luxurious 19th-century Bahia Palace, and, if time allows, the 17th-century El Badi Palace with its sunken gardens.

End your day with a visit to the Mellah (Jewish quarter and cemetery) in Fes el Jdid, and catch the sunset from the Merenid Tombs for a breathtaking view over the city.

Leave the bustling city behind and head east toward the desert, ascending the High Atlas Mountains. Look out for Mount Toubkal, the highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). Along the way, you'll pass numerous Berber villages, recognizable by their traditional mud-brick buildings.

Stop for lunch in Taddert and visit a local Argan Oil Cooperative to learn how local women extract oil from argan nuts for use in health, food, and cosmetics. Follow the winding road to the Tizi n'Tichka pass and pause to take in the stunning panoramic views.

Continue east through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, many of which are in disrepair due to their pisé (rammed earth) construction. As you journey toward Boumalne Dades, you'll pass small towns where traditional farming methods are still practiced. Keep an eye out for nomads tending their animals as you travel through the fragrant Kela'a M'gouna, known as the "Valley of the Roses." You'll eventually arrive in Boumalne Dades, a key town along the Dades River, where you will spend the night.

Today, we drive further east to your final destination: the sand sea of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga. Along the way, stop in Tinerhir to admire the river oasis that stretches on either side of the town. The surrounding desert landscape is marked by impressive buttes, mesas, and plateaus.

Nearby, explore the Todra Gorge, a 984-foot (300 m) deep ravine carved by the Todra River. Continue to the desert town of Erfoud, known for its figs and fossils. Visit a craft workshop to see how fossil-rich rocks are expertly transformed into practical and decorative items. Don't forget to buy some fresh figs here!

As you approach Merzouga—the gateway to the Sahara—stop in the market town of Rissani to visit the lively livestock auction and the unique "donkey parking lot." Leaving Rissani, the vast sand sea of Erg Chebbi will begin to appear on the horizon.

Upon reaching Merzouga, transfer to your personal camel for a trek over the dunes to your Bedouin-style camp. Climb a nearby dune to watch the sunset, then enjoy a warm meal by the campfire.

Wake early to enjoy a desert sunrise and explore more of the Sahara. You can rent a sandboard, join a tour around the Erg Chebbi dunes, take a quad ATV excursion, or relax by a pool in nearby Merzouga.

Head south to Khemliya, a traditional Saharan village with residents originally from Mali. Here, enjoy traditional music, drumming, and dancing before taking a leisurely walk around the village and its farm plots in the sand. Stop again in Rissani to visit Maison Tuareg, a storehouse offering traditional arts and crafts, including carpets, jewelry, and leather goods. Continue through the acacia forests with umbrella-shaped trees to reach Alnif for lunch. Then, travel through the Draa Valley, filled with date palm groves, where you can pick up a box of fresh dates for the journey.

Head west to Ouarzazate, a desert hub and popular filming location. You can tour one of the two movie studios to see how the region has been featured in films like Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Prometheus, American Sniper, and Game of Thrones. Visit the Musée du Cinema to learn about the area's cinematic history.

Proceed west to Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-protected site and Morocco's most famous kasbah. Once a key stop along the trans-Saharan trade route, spend the night in the old town and explore its quiet alleys after the crowds have left. For a small fee, enter a few kasbahs and climb to the rooftops for beautiful views.