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Atlas Secrets & Essaouira Escape
Atlas Secrets & Essaouira Escape
Discover waterfalls, desert trails, ancient towns, and coastal charm on a unique 9-day Moroccan journey.
TRIP SUMMARY
From Mountains to Sea: A Journey Through Morocco’s Hidden Wonders.
This 9-day adventure reveals Morocco’s quieter, lesser-known landscapes—from the lush waterfalls of Ouzoud to the canyon-sliced Atlas Mountains and peaceful seaside town of Essaouira. Perfect for travelers seeking variety and cultural depth, you’ll enjoy immersive experiences with locals, scenic drives, desert sunsets, and the freedom of a private guided trip that feels both personal and expansive.
Trip Length
9 Days
Trip Type
Adventure, Culture, Nature, Family
Pricing Starts At
$900 per person
Ideal Season
All Year Around
Highlights
Explore Marrakech’s history, architecture, and food
Visit Morocco’s tallest waterfall in Ouzoud
Trek through the desert on a camel to sleep under a desert sky
Visit Essaouira, a quaint seaside town and enjoy fresh-caught seafood
BREAKDOWN
Day 1, Arrive to Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! Your specialist will await your arrival in Marrakech and transfer you to your cozy riad, where you'll spend the night.
After you check in, your tour manager will make help you get settled; you can unwind at your riad or hit the streets of Marrakech to explore at your leisure. If you'd like some ideas of what to see today, would like dinner recommendations, or help with reservations, just let your specialist know!
Day 2, Explore Marrakech
After breakfast, your local city guide will meet you at your riad and show you all around Marrakech. Your tour will include visits to Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the Koutoubia Mosque.
After, your guide will escort you through the souks of Marrakech, where you'll have a chance to visit various artisans and learn about their crafts. Your tour will end by mid-afternoon, and you'll have the rest of the day to explore on your own. Do some retail therapy here in the souks, sit down to a delicious traditional meal in one of Marrakech's fantastic restaurants, or wander the stalls of Jemaa el-Fna Square, where you can feast on incredible street food as you watch musicians and snake charmers perform for the crowds.
Day 3, Marrakech to Bin El Ouidan via Ouzoud
This morning after breakfast, you'll depart from Marrakech and make your way into the High Atlas Mountains to Ouzoud, the home of one of Africa's highest waterfalls. This spectacular multi-step waterfall towers 330 feet (101 m) tall, and its banks are home to the Atlas monkeys (aka Barbary apes), who never cease to entertain. Climb to the top of the falls for a spectacular view, then make your way down to the bottom of the cascade, where you can go for a swim (weather permitting), take a boat ride under the falls, or just enjoy the view from one of the many terraces.
Wander around the beautiful enclave and enjoy lunch, then hit the road to reach today's final destination: The lake Of Bin El Ouidan. Before returning to your accommodations for the night, you'll check into your riad.
Day 4, Bin El Ouidan to Dades via Bouguemez
Enjoy breakfast, You will head to the famous valley of Ait Bouguemaz for lunch. After, you'll journey off the beaten path on an epic off-road adventure deep into the High Atlas Mountains to Dadès Valley, where you'll enjoy scenic stops, perhaps with a local nomad family. You'll also have a chance to stretch your legs with some light hiking in this beautiful area of Morocco. You'll arrive at your accommodations in the evening in time for dinner.
Day 5, Dades to Zagora (Desert Camp)
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to Dades and head over the Saghro Mountains to the Draa Valley, using a road less traveled. On the way, you can stop to visit Kasbah Tamnougalt, a kasbah that dates back to at least the 17th century. Take a tour of the grounds and walk through, then continue to Zagora, where you'll meet your next form of transportation: a camel.
Climb aboard and trek to your desert camp for the night. You'll enjoy dinner under the stars before settling in for the night in a cozy tent.
Day 6, Zagora to Taroudant
Get up early this morning to watch the extraordinary sunrise from your camp in the desert. Soak up the serenity, then enjoy breakfast before leaving your camp. Today you'll make your way through saffron country in the Small Atlas Mountains. If you're visiting in October, you can stop at a local cooperative to learn about this expensive spice's painstaking collection process during the harvest season.
You'll continue to the bustling market town of Taroudant. You'll arrive by early afternoon; check into your riad, then meet your local guide for a tour of this friendly city, known as "Marrakech's little sister." Taroudant is also a great place to shop without Marrakech's "big city" pressure!
Day 7, Taroudant to Essaouira
After breakfast, you'll head to the coast to the charming beachside city of Essaouira. Archeological evidence shows that this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the city as it is now was designed in the 18th century by the French engineer Thédore Cornut.
On the way to Essaouira, you will see groves of Argan trees from which Morocco's liquid gold (argan oil) is produced—with the unique help of local goats. You will arrive around lunch, just in time to make your way to the shore for an incredible meal of freshly caught local seafood. After, you will have the afternoon to discover this beautiful city and its adjacent beach.
Day 8, Explore Essaouira
Today, you'll have the day free to explore this charming little town. You may wish to head to the wharf to pick out your lunch from the fresh catch of the day and then take it to a local restaurant to have it grilled Moroccan-style, or you may just wish to sit at a café and watch the world go by.
Be sure to head to the ramparts in the evening to catch the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean. Your specialist will be available to you should you need transportation, guidance, or suggestions.
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