Desert and Ocean
8-Day Sahara & Essaouira Tour from Marrakech
Eight days from Marrakech, sand first and sea last
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Marrakech → Marrakech
- About 29 hours over 8 days. driving
The southern circuit followed by Essaouira, in that order, which is the right way round. You do the hard driving while you are fresh, see Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges and the dunes, then come back over the Atlas and go west to the sea. Essaouira is windy, walled, full of fish and completely unlike anywhere else on the trip, which is exactly why it belongs at the end.
Why I run it this wayMost itineraries end with a long drive and a dawn flight. This one ends with two days at the ocean, which is what people actually want after the Sahara.
The things worth stopping for
- Two nights in Erg Chebbi with a free day
- Ait Ben Haddou, Skoura, Todra and Dades on the southern leg
- Two nights in Essaouira, walled medina and working port
- Fish you choose off the ice, grilled on the quay
- A women's argan co-operative on the Essaouira road
- Ends relaxed rather than exhausted
Where this trip takes you
Straight lines between stops, not the exact roads — the driving is the winding version of this.
How the trip goes
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Day 1: Marrakech to Dades
Driving: About 6 hoursTichka, Ouarzazate, Skoura and Amridil, the Rose Valley, up into the Dades gorge.
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Day 2: Dades to Merzouga
Driving: About 5 hoursTodra in the morning, east to the dunes. 4x4 in, camel at sunset, camp.
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Day 3: The desert
Driving: About 2 hours localSunrise, the 4x4 morning to Khamlia and the nomads, a slow afternoon, second night at camp.
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Day 4: Merzouga to Ait Ben Haddou
Driving: About 6 hoursWest through the palmeries and the Draa bend, arriving for the last light on the ksar. Night beneath it.
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Day 5: Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech
Driving: About 4 hoursDawn at the ksar, the Tichka, into Marrakech by early afternoon. Evening in the square.
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Day 6: Marrakech to Essaouira
Driving: About 3 hoursWest through the argan forest with a co-operative stop. Into Essaouira for the ramparts and the port as the boats land.
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Day 7: Essaouira
Driving: No drivingA free day. Medina, beach, wind. Fish grilled on the quay, chosen by you.
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Day 8: Essaouira to Marrakech
Driving: About 3 hoursA last morning by the sea, then back to Marrakech for your flight.
I'll email you this itinerary — every day, what's included, what it costs — so you can think it over and share it.
One email with the itinerary. No account, and I don't pass your address to anyone — see the privacy policy.
What's included
Included
- Private van with me driving
- 4x4 and desert driver for the dune days
- 7 nights including 2 desert and 2 Essaouira
- Half board in the desert
- Camel ride
- Argan co-operative visit
- All transfers
Not included
- Flights
- Most meals
- Entry fees
- Tips
Read more about where you'll be
A closer look
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The High Atlas Crossing$420–$580 per person · accommodation includedTell me when you're coming
Every route bends: more time somewhere, a different start, a night added. Send your dates and I'll plan it around you.