Marrakesh, Atlas Mountains & Desert Glamping

Discover Morocco’s highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakesh. Travel along old caravan routes in the desert and spend the night camping among Saharan dunes and listening to traditional Berber music. Discover old fortified kasbahs and hidden oases before climbing over the High Atlas mountains into bustling Marrakesh.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh, Culinary Walking Tour

Welcome to magnificent Marrakesh! On arrival in the “Red City,” a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your riad, a traditional Moroccan house with an interior courtyard. Drop your bags and enjoy mint tea on the roof terrace before venturing out into the city. This afternoon’s immersive culinary journey takes you deep into the medina, where a local guide will share Morocco’s essential ingredients, cooking techniques, and rich culinary traditions. Sample local confections crafted with honey, almonds, and aromatic spices, and taste a quintessential Moroccan tajine, a savory stew prepared in a traditional clay pot. On this three-hour tour, your guide will share fascinating anecdotes and stories, giving you a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of food in Moroccan society.

Day 2 : Morning City Tour, Majorelle Gardens Guided Visit, Hammam & Spa Experience

Explore this enchanting city’s sights, sounds, and scents with a local guide. Start at the Jemaa el-Fna, the city’s vibrant central square where musicians, snake charmers, storytellers, and street vendors converge every evening, then dive into the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander through souks overflowing with vibrant textiles, aromatic spices, ornate jewelry, and leather goods. Admire the intricate details of the majestic Koutoubia Mosque, and enjoy the serene beauty and opulence of 19th-century Bahia Palace up close.

This afternoon, discover the beauty of the iconic Majorelle Gardens, a blue-hued botanical garden and museum complex created in the 1920s by French artist Jacques Majorelle and made famous by fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent. Explore the sanctuary filled with subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, palms, and cacti. Afterward, indulge in a relaxing hammam or traditional Moroccan bathhouse experience, a ritual that combines heat, steam, and exfoliation in a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere.

Day 3:Transfer to Imlil, Free Time

This morning you’ll swap the medina for the mountains when you take a comfortable private transfer to Imlil, a 90-minute drive away in the High Atlas mountains. Journey through a picturesque valley known for its lush meadows and green gardens, stopping at the small city of Asni. Continue between the hills of the Atlas mountains and the Moulay Brahim Gorge, taking in the stunning scenery around you. Finally, you’ll reach Imlil in the heart of Toubkal National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a glass of mint tea with your guide.

Many people use this small Berber village as a base for climbing Mount Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak at 13,671 feet (4,167 m). This afternoon you could arrange a half-day hike between villages and mountain valleys. The local Berber people are always eager to share their culture, so you could learn to cook traditional dishes or share mint tea with a local family.

Day 4: Transfer to Agafay Desert via Ourika Valley, Camel Ride & ATV Quad Adventure

Discover the natural beauty of Morocco’s High Atlas mountains on today’s journey to the Agafay Desert, a two-hour drive. The Ourika Valley is known for its famous waterfalls, so stop for a 90-minute hike with a local mountain guide. Next, visit Berber women who work to extract oil from the argan nut at a cooperative. Then, drive a more secluded mountain road that weaves through traditional Berber villages built from adobe and stones. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a typical home with a local family and fantastic views over the Sidi Fares Valley.

Before heading to the Agafay Desert, you’ll visit the Asni Valley, famous for its apple, walnut, almond, and peach trees. Gaze over snowy summits as you take in the beauty of the Tahnaout Valley. After settling into your desert camp, relish a welcome tea and camel ride through the arid plateau, followed by a thrilling ATV quad bike adventure. Return to camp in time for a beautiful sunset, delicious Moroccan feast, and evening around the campfire under a starry sky.

Day 5: Return to Marrakesh, Depart

It’s your final morning in Morocco. Bid farewell to the captivating landscapes of the Agafay Desert as you journey toward Marrakesh once more. If you have time, return to the medina to explore the city’s colors, scents, and sounds and shop for last-minute souvenirs. When the time is right, take a 25-minute private transfer to the airport for your departing flight. Have a safe and comfortable journey home or to your next destination!