10 Days in Morocco from Marrakech: Desert, Atlas & Ocean
One airport, three landscapes. Fly in and out of Marrakech and spend ten days moving from the red city to the dunes of Merzouga, up into the High Atlas villages and out to the Atlantic at Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech
These 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech take you through three landscapes on one loop. You see the Sahara, the High Atlas and the Atlantic coast, and you fly in and out of the same airport.
First, a guided walk shows you the souks and palaces of Marrakech. Then you cross the Tichka pass and ride a horse at Aït Benhaddou. After that, you cycle in Skoura, hike in the Dades and walk in the Todra Gorge. Next, you ride camels to a desert camp and try a buggy and sandboarding. Later, you hike between Berber villages around Imlil. Finally, Essaouira brings a surf lesson or a beach ride. As a result, our 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech feel full but never rushed.
Highlights of this 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech
- Guided Marrakech medina
- Horse ride at Aït Benhaddou
- Cycling in the Skoura oasis
- Dades & Todra gorge walks
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Two days in the High Atlas
- Surf or beach ride in Essaouira
10 days in Morocco from Marrakech: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Marrakech medina
A guided walk through the souks, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia, and Jemaa el-Fna as the food stalls light up.
- 2dayDay 2
Tizi n’Tichka & Aït Benhaddou
Cross the High Atlas by the Tichka pass and ride a horse around the ksar of Aït Benhaddou in the late afternoon.
- 3dayDay 3
Skoura oasis & the Dades Valley
Cycle between palm trees and old kasbahs in Skoura, then follow the Valley of Roses to the Dades.
- 4dayDay 4
Dades canyon & Todra Gorge to Merzouga
A morning hike among the red rock folds of the Dades, a walk in the Todra Gorge, then the road to the edge of the dunes.
- 5dayDay 5
A day in the Sahara
4x4 around Erg Chebbi, tea with a nomad family and Gnawa music in Khamlia, then camels at sunset to the desert camp.
- 6dayDay 6
Buggy, sandboarding & back west
Sunrise on the dunes, a buggy ride and sandboarding, then the long road back west to Ouarzazate.
- 7dayDay 7
Into the High Atlas
Over the Tichka pass again and into the Imlil valley, with an afternoon walk to the village of Aroumd.
- 8dayDay 8
Atlas hike & Marrakech
A morning hike over a mountain pass between Berber villages, lunch in a family home and the drive down to Marrakech.
- 9dayDay 9
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at a women’s argan cooperative, and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- 10dayDay 10
Surf or beach ride & departure
A morning surf lesson or a horse ride on the beach, then back to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech
Included
- 9 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- 4x4 excursion in the desert
- Local guide for the guided visits
- Surf lessons with board and wetsuit
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Riad near Aït Benhaddou
- Night 3Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 4Riad in Merzouga
- Night 5Desert camp
- Night 6Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 7Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 8Riad in Marrakech
- Night 9Riad in Essaouira
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
March to May and September to November are best for the desert and the Atlas hike. In summer the Sahara is very hot, and in winter the camp nights and the mountain villages are cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the gorges and the Atlas
- Long trousers for the horse ride
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Warm layer for the desert and the mountains
- Headtorch for the camp
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Swimsuit for the Essaouira morning
- Windproof jacket for the coast
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
10 Days in Morocco from Marrakech: your questions
Can I really see the desert, the mountains and the coast in 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech?
Yes, because the route is a loop. Merzouga takes two days of driving each way with visits on the road, the High Atlas is on the way back, and Essaouira is under three hours from Marrakech.
What is the longest drive on these 10 days in Morocco from Marrakech?
Day 6, from Merzouga back to Ouarzazate, takes about 7 to 8 hours with stops. The other driving days are split with walks, visits and lunch breaks.
Do I need surfing experience for the Essaouira morning?
No. The surf lesson is for beginners, with a board and wetsuit. If the wind is too strong, you can choose a horse ride on the beach instead.
How hard is the hike in the High Atlas?
It is a moderate walk of a few hours on mule paths, with a pass between two villages. Our mountain guide adapts the route to your group.
Can we skip Essaouira and stay longer in the desert?
Yes. Many travellers swap the coast for a second night in the dunes. Tell us what matters most to you and we rebuild the days.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Quad & buggy ridesDay 6 – Buggy, sandboarding & back westDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 2 – Tizi n’Tichka & Aït BenhaddouDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 5 – A day in the SaharaDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 3 – Skoura oasis & the Dades ValleyDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Marrakech medinaDetails →
4x4 & off-road safarisDay 5 – A day in the SaharaDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 10-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraSurf & kitesurf experienceSurf lesson on the AtlanticSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →
Optional · extraHot air balloon rideSunrise flight before or after your tripSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Request this 10-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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