12 Day Trip to Morocco: Atlas Trek, Sahara & Essaouira
A 12 day trip to Morocco with three landscapes: a High Atlas trek to Azzaden, a night in the Sahara, then surf and wind in Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 12 day trip to Morocco
This 12 day trip to Morocco joins three landscapes with three ways to move. You trek in the High Atlas, ride camels in the Sahara and surf in Essaouira.
First, you walk from Imlil over a pass to the Azzaden valley, with mules for the bags. Then you cross the Tizi n’Tichka to Aït Benhaddou and the Dades. After that, you walk in the Todra Gorge and ride camels to a desert camp. A quad ride follows the next morning. Finally, you head to Essaouira for a surf lesson and a beach ride. We run this 12 day trip to Morocco as a private tour, on the dates you choose.
Highlights of this 12 day trip to Morocco
- Two-day High Atlas trek
- Azzaden valley waterfalls
- Aït Benhaddou
- Todra Gorge walk
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Quad in the dunes
- Surf or kitesurf lesson
- Horse ride at Sidi Kaouki
12 day trip to Morocco: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport and take you to your riad; evening on Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Imlil to the Azzaden valley
Drive to Imlil and walk over the Tizi n’Mzik pass to the Azzaden valley, with mules for the bags.
- 3dayDay 3
Azzaden waterfalls & back to Imlil
Walk to the Ighouliden waterfall and return through the villages to Imlil.
- 4dayDay 4
To Aït Benhaddou
Back through Marrakech and over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou, with a sunset walk in the ksar.
- 5dayDay 5
Road of the kasbahs
Ouarzazate, the Skoura palm grove and the Valley of Roses to the Dades, with a walk in the canyon.
- 6dayDay 6
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
A walk in the Todra Gorge, then east to the dunes and a camel ride at sunset to the camp.
- 7dayDay 7
Sunrise & quad
Sunrise from the dunes, a quad ride and a visit to a nomad family, then a quiet night at a riad by the dunes.
- 8dayDay 8
West to Ouarzazate
A long road day back through Tinghir and the valleys, with stops on the way.
- 9dayDay 9
Back to Marrakech
Over the High Atlas to Marrakech, with a free afternoon in the souks.
- 10dayDay 10
To Essaouira
Drive to the coast with a stop at an argan cooperative, and sunset on the ramparts.
- 11dayDay 11
Active day on the ocean
A surf or kitesurf lesson in the morning, then a horse ride on the beach of Sidi Kaouki.
- 12dayDay 12
Back to Marrakech & departure
A morning in the port, then back to Marrakech for your flight.
What’s included in this 12 day trip to Morocco
Included
- 11 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
- Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
- 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 2Guesthouse in Azzaden
- Night 3Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 4Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 5Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Riad in Merzouga
- Night 8Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 9Riad in Marrakech
- Night 10Riad in Essaouira
- Night 11Riad 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
April to June and September to October are best for the High Atlas trek and the desert together. In winter the passes can have snow, and summer is too hot in the Sahara.
- JanPossible
- FebPossible
- MarGood
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGood
- DecPossible
What to bring for this trip
- Broken-in walking boots
- Daypack for the trek
- Fleece and windproof jacket for the Atlas
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm layer for the desert night
- Headtorch
- Swimsuit for the ocean day
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- 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.
12 Day Trip to Morocco: your questions
How fit do I need to be for this 12 day trip to Morocco?
You should be happy to walk five or six hours a day on mountain paths for the Atlas trek. The rest of the trip has shorter walks and optional activities.
Where do we sleep on the Atlas trek?
In simple guesthouses in the Azzaden valley and in Imlil, with mules carrying the bags.
When is the best time for a 12 day trip to Morocco with a trek?
April to June and September to October are best for the mountains and the desert together. The Atlas passes can have snow in winter.
Can we swap the trek for a Toubkal climb?
Yes – the summit of Toubkal needs one more day. We can take a day from Essaouira to fit it in.
Do I need surfing experience?
No, the lessons in Essaouira are for beginners. In very windy weather we offer kitesurf or a beach ride instead.
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 7 – Sunrise & quadDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Todra Gorge to MerzougaDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 7 – Sunrise & quadDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 2 – Imlil to the Azzaden valleyDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 11 – Active day on the oceanDetails →Kite surfing lift-offDay 11 – Active day on the oceanDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 12-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →
Optional · extraCycling & mountain bikingMountain biking on Atlas trailsSee the activity →Optional · extraWindsurfing adventureWindsurfing sessionSee 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 · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Request this 12-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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