16 Days Morocco Itinerary: Marrakech, Atlas, Sahara & Essaouira
Fly in and out of Marrakech and see four Moroccos: the souks, the Berber villages of the High Atlas, the great dunes of the Sahara and the windy Atlantic port of Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 16 days Morocco itinerary
This 16 days Morocco itinerary is a round trip from Marrakech with four landscapes. You see the souks, the High Atlas, the Sahara and the Atlantic coast.
First, you spend two days in Marrakech. Then you hike for two days around Imlil in the High Atlas. After that, you cross to Telouet and Aït Benhaddou, cycle in Skoura and walk in the Todra Gorge. Next, you sleep two nights in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Finally, you rest by the ocean in Essaouira, with surf and a beach ride at Sidi Kaouki. As a result, our 16 days Morocco itinerary has free time almost every few days. It is a private trip on your dates.
Highlights of this 16 days Morocco itinerary
- Guided Marrakech
- Two nights in Imlil
- High Atlas pass hike
- Kasbah of Telouet
- Aït Benhaddou
- Two nights in the desert
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Todra Gorge walk
- Surf or kitesurf lesson
- Beach ride at Sidi Kaouki
16 days Morocco itinerary: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Settle into your riad and walk to Jemaa el-Fna for the evening.
- 2dayDay 2
Marrakech
A guided day: the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the souks and the Majorelle Garden.
- 3dayDay 3
Into the High Atlas
Drive to Imlil and take an afternoon walk through walnut groves to the village of Aroumd.
- 4dayDay 4
A day on the mountain paths
A full-day hike over the Tizi n’Mzik pass with views of Toubkal and lunch in a Berber village.
- 5dayDay 5
Telouet & Aït Benhaddou
Cross the High Atlas, visit the Glaoui kasbah of Telouet and arrive at Aït Benhaddou for sunset.
- 6dayDay 6
Skoura & the Dades Valley
Cycle in the Skoura palm grove, then follow the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 7dayDay 7
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
Walk in the Todra Gorge, then drive to Merzouga at the edge of the dunes.
- 8dayDay 8
Camels into Erg Chebbi
A free morning by the pool, then a sunset camel ride to the desert camp.
- 9dayDay 9
A full day in the Sahara
Sunrise on the dunes, a buggy ride and sandboarding, a nomad family and a second night under the stars.
- 10dayDay 10
Back west to Ouarzazate
A long but scenic drive through Tinghir and the Dades to Ouarzazate.
- 11dayDay 11
Over the Atlas to Marrakech
The Tizi n’Tichka pass and its villages, and a free evening in Marrakech.
- 12dayDay 12
To the ocean
Drive to Essaouira with a stop at a women’s argan cooperative, and walk the ramparts at sunset.
- 13dayDay 13
Surf or kitesurf
A lesson on the wide bay of Essaouira, with board and wetsuit, and a free afternoon in the medina.
- 14dayDay 14
Sidi Kaouki on horseback
A horse or camel ride along the empty beach of Sidi Kaouki, and lunch by the sea.
- 15dayDay 15
Rest day in Essaouira
Nothing planned: the port, the fish grills, the art galleries and the long beach.
- 16dayDay 16
Back to Marrakech
Drive back to Marrakech for your flight home.
What’s included in this 16 days Morocco itinerary
Included
- 15 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
- 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 in Marrakech
- Night 3Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 4Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 5Guesthouse in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 6Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 7Riad in Merzouga
- Night 8Desert camp
- Night 9Desert camp
- Night 10Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 11Riad in Marrakech
- Night 12Riad in Essaouira
- Night 13Riad in Essaouira
- Night 14Riad in Essaouira
- Night 15Riad 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
Spring and autumn are best for the Atlas hike and two nights in the dunes. Summer is too hot in the Sahara, and from December to February the mountain paths can be snowy and the camp nights cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking boots for the Atlas hike
- Warm fleece for the mountain evenings
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm jacket for two desert nights
- Headtorch for the camp
- Overnight bag for two nights in the camp
- Windproof jacket for Essaouira
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
- Long trousers for the beach ride
- Sunglasses and sun cream
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.
16 Days Morocco Itinerary: your questions
Is this 16 days Morocco itinerary good for a first visit?
Yes. It is a round trip from Marrakech that shows the mountains, the desert and the ocean, with rest days and no early starts except for sunrise in the dunes.
How many nights in the desert on this 16 days Morocco itinerary?
Two nights in a desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with a full day in the Sahara between them, and one night in a riad in Merzouga before.
Do I need hiking experience for the High Atlas day?
No, but you should be happy to walk five to six hours on mountain paths. Our guide sets the pace and can choose a shorter loop.
Can the 16 days Morocco itinerary include Fes?
Fes is far from this loop, so adding it needs a different route. Our 16 day Morocco tour from Casablanca and the tour from Tangier both spend time in Fes.
Is the surf lesson in Essaouira for beginners?
Yes. The bay is wide and the instructors adapt the lesson to your level. Essaouira is windy, so kitesurf is a good option too.
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 9 – A full day in the SaharaDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 8 – Camels into Erg ChebbiDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 8 – Camels into Erg ChebbiDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 6 – Skoura & the Dades ValleyDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Arrival in MarrakechDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 13 – Surf or kitesurfDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 16-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 · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee 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 16-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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