Luxury Morocco Holidays: 12 Days from the Atlas to the Sahara & the Ocean
Twelve days of luxury Morocco holidays at a slow pace: Marrakech, a mountain lodge in the High Atlas, the kasbahs, two nights in a private tent in the Sahara and the sea air of Essaouira.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this luxury Morocco holidays
These luxury Morocco holidays give you twelve slow days from the High Atlas to the Sahara and the ocean. You start and end in Marrakech, with a private driver-guide.
First, you explore Marrakech with a private guide, a cooking class and a sunrise balloon flight. Then you walk between Berber villages and sleep in a lodge in the High Atlas. After that, the road of the kasbahs leads you to Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Valley. Next, you spend two nights in a private tent in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Finally, after a night in Skoura, you end by the ocean in Essaouira. As a result, our luxury Morocco holidays feel unhurried. They are private and run on your dates.
Highlights of this luxury Morocco holidays
- Sunrise hot air balloon
- Golf or horse riding in Marrakech
- Lodge & gentle walk in the High Atlas
- Kasbah hotels in Aït Benhaddou & Dades
- Two nights in a luxury desert camp
- Sunset camel ride & sandboarding
- Hammam & spa
- Essaouira by the ocean
Luxury Morocco holidays: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
We meet you at the airport and take you to your riad. In the evening, dinner on a rooftop above Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Private Marrakech & cooking class
A private guide shows you the Bahia Palace, the souks and the Majorelle Garden. In the afternoon, a private cooking class with a local chef.
- 3dayDay 3
Balloon at sunrise, golf or horse riding
Fly over the palm grove in a hot air balloon at sunrise. In the afternoon, a round of golf or a horse ride in the palm grove, then a hammam.
- 4dayDay 4
Into the High Atlas
A short drive to the valleys around Imlil, a gentle walk between Berber villages and lunch with a local family.
- 5dayDay 5
Over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass with a stop in the Berber villages, then a quiet afternoon at your kasbah hotel near the ksar of Aït Benhaddou.
- 6dayDay 6
The road of the kasbahs to the Dades
Through Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley, with a walk among the red rock formations of the gorge.
- 7dayDay 7
Todra Gorge & the dunes
A gentle walk in the Todra Gorge, then on to Merzouga and a sunset camel ride to your private tent in the dunes.
- 8dayDay 8
A full day in the Sahara
Sunrise on the dunes, a private 4x4 tour to a nomad family, Gnawa music in Khamlia and sandboarding, with dinner under the stars.
- 9dayDay 9
Back west to the Skoura oasis
A slow drive back through Tinghir and the Dades to a kasbah hotel among the palms of Skoura, with time to rest by the pool.
- 10dayDay 10
Skoura to Marrakech
Over the High Atlas back to Marrakech, with lunch in a kasbah on the way and a free evening in your riad.
- 11dayDay 11
To Essaouira by the ocean
Drive to the coast with a stop at a women’s argan cooperative, then a sunset walk on the ramparts of Essaouira.
- 12dayDay 12
Essaouira & back to Marrakech
A horse ride on the beach or a stroll through the port and the medina, then the drive back to Marrakech airport.
What’s included in this luxury Morocco holidays
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
- 4x4 excursion in the desert
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 1Luxury riad in Marrakech
- Night 2Luxury riad in Marrakech
- Night 3Luxury riad in Marrakech
- Night 4Luxury mountain lodge in the High Atlas
- Night 5Luxury kasbah hotel in Aït Benhaddou
- Night 6Luxury kasbah hotel in the Dades Valley
- Night 7Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Night 8Luxury desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Night 9Luxury kasbah hotel in Skoura
- Night 10Luxury riad in Marrakech
- Night 11Luxury riad in Essaouira
Comfort level: Luxury – Hand-picked luxury riads in Marrakech and Essaouira, a mountain lodge in the High Atlas, luxury kasbah hotels in Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley and Skoura, two nights in a luxury desert camp with a private tent and en-suite bathroom, and a private driver-guide.
Best time for this trip
Spring and autumn are best: mild days in the Atlas and the Sahara, and pleasant evenings in Essaouira. Summer is too hot in the desert, and in winter the mountain nights and the camp are cold.
- JanPossible
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Comfortable walking shoes for the Atlas and the gorges
- Golf shoes or riding clothes if you choose them
- Swimsuit for the hammam, pools and the beach
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Sunglasses and sun cream
- Warm layer for the mountain lodge and desert nights
- Windproof jacket for Essaouira
- Small overnight bag for the camp
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the villages
- Camera with a spare battery
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.
Luxury Morocco Holidays: your questions
Why choose 12 days for luxury Morocco holidays?
Twelve days lets you see Marrakech, the High Atlas, the Sahara and the coast without long days in the car. There are short driving days and free afternoons to enjoy the hotels.
Can we play golf on these luxury Morocco holidays?
Yes. On day 3 you can choose a round of golf near Marrakech or a horse ride in the palm grove. Tell us your level and we arrange it.
Where do we stay on the luxury Morocco holidays?
In hand-picked luxury riads in Marrakech and Essaouira, a mountain lodge in the High Atlas, kasbah hotels in Aït Benhaddou, Dades and Skoura, and two nights in a luxury desert camp.
Is this trip suitable for families?
Yes. The pace is slow, the activities are easy, and we can arrange family rooms and family tents in the camp. Tell us your children’s ages when you ask for a quote.
Can we end in Essaouira instead of Marrakech?
Yes. We can leave you in Essaouira or take you to Marrakech airport, depending on your flight.
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.
Camel & horseback treksDay 3 – Balloon at sunrise, golf or horse ridingDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 8 – A full day in the SaharaDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 3 – Balloon at sunrise, golf or horse ridingDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 4 – Into the High AtlasDetails →
4x4 & off-road safarisDay 8 – A full day in the SaharaDetails →
Authentic culinary experiencesDay 2 – Private Marrakech & cooking classDetails →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 · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunesSee the activity →
Optional · extraCycling & mountain bikingMountain biking on Atlas trailsSee the activity →
Optional · extraSurf & kitesurf experienceSurf lesson on the AtlanticSee the activity →Optional · extraKite surfing lift-offKitesurf lesson in windy EssaouiraSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee 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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