Morocco Itinerary 16 Days: Sahara, Anti-Atlas & the Wild South Coast
A route few travellers take: the dunes of Merzouga and the kasbah road, then the quiet south-west – Taroudant, the Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute and the cliffs and surf beaches of the Atlantic.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this Morocco itinerary 16 days
This Morocco itinerary 16 days long joins the Sahara to the quiet south-west. It starts in Marrakech and ends with surf near Agadir.
First, you cross the High Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and hike in the Dades canyon. Then you walk in the Todra Gorge and ride camels into the dunes of Merzouga. After that, you drive west through the saffron country to Taroudant. Next, you hike in the Ameln Valley near Tafraoute and see the painted rocks. Finally, you walk below the cliffs of Legzira and surf in Mirleft and Taghazout. In short, our Morocco itinerary 16 days long is private and planned on your dates.
Highlights of this Morocco itinerary 16 days
- Aït Benhaddou
- Dades canyon hike
- Camel ride & desert camp
- Buggy & sandboarding
- Bike ride around the Taroudant ramparts
- Ameln Valley hike
- Painted rocks of Tafraoute
- Legzira cliffs walk
- Surf in Mirleft & Taghazout
Morocco itinerary 16 days: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Arrival in Marrakech
Meet our team, settle into your riad and enjoy the evening at Jemaa el-Fna.
- 2dayDay 2
Over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou
The Tizi n’Tichka pass, Berber villages and the ksar of Aït Benhaddou at sunset.
- 3dayDay 3
Skoura & the Dades Valley
Cycle in the Skoura oasis, then follow the road of the kasbahs to the Dades Valley.
- 4dayDay 4
Dades canyon hike
A morning hike in the red rock canyon and a free afternoon in the valley.
- 5dayDay 5
Todra Gorge to Merzouga
Walk in the Todra Gorge, then drive to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- 6dayDay 6
Camels into the dunes
A nomad family visit, then a sunset camel ride to the desert camp.
- 7dayDay 7
Sunrise, buggy & sandboarding
Sunrise on the dunes, a buggy ride and sandboarding, Gnawa music in Khamlia and a quiet evening.
- 8dayDay 8
Back west to Ouarzazate
A long drive through Tinghir and the Dades, with stops on the way.
- 9dayDay 9
Saffron country to Taroudant
Cross the plateau of Taliouine, Morocco’s saffron land, to the walled town of Taroudant.
- 10dayDay 10
Taroudant by bike
Cycle around the ochre ramparts, then the two souks of this calm market town.
- 11dayDay 11
Into the Anti-Atlas
A mountain road through argan trees and fortified granaries to Tafraoute and its pink granite rocks.
- 12dayDay 12
Ameln Valley & the painted rocks
Hike between almond trees and stone villages, then cycle to the blue painted rocks.
- 13dayDay 13
Down to the ocean at Mirleft
Through Tiznit, the silver town, to the small surf village of Mirleft on its cliffs.
- 14dayDay 14
Legzira cliffs & surf
Walk along Legzira beach at low tide below the red cliffs and the remaining rock arch, then surf in Mirleft.
- 15dayDay 15
North to Taghazout
Follow the coast to Taghazout, Morocco’s surf village, for a sunset on the beach.
- 16dayDay 16
Surf morning & departure
A last surf session, then your transfer to Agadir airport.
What’s included in this Morocco itinerary 16 days
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 Agadir (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
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 Aït Benhaddou
- Night 3Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 4Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 5Riad in Merzouga
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Riad in Merzouga
- Night 8Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 9Riad in Taroudant
- Night 10Riad in Taroudant
- Night 11Guesthouse in Tafraoute
- Night 12Guesthouse in Tafraoute
- Night 13Guesthouse in Mirleft
- Night 14Guesthouse in Mirleft
- Night 15Surf house in Taghazout
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
February to April is lovely: the almond trees bloom around Tafraoute and the desert is mild. October and November are also very good. Avoid July and August, when the desert and the inland south-west are very hot.
- JanPossible
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
What to bring for this trip
- Walking shoes for the canyon and the Ameln Valley
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- Warm layer for the desert night
- Headtorch for the camp
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
- Shoes you can wet for Legzira beach
- Rash vest for the surf
- Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small daypack
- 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.
Morocco Itinerary 16 Days: your questions
Why choose this Morocco itinerary 16 days long?
It combines the Sahara with the south-west, a region most tours miss: Taroudant, the Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute and the cliffs of Legzira. It suits travellers who have already seen the classic cities, or who prefer quiet places.
Does this Morocco itinerary 16 days include Fes or Chefchaouen?
No – it focuses on the south. To see the north, choose our 16 day Morocco tour or the tour from Tangier on this page.
Is the drive from Merzouga to Taroudant long?
We split it in two: Merzouga to Ouarzazate one day, then Ouarzazate to Taroudant the next, through the saffron country of Taliouine.
Can I still see the Legzira arch?
One of the two arches fell in 2016, but the other still stands. The beach is best at low tide, so we plan the walk around the tide times.
Where does this Morocco itinerary 16 days end?
In Agadir, which has direct flights to many European cities. We can also drive you back to Marrakech in about three hours.
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, buggy & sandboardingDetails →
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Camels into the dunesDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – Camels into the dunesDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 3 – Skoura & the Dades ValleyDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 4 – Dades canyon hikeDetails →
Surf & kitesurf experienceDay 13 – Down to the ocean at MirleftDetails →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 · extraJet ski adventure on the coastJet ski on the bay of AgadirSee the activity →Optional · extraBoat cruise along the coastBoat trip along the coastSee 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 · extraPrivate yacht charterPrivate yacht charter for the daySee 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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