Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Ultimate Adventure in Morocco From Sand to Sky
Morocco – Marrakech – Skoura – Merzouga – The Atlas Mountains
This 11-day trip starts in Marrakech, where you’ll join a guide to explore its bustling souqs before hopping into a vintage sidecar for a thrilling ride around the city. Suitably settled, strap in for a traditional cooking class – it’s safe to say your dinner rotation back home is in for a Morocco-inspired upgrade.
Next up, journey into the desert for a stay in the palm-filled oasis of Skoura before venturing to Merzouga for a night under the stars. Then, ramp up the adrenaline with a quad biking adventure before enjoying a sunrise breakfast overlooking the palm groves – a moment of peace after the excitement of the capital.
Wrap things up in the Atlas Mountains, where you’ll pull on your walking boots for a guided trek along its rugged trails. You’ll even have a trusty donkey for company, who’ll kindly carry your picnic. After all that hiking, some time in the hammam (a traditional Moroccan steam bath) is surely in order...
Itinerary
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After plenty of daydreams and eagerly counted-down sleeps, your adventure to Morocco begins today. Head to the airport and board your direct four-hour flight to Marrakech – plenty of time to master a few Arabic phrases.
When you touch down in Marrakech, you’ll be privately transferred to your riad, a traditional Moroccan townhouse built around a courtyard in the heart of the medina (old town). As tradition dictates, start your three-night stay with some mint tea before meeting your private guide for a whirlwind tour of the city.
Follow mosaic-embellished alleyways into bustling souqs – all much less daunting with an expert to guide you. Learn about their history, meet friendly stallholders and put your haggling skills to the test for a shiny trinket...
Round off the tour in the famous Djeema el-Fna Square, where snake charmers, musicians and fortune-tellers emerge at dusk. Say goodbye to your guide and stay in the square for a street food feast – we’ll happily point you towards a few of our favourite stalls.
Helmets on, hairdos beware... This morning, meet your experienced driver and bundle into their vintage sidecar for a spin around the city. Venture beyond the old town to zip through Marrakech’s neighbourhoods, from leafy avenues and historic districts to tucked-away corners that reveal a different side of the city.
Part of the fun lies in the pit stops along the way. One moment you’re sipping cinnamon-spiced coffee at a local café, the next you’re watching daily life unfold at the market and, before you know it, you’re posing for a sidecar photograph at a scenic viewpoint. That’s one for the holiday album, surely...
The afternoon is all yours, so spend some time exploring at your own pace. Come dinnertime, we can book you a table at one of our favourite rooftop restaurants, and our local Concierge can recommend some delicious dishes to try.
Ready to add a few Moroccan classics to your culinary repertoire? This morning, roll up your sleeves and tie your apron for a hands-on cooking class, led by an expert head dada (a traditional Moroccan cook).
Working in a small group, you’ll be guided step by step as you chop, stir and season your own two-course Moroccan feast, learning how fragrant herbs and fiery spices work in harmony. Your next dinner party guests are in for a real treat...
After devouring your lunch, take the afternoon easy: perhaps pop back to the souqs to haggle over that souvenir you just can’t stop thinking about or retreat to your hotel for a steamy, soul-warming stint in the hammam.
Bags packed and Marrakech memories made, it’s time to head south towards Morocco’s dreamy desert horizons. Buckle in for a four-hour private transfer across the mighty Atlas Mountains, passing through Ouarzazate (the gateway to the Sahara Desert) before reaching the palm-filled oasis of Skoura.
After settling into your hotel for the night (with more Moroccan mint tea, of course), the afternoon is all yours to enjoy. Potter around the lush gardens, find a shady spot to make a solid dent in your holiday read or cool off with a dip in the pool.
Back in its caravan-trading heyday, Skoura was a welcome pitstop for weary desert traders (and their camels). You’ve followed in their footsteps to the oasis, so why stop now? Round things off as they would have done, over a hearty spread of smoky lamb skewers, fragrant tagines and couscous.
Gear up for a desert adventure this morning as you leave Skoura behind and travel across the sand dunes to Merzouga in a comfortable 4x4. Hold on to your hats, as it might be a little bumpy along the way – but just look at those views...
When you arrive, settle into your plush tent (your wild hideaway for the night), surrounded by glowing lanterns, handwoven Berber rugs and heaps of comfy cushions. Proof that being in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean roughing it.
As darkness falls, gather around the crackling fire for dinner and drinks. Then, turn all eyes to the skies, where minimal light pollution makes for stellar views of the cosmos. And, if a shooting star streaks across the sky, a wish for another holiday just like this one has a rather nice ring to it...
Fancy yourself a bit of a daredevil? You’re in luck. This morning, you’ll be picked up from camp and driven a short distance across the dunes to meet your guide, who’ll hand you the keys to your quad bike.
With your helmet strapped on and goggles in place, rev that engine and spend the next couple of hours powering across the desert, kicking up clouds of sand and sending your adrenaline soaring. Perhaps there’s a budding rally driver in you after all...
After the dust has settled, it’s time to hit the road again for your five-hour private transfer back to Skoura. When you arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon, check in for two nights and enjoy some well-earned R&R by the pool.
All those desert thrills are bound to have worked up quite the appetite, so why not order a mezze platter for dinner to sample a little bit of everything?
Rise bright and early this morning for a sunrise breakfast at the nearby Ksar Ali, a renowned viewpoint overlooking Skoura’s palm groves. With lanterns glowing, cushions scattered and a delicious breakfast spread laid out, sip on a steaming cup of mint tea and watch as the first rays of sunshine spill across the desert.
After plenty of oohs and aahs, head back to your accommodation after breakfast to enjoy a slow morning and a snooze in the sun. If you’re in the mood for a little indulgence, opt for a massage followed by a soak in the hammam (you know the drill by now).
Leave Skoura behind this morning and meet your local driver for the five-hour journey towards the mighty Atlas Mountains. En route, stop at the Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, an earthy-red settlement of tightly-packed buildings rising from the hillside, surrounded by high defensive walls.
Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s one of the finest surviving examples of traditional southern Moroccan architecture. Film buffs might even recognise it from the silver screen, having featured in Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and the TV series Game of Thrones.
With the sightseeing credits rolled (sorry), bundle back into the car for the final four-hour stretch of the drive. When you arrive in the Atlas Mountains region, check in to your charming guesthouse – your home away from home for the next three nights.
When hunger strikes this evening, dine somewhere local and save a little room for some oh-so-sweet dates for dessert .
Look up (way up) towards the mighty Atlas Mountains this morning – that's where you’ll be hiking today.
Wolf down breakfast, lace up your walking boots and meet your private guide and trusty donkey, who’ll be carrying your fresh water and picnic supplies (some ear scratches are very much deserved, we reckon).
Together, set off along red, rocky trails that wind between snow-capped peaks and look down onto lush green walnut groves. Whatever your fitness level and appetite for adventure, your guide can tailor the trek to suit. Along the way, stop for a picnic lunch – a welcome pause to refuel and properly take in the scale and the quiet of the mountains.
With your legs starting to tire by late afternoon, head back to the hotel for a relaxing evening and well-earned dinner on the open terrace.
With ten days of desert adventures and mountain treks officially complete, your final full day is all yours to enjoy at leisure.
After yesterday’s hiking exploits, soothe any aching muscles with a stint in the hammam, indulge in a spa treatment or curl up for a nap in the shade of the terrace trees. Still have some energy to burn? There’s certainly no shortage of mountain trails if you fancy another adventure...
Tonight, leave dinner plans in the hands of our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your trip to Morocco has come to an end.
After one last traditional breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred back to Marrakech Airport, an hour’s drive away. From here, board your direct flight back home, trading mountain air and desert light for British soil a mere four hours later.
If you already feel a bad case of the post-holiday blues coming on, nothing lifts the spirits quite like dreaming up your next big adventure...
Why visit Morocco with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Morocco
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
