Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Morocco - Ouarzazate & the Southern Desert, Atlas Mountains, Marrakech
100% customisable for you
Arrive in Marrakech after a direct four-hour flight from London, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your riad (traditional Moroccan townhouse built around a courtyard) or hotel in the heart of the medina (old town). Settle in and freshen up before meeting your private guide for an introduction to the city.
Wander colourful alleyways full of smells, flavours, sounds – much less daunting with an expert to guide you – and discover the traditions and rhythms that keep the souqs thriving. Sample local produce, meet friendly stallholders and learn about the history of the city.
The tour ends in the famous Djeema el-Fna Square, where snake charmers, musicians, fortune-tellers and street performers gather as dusk falls. Say goodbye to your guide and stay in the square for dinner, enjoying authentic street food from one of the stalls that spring up as the sun sets – we’ll happily point you towards a few favourites.
This morning offers a different way to experience Marrakech, swapping the maze of the medina for a vintage sidecar and an open-air view of the city. Setting off with an experienced driver, explore neighbourhoods beyond the old town, from leafy avenues and historic districts to lesser-seen corners that give a broader sense of how the city fits together.
The pace is relaxed and the perspective refreshingly different, with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way – whether that’s for a coffee, a photograph, or simply to watch daily life unfold. It’s an engaging way to cover more ground while still feeling connected to the city.
The afternoon is yours to explore and when it comes to dinner, we can recommend one of our favourite rooftop restaurants and book in advance, or if you feel like being spontaneous, consult our detailed Marrakech Dossier and seek out a tasty spot.
For your last morning in Marrakech, take part in a hands-on cooking workshop, led by an expert head dada, a traditional Moroccan cook. Working in a small group, you’ll be guided step-by-step through preparing your own two-course Moroccan feast using everyday equipment and techniques easy to recreate at home – perfect to impress friends with at your next dinner party.
After devouring your lunch, take the afternoon easy: maybe pop back to the souqs to haggle over that souvenir you’re still thinking about, or retreat to the hammam at your hotel for a spell of steam and stillness.
Pack your bags this morning as you leave Marrakech behind and head south, crossing the Atlas Mountains towards Morocco’s desert landscapes. The drive takes about four hours, passing through Ouarzazate – known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert – before continuing to the palm-filled oasis of Skoura.
Your base here is a beautifully restored traditional kasbah set within expansive grounds in the heart of the palm grove. Once settled in, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure: wander through the gardens, stretch out with a book on the terrace, or dip in the pool for a gentle swim.
This morning, set off on a desert adventure as you leave Skoura behind and travel across the sand dunes in a 4x4 to your luxury tented camp. The journey is very much part of the experience: bumping over dunes, pausing along the way and taking in the scale of the landscape as it opens up around you.
On arrival, find stylish tents scattered around a central area decorated with glowing lanterns and beautiful Berber cushions. Inside, the tents are thoughtfully arranged, complete with double beds, layered textiles, rug-lined floors, and en-suite bathrooms (proof that remoteness doesn’t mean roughing it).
As darkness falls, watch the night sky light up over dinner and drinks. With almost no light pollution, this is a fine place to sit after dark, comfy cushions at the ready, and watch the stars emerge one by one.
After your night in the desert, enjoy a final dose of adventure before leaving the dunes. This morning, you’ll be picked up from camp and driven a short distance to where your quad bikes are waiting. With your guide, spend the next two hours powering across the sand and getting the adrenaline pumping.
Once the dust has settled, make your way back towards Skoura, arriving back at your accommodation in the late afternoon. There’s time to unwind with a quick hammam session before dinner – a welcome way to ease tired muscles.
Rise early for a sunrise breakfast at the nearby Ksar Ali, a renowned viewpoint overlooking the palm groves. With lanterns lit and cushions laid out for comfort, it’s a magical way to start the day – best enjoyed with a cup of steaming mint tea in the shifting light.
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).
Today, leave Skoura behind and begin the journey back towards the 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 – you might recognise it from big screen features including Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones.
After exploring, continue by car for the remainder of the journey. From here, the drive takes about four hours in total, meaning you’ll arrive with just enough time to freshen up before dinner.
What a view to wake up to! Lace up your walking boots for a full day exploring the beautiful terrain of the Atlas Mountains. With a private guide and a donkey to carry fresh water and a picnic, set out along red, rocky trails that wind between snow-capped peaks and look down onto lush green walnut groves. Whatever your fitness levels and appetite for adventure, your guide can tailor the trek to suit. The picnic lunch is enjoyed along the way – 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 an evening to relax and enjoy a well-deserved dinner on the open terrace.
Take your final full day at leisure. After the previous day’s walking, the hammam is a natural place to start. Soothe your aching legs before indulging in a treatment and curling up for a nap in the shade of the terrace trees. If you’re feeling a little more energetic, play a game of tennis, go for a swim in the pool, or take one of several short cultural excursions that provide one last glimpse into mountain life.
With your bags packed and your legs weary, it’s time to head home. Your driver will transfer you to Marrakech Airport (the drive takes about an hour or so) for your flight back home – trading mountain air and desert light for British soil a mere four hours later.
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.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
