Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls Circuit

Key Information

Duration 9 days 8 nights

Style private luxury 4x4 journey

Start and end Marrakech flexible

Accommodation boutique riads character lodges luxury desert camp

Included private driver guide high end transport daily breakfasts and dinners outside Marrakech curated local experiences

Day 1 Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls

Leave Marrakech behind and head toward the Middle Atlas foothills to reach the Ouzoud Waterfalls, among the highest in North Africa. The drive passes through olive groves and rural landscapes that gradually give way to lush scenery.

On arrival, walk down to the base of the falls, take a short boat ride near the cascades, and observe Barbary macaques in their natural environment.
Overnight in a charming guesthouse

Day 2 Ouzoud to High Atlas to Telouet

Travel into the High Atlas along remote and scenic routes crossing mountain landscapes and traditional Berber villages. Continue to Telouet, once a powerful stronghold of the Glaoui family.

Visit the kasbah, a striking ruin that reflects both grandeur and decay, and offers a glimpse into a pivotal chapter of Moroccan history.
Overnight in an authentic guesthouse

Day 3 Telouet to Ait Benhaddou to Ouarzazate

Follow the Ounila Valley, a route lined with earthen villages and terraced fields shaped by mountain life. Stop at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO listed ksar and one of the most iconic fortified villages in Morocco.

Continue to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert and a major filming destination.
Overnight in a boutique riad or hotel

Day 4 Ouarzazate to Valley of Roses to Dades Gorge

Drive through the Valley of Roses, famous for its seasonal blooms and artisanal rose products. The landscape shifts between palm groves, oases, and fortified settlements.

Arrive at the Dades Gorge, where dramatic cliffs and winding roads create a powerful natural setting.
Overnight in a lodge overlooking the valley

Day 5 Dades to Todra Gorge to Merzouga

Head toward the Todra Gorge, where towering canyon walls frame a striking natural corridor. Walk through the oasis and explore the rocky formations before continuing toward the Sahara.

In the late afternoon, reach Merzouga and ride camels across the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Watch the sunset over the desert before arriving at a luxury camp for dinner under the stars.
Overnight in a luxury desert camp

Day 6 Merzouga Desert Immersion

Spend a full day exploring the desert landscape by 4x4. Meet nomadic families and learn about their way of life, visit small desert settlements, and experience Gnawa music in Khamlia.

Discover fossil areas and enjoy free time in the dunes for sandboarding or quiet contemplation of the desert silence.
Overnight in a desert camp or lodge

Day 7 Merzouga to Alnif to Draa Valley

Travel west across vast desert plains toward the Draa Valley, the longest oasis in Morocco. The route passes ksour, ancient kasbahs, and endless palm groves that trace former caravan routes.

Arrive in a peaceful lodge surrounded by the rhythm of the oasis.
Overnight in a charming lodge

Day 8 Draa Valley to Ouarzazate to High Atlas to Marrakech

Begin the return journey through Ouarzazate and into the High Atlas Mountains. Cross the Tizi n Tichka pass, where sweeping views reveal scattered Berber villages embedded in the mountainsides.

Arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
Overnight in a riad in Marrakech

Day 9 Marrakech Departure

Free time depending on your schedule. Enjoy a final walk through the medina, a hammam experience, or last minute shopping before your transfer to the airport.

The Spirit of the Journey