| Day | Stop | Route | To book |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech: medina and Jemaa el-Fna square | On foot | Accommodation |
| 2 | Marrakech: gardens and museums | On foot and taxi | Visits |
| 3 | High Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou, Dadès valley | Desert tour, day 1 | 3-day tour |
| 4 | Todra gorges, Merzouga, night in camp | Desert tour, day 2 | Included |
| 5 | Sunrise in the dunes, return to Marrakech | About 10 hours on the road | Included |
| 6 | Essaouira | 2.5 to 3 hours on the road | Day trip or transfer |
| 7 | Essaouira, back to Marrakech | About 3 hours | Transfer or bus |
"From" prices seen in October 2026, per person; lunches, drinks and tips extra.
Why this itinerary
A week is not enough to see the whole country: fewer stops beat a 2,000 km loop by car. Marrakech, the Atlas mountains, the desert and the sea make a complete contrast, and a single long trip (the 3-day tour) keeps everything else simple. With more time, move on to our 10-day itinerary or the Marrakech to Fès route through the desert.
Days 1 and 2: Marrakech
Start with Jemaa el-Fna square in the late afternoon, then the souks the next morning, and keep the afternoon for the Majorelle Garden or a hammam. For where to stay, see where to stay in Marrakech.
Where to sleep for this itinerary: in the medina, ideally in a riad: Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the palaces and Ben Youssef are all on foot, and you can go back for a quiet rest between visits. See hotels with free cancellation in the medina or read our guide on where to stay in Marrakech.
Days 3 to 5: the Merzouga desert
The tour always follows the same route. Day 1: leave around 7 am, cross the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stop at Aït Ben Haddou, overnight in the Dadès valley. Day 2: Todra gorges, then a camel ride to the camp in the Erg Chebbi. Day 3: sunrise in the dunes and about 10 hours on the road home; Ando Travel's listing gives a return around 8 pm. Plan nothing for that evening.
To compare five tours, read Merzouga in 3 days from Marrakech. Lunches are rarely included (about €10 to €13 per meal); the Aït Ben Haddou guide, quad and drinks are extra.
Days 6 and 7: Essaouira
Essaouira is a good contrast after the roads: a walled medina, a fishing port and a cool breeze. A night there avoids a same-day round trip; if you are short of time, a day trip works too, covered in our comparison Essaouira from Marrakech.
The premium option: private
The 3-day tour is available as a private group from $128 per person. For a couple or a family with children, it lets you choose the stops and the camp. Custom private tours of more than three days can be compared in the From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour.
What is not included, and the traps
- Lunches: expect up to three meals to pay for during the tour.
- Road time: the day you return from the desert is a driving day, not a sightseeing day.
- Season: very hot in the desert in summer, cold nights from November to February.
- Luggage: a small bag for the night in camp; the suitcase stays in the vehicle.
- Last night: if your flight leaves early on day 8, sleep in Marrakech, not Essaouira.
Which option to choose?
- First visit: the Ando Travel tour and a transfer to Essaouira.
- Couple or family: the tour as a private group.
- Tight budget: look for a private tent with meals, seen between $44 and $79 depending on the listing.
- Short on time: replace the desert with Aït Ben Haddou as a day trip.
Booking at the right time
Spring and autumn have the mildest temperatures. Book the tour a few days ahead, longer in high season. Cancellation terms differ between listings: read them before paying.
