12 Days Tour From Agadir to Marrakech via Essaouira & Merzouga

12 Days

11 Nights

Private

4×4 / Minivan

2 Nights

Desert Camps

5 Legs

Zagora · Merzouga · Marrakech · Essaouira · Marrakech

Quick Overview for 12 Days tour from Agadir to Marrakech:

Two Sahara desert regions — the quieter Erg Chigaga dunes near Zagora, then the iconic Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga.

Visit the Aït Benhaddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar and film location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Two separate camel treks — one into each desert region—and two nights in traditional desert camps.

An Atlas Mountains / Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech, visiting Berber villages and waterfalls.

A dedicated stop in Essaouira, a fortified Atlantic port city known for its ramparts and fishing harbor.

One private vehicle and driver-guide for the full 12-day loop — no changing hands between legs.

No matter where you are in Agadir, whether your hotel or riad, we will come and pick you up with our itinerary for a 12 days in Morocco. Along this journey, you will go through the Anti-Atlas area, passing via Taroudant and Taliouine, which is the capital of saffron in Morocco. When it reaches the Draa Valley, the longest river valley in Morocco, surrounded by palm groves and kasbahs, it continues southward until it reaches the Draa Valley. The caravan finally reaches Zagora, which has historically been the last major stop before embarking on Saharan caravan routes.

A journey in a four-wheel-drive vehicle further into the desert toward Erg Chigaga, which is one of the largest and least frequented dune fields in Morocco and is notably calmer than Merzouga. An excursion on a camel will take you into the sand dunes, where you will catch the sunset, have dinner, and spend the night in a traditional tent under a sky with very little light pollution.

The next day of our 12 days tour from Agadir to Marrakech, your morning begins with a sunrise over the Erg Chigaga dunes, followed by a transfer back to the city and a drive north through N’Kob, which is rumored to have dozens of kasbahs in its surrounding valley. Thereafter, the journey continues to Aït Benhaddou, which is the center of the film industry in Morocco, for the night.

The road that heads east goes through the Valley of Roses and the folded rock formations of the Dades Valley, and then it enters the Todra Gorge, which is a limestone canyon that is 300 meters high. There will be a late afternoon arrival in Merzouga, which will be followed by a camel journey into the Erg Chebbi dunes, which are the most famous dunes in Morocco, for sunset, supper, and a second night in a desert camp.

Following the sunrise across the sand dunes, a camel ride will be taken back to Merzouga, and then a stop will be made at Rissani, which was historically an important crossing place for caravans migrating across the Sahara. In order to reach the High Atlas Mountains, the route takes a turn to the west, and there is a stop for the night along the way.

Taking the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which is Morocco’s highest mountain route that is open all year round, traverses the High Atlas Mountains, followed by a breathtaking descent into Marrakech. The evening will be free for you to explore Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks that are located in the surrounding area.

You will have the entire day to explore the medina of Marrakech, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, the souks, and the Majorelle Garden at your own pace. Depending on your preferences, your driver-guide is prepared to take you on a city trip that lasts either half a day or the entire day.

On this day-long trek you will pass Berber towns, weekly souks and terraced farms on the route to the Ourika Valley, at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains. The Ourika Valley is a popular location for travelers. This is an opportunity for those interested in climbing and seeing the Setti Fatma waterfalls, since you will make a stop at them along the journey. It’s best to get back to Marrakech for the night.

In addition to being a fortified Atlantic port city, Essaouira is home to a bustling fishing harbor and a medina that is blue and white in hue and is blown by the wind. The historic fortifications that may be found in Essaouira date back to the 18th century. You should be on the lookout for goats, as they are known to investigate and climb these trees. The path that leads to the west is a beautiful one that runs past fields of argan trees; however, you should be aware that goats are known to climb these trees.

You have a whole day to explore Essaouira at your own pace, whether you choose to visit the ramparts and Skala fortifications, the fishing harbor, the woodwork and art stores in the medina, or simply relax on the beach. Essaouira is a city well worth seeing. Essaouira is a city that is rich in history and culture. The possibility exists of making local arrangements for optional add-ons such as a surf lesson, a visit to an argan-oil cooperative, or other activities of a similar kind. These are all examples of activities that might be arranged. Please come here if you are interested in participating in activities of this nature.

In the weeks before your departure, with 12 days in Morocco itinerary you can revisit any areas you missed during your prior stay. This opportunity will be available to you once again. There are various potential locations for these gatherings, including a particular souk, a park, or a hammam, to name a few. It is important for you to travel through the argan trees to return to Marrakech, and you will have made the most of this chance before you depart.

In Marrakech, you will have the morning to yourself before being escorted to the Menara Airport in Marrakech or chanced to continue on to your next location, which will signal the end of the adventure. Both of these possible outcomes will mark the conclusion of your Zagora Erg Chigaga desert tour.

✅ Included

• Private transport in an A/C 4×4 or minivan for all 12 days
• English-speaking driver-guide throughout
• Hotel/riad pickup anywhere in Agadir
• 1 night hotel in Zagora — breakfast & dinner
• 1 night desert camp at Erg Chigaga — breakfast & dinner
• 1 night hotel in Ouarzazate — breakfast & dinner
• 1 night desert camp at Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) — breakfast & dinner
• 5 nights hotel/riad in Marrakech (split across three stays) — breakfast
• 2 nights hotel in Essaouira — breakfast
• 2 camel treks (Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi)
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

❌ Not Included

• Lunches and most dinners in Marrakech/Essaouira (restaurant of your choice)
• Entrance fees to kasbahs, studios, gardens, waterfalls and monuments
• Drinks and personal purchases
• Travel/health insurance
• Optional add-ons (surf lessons, argan cooperative visits, guided city tours)
• Tips for your driver-guide (customary but optional)

What’s the difference between Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi?

Erg Chigaga, near Zagora, is one of Morocco’s largest dune fields but requires a longer 4×4 transfer to reach and sees far fewer visitors, giving a more remote feel. Erg Chigaga, which is located close to Zagora, is one of the biggest dune fields in Morocco; nevertheless, visiting it involves a lengthier 4×4 transfer, and there are far fewer people, giving the impression of being more secluded. Because it is more easily accessible, Erg Chebbi, which is located close to Merzouga, has emerged as the most famous Sahara destination in the country. There will be a camel journey and a camp night at both locations during this excursion. Near Merzouga, Bi is more accessible and has become the most iconic Sahara destination in the country. Each tour includes a camel trek and a night in camp.

How is this different from the 10-day version of this tour?

The 10-day schedule only includes Merzouga, Marrakech, and Essaouira; the 12-day tour also features a special day excursion to the Atlas Mountains and Ourika Valley from Marrakech. Additionally, the 12 days in Morocco includes a second desert location, Zagora/Erg Chigaga, which is visited before Merzouga.

Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?

As opposed to moving between different group tours for each leg of the journey, this trip is a private one, which means that you will be accompanied by the same vehicle and driver-guide throughout the whole journey, which spans 12 days and includes visits to both desert areas, Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and Essaouira.

Can the Zagora/Erg Chigaga leg or the Ourika day trip be swapped out?

Indeed, both of these additions are proposed additions that have been developed expressly for this lengthier itinerary. They may be exchanged for more time elsewhere (more time in Essaouira, an additional rest day in Marrakech, etc.) if the request is made prior to booking.

Do I need camel-riding experience for either desert camp?

Both the Erg Chigaga and the Erg Chebbi camel treks do not require any prior experience from participants. Both are timed and directed for novices, and the majority of passengers, regardless of their age or level of fitness, are able to participate without difficulty.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Yes, you are able to cancel this tour without incurring any fees as long as you do so at least twenty-four hours before the scheduled departure time. If you’d like to reschedule your dates, please get in touch with us directly.

This lengthier route around the regions of Morocco that most tours only see once a second, calmer desert and a true day in the Atlas Mountains — was developed by Amine, who grew up on the Atlantic coast of Agadir. Instead of just adding extra nights in the same spots, Amine built this route across other sections of Morocco.