1 Week in Marrakech Itinerary
Medina, Atlas Mountains, kasbahs, gorges and a night under the stars in the Sahara: the perfect 7 day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech.
Book Now1 Week in Marrakech Itinerary Overview
Planning 1 week in Marrakech and want to see more than the city? This 1 week in Marrakech itinerary gives you the best of both worlds: two relaxed days in the Red City, then a five day road trip over the High Atlas Mountains to the golden dunes of the Sahara and back.
You start and finish in Marrakech, so it is easy to fly in and out. Between the souks and gardens of the medina and the silence of the desert, you will cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, walk through the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, follow the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorges, ride a camel in Merzouga and visit a nomad family.
Everything is organized for you: a private driver, comfortable riads and hotels, a desert camp and many meals. If you are looking for a complete Morocco itinerary 7 days long that is not rushed, this is it.
Trip at a Glance
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- StartMarrakech airport
- EndMarrakech or Casablanca airport
- StaysRiads, hotels and a desert camp
- Tour stylePrivate, with your own driver
- PriceOn request, per person
Highlights of the 1 Week in Marrakech Itinerary
These are the moments our guests remember most from their 1 week in Marrakech itinerary.
- Explore the souks, palaces and gardens of Marrakech with a local guide
- Evening food stalls and music on Jemaa el-Fna square
- Drive over the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas Mountains
- Walk through the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Night in the green Dades Valley, the valley of a thousand kasbahs
- Stand between the giant walls of the Todra Gorges
- Camel ride at sunset in the Erg Chebbi dunes of Merzouga
- Night in a desert camp under the stars, with Berber music
- Meet a nomad family and hear Gnawa music in Khamlia
- Palm groves of the Draa Valley and the old kasbahs of Agdz
Why Choose Our Marrakech Itinerary 7 Days?
There are many ways to plan a Marrakech itinerary 7 days long. Ours is built on years of guiding travelers on these roads, so the driving is split well and every night is in a place worth waking up in.
- Private trip: Only you and your group in the car. You choose when to stop for photos, coffee or a walk.
- Local team: Our drivers are Amazigh (Berber) and grew up in the south, so you get real stories, not just facts.
- Good places to sleep: Hand picked riads, hotels and a comfortable desert camp with private bathrooms.
- Flexible: Want one more night in the desert, a cooking class or a trip to Essaouira? We change the plan for you.
Day by Day: 7 Day Morocco Itinerary From Marrakech
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech and Transfer to Your Riad
Welcome to Morocco! Your driver meets you at Marrakech airport and takes you to your riad in the medina. A riad is a traditional house with a quiet courtyard in the middle, a perfect place to relax after your flight.
The rest of the day is free, so enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace. Drink mint tea on the roof terrace, walk to the Koutoubia Mosque and, as the sun goes down, watch Jemaa el-Fna square come alive with food stalls, storytellers and musicians.
Day 2: Marrakech Guided Tour
After breakfast you meet your local guide for a half day tour of Marrakech. Visit the beautiful Bahia Palace, the carved Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Saadian Tombs, then get lost (safely!) in the colorful souks, where craftsmen work leather, metal and wood.
In the afternoon, relax in the blue Majorelle Garden or take a hammam. This day is the heart of your Marrakech time, and the perfect way to understand the city before the road trip begins.
Day 3: Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley
Your desert adventure starts early. The road climbs into the High Atlas Mountains through Berber villages and up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 meters, with wide views on every side.
Next is Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village of red earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, seen in many films. After a walk and lunch, continue past Ouarzazate and along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and the Valley of Roses to the Dades Valley.
Day 4: Dades Valley to the Todra Gorges and Merzouga Desert
In the morning, see the winding road and rock shapes of the Dades Gorges, then drive to Tinghir and its huge palm grove. Walk into the Todra Gorges, where the canyon walls rise up to 300 meters on each side of a clear river.
In the afternoon you reach Merzouga and the great dunes of Erg Chebbi. Climb on your camel and ride into the desert at sunset. Dinner, drums and a sky full of stars wait for you at the camp.
Day 5: Merzouga Desert Exploration
Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the dunes, then ride back and enjoy breakfast. Today you explore the area around Merzouga by 4x4: visit a nomad family and share tea in their tent, listen to Gnawa music in the village of Khamlia, see the old mines and fossils, and stop at the seasonal lake of Dayet Srji when it has water.
You can also try a quad bike or sandboarding. In the evening you check in to your hotel at the edge of the dunes to rest and enjoy a hot shower.
Day 6: Merzouga to Agdz, Ouarzazate and Marrakech
This is the longest driving day, so we leave early. The road goes west through the quiet desert towns of Alnif and N’Kob to Agdz, in the green palm groves of the Draa Valley, where we stop for lunch and a look at the old kasbahs.
Then continue to Ouarzazate, the “door of the desert”, and cross the High Atlas once more to arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
Day 7: Transfer to the Airport in Marrakech or Casablanca
Enjoy a last breakfast in your riad. Depending on your flight, your driver takes you to Marrakech airport or to Casablanca airport (about 3 hours). If you have extra time, add a night in Marrakech or a day trip to Essaouira.
Gallery
A few photos from the places you will visit on this 1 week in Marrakech itinerary, from the souks of the medina to the dunes of Merzouga.
Map of the Tour
This 7 day Morocco itinerary from Marrakech makes a loop of about 1,250 km. You go out through the High Atlas and the Dades Valley, and come back through the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate, so you never drive the same road twice.
- MarrakechDays 1-2
- Ait Ben HaddouDay 3
- Dades ValleyDay 3
- Todra GorgesDay 4
- MerzougaDays 4-5
- AgdzDay 6
- OuarzazateDay 6
- MarrakechDays 6-7
Included and Not Included
Included in the Tour:
- Airport pickup and drop-off (Marrakech or Casablanca)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver
- 2 nights in a riad in Marrakech + 1 night on Day 6
- Half day guided tour of Marrakech with a local guide
- 1 night in a hotel in the Dades Valley
- 1 night in a desert camp and 1 night in a hotel in Merzouga
- Breakfast every day and dinner on Days 3, 4 and 5
- Camel ride at sunset and 4x4 desert tour in Merzouga
- Fuel, tolls and parking
Not Included:
- Flights and travel insurance
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Local guides in Ait Ben Haddou and Todra (optional)
- Tips (optional)
Accommodations
We choose clean, friendly places with character for every night of your 1 week in Marrakech itinerary. You can pick standard, superior or luxury level, and we will match all the nights to it.
| Night | Place | Where you sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 & 2 | Marrakech | Traditional riad in the medina |
| Night 3 | Dades Valley | Hotel with valley views |
| Night 4 | Merzouga | Desert camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes |
| Night 5 | Merzouga | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| Night 6 | Marrakech | Traditional riad in the medina |
Morocco 7 Day Itinerary From Marrakech: Price
The price of this Morocco 7 day itinerary from Marrakech depends on the number of travelers, the season and the level of riads and hotels you choose. Because it is a private trip, the price per person goes down when you travel in a bigger group.
Send us your dates using the form below or on WhatsApp, and we will reply within 24 hours with a clear price and no hidden costs.
Booking
Ready to plan your 1 week in Marrakech itinerary? Fill in the form and tell us your dates, the number of travelers and any special wishes. It is free and there is no obligation.
Know Before You Go
A few practical tips to help you prepare your 1 week in Marrakech itinerary.
- Best time: March to May and September to November are the most pleasant months. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter nights are cold.
- What to pack: Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, sun cream and a warm layer for the desert night.
- For the camel ride: Pack a small bag for the camp night. Your big luggage stays safe in the car.
- Long drives: Days 3 and 6 are long. We stop often for photos, tea and short walks.
- Money: Bring some cash in dirhams. Cash machines are easy to find in Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Tinghir, but rare in the desert.
- Dress: Light clothes that cover the shoulders and knees are best in villages.
Extra Activities
| Before & after the tour | During the tour |
|---|---|
| Moroccan cooking class in Marrakech | Quad bike or buggy in the Merzouga dunes |
| Hot air balloon flight at sunrise | Sandboarding on the big dunes |
| Day trip to Essaouira on the coast | Second night in the desert camp |
| Agafay desert dinner and camel ride | Visit of the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate |
Short on time? See our shared 3 days desert tour from Marrakech, or spend your first evening on the Agafay desert camel ride and dinner. For travel advice, read the official site of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1 week in Marrakech enough to see Morocco?
Yes. This 1 week in Marrakech itinerary is enough to see the highlights of the south: Marrakech, the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Sahara. If you also want to see Fes and Chefchaouen, look at our longer itineraries of 10 days or more.
Can I start or end the trip in Casablanca?
Yes. We can pick you up in Casablanca on Day 1 or take you to Casablanca airport on Day 7. Just tell us your flight times.
How long are the drives on this Morocco itinerary 7 days?
Most days have 4 to 7 hours of driving with many stops. Day 3 and Day 6 are the longest. Our cars are comfortable and air-conditioned, and you can stop whenever you like.
Is the desert camp comfortable?
Yes. Our camp has proper beds, blankets and tents with private toilets and showers. We can also book a luxury camp if you prefer more comfort.
Is this itinerary good for families with children?
Yes. Children love the camels and the dunes. We provide child seats on request and can make the driving days shorter by adding a night.
Can you change the itinerary?
Of course. This is a private trip, so we can add nights, change hotels or add activities like a cooking class or a day in Essaouira.
When should I book?
We recommend booking at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip, and earlier for Easter, Christmas and New Year, when riads and desert camps fill up fast.
Have a Question?
Every trip is different. Tell us how you like to travel and we will adapt this 1 week in Marrakech itinerary for you. Contact us today.