11 Days Discovering the Enchanting Morocco Gems from Agadir

Overview 

­Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart of Morocco? Day 1 welcomes you to Agadir, a city brimming with coastal charm and cultural allure. From there, our adventure unfolds as we journey through the rugged beauty of Tizouragane and Tafraoute, immersing ourselves in the stunning landscapes of the Atlas Mountains. Day 3 invites exploration in Taliouine, renowned for its vibrant saffron fields, before we continue our odyssey to Agdz and Nkob, where ancient Kasbahs and desert vistas await. As we venture deeper into the Sahara, Day 5 beckons with a mesmerizing encounter with the Merzouga Desert, where we’ll spend a night under the star-studded sky. Our journey continues through the majestic Todra Gorge and the enchanting Dades Gorges, offering moments of awe-inspiring beauty at every turn. Traverse historic landmarks such as Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou, nestled amidst the Atlas Mountains, before arriving in the vibrant city of Marrakech. Explore its bustling medina on a guided tour, immersing yourself in its rich tapestry of sights and sounds. With visits to the coastal gem of Essaouira and a final exploration of Agadir, our adventure culminates with memories to cherish as we bid farewell to Morocco on Day 11.

Highlights 

• Visit the enchanting Kasbah of Tizourgane and the stony-built village of Tafraoute nestled in the red-granite Ameln Valley.
• Discover the world’s most expensive spice in Taliouine, and delve into the rich culture of saffron farming.
• Experience a magical sunset over the Erg Chebbi dunes and spend a night under the stars in a traditional Berber tent.
• Traverse the scenic High Atlas Mountains, explore the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, and visit Hollywood film locations.

Itinerary :

 Day 1: Agadir Arrival

Welcome to Morocco ! Upon your arrival, you’ll enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Agadir Al-Massira International Airport (AGA) to your accommodation, about 30 minutes. Your driver will meet you at the airport and is happy to recommend how to spend your time in Agadir.

Day 2: Agadir / Tafraoute

From Agadir you head south to Ida Ougnidif, a true small fortified village, the Kasbah of Tizourgane was essentially a fortified town, enclosing 25 houses, a mosque, a granary and a prison, and thick stone walls tower above the passages around the ancient structure. The Kasbah has been rehabilitated thanks to massive work undertaken by the owners, which continues today. The Kasbah has been renovated respecting the original construction techniques and materials. It has now become a guest house which allows you to enjoy this magical place that you’ll certainly love. In February, the argan and almond trees, in bloom, enhance the beauty of the place. 65km from here we get to a village nestled in the gorgeous Ameln Valley and locked in a muscular, red-granite mountains and some rock carvings. Tafrouat the stoned-built villages with around five thousand hardy souls, Tafrouat still one of the must-see relaxed destinations in the country of red and green flag. It worths a walk around to see curious rock formations such as Napolean’s Hat or the Peirres Pients, Painted blue and pink by a Belgiam artist.

 Day 3 : Tafraoute / Taliouine

Our 3rd day we’ll head to more south to the struggling village of Taliouine and the African Centre of l’orrouge (red gold) or saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, where we’ll have an opportunity to discover more about this red gold. We spend night in the village before we continue our journey to the rambling Ksar of N’kob with its prehistoric rock-carving sites and 45 mud-brick ksour make you stop by and stare. The name N’kob comes from a cave that once served as a lodging for nomads.

Day 4 : Taliouine / Agdz / Nkob

About 173km along the road into Agdz we pass a mixture of modern houses and older Ksour edge the road with the palm groves and family small farms along the way to Agdez to traverse the brooding mountain of Saghro, a starkly beautiful jumble of volcanic peaks via Bougafer Mines in order to visit the dinosaur fossils and stopover for a while in Taznakht the Morocco’s capital of Carpet and rugs. Then we head to Agdz that means “Place of rest”, and it is certainty worth taking a break here. Just to the south of the village begins a beautiful palmery of the Draa Valley. A first magnificent sign of the architecture to come, the Ksar at Tamnougalt, perched on a hill, is one of the oldest in Morocco and perhaps the most dramatic and extravagant of any in the locality. Arrive to the rambling Ksar of N’kob to spend our night.

Day 5 :Nkob / Rissani / Merzouga

Today, we set the compass for southeast head to one of Morocco’s great sights via Rissani, this small town on the edge of the sahara marks the end of the metalled road and start of the tracks into the desert. From the the 8th to 14th centuries, this was the site o the first independent kingdom of the south, Sijilmassa, traces of which survive to the west of town. Much later, it become the first capital of the Tafilalt, and served for centutries as the last stop on the great caravan routes. Arrive to the small Saharan oasis of Merzouga, it’s famous for its location at the Erg Chebbi Dunes. These photogenic dunes, which rise up out of the stony, sandy desert, extend for 30km, and reach a maximum height of 259m. At sunrise or dusk, the half-light gives the sand a fascinating range of colours. Store any baggage while packing an overnight bag to bring along. You’ll have the chance to be accompanied by a camel and blue-turban-robed guide into the sandy seas. After hour-long camel ride you will be among the luckiest to watch the sun set over the Sahara dunes and spend a night in a Bedouin style tent.

Day 6 : Merzouga / Todra Gorge / Boumalne Dades

This morning you’ll wake up with the sun shining on your face to witness what we hope is a glorious sunrise among the dunes, meanwhile to watch the light creep slowly down the dunes and pull all the world around you outside their warmth heavy mound of blankets for an early-breakfast. After an hour-ride camel back out of the desert you will depart and head for Erfoud where you can marvel at the million-year-old fossils that the area is famous for. Then heading north for a sublime experience in the Todgha gorges where we’ll be stuck between the gigantic rock walls. Arriving to Dades gorges a rust-red and mauve mountains. A series of crumbling Kasbahs and Ksours line the valley in the Berber villages to the monkey Fingers Mountains. If we get there earlier and you still have some energy to hike a couple of hours, we will drop-off our luggage at the hotel and get dressed for the hike.

Day 7 : Boumalne Dades / Ouarzazate / Ait Benhaddou / Marrakesh

You leave Dades at 8:00am traversing the valley of roses and daggers straight to the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the backdrop for many Hollywood movies production such as Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many others. You might also like to explore Ouarzazate, home to Taourirt Kasbah and the «Ouallywood» studio. Wind up the memorable Tizi n’Tichka pass via the north Africa’s highest peak, the high Atlas Mountains with the Berber villages lined beside the road to arrive to Marrakech where you will have a day-long to explore the crazed cacophony of musicians, snake charmers and vendors in the open-air famed Jamaa El Fnaa square, and the highly recommended sites with your guide.

Day 8 : Marrakesh Walk & Talk Guided Medina tour

With your local guide, you embark exploring the Red City from its old part with its Medina’s skinny lanes that leads to lavish sites, tombs and religious monuments decked out in marble. Bahia and El-Badii Palace and Saadien’s Tombs will be your targets. Afterward, you driver/Tour Guide will pick you up for the outside medina visit to explore the Majorelle Garden, Museum Saint Laurent, Berber Museum. While in Marrakech you will surely encounter thousands of motorcyclists and horse-carts roaming in the city and some of them pull over next the vast square of Jemaa El-Fnaa where it’s carnival night every night and musicians, acrobats, storytellers and slapstick acting troupes tap into the Medina frenetic pulse.

Day 9 : Marrakesh / Essaouira

After having your breakfast at the Riad, you’ll be picked up by your driver/tour guide around 08:00am, you will head to Essaouira. Beside the road we’ll have the chance to see the tree goats’ phenomenon, before having enough time to explore Jimi Hendrix’s town. You’re free to roam in the city that was once and still a haven for hippie backpackers and Gnawa musicians. You can book a local guide, if not you can start your visit by the ramparts a series of forts that were built in the 15th century around the Medina of Mogador. Inside the Medina you’ll have the chance visit The Mellah (former Jewish quarter), the Morocco’s 3rd fishing port where you can have a delicious fish meal. For the sports-oriented travelers, Essaouira is a place to some fine wind and kitesurfing schools.

Day 10 : Essaouira / Agadir

Around 8am you’ll head south through the coastal road by the Atlantic Ocean to the city that spreads over a large area, both along the coast and inland from the huge swath of beach. There are sandy coves every few kilometres, and welcoming eateries make it a good road to take break in from time to time. We start by the sleepy Berber villgae of Diabat that was once a dope-smoking colony popular with hippies. A short way from here located the wild beach of Sidi Kaouki a chilled escape from Essaouira and one of Morocco’s top wind-surfing and surfing spot. It’s not for faint-hearted. Later we reach we will pass by Aourir and Taghazout, Morocco’s number-one surfing resort. Another 12km we get back into Agadir the city that was completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1960, with its busy port and beach resort sprawling beneath its Kasbah.

 Day 11 :Agadir or Marrakech departure

Airport Shuttle You will be departing Morocco today. Pack you bags and make sure that your Morocco tour’s pictures are well-saved. we hope that you have taken some unique and beautiful pictures here in Morocco. You driver/tour guide will be waiting to drive you to your aiport in Agadir or Marrakech.