Morocco Itinerary: 5 Days from Marrakech

Touch down in Marrakech, the "Red City" founded by the Almoravids in 1070, and settle into a traditional riad inside the UNESCO-listed medina. The afternoon eases you into Morocco with a guided walk past the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque and through the labyrinthine souks before the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square erupts into life at dusk. Expect a sensory rush of spice stalls, Gnaoua musicians, henna artists and grilled-food vendors. This first day is intentionally gentle, letting travellers acclimatise before the desert road begins tomorrow.

Travel note · Marrakech can feel overwhelming at first - stay relaxed, keep small notes for tips, and agree a 7:30 AM departure for tomorrow.

Leave Marrakech early and climb the N9 through the High Atlas, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260m, the highest major road pass in Morocco. Descend to Aït Benhaddou, the earthen ksar inscribed by UNESCO in 1987 and a backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After lunch you skirt Ouarzazate, the "door of the desert," then thread the Skoura palm oasis and the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs to overnight in the dramatic Dades gorges.

Travel note · The pass is cold even in summer - keep a layer handy. Mountain roads wind constantly, so take motion-sickness tablets if you are prone.

A scenic morning brings you to the Todra Gorge near Tinghir, where the Todgha River has carved a slot canyon with limestone walls up to 300m high that narrow to barely 10m - a magnet for rock climbers. From there the road runs east through Erfoud and Rissani, the gateway towns of the Tafilalt date oasis, to Merzouga at the foot of Erg Chebbi. In late afternoon you mount a dromedary and ride into the dunes for sunset, reaching your private desert camp by nightfall.

Travel note · Leave your main suitcase in the 4x4 and bring only an overnight bag to camp. Wear closed shoes for the camel ride and pack a warm layer for the night.

Rise before dawn to watch the sun break over the Erg Chebbi, the most photogenic moment of the whole trip, then ride your camel back to Merzouga for breakfast and a hot shower. Today is the big drive: you retrace the southern route through Ouarzazate and back over the Tizi n'Tichka to Marrakech, around 560km in total. The changing light on the kasbahs and red mountains keeps the journey memorable, and you reach the Red City by early evening for a relaxed final night.

Travel note · This is the longest driving day - start early, bring snacks and music, and break the journey with photo stops along the way.

Your last morning is free for whatever Marrakech you have been craving - last-minute souk shopping for lanterns and leather, a calm hour in a hidden garden, or a hammam to ease the road out of your shoulders. When the time comes your driver collects you for the short transfer to Menara Airport, closing a compact loop that has taken you from imperial city to the edge of the Sahara and back in just five days.

Travel note · Allow 2-3 hours before international flights. Store luggage at the riad if your flight is late and you want a final wander.