My 6-Day Tour from Marrakech: Sahara & Essaouira Review

You know, the idea of a Morocco trip often paints two very different pictures in your mind. First, there’s the big, open desert, with these giant sand hills and stars that just seem to go on forever. Then, on the other hand, there’s this idea of a chill, windswept coast with old forts and the sound of waves. Well, I found a 6-day trip from Marrakech that actually puts both of those experiences together, which is pretty amazing. It’s a lot to pack into less than a week, right? Frankly, I was a little unsure if it would feel too rushed. This is basically my honest take on what it was really like to go from the hectic-in-a-good-way city, over the mountains, into the golden Sahara, and then all the way to the blue-and-white shores of Essaouira.

Day 1 & 2: Heading Out from the Red City over the High Atlas

So, leaving the buzzing streets of Marrakech behind is kind of a wild feeling. In that case, you just watch as the buildings get smaller and the landscape starts opening up. Honestly, the first big event is the drive up into the High Atlas Mountains. Our driver was really skilled, and you know, he had to be on those switchback roads. The main pass, called Tizi n’Tichka, sits super high up and the views from there are, like, totally breathtaking. You’re actually looking down on the world from up there. Anyway, we made a very cool stop at Aït Benhaddou, which is this old fortified village made of clay. It really looks like something out of a movie; as a matter of fact, they’ve filmed a bunch of stuff there. We spent the night in the Dades Valley, and seriously, the change in scenery from the city to the rocky, red canyons was just incredible.

The second day was pretty much about getting deeper into that rugged land. You could say that we drove through the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs,” and you can literally see all these old, crumbling forts along the road. It’s almost like stepping back in time a little. The colors here are what get you; there are these amazing streaks of red and orange in the rocks. We stopped to stretch our legs and check out some local Berber villages, which was really neat. I mean, the people are so welcoming. It’s a bit of a slow-paced day, but it’s definitely needed to prepare you for the big desert adventure that’s just around the corner, right? At the end of the day, you’re pretty much ready for a good meal and a good night’s sleep before the main event.

Day 3: Through Gorges and Oases to the Saharan Gate

Okay, day three started with a visit to the Todra Gorge. This place is seriously awesome. Basically, it’s this massive canyon with these sheer rock walls that are, like, hundreds of feet high on either side of a tiny river. We actually got out and walked through it, and you feel so small. As I was saying, it’s just one of those nature spots that makes you go, “wow.” After that, the drive started to feel different. You could sort of see the land getting flatter and more sandy. For instance, we passed through these unexpected green spots, these oases filled with palm trees that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Honestly, it was a very strong hint that we were getting close to the desert. The excitement in our little van was, well, something you could actually feel building up.

Finally, in the afternoon, we got to a town called Merzouga. Now, Merzouga itself is more or less a small town, but it’s famous because it’s right on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. I mean, these are the postcard sand dunes you’ve always seen pictures of. The sand is this incredible orange color, and the dunes are just massive, looking like giant waves of sand. This is where we had to switch our mode of transport, you know? We left our van and bags at a local inn, packed just a small overnight bag, and got ready to meet our camels. To be honest, this was the moment that I think everyone was waiting for more than anything else.

Day 4: A Camel Ride to a Night Beneath the Stars

Alright, so climbing onto a camel is a pretty funny experience in itself. They are really tall creatures. Once we were all up, our little caravan started moving, heading straight into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes. There’s no sound out there except for the soft padding of the camel’s feet on the sand, which is kind of amazing. We rode for about an hour and a half, just as the sun was starting to set. Frankly, watching the sun go down over the dunes, with the colors changing from orange to pink to purple, is a sight that is almost impossible to describe properly. It’s just this huge, quiet, and deeply peaceful moment. You really have to see it for yourself.

As a matter of fact, there is nothing quite like the complete silence of the desert once the sun disappears. It’s not an empty silence, but a very full one.

We arrived at our Berber desert camp just as it got dark. The camp was pretty cozy, with traditional tents arranged in a circle. Our hosts were incredibly nice and made us a delicious tagine for dinner. Afterward, they brought out their drums and we all sat around a campfire while they played music and sang under the stars. And speaking of stars… seriously, I have never seen so many in my entire life. With no city lights around, you can see the whole Milky Way. It’s just a gigantic, glittery belt across the sky. You know, you just lie back on the sand, look up, and feel pretty small in the best possible way. Read our full review: 6 days tour from Marrakech Full Review and Details.

Day 5: Desert Sunrise and the Scenic Drive to the Coast

Our Berber guides woke us up super early, way before the sun came up. And at the end of the day, you are so glad they did. We climbed up one of the tallest dunes next to the camp, sat down in the still-cool sand, and just waited. Watching the sunrise over the Sahara is arguably just as moving as the sunset. The light slowly spills over the horizon, lighting up the tips of the dunes one by one. It was so quiet and so beautiful. After that, we had a quick breakfast and then rode the camels back to Merzouga to meet our driver. Honestly, you’re a little sad to leave the desert behind.

Now, it’s important to be real here: Day five is basically a big travel day. I mean, you have to cover a lot of ground to get from the Sahara to the Atlantic coast. So, we spent most of the day in the car, but the view was constantly changing. We drove back through the Draa Valley, which has this huge, amazing river of palm trees running through it for miles. It’s a very different look from the desert we just left. You just have to sit back, put on some music, and watch Morocco’s varied landscapes roll by your window. Think of it as a necessary part of the adventure to get to the final, amazing stop, right?

Day 6: Feeling the Breeze in Coastal Essaouira

Arriving in Essaouira is, well, a total shift in every way. The air suddenly feels cool and salty, and instead of silence, you hear the sound of seagulls and the distant crashing of waves. The city is just lovely. The old walled part, the medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s full of white-washed buildings with these beautiful bright blue doors and shutters. It’s so much more laid-back than Marrakech; you can just wander around without any hassle. We walked along the old stone ramparts, the Skala de la Ville, where they filmed scenes for Game of Thrones, by the way. You can see the waves crashing against the rocks below, which is pretty dramatic.

The fishing harbor is also a really cool place to explore. It’s full of these classic blue fishing boats, and you can watch the fishermen bringing in their catch of the day. As a matter of fact, this is the spot to get an incredibly fresh seafood lunch from one of the little grills set up right there. The whole feeling of Essaouira is very artsy and relaxed. There are lots of little art galleries and shops selling local crafts. It’s the perfect, chill ending to a very action-packed week. Basically, it’s the sea to the desert’s sand, and getting to experience both is what makes this trip so special. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Essaouira & Sahara Tour).

A Few Useful Things to Pack and Some Tips

So, if you decide to do this trip, here are a few things I learned that might be helpful. At the end of the day, being prepared makes everything a bit smoother. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s what I found to be really useful.

• Layers of Clothes: This is a big one. The desert, for instance, gets pretty warm during the day but can be surprisingly cold at night, so having a fleece or a light jacket is a very good idea.
• A Good Scarf or Headwrap: You’ll see locals wearing them all the time for a reason. It’s honestly great for protecting your face from the sun and dust, and you can also use it for a bit of extra warmth.
• Sun Protection: This is pretty obvious, right? But you’ll need strong sunscreen, a good hat, and sunglasses. The sun, especially in the desert, is no joke.
• Comfortable Shoes: You’ll do a fair bit of walking, like through Aït Benhaddou and around Essaouira, so bring shoes that are already broken in.
• Some Cash (Dirhams): While you can use cards in bigger places, having some small local currency on hand is super useful for buying water, snacks, or small souvenirs from local sellers.
• A Power Bank: On the long driving days or especially at the desert camp (where electricity is limited), having a portable charger for your phone is, as a matter of fact, a lifesaver for taking all those pictures.