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7 days trip
Marrakesh, Derb El Hammam & 14 more
Accommodation
Apartments
Transportation
Car, Trekking
Marrakesh
Day 1
DAY ONE: Friday - Marrakech Arrival & Welcome Dinner In the late afternoon you'll be greeted with the group by a driver at Marrakech Menara Airport and driven directly to our riad, which is a private villa tucked into the medina where you'll be given time to settle in. (If you are arriving at another airport or later in the evening I can help you arrange transport at an additional cost.)
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Derb El Hammam
Day 1-2
In the evening, we'll gather for our welcome dinner prepared by a private chef in the riad. It's a proper Moroccan feast of small plates, tagines, and something sweet to finish, eaten together by candlelight around one table. It's the perfect soft landing after a travel day. DAY TWO: Saturday - Guided Medina & Souks Tour After a delicious riad breakfast, we'll take a 20-minute walk to meet our local guide for a tour of the medina and souks. This is the day to get your bearings, to learn the geography and the etiquette of the souks, and to see the artisan quarters where dyers, leatherworkers, coppersmiths, and weavers still practice trades that have been passed down for generations. We'll finish our tour in the early afternoon and grab lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before heading back to the riad for a free afternoon.
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Le Jardin Secret
Day 2
In the late afternoon you will have the chance to join on an optional visit to Le Jardin Secret (about β¬9/$10.50 entry + β¬4/$4.50 for the tower), a beautifully restored, 400-year-old palace complex split into a botanical garden and a traditional Islamic paradise garden worth a visit for its exceptional Moroccan craftsmanship, historic Almoravid underground irrigation system, and the serene, meditative escape it provides from the city's chaotic souks.
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Derb El Hammam
Day 2-3
In the evening we will gather together and grab dinner (own expense) at a local restaurant overlooking Rahba Kedima to view the sun setting over the square before returning to the Riad for the night. DAY THREE: Sunday - Agafay Desert & Dinner Show We will enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the riad and those who wish can join an optional early visit to Ben Youssef Madrasa, timing our arrival for opening to avoid the crowd. Alternatively, tripmates can enjoy a free morning.
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Madrasa Ben Youssef
Day 3
Those who wish to join will walk to Ben Youssef Madrasa (entry fee of about β¬4.50/$5.50) in the morning. It's a magnificent 16th-century Islamic college that once served as the largest theological school in North Africa. It is highly worth visiting to marvel at its peak Moroccan-Andalusian craftsmanship that features breathtakingly intricate zellige tilework, carved stucco, and cedarwood.
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Mellah
Day 3
Midday we will head to the old Jewish quarter known as Mellah to wander the market and have lunch (own expense) at a local restaurant. While in the area we can make an optional visit to the nearby Bahia Palace (about $10.50/β¬9 each) while in the area. It is a sweeping 19th-century palace complex designed to be the greatest masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, featuring a brilliant labyrinth of sunlit courtyards, grand reception halls, and lush riad gardens. It's highly worth visiting to experience the sheer scale of grand vizier luxury, highlighted by famously vibrant painted cedarwood ceilings, stained glass windows, and massive marble-paved courtyards. Afterwards we will return to the Riad for some free time to relax and get ready for our desert excursion.
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Agafay Desert (DΓ©sert dβAgafay)
Day 3-4
Around 4pm we will be picked up and driven out to Agafay Desert for our included Desert Sunset Camel ride Dinner Show that will last about 5 hours. We'll spend time in the Agafay Desert learning the process of making argan oil while interacting with the producers, watching the sunset and the views, riding a camel in the desert with photo opportunities, learning the culture and traditions of the people, and savoring a traditional dinner under the starry night while watching a live show. Afterwards we will be driven back for a relaxed night at the riad. DAY FOUR: Monday - Marrakech to Essaouira The next morning we will enjoy another breakfast at the riad before checking out and making out way to catch our bus to Essaouira.
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Essaouira
Day 4
We will take a 3-hour ride on a highly reliable, clean, and air-conditioned coach bus service that delivers a remarkably smooth and straightforward journey across flat Moroccan terrain. There will be time to get snacks and use the toilet on the break the bus takes along the way, but I recommend bringing lunch/snacks for the drive since we wonβt have time to sit down for a full lunch. After arriving we will check-in to our lovely riad in Essaouira and take some time relax and refresh after the drive.
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Skala de la Ville
Day 4
In the late afternoon we will take a walk to explore the medina and Skala de la Ville (free entry), which is an imposing 18th-century sea bastion whose historic stone ramparts guard the northwestern edge of Essaouira's UNESCO-listed medina. It is highly worth visiting to walk alongside its famous row of vintage European bronze cannons, capture sweeping panoramic views of the crashing Atlantic Ocean at sunset, and to explore the iconic, windswept stone setting that stood in for the city of Astapor in Game of Thrones Afterwards we will enjoy dinner (own expense) at a local restaurant before heading back to the riad for the night.
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Ahl Agadir
Day 4-5
We will arrive back at the riad for a relaxed night. DAY FIVE: Tuesday - A Full Day by the Sea We will enjoy another great Moroccan breakfast prepared for us at the riad in the morning before we head out for the day.
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Essaouira port
Day 5
After breakfast we'll go to the Port of Essaouira to explore, watch the local fishermen, and take photos of the iconic blue boats. Then we will have a leisurely lunch at one of the nearby restaurants (own expense).
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Plage d'Essaouira
Day 5
Next we will go to Essaouira Beach where we can take time to relax on the sand or walk along the beach. The weather is typically mild and breezy at this time of year with daytime high temperatures averaging around 23Β°C to 24Β°C (73Β°F to 75Β°F). We can either head back to the riad for the afternoon, do more exploring, or spend time relaxing on the beach. If anyone wishes to take an optional camel or horse ride along Essaouira Beach at sunset this can be arranged for about $30-40/β¬26-35. This can be booked on the beach, but I would be happy to arrange this ahead of time to have a chance to ensure the experience is provided by someone who takes good care of the animals and has high ratings.
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Place Moulay Hassan
Day 5
In the evening we will go to Place Moulay Hassan which is a broad, vibrant pedestrian plaza perfectly positioned right where the historic medina meets the fishing port and Atlantic waterfront. It's worth visiting to relax at an outdoor cafΓ© over fresh mint tea, soak in the relaxed coastal rhythm, and experience the lively local culture shaped by passing street performers and soulful impromptu Gnawa music. We'll enjoy the atmosphere before stepping onto a side street away from the touristy restaurants for dinner at a great local restaurant (own expense).
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Ahl Agadir
Day 5-6
After dinner we will head back to our riad for a relaxed evening. DAY SIX: Wednesday - Essaouira to Marrakech We'll enjoy breakfast at the riad before getting ready to check-out and catch our bus back to Marrakech in the late morning.
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Derb Jdid
Day 6-7
We'll arrive back in Marrakesh in the afternoon and check into our final riad which is a smaller, intimate spot in a different quarter of the medina. Then we will take free time to freshen up, relax, or enjoy last minute shopping before meeting up for dinner. In the evening we will get together for our Farewell dinner cooked by a private chef in the riad.
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Marrakesh Menara Airport
Day 7
DAY SEVEN: Thursday - Departure We will enjoy our final breakfast at the riad before getting ready to leave for our flights. We will be picked up by a taxi and taken to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). If you are flying out of a different airport or staying on in Morocco longer, transport can be arranged at an additional cost.

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