Planning a trip to Marrakech? Or looking for a 9 days road trip itinerary to wander around mountains and sandy dunes besides discovering the Ochre city? Then this post is an itemized guide to satisfy your demands.
Together with the route details and the distinct stops, you will find accommodation recommendations and useful tips to help you map your way from the Atlas Sierra to the Sahara Desert.
So, hands down to your next Moroccan road trip.
THE ROAD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Over the course of 8 nights, 9 days in total, this trip from Marrakech will differ depending on you transport mode. Opting for a rental is definitely the most fitting option for this road trip itinerary. The overall adventure broadcasts sinusoidal roads above hills and mountainous sceneries. Hence, using public transports will take up a great deal of time and cost you the hidden in between discoveries on the way. The latter option, reserving an organized tour, is your best backup. It closely covers the must-visit highlights of the driving journey and gives another taste to the trip considering the social interaction opportunities it provides.
9 DAYS ITINERARY:
I have been traveling to Marrakech and its surroundings at least once a year during my school holidays. In 2017, my family and I finally had our road trip here. We made it to the Saraha Desert, all the way down to the end of the Moroccan road network M’Hamid El Ghizlane. The itinerary I came up with today is the product of my experiences travelling in Morocco. And a plenty of researches and maps investigating to fill in the missing plots. When planning your 9 days trip from Marrakech, ticking the must-see boxes is your priority. Meaning, no matter how fixed and rigid a plan is, there is always room to time-gaps.
If this is your first-time visiting Morocco, jumping on an intense travel like this one means you are ready to embrace any challenges throughout the entire journey. Reading this blog is maybe your starting point, but before you take the plunge, carry on with several round of extra researches. As in any road trip, one is ought to predict the good and bad, always.
DAY 1 | MARRAKECH
From all the statements I have heard about the red city, ‘every guide about Marrakech lacks a character of Marrakech’ is the truest. Starting from the ochre city means seeing around and one day is not enough. If the 9 days trip from Marrakech leaves some margins to the overall tour, then consider adding a couple of days here.
With everything this city offers, the must-visit addresses could be covered in two days. Start your Marrakech discovery by visiting the Bahia and El Badi palaces, the Saadian tombs alongside the Koutoubia. Then head to Jamaa El-Fna to come across the city through the display of local craftsmanship in the labyrinthic souks. After steeping in and out the Alibaba backdrop, reap the tastes and inviting smells of Moroccan traditional dishes. To end your day, enjoy a drink on a rooftop or take a breather and relax in a Hammam to recharge for the days ahead.
In the middle of the chaotic Medina, some would fall for the changing rhythms of the local everyday life. Others would be caught in variant magnitudes of love peppered with yelling or motorcycles honking. On average, everyone will experience a rollercoaster of mixed feelings. In this setting where modern joins medieval, follow the beats in all manners of ways and let Marrakech reveal itself to you.
RENTING A CAR:
From now onward, you are going to need the road trip must, a car. Unfortunately, I haven’t had to rent a car in Morocco before, so I can’t go on favoring a rental company over another one. However, I do know an equivalent to Skyscanner when it comes to cars. Auto-Europe, a platform that provides its users with an all-inclusive assistance. You can compare rental rates from well-known international companies to smaller operating services. And since there are always more options, you might want to have a look at the available selection in Rentalcars’ website as well.
WEBSITES | AUTOEUROPE – RENTALCARS
CAR RENTAL - LOCAL TIPS:
As for what to keep in mind, my advices would be:
- For the driving license, go over the rental agreement. Ask the company if the international license is required for your country of origin in Morocco. I would have it on me either way, you never know.
- Upon reception, check the car. Take pictures of any scratches to avoid paying for previous damages once you hand the car back.
- As any other contract, read carefully the terms before signing it. Some companies offer an English customer service support, still bear in mind that the paperwork will probably be in French.
- Consider getting an insurance for car rentals. I found an interesting article with detailed information on the main insurance types and how they work in details. If you are keen to find out more INSURANCE | RENTAL CARS.
- Last but not least, always have your documents on you. your passport, the car registration card as well as the insurance papers. Don’t leave it in the care, especially overnight.
- The cleaning fee has to be mentioned in the official papers you sign before getting the car. If it is not, and you are still required to pay the extra-charges, simply refuse.
DAY 2 | MARRAKECH TO AIT BEN HADDOU
From what I remember, driving from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou was definitely not what google maps was showing. First of all, the route on google maps is calculated without traffic. Secondly, even though the roads are good, the twisted turns and zigzag shaped roads call for a speed reduction. Additionally, a road-trip is always a roving trip. A to B itineraries shift to variant fragments of driving and stopping at diverse locations. The Atlas Mountains perfectly illustrate this pattern with many slow-going sequences. Take time to appreciate the natural backdrop and surrounding snow peaks.
This trip from Marrakech officially starts here. Almost 70 km away from Ouarzazate, The Tizi n’ Tichka pass offers a wonderful panoramic of the valley at 2260m of altitude. Due to some landslides and winter road conditions, the pass closes and reopens periodically from January to April. I can’t really precise when or for how long, because no one can, but it is something to note down when planning your tour.
AIT BEN HADDOU:
After 4 hours if not more in the high Atlas, the fortified village or Ksar as we Moroccan would call it, appears at the horizon. When I visited Ait Ben Haddou, we stayed for half a day and left for Ouarzazate to spend the night. Reflecting on it, I must have missed the experience of both sunset and sunrise in this magical setting. Hence, the reason I suggested spending the night in the largest Kasbah of the country.
For accommodation, most travel blogs on Ait Ben Haddou will provide you with reliable experiences feedbacks. A get-go could be these picks AIT BEN HADDOU | LONELY PLANET. I would recommend you choose your stay in the Kasbah itself or somewhere with a view on the natural backdrop. Both get you set-up and ready to marvel at the region’s beautiful sceneries. Imagine the change from dusk until dawn while you immerse into the mud city of Ait Ben Haddou when most tourists are gone.
ACTIVITIES ANYONE?
Considering Ait Ben Haddou to be one of the most popular one day trip from Marrakech, you might consider joining a guided tour to visit around. I would say get a private guide from GET YOUR GUIDE | AIT BEN HADDOU to discover the place as a local.
If you are visiting on your own, then this is what’s in the cards. The entrance is free of charge and the village has no official opening hours. Walking would be your trip’s ally inside-out the village. Crossing the river towards the hill announces the prelude of the adventure. Taking altitude is the curtain-raiser on the earlier times lifestyle. Bordering the narrow alleys unveils local craftmanship displayed at the souvenirs’ shops. The best yet, sipping a Moroccan tea on a café’s terrace. Nothing better than a mint aroma to match the view over the desert landscape sprinkled with white peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
DAY 3 | AIT BEN HADDOU TO OUARZAZATE [ FINT OASIS]
Ouarzazate is a slow living environment but it accounts as a worthy pin on the trip from Marrakech map as the getaway to the desert. The day’s schedule is set to invite you to another Game of Thrones vibe with a visit to the movie sets’ locations. The city hosts two main studios, CLA and Atlas studios, and of course the famous movie set the kingdom of Heaven.
For us the choice was instantly made with the Atlas studio being next door to the hotel. On another note, the reviews on the CLA location were a bit discouraging for the non-connoisseurs on cinema that we all were. By the way, the Atlas studios are also easy to access from the center of Ouarzazate. All you need to do is take the bus that ensures the ride between the pick-up point on Avenue Mohammed V and the studio’s gate. The entrance fee is 80Dhs for the studio alone, 110Dhs when combined with the Kingdom of heaven set, which separately costs 40Dhs.
LOCATION | ATLAS STUDIO – KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – CLA STUDIOS
INFORMATION | STUDIOS VISITS
MOROCCAN KASBAH - TAOURIRT :
Since Kasbahs used to reflect the region’ wealth and architectural stamp, it would be engaging to visit the KASBAH TAOURIRT. Listed as a national heritage, this valuable earthen architecture held a conservation project from 2011 until 2016, after which visits were partially allowed again. Over and above, reviews highlighted the captivating views and vistas of the surroundings. The 20Dhs entrance fee opens doors to the labyrinthic Kasbah chambers and the vestiges of the Amazigh know-how. It also provides insights of the architectural fabric and decorations of the valley’s cultural and historical heritage. Perhaps you would like to take a look yourself.
PS: Unfortunalety, my SD card didn’t have any pictures from how Taourirt looks – at leats from the outside. Well, this is a picture from another Kasbah we have met on the road which shows the same architectural style.
Our Ouarzazate stay was short since we had fewer days for the overall trip. We were on the road to our next destination by the afternoon. However, for you road trip from Marrakech, pay a visit to the Kasbah of Tifoulfoute. It is on the way to Fint Oasis, a place where you can either plan a picnic or a Quad tour along the river. Unfortunately, we had to let trotting the desert-landscape ride slide. We have also missed another alternative, which would have been sunbathing with a view next to the pool of Terrasse des Délices hotel. The combos are both tourist worth-checkmark experiences and deciding which one is a match to your programs goes down to how you picture an afternoon in the thick realm of nature.
INFORMATION | TERRASSE DES DELICES
DAY 4 | OUARZAZATES TO DADES GORGES
Rise and shine, it is time for another adventure. Over the length of 156 km, the road between Ouarzazate and Dades Gorges offers a spectrum of picturesque landscapes. The natural ones, which you have probably encountered before, initiates the downbeat with palm trees and mountain peaks, and paves the way for dispatched villages and rock formations all the way up.
Following the N10 road to the R704 left turn, you will spot a sinusoidal passage to reach the Timzzillite panoramic viewpoint. Park the car and meet another one of the wows of your most awaited road trip from Marrakech.
DADES GORGES RECOMMENDATIONS:
This is a well-known spot for tourists seeking a moment with nature. Most mountaineers would consider spending the night to rest and refresh before going for a hike the next day. The good news for all travelers, since there are hotels for all wallets and tastes.
There is a restaurant that came on highly recommended in blogs and guides named ‘Timzzillite Chez Mohamed’. You can either enjoy a drink or a complete dish to satiate both your taste buds and sights. With one of the most breathtaking vistas of the valley, both options would be perfect. For the stay, some people called ‘Auberge chez Pierre’ a lost paradise while others described as the place to pick for a successful stay in Morocco. If you do decide on taking this one, keep me posted. Who knows, I might need it someday.
Location | DADES GORGES – PANORAMIC VIEW TIMZZILLITE – RESTAURANT TIMZZILLITE – AUBERGE CHEZ PIERRE
DAY 5| DADES GORGES TO MERZOUGA
I am definitely not an expert when it comes to cars, yet I would point out the basics. Before starting the journey, make sure you fill up the car and check the tires. You wouldn’t want to pull over in the middle of the pre-desert because you ran out.
There are two ways to reach Merzouga ‘the desert theme park’. The first one follows the N10 all the way to Tinejdad and Errachidia before heading south. The second one takes a turn to R113 after Tabesbaste to continue on N12 after Alnif. Being time-friendly, the latter option leads you to your destination one hour earlier without having to stretch the road trip towards the north.
THE MOROCCAN DESERT:
If you made it this far, you already know how eye-catching and astonishing the landscapes are. I will spare you more spoilers and let you bumper up your expectations because the next sequence is remarkably fabulous. Welcome to the Moroccan Sahara.
For the last stops, It was genuinely possible to take a leap out of the initial plan. For Merzouga you must have a pre-reservation at a desert camp to prevent any unpleasant surprises. On the grounds that you will need guidance to find your way to the location, it is better to arrange the meeting with the owner or the camp responsible to escort you upon arrival.
Note that Merzouga is the highlight of your road trip from Marrakech. Consequently, accord yourself the time to dig for the suitable experiences for both your expectations and your budget. Pay attention to people’s reviews on the facility. The service and the hospitality along with the comment section with personal narratives on the activities provided in the deal. A preliminary survey could be carried in Booking with more than 300 listings to choose from. Dunes, camel rides, stargazing, quads, and fire camps, here you are.
RESSOURCES | SAHARA EXPERIENCES
DAY 6 | MERZOUGA TO AGOUDAL
I hope you enjoyed your camel ride at sunset and had a pleasant night under the clear desert sky. If Merzouga was your ticket to discern the Desert dwellers’ lifestyle, the next destination is a step back to the High Atlas. This time, it another type of visits to the highest inhabited village in Morocco. The desert always has a trick or two in the hat. Maybe a sandstorm, or a pack of camels overpassing the pathway, anything you won’t put on the post-it notes next to the Road trip planner sheet. Accordingly, try to leave Merzouga early in the morning and limit your picture stops before the resting break.
Being a crucial crossroad in the region, Agoudal village is an ideal shelter that allows you another visit to the sumptuous landscapes of the high Atlas. Taking into account the long drive you had earlier in the day, it is recommended to have a pre-planned overnight stop. The village offers a decent number of hotels and a promise to find serenity at the summit of valley.
The next morning, head to Akhiam Cave. Located 7km away from the center, it takes the name of Akhiam which comes from the Berber Takhamt, meaning the tent. This place is not on everyone’s bucket-list, but this a rarely tourist stamped zone. If you ask me, it is another living proof of how this part of Morocco never seizes to impress any passer-by.
LOCATION | AKHIAM
TOUDRA, THE OPTIONAL STOP:
Preceding the landing place of this day, a serene place for nature lovers awaits a Toudra Gorges. The travel window of this 9 days tour is a bit full. It doesn’t offer the luxury of a day or two to enjoy the outdoor activities around the canyon walls by the Todra river. However, if you’re flexible on the schedule, and you don’t mind last-minute plans change to your road trip from Marrakech, then why not? This could be your whistle-stop call for more adventure. With a relaxed walking or an intense biking pace, everything is set up. The traveler in you is ready to play the climber in one of the wide range of official and secured routes. An additional information-fishing amidst EPIC TRAVEL – TODRA GORGE detailed article on the natural oasis of Todra wouldn’t hurt.
LOCATION | GORGES DU TOUDRA
DAY 7 | AGOUDAL TO BIN EL OUIDANE
The description of the overall itinerary for this road trip from Marrakech sounds like the gentlest flow of water in an idyllic setting. You have been trotting around thousands of km, which comes with its own challenges. You might have lost the right turn or just got tired of being behind the wheel. You may or may not underestimated the time and consequently some of your well-crafted plans slightly or drastically changed. As a reward to your road tripper soul, the next stop is one of Morocco’s pearls, and your rightfully earned recovering treat, welcome to Bin El Ouidane.
The stunning lake hosts a dam and forms a reservoir that brightens up the surrounding mountainous landscapes. The area offers wonderful views of the astonishing blue in a detached piece of the outside beaming world. Taking a break has never been prettier. Ironically, I come from Beni Mellal which is located in the same region as Bin El ouidane, and I have never been there. Just as being Moroccan and having Chefchaouen on my 2022 travel bucket-/list, guilty as charged. Yet, I have heard people praising this place aslong as I can remember. I added a link to the booking accommodation list for the stay preps below. It would be nice if you could also share your experience in the comments to help me and future Morocco visitors. Thanks in advance.
LOCATION | BIN EL OUIDANE
INFORMATION | ACCOMODATION BOOKING.COM
DAY 8 | BIN EL OUIDANE TO MARRAKECH
All good things must come to an end, and your road trip from Marrakech can’t last forever. Based on my personal experience, this journey to the Sahara has been fantastic. And now that I am trying to get yours end up even more enjoyable, how about you consider one last stretch before heading back to Marrakech?
One of the various advised ‘day trip from Marrakech’ highlight the Ouzoud Cascades. Reaching the waterfalls from Bin El Ouidane is more or less a ride of two hours. Which means that first you get to chill in the morning and enjoy your breakfast with a view delicacy. Second you will be there right just in time for an appetizing Moroccan Tagine. I am not sugar-coating my home region, but those servings taste divinely good.
After you grab a fresh orange juice, roam around the shops and enjoy the vibes. Remember, if you are willing to buy anything, bargain a bit before blindly handing the money (Mom’s words of wisdom). Last but not least, set-off early. You don’t want to be rushing or stressing to return to Marrakech. Plan on leaving 3hrs at least before it gets dark for a last peaceful ride before you can call it a win. YOU MADE IT.
DAY 9 | MARRAKECH
Back to Marrakech scheme would be up to how you planned the entire itinerary. If you are 9th day is your last day, then you are fully booked to hand back the car, pack and head to the airport.
If on the other hand your flight is due the next day, then you can seal the Moroccan road-trip with a visit to Jardins Majorelle and Musée Yves Saint Laurent. There is also Dar Si Said, the Méderssa Ben Youssef and Place des Epices. I might be underrating the 24hrs of the day. However, if you would still have it within you after all these ticked, then you can wander in the gardens of the Menara. Then end the day going back to Jamaa El Fena for your last evening glimpse of this square’s vibrant night ambience.
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