7 days and 6 nights · Round trip from Casablanca
Coastal Winds and Desert Dreams: 7 Day Private Tour
From US$1,310 per person
Overview · Route map · At a glance · Day by day · What’s included · Prices
Overview
About this 7 day journey
Begin by the sea and end among the souks. This seven day odyssey follows the Atlantic highway from Casablanca to the windswept town of Essaouira, stays three nights there, and then turns inland through the argan forests and over the High Atlas to the kasbahs of the south and the Red City.
It suits travelers who love atmosphere over checklists: oysters by a lagoon, Gnawa music in an old port, a swim in Paradise Valley, and a walk through the mud brick alleys of Ait Benhaddou. Boutique riads, a kasbah guesthouse, and a private guide complete the picture.
Highlights
Oualidia
A lagoon, fresh oysters, and the coastal highway.
Paradise Valley
Palm groves and crystal clear natural pools for trekking and swimming.
Ait Benhaddou and Skoura
A UNESCO kasbah, and an oasis with the Amridil Kasbah.
Essaouira
The Skala, the Mellah and its synagogue, a camel ride along the beach, and live Gnawa music.
An argan cooperative
Watch the women make the oil, and see goats climbing the trees.
The Monkey Fingers
Surreal rock formations in the Dades Valley.
Route map
Where this journey takes you
Duration7 days and 6 nights, fully private
Start and EndCasablanca on Day 1, and back to Casablanca on Day 7
StyleAuthentic riads and a kasbah guesthouse
NightsEssaouira 3, Ouarzazate area 2, Marrakech 1
Travel PaceRelaxed on the coast, active on the road south and back
Route
Casablanca · Oualidia · Essaouira · Paradise Valley · Chichaoua · Ouarzazate · Ait Benhaddou · Skoura · Dades Valley · Marrakech
Itinerary at a glance
Your trip in brief
| Day | Where you go | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | From Casablanca to Windswept Essaouira | Riad in Essaouira |
| Day 2 | The Quiet Side of Essaouira | Riad in Essaouira |
| Day 3 | Paradise Valley | Riad in Essaouira |
| Day 4 | From the Coast to the Gateway of the Desert | Kasbah guesthouse near Ouarzazate |
| Day 5 | A Walk Through History and Oasis Magic | Kasbah guesthouse near Ouarzazate |
| Day 6 | From the Desert Edge to the Souks of Marrakech | Riad in Marrakech |
| Day 7 | A Farewell to Morocco’s Majesty | Departure |
Full itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
From Casablanca to Windswept Essaouira
Casablanca to Oualidia to Essaouira
Your adventure begins in Casablanca, where Atlantic waves roll beneath the Hassan II Mosque. As the morning sun reflects off its intricate mosaics, take a leisurely stroll along the Corniche before heading down the coastal highway.
Your first stop is Oualidia, a peaceful seaside town where the lagoon invites you to savor freshly shucked oysters and seafood with a view. As the golden hour paints the sky you reach Essaouira, the Wind City of Africa, and check in to a riad tucked in the medina, where saltwater and spices mingle in the air. Dinner is by the sea, with the catch of the day and seagulls overhead.
Overnight: Riad in Essaouira
Day 2
The Quiet Side of Essaouira
Essaouira
Wake to the sound of the sea and explore Essaouira’s UNESCO listed medina, full of colorful artisan workshops. Start at the Skala de la Ville, where waves crash against ancient ramparts, then wander deeper into narrow streets of carved wooden crafts, silks, and argan oil.
Visit the Mellah, the old Jewish Quarter, and its historic synagogue, a testament to the town’s multicultural heritage. After lunch, take a camel ride along the beach, and in the evening let live Gnawa music carry you into the night.
Overnight: Riad in Essaouira
Day 3
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley and Essaouira
Venture to Paradise Valley, where lush palm groves and crystal clear natural pools await. Trek through this peaceful haven and swim in turquoise water beneath serene cliffs.
Lunch is a traditional Berber meal and a taste of Moroccan hospitality. As the sun dips, return to Essaouira for a stroll along the port and watch fishermen haul in their catch as the sun sets over the Atlantic.
Overnight: Riad in Essaouira
Day 4
From the Coast to the Gateway of the Desert
Essaouira to Chichaoua to Marrakech to Ouarzazate
You head inland through the famous argan forests, home to goats that climb the trees in search of fruit. Stop at a women’s argan cooperative to learn how Morocco’s liquid gold is produced.
Continue to Chichaoua, a town known for its pottery and Berber culture, where you can enjoy mint tea or try the local rfissa. As you pass the outskirts of Marrakech, you climb into the High Atlas, where terraced fields and towering peaks fill the windows. By evening you arrive in Ouarzazate and a peaceful kasbah guesthouse.
Overnight: Kasbah guesthouse near Ouarzazate
Day 5
A Walk Through History and Oasis Magic
Ait Benhaddou to Skoura to the Dades Valley
Today you step back in time at Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and cinematic icon, most famously featured in Gladiator. Wander its ancient mud brick alleys and marvel at its timeless beauty.
Then you explore the palm filled Skoura Oasis and the majestic Amridil Kasbah, and continue to the Dades Valley, where the famous Monkey Fingers rock formations create a surreal landscape. You return to your kasbah guesthouse at the end of the day.
Overnight: Kasbah guesthouse near Ouarzazate
Day 6
From the Desert Edge to the Souks of Marrakech
Ouarzazate to the High Atlas to Marrakech
After breakfast you travel back through the High Atlas, whose beauty remains unmatched. By afternoon you reach the busy heart of Marrakech and Jemaa el Fna, where you can lose yourself in its chaos and charm.
Explore the medina’s colorful souks of spices, textiles, and treasures, and visit the opulent Bahia Palace. As the day winds down, enjoy dinner on a rooftop terrace with the city’s lights and the distant call to prayer.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech
Day 7
A Farewell to Morocco’s Majesty
Marrakech to Casablanca
On your final morning you walk through the Majorelle Garden, where the lively blue and exotic plants offer a serene respite, and, if time allows, visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which shows the designer’s love affair with Morocco.
Then you retrace your steps to Casablanca, with time for a last coffee or a souvenir stop, carrying Morocco’s magic with you.
What’s included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Private, air conditioned vehicle (4×4 or comfortable minivan) with a professional English speaking driver guide throughout
- 6 nights in handpicked riads and hotels with en suite bathrooms
- Daily breakfast (6 breakfasts), a Berber lunch in Paradise Valley, and dinners as described
- Licensed local city guides where a guided visit is described
- All entrance fees to the monuments and sites mentioned in the itinerary
- All fuel, tolls, parking fees, and applicable taxes
- Bottled water in the vehicle, and 24 hour support during your trip
Not included
- International airfare
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Lunches and dinners not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Gratuities for guides and drivers, at your discretion
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Prices
Coastal Winds and Desert Dreams prices
Every tour is private, so the price per person depends on how many of you travel together and the accommodation level you choose: Affordable Comfort (3 star hotels and riads), Classic Comfort (4 star riads), Affordable Luxury (4 and 5 star riads) or Deluxe Luxury (5 star riads). Prices are per person for the whole 7 day tour, based on two people sharing a room.
| Group size | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler (own room) | US$4,870 | US$5,350 | US$5,950 | US$7,150 |
| 2 travelers | US$2,590 | US$2,830 | US$3,130 | US$3,730 |
| 3 travelers | US$1,950 | US$2,190 | US$2,490 | US$3,090 |
| 4 travelers | US$1,630 | US$1,870 | US$2,170 | US$2,770 |
| 5 travelers | US$1,430 | US$1,670 | US$1,970 | US$2,570 |
| 6 travelers | US$1,310 | US$1,550 | US$1,850 | US$2,450 |
| Single room supplement, whole tour | Affordable Comfort | Classic Comfort | Affordable Luxury | Deluxe Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per single room | US$360 | US$600 | US$900 | US$1,500 |
Included: 6 nights with breakfast, your private vehicle with fuel, tolls and parking, your licensed guide for every day of the tour, entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary, 2 dinners in the places where you stay outside the cities. For groups larger than 6 travelers, ask me for the exact price. A 10% supplement applies to dates between 20 December and 5 January. How my prices work.
Good to know
Before you book
Customization
This itinerary is private and flexible. If you wish to add a night, skip a stop, or change the pace, I will shape the journey around you.
Group pricing
This itinerary can also be offered to small groups. Ask me for group rates and single supplements.
Pickup and drop off
Pickup on Day 1 and drop off on Day 7 are in Casablanca.
Booking and cancellation
A 50% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due 60 days before the tour starts. Cancellation refunds are 100% for 30 or more days before departure, 50% for 15 to 29 days, 25% for 7 to 14 days, and none under 7 days.
What travelers say
Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Guest reviews written since 2012. Read the reviews on TripAdvisor.
“Hassan Bouaouina is not just a tour guide; he is a storyteller, an ambassador of Moroccan culture, and a true friend”
Rachel, tourHQ, 2023
“The ONLY way to see Morocco is with Hassan Bouaouina.”
Young766, TripAdvisor, 2012
“Hassan has a contagious passion for Morocco… I felt safe and taken care of.”
Viator, 5 day desert trip, 2018
Before you go
Read before you travel
For visas, money, transport and seasons, see the full Morocco Travel Guide or browse the travel blog.
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Send a booking request with your dates and group size, or ask me anything about the route first. I plan every trip personally and reply within 48 hours.