Compare Morocco Desert Safari tour by Encounters Travel vs Best of Morocco by Eskapas

Day 1 Arrive in Marrakech, transfer to hotel
On your arrival in Marrakech airport (RAK) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a first look around. Extra nights before the tour starts are available on request.
If you arrive early enough, you can head into Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna Square for a first taste of Moroccan food at one of the main street stalls, while watching the many street performers and salesmen offering their wares.
OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel
MEALS: Dinner
EXTRAS: Extra day in Marrakech - pre-tour, Single room supplement (MOSHDS)

Day 2 Marrakech, city tour
Today's tour of Marrakech, Mararkech's second oldest Imperial City, starts in the morning with visits to the Menara Garden, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city, the Dar Si Said Museum, and the Bahia Palace which hosts intricate and beautiful Arabic craftsmanship. After a break for lunch in the hotel, we spend the afternoon exploring the old centre of the city. Home to many different types of traders these bustling and aromatic souqs and handicraft quarters provide a real taste of Morocco. The tour finishes at the Djemaa el-Fna Square, which is well worth revisiting later in the evening when it is packed with street food stalls, musicians and entertainers - one of Morocco's highlights.
Full-board option: dinner with show.
OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
EXTRAS: Full board supplement

Day 3 Across the Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou and the Draa Valley
After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Marrakech and take a scenic drive across the mountains of the high Atlas, passing through the Tich'n'Tichka pass at an altitude of 2260m. After descending out of the mountains we'll stop at what is probably the most well-known kasbah in Morocco - Ait Benhaddou. The kasbah is a UNESCO protected monument and has appeared in countless movies. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the desert, travelling through the Draa Valley before arriving at the remote town of Zagora where we spend the night.
Full board option: Lunch
OVERNIGHT: Zagora Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS: Full board supplement

Day 4 Desert villages, Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes
We leave Zagora today and head first to Tamegroute village, which is well known for its pottery centre. We'll then continue skirting the desert stopping along the way at several pre-Saharan villages including Tansikht, Nkob, Tazzarine and Alnif where we break for lunch. In the afternoon we'll stop at Rissani village, birthplace of the Alaouites Dynasty before arriving at Erfoud, on the edge of the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes. You then have two options for tonight. The standard tour spends the night in a hotel in Erfoud, with an option to take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunrise or sunset. Alternatively you can take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunset, and then have dinner and spend the night at a comfortable Berber Camp at the edge of the dunes.
OVERNIGHT: Erfoud Hotel (or Berber Desert Camp)
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS: Overnight in Berber desert, Full board supplement

Day 5 Todra Gorge, Road of a Thousand Kasbahs
You can rise early this morning and if staying in the desert camp take a walk or camel ride to witness an amazing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes before returning to the camp. If staying in the hotel at Erfoud, an option is available to take 4x4 vehicles into the desert to enjoy sunrise on the dunes.
After breakfast we then head away from the desert and to the impressive Todra Gorge near Tinghir, whos rocks tower around 250 metres above you. Our journey then continues along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' crossing Kalaat M’Gouna and the Skoura Valley before arriving at Ouarzazate or 'place of no noise'. An incredibly dramatic landscape, this area has played host to countless well known films and is home to the famous Atlas movie studios. We'll take a short tour of the city this afternoon before taking dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Ouarzazate Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS: Full board supplement

Day 6 Cross the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Free afternoon
After breakfast today we'll make another crossing of the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka col on our way back to Marrakech. You'll arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech's souqs and bazaars further for some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping, and to enjoy a final night back in the Djemaa el-Fna Square after dinner in the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Marrakech Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
EXTRAS: Full board supplement

Day 7 Marrakech departure, transfer to the airport
Our exciting week in Morocco comes to an end today. You'll have free time until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Subject to your flight departure time, additional options such as spectacular hot air balloon flight, or a fun quad biking trip, or a day trip to the Ourika Valley are available this morning.
OVERNIGHT: N/A
MEALS: Breakfast
EXTRAS: Marrakech hot air balloon flight, Ourika Valley day trip, Extra day in Marrakech - post-tour

Day 1: Marrakesh Arrival

Meals: Dinner

Arrival to Marrakech airport, MEET&GREET & transfer to hotel Overnight

Day 2: Marrakech to Essaouira to Casablanca

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Early departure to Essaouira the Portuguese city anciently called Mogador. Visit of this city once known as capital of the hippies and which is full of Portuguese history as a harbour city with the most ancient fortified port in the world still preserved. Optional seafood lunch. Afternoon, departure to Casablanca passing by the Atlantic road, with stops in Oualidia and El Jadida. Orientation tour of El Jadida (built by the Portuguese and previously known as Mazagan "Mazagão") with possibility to visit the Portuguese Cistern. Overnight: Casablanca

Day 3: Casablanca to Meknes to Fez

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Short visit of the Economic Capital: the Habous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa and the outside of the Mosque Hassan II. Departure to Meknes, the Ismailia capital with the longest ramparts in Morocco (40 km). Optional lunch. Visit the famous Bab Mansour gate, the Royal Stables and the Jewish quarter. Departure to the holy city of Moulay Driss (panoramic view) and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continuation to Fez. Overnight: Fes Mileage: 320 km

Day 4: Fes

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

The whole day is devoted to the visit of the spiritual capital: the Medieval Medina and its souks, The Royal Palace, Attarine or Bou Anania Medersa, Nejjarine fountain and the outside of Moulay Idriss mausoleum and Karaouine Mosque. Optional lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Medina. Overnight: Fes

Day 5: Fez to Rabat to Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Rabat, the Administrative Capital, and visit of the Royal Palace (Mechouar), Ouadayas Garden & Kasbah, Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower Mosque. Optional seafood lunch. Continuation to Marrakesh via high-way. Overnight: Marrakech Mileage: 495 km

Day 6: Marrakesh

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day visit of Marrakech, the second oldest Imperial city <<The Ochre city". The historical visit includes Menara Garden, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia and Dar Si Said Museum. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon, visit of the souks, handicraft quarters and the famous Jemaa El-Fna Square with its non-stop entertainment. Optional dinner with show. Overnight in hotel. Overnight: Marrakech

Day7 : Marrakesh to Ait Benhaddou to Zagora

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Ait Benhaddou through Tizi n'tichka pass (2260m of altitude). Visit of its famous Kasbah, a UNESCO world heritage site, that served as decor for many great movies such as Laurence of Arabia, Troy, Gladiator, Games of thrones... Optional lunch. Continuation to Zagora crossing the Draa valley Overnight: Zagora Mileage: 380 km

Day 8: Zagora to Nkob to Tazzarine to Erfoud

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departure to Erfoud with a stop at Tamgroute village known for its pottery Center. The route also includes the villages of Tansikht, Nkob, Tazzarine and Alnif with splendid pre- saharian sceneries. Optional lunch at Alnif. Afternoon, continuation to Erfoud via the village of Rissani, birthplace of the Alaouites Dynasty. Overnight: Erfoud Mileage: 300 km

Day 9: Erfoud to Tinghir to Quarzazate

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

In case the previous night was spent in the hotel in Erfoud, you can opt for optional 4x4 excursion to Merzouga to admire the sunrise from top of the sandy dunes. Departure to Tinghir, visit of its magnificent Todra Canyons where rocks reach an altitude of 250m. Optional lunch in local restaurant near the canyons. Afternoon, continuation to Ouarzazate via the road of the 1000 Kasbahs crossing Kalaat M'Gouna & Skoura valley. Short tour of Ouarzazate city upon arrival. Overnight: Ouarzazate Mileage: 350 km

Day 10: Quarzazate to Marrakech

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

A low sun illuminates Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou in Morocco, with snow-covered mountains in the background Departure to Marrakech. Optional lunch in restaurant. Afternoon free at leisure or optional excursions. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Overnight: Marrakech Mileage: 220 km

Day 11: Marrakech Departure

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast Transfer with assistance to Marrakech Menara airport for departure. End of our services. Overnight: N/A