After arriving, ease into Moroccan rhythm with a relaxed breakfast on the rooftop of Riad Yasmine or Riad Laaroussa, where mint tea and fresh msemen come with panoramic medina views; take time to settle into your riad's courtyard and enjoy the calm fountain. Later, stroll through the nearby Jardin Majorelle for its cobalt-blue pathways and fragrant bougainvillea, then visit the serene Yves Saint Laurent Museum for a gentle cultural introduction before lunch.
Wander through the atmospheric lanes toward Ben Youssef Madrasa, admiring its intricate stucco and cedar carvings before pausing for a shared platter of halal Moroccan mezze at Café des Épices overlooking the bustling spice market. In the late afternoon, return to your riad for a couples' hammam ritual at Hammam de la Rose or a private spa treatment on a riad rooftop, then watch the city shift golden from a terrace while sipping mint tea and planning an evening visit to Jemaa el-Fnaa.
As dusk falls, wander to the rooftop of Le Jardin Secret for a peaceful sunset and a first taste of Moroccan flavors with a halal tagine set at Nomad overlooking the medina. After dinner, weave through lantern-lit alleys to enjoy live gnawa music and mint tea at Café Clock or catch a quieter, romantic stroll around the illuminated gardens of La Mamounia before returning to your riad for a restful night.
Begin with a fragrant breakfast in the shadowed courtyard of Café des Epices' sister terrace at Terrasse des Épices, then slip into the medina to visit the stunning tilework and peaceful courtyard of Dar Si Said Museum for a deep dive into Moroccan crafts. Continue with a guided walk through the lively souk quarters-seek out a skilled metalworker at Place des Tanneries and a leather-shop demonstration near Souk Semmarine-before pausing for a shared cup of mint tea at Café des Gnaoua to plan the afternoon's sights.
After a morning of museums and souk wandering, take a leisurely lunch at Le Jardin's courtyard terrace for a halal-friendly Moroccan salad and fresh orange juice, then head to the atmospheric Maison de la Photographie to browse vintage images that trace Morocco's past. Later, stroll through the tranquil plots of Palmeraie Gardens on a short camel or electric cart ride for a peaceful contrast to the medina bustle, finishing with sunset views and a rooftop tea at Café des Épices Rooftop to watch the city glow before your evening plans.
As night settles, head to Place des Ferblantiers to watch artisans hammering brass and then make your way to the atmospheric courtyard of Le Comptoir Darna for a halal-friendly gourmet Moroccan dinner accompanied by live Andalusian music. Afterward, take a moonlit stroll through the arched passageways toward Rue Dar el Bacha and pause at Terrasse des Oudayas (a cozy rooftop bar with non-alcoholic mocktails available) to soak in panoramic medina lights before returning to your riad for a quiet rooftop tea.
After an early riad breakfast, drive through terraced valleys to the village of Imlil, then begin a gentle guided hike through walnut groves to the panoramic hamlet of Aremd where you'll meet a local Berber guide for stories of mountain life. Pause at the sun-drenched terrace of Chez Ali (or a family-run guesthouse) for mint tea and freshly baked khobz, then continue on a short trail to the viewpoint above Sidi Chamharouch-a photogenic spot with a small shrine and sweeping views of the High Atlas peaks before returning to Imlil for a relaxed lunch.
After lunch, take a short drive to the sunlit village of Toubkal National Park Visitor Centre area and join a mule-supported hike up to the scenic hamlet of Oukaïmeden lookout, where expansive valley views meet wildflower-strewn meadows; pause at a family-run tea stop for steaming mint tea and homemade galette. Later, visit the traditional mountain pottery workshop in Aït Aïssa, watch artisans shape clay on a kick-wheel, and finish the afternoon with a gentle riverside stroll through the shaded orchards of Aroumd before returning to Imlil for an evening riad rest.
As dusk settles, enjoy a cozy mountain dinner at Auberge Le Coin du Ciel, savouring a halal lamb tagine flavored with local saffron while seated beside a crackling wood stove. After dinner, take a short starlit walk to the nearby viewpoint at Tizi n'Test Lookout for sweeping twilight vistas of the valley, then return to your riad for a private rooftop mint-tea ritual and quiet conversation under the High Atlas sky.
Depart Marrakech after an early riad breakfast and drive through the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at the roadside viewpoint near Telouet Kasbah to stretch legs and admire painted cedar ceilings before continuing toward the desert. On arrival near Aït Benhaddou, take a guided exploration of the hillside village, crossing the river to wander narrow alleys and rooftop terraces of Aït Benhaddou itself, then enjoy a light halal picnic of spiced chicken brochettes and fresh fruit on a high lookout while your guide recounts the kasbah's film-set history.
After your hillside picnic, drive into Ouarzazate and check into a kasbah-style hotel before exploring the cinematic side of the region with a guided tour of Atlas Studios, where you can walk through famed film sets and learn behind-the-scenes stories of Hollywood and Moroccan productions. Finish the afternoon with a visit to the atmospheric hilltop Taourirt Kasbah for a rooftop tea and panoramic views, then browse handcrafted carpets and silverware at the nearby Ouarzazate Souk to pick up a meaningful souvenir.
As twilight falls, settle into the warm courtyard of Le Riad Villa Dita (or a similar kasbah-style riad) for a relaxed rooftop dinner of halal slow-cooked lamb and seasonal salads while watching the ochre walls glow. After dinner, take a short guided stroll to Taourirt's lesser-known alleys to see local life after dark, then finish with a roof-side glass of mint tea at Café Tifawine while your guide recounts film-set anecdotes under a sky freckled with stars-perfect for a romantic, low-key evening that follows your day of exploration.
After an early riad breakfast in Ouarzazate, set off on the scenic drive across the Ziz Valley with a stop at the palm-fringed Ksar el Khorbat for photos and a short walk among mudbrick granaries, then continue toward Merzouga with a tea break at a family-run roadside stop in Rissani where you can browse a small local market for dates and fragrant spices. On arrival at Merzouga, meet your desert host and take a gentle 4x4 transfer to a desert lodge near the dunes-unpack, enjoy a halal lunch on the lodge terrace, and learn basic camel-handling before a late-afternoon trek into the golden ridges of Erg Chebbi to position yourself for the evening's iconic sunset camel ride.
After settling at your lodge, take a guided 4x4 excursion to the quieter dunes near Khamlia village, where you can meet Gnawa musicians for an intimate music session and taste sweet mint tea with a local family. Continue to M'ifis oasis for a shaded walk among tamarisk trees, then pause on a wind-sculpted dune for a private photoshoot as the light softens before preparing for your sunset camel trek.
As night falls, settle into a private sand-cushioned supper beneath the dunes at Camp Saharien, where a local chef prepares a halal tajine by lantern light while you sip steaming mint tea and watch the stars emerge. After dinner, join a small circle around a campfire for an intimate Gnawa drumming and storytelling session hosted by villagers from Khamlia, then finish with a quiet rooftop stargazing moment back at your lodge's terrace to relish the desert's hush before turning in.
Leave your desert camp at first light and drive toward the High Atlas, pausing for a fragrant breakfast of hot mint tea and msemen at Tinejdad Palm Grove before a short wander under its towering palms. Continue to the dramatic river-carved walls of Todra Gorge for a guided riverside walk and light rock-scrambling to quieter viewpoints, then stop at the traditional market town of Boutaghrar to meet local potters and sample almond-studded pastries before the midday drive back toward Marrakech.
After your morning in Todra Gorge, pause for a relaxed lunch at Café du Gorges where grilled halal chicken and fresh salads fuel the road ahead, then drive through palm-lined arable valleys to the striking rock formations of Dades Valley for a gentle photo walk along the famous 'Monkey Fingers' cliffs. Later, stop at the centuries-old fortified village of Ksar Aït Ouzzine to browse intricately woven Berber carpets and meet a local weaver for tea before continuing the scenic drive back toward Marrakech, enjoying changing light over the High Atlas as you reflect on your desert night.
As twilight unfolds, unwind with a riverside dinner at Restaurant La Porte du Sud near the Gorge, sampling a halal spiced lamb mechoui accompanied by fresh orange blossom water and local salads; the terrace's candlelight and the river's murmur create a gentle, restorative atmosphere after a day on the road. Afterwards, pause at the hilltop village of Agoudal Viewpoint for a brief sunset overlook of terraced orchards, then enjoy a calming overnight return to Marrakech with a final stop for warming mint tea and pastries at Auberge Tinerhir before arriving at your riad.
Start your final morning with a peaceful stroll through Anima Garden, savoring sculpted plantings and contemporary art installations while enjoying a light halal breakfast of fresh fruit and orange juice at the on-site café. Afterward, return toward the medina for a restorative couples' hammam and gentle scrub at the intimate Les Bains de Marrakech followed by calming rooftop tea at Café Arabe before checking out and heading to the airport.
After a leisurely farewell lunch, slip into the tranquil oasis of Le Jardin Secret's adjoining café for a light mint tea and a final stroll through its restored riad gardens, then head to Villa des Orangers for a late-afternoon couples' spa ritual-choose a gentle aromatherapy massage and a private hammam wrap to unwind before travel. Finish with a relaxed rooftop tea at Café Clock Marrakesh offering mocktail options and a last view over the medina as you pack and prepare for your onward transfer, savoring the quiet contrast to your desert adventure.
As twilight deepens, enjoy an intimate farewell dinner on the rooftop terrace of Pepe Nero (request their halal menu in advance) where candlelight, Moroccan lanterns and a gentle oud soundtrack set a romantic tone. After dinner, take a short, moonlit stroll through the peaceful courtyard of Le Jardin Secret El Bacha (their evening illumination is serene and less crowded), then finish with a late-night mint tea and non-alcoholic floral mocktail at Café des Épices Terrasse before returning to your riad to pack and prepare for departure.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Riad Yasmine - rooftop breakfast (typical riad breakfast) | €8 |
| Riad Laaroussa - rooftop breakfast (typical riad breakfast) | €8 |
| Jardin Majorelle (entry) | €12 |
| Yves Saint Laurent Museum (entry) | €10 |
| Ben Youssef Madrasa (entry) | €7 |
| Café des Épices - light meal / mint tea | €6 |
| Hammam de la Rose - couples hammam package (per person estimate) | €25 |
| Le Jardin Secret - rooftop/entry | €6 |
| Nomad - halal tagine / main course (typical per person) | €18 |
| Café Clock - live music / tea (typical spend) | €8 |
| La Mamounia - garden stroll / tea (non-stay visitor typical spend) | €12 |
| Terrasse des Épices - breakfast / tea (typical spend) | €6 |
| Dar Si Said Museum (entry) | €4 |
| Guided souk walking tour (half-day, per person) | €20 |
| Café des Gnaoua - tea / snack | €4 |
| Le Jardin (restaurant) - lunch (per person) | €15 |
| Maison de la Photographie (entry) | €5 |
| Palmeraie Gardens - short camel/electric cart ride (per person) | €12 |
| Café des Épices Rooftop - rooftop tea | €4 |
| Le Comptoir Darna - dinner (halal-friendly) per person | €28 |
| Terrasse des Oudayas - non-alcoholic mocktail / tea | €6 |
| Peoples/Place des Ferblantiers - artisan viewing (free stroll) | Free |
| Dar el Bacha / Rue Dar el Bacha - evening stroll | Free |
| Terrasse des Oudayas / Terrasse des Oudayas (duplicate safe) - (see above) | Free |
| Transfer to Imlil / private or shared minivan (per person, one-way shared transfer) | €20 |
| Guided hike in Imlil / local Berber guide (half-day per person) | €18 |
| Chez Ali - mint tea / snack | €4 |
| Sidi Chamharouch viewpoint (access/walk) | Free |
| Toubkal National Park Visitor area - mule-supported short ride (per person) | €25 |
| Aït Aïssa pottery workshop - demonstration / small purchase (typical per person) | €6 |
| Aroumd riverside stroll / village visit | Free |
| Auberge Le Coin du Ciel - mountain dinner (per person) | €18 |
| Tizi n'Test Lookout - viewpoint visit | Free |
| Drive to Aït Benhaddou via Tizi n'Tichka - shared transfer cost per person | €25 |
| Telouet Kasbah - viewpoint / short visit (entry / donation) | €3 |
| Aït Benhaddou guided exploration (entry / local guide per person) | €8 |
| Picnic lunch near Aït Benhaddou (light halal picnic per person) | €7 |
| Atlas Studios (Ouarzazate) - guided tour (per person) | €10 |
| Taourirt Kasbah (entry) | €6 |
| Ouarzazate Souk - browsing (typical small purchase) | €10 |
| Le Riad Villa Dita - rooftop dinner (per person est.) | €18 |
| Café Tifawine - mint tea | €3 |
| Transfer Ouarzazate to Merzouga (per person shared transfer) | €30 |
| Ksar el Khorbat - photo stop | Free |
| Rissani family-run tea stop / market browsing (typical spend) | €3 |
| 4x4 transfer to desert lodge (per person) | €12 |
| Desert lodge lunch (halal) per person | €12 |
| Camel-handling intro (included with camel trek) - camel trek (sunset) per person | €20 |
| Khamlia Gnawa music session (per person / donation or fee) | €8 |
| M'ifis oasis visit / shaded walk | Free |
| Camp Saharien - private sand-cushioned supper & campfire (per person) | €35 |
| Overnight desert lodge / basic desert camp (per person estimate) | €45 |
| Tinejdad Palm Grove breakfast stop (typical spend) | €4 |
| Todra Gorge guided riverside walk (per person) | €8 |
| Boutaghrar market & potter visit (typical spend) | €5 |
| Café du Gorges - lunch (per person) | €10 |
| Dades Valley photo walk (free stroll) | Free |
| Ksar Aït Ouzzine - visit / tea with weaver (typical spend) | €6 |
| Restaurant La Porte du Sud - riverside dinner (per person) | €18 |
| Agoudal Viewpoint - brief sunset overlook | Free |
| Auberge Tinerhir - mint tea & pastries (stop) | €4 |
| Anima Garden (entry & light breakfast) | €10 |
| Les Bains de Marrakech - couples hammam & scrub (per person) | €35 |
| Café Arabe - rooftop tea (typical spend) | €6 |
| Le Jardin Secret - garden stroll / café (final stroll / tea) | €6 |
| Villa des Orangers - late-afternoon spa ritual (per person estimate) | €45 |
| Café Clock Marrakesh - rooftop tea / mocktail | €6 |
| Pepe Nero - rooftop dinner (halal menu on request) per person | €35 |
| Café des Épices Terrasse - late-night mint tea / mocktail | €4 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €828 |