Join Melissa’s Moroccan Birthday Adventure!
Marrakech, the Red City | Magical Moroccan Sahara | Beautiful Essaouira
The adventure begins November 13, 2026
Day 1: Arrivals in Marrakech
Arrive and settle in! Meet your driver at the Marrakech airport for a ride to the accommodation, where you’ll have time to settle into your room for the next three days. Grab a snack, catch up with friends, and rinse off the jetlag before a delicious welcome dinner to kick off the experience together.
Day 2: Discover the history and souks of the Marrakech Medina
Your guide leads you through the maze-like streets of Marrakech's ancient medina, where every corner reveals a new sensory adventure - from the intoxicating scent of spices in the bustling souks to the rhythmic hammering of metalworkers crafting their intricate designs. You'll navigate the vibrant chaos alongside locals, discovering hidden artisan workshops where master craftsmen create leather goods, carpets, and pottery using techniques passed down through generations, all while your knowledgeable guide shares stories and secrets that bring this UNESCO World Heritage site to life in ways no guidebook ever could. Share and celebrate your newly purchased treasures over an amazing sunset dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3: Hammam & Cooking - the Moroccan good life
Start your day with a tasty Moroccan breakfast and then head to Maison Arabe, where you’ll learn to prepare some of Morocco’s most famous dishes in a traditional cooking class. When lunch is ready, dine al fresco with a local wine pairing and then head over to the spa for a Moroccan hammam & massage combo - and maybe a nap! Rest / free time before dinner together at your accommodation. Get an early night - we have a 9am departure tomorrow!
Day 4: Departure from Marrakech & the Draa Valley
Rise & shine - we’re going on a road trip! Prepare for an early departure as we head south to re-trace the steps of the ancient tran-Saharan trade routes. Depart Marrakech after breakfast and journey across the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Enjoy breathtaking views and photo stops before descending into the Ouarzazate region. After lunch, visit the Tizgui Waterfalls, then continue to Agdz, gateway to the Draa Valley. Spend the night in a peaceful kasbah surrounded by palm trees. Dinner and overnight in Agdz.
Day 5: Off-road to Erg Chegaga
Visit prehistoric rock engravings at Foum Chenna before arriving in Zagora, where you can visit the Jewish neighborhood in Amzrou. Continue to Tamegroute for a tour of the Quranic Library, underground kasbah, and green pottery workshops. Have lunch near M’Hamid before heading into the dunes of Erg Chigaga. Catch an amazing sunset, followed by dinner and live music around the campfire.
Day 6: Glamping, Dunes & Nomads in the Sahara
Wake up for the sunrise if you’re an early bird! We’ll have breakfast together and the head out to visit a nomad family, where you’ll learn about their culture and ways of living “off grid”. You’ll also have the chance to see how nomads make bread in a “sand oven”. After lunch, we’ll have some free time before getting ready to ride camels into the sunset & play on the dunes (hello, sandboarding!). End the day around the campfire with our local camp staff for some singing, dancing, and maybe sleep under the stars!
Day 7: Out of the Sahara and into the “Hollywood” of Africa
Today we say goodbye to our desert camp and head through an incredible off-road drive for another adventure as we rejoin the road, heading for the village of Foum Zguid. Our day’s journey ends in the city of Ouarzazate - a famous site for movies and TV series - many of which you’ll recognize. If time and interest allow, we’ll visit the film studios where you can personally experience some very famous film sets! Enjoy an overnight in a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool, some Moroccan wine, and a hot shower to wash off the sand.
Day 8: Onward to Essaouira or Return to Marrakech
If you’re continuing on, we’ll hit the road after breakfast to retrace our steps across the Atlas Mountains to the quaint blue & white coastal town of Essaouira, where you’ll stay for two nights. On the way, we’ll stop to visit the argan-hungry and infamous “tree goats” and check into a boutique riad in the medina upon arrival. Dinner & more good times await.
If your journey ends today, you’ll be dropped off in Marrakech for a final night in a hotel before your departure flight the following day. Your overnight stay and transportation to the airport will be organized.
Day 9: Exploring Essaouira
Your guide welcomes you to the windswept coastal gem of Essaouira, where Atlantic breezes carry the scent of salt and argan oil through the medina's blue and white streets. You'll wander through the historic ramparts where Orson Welles once filmed, explore the bustling fishing port where colorful boats bob alongside seagulls, and discover local artisans carving intricate designs from precious wood in workshops that have remained unchanged for centuries. After the tour of ancient medina, a little excursion out of town to sample locally-made wine & cheeses for a perfect afternoon.
Day 10: Return to Marrakech
What a wild ride! After a breezy coastal breakfast & a visit to an argan oil cooperative, you’ll have a 2 hour transfer back to Marrakech for your last night before heading home - or wherever your onward journey takes you. Arrive mid-day, check in at boutique hotel in the modern center of Marrakech, and enjoy one more dinner together (perhaps with some belly dancing?) before departing the red city.
Your accommodation & transfer to RAK airport the following morning will be provided within the package.
What’s Included & How to Book
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Per person price for a room for two people with a private bathroom.
Included:
inbound transfer from RAK airport upon arrival in Marrakech
Accommodation (3 nights) in a double/twin room with ensuite bathroom & daily breakfast
Guided tour of Marrakech Medina
Cooking class at Maison Arabe
Hammam & massage experience at Maison Arabe
Dinner on nights 1 & 3 (alcohol not included, but will be available for purchase)
-
Per person price for a room for two people with a private bathroom.
Included:
Meals
Boutique accommodations (4 nights) in a double/twin room with ensuite bathroom & daily breakfast
Transportation in licensed tourism vehicles with professional, English-speaking drivers
Drinking water (please bring your own re-usable bottle)
Inclusive activities: sandboarding, camel ride, scenic stops & tours in ancient sites/kasbahs/etc & more
-
Per person price for a room for two people with a private bathroom.
Included:
Accommodation (2 nights Essaouira/1 night Marrakech) in a double/twin room with ensuite bathroom & daily breakfast
Transportation in licensed tourism vehicles with professional, English-speaking drivers
½ day tour of Essaouira medina & surprise afternoon excursion
Dinner on nights 1 & 3
Transfer to RAK airport for departure flight November 24
-
Per person price for a room for two people with a private bathroom.
Included:
Daily breakfast, a few lunches & 8 dinners
Boutique accommodations in a shared room (1 queen or 2 twin beds) with ensuite bathroom
Transportation in licensed tourism vehicles with professional, English-speaking drivers
Drinking water during Sahara excursion (please bring your own re-usable bottle)
Inclusive activities: sandboarding, camel ride, scenic stops & tours in ancient sites/kasbahs, cooking class, hammam experience
Cute welcome gift
Get started with a $500 deposit to secure your spot. Single rooms & payment plans available - please email for invoicing schedule/rates.
For more info on our booking process, cancellation policy and more - check out our FAQ here.
Exclusions
At meals, we provide drinking water for the table. Any other alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages are not included.
Purchased souvenirs, a few meals, covid tests & transport to covid testing facilities are not included.
Got questions?
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