Morocco Honeymoon: 8 Days in Marrakech, the Atlas, Agafay and Essaouira

Trip overview

Eight days for two: a riad in Marrakech, a couples' hammam, a night in the Atlas, a private dinner in the Agafay desert and three nights facing the Atlantic in Essaouira.

• Duration8 days / 7 nights
• Starts inMarrakech
• GroupPrivate · 2–2 people
• DifficultyEasy
• LanguageEspañol
• DeparturesDaily departures all year round

Highlights

• Private trip for two with a Spanish-speaking driver
• Riad in the Marrakech medina
• Couples' hammam and massage
• Night in a lodge with views of the High Atlas
• Private candlelit dinner in the Agafay desert
• Camel ride at sunset
• Three nights in Essaouira facing the Atlantic
• Welcome touches at every place you stay
• Option to swap Agafay for Merzouga

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech and dinner on a terrace

   We meet you at Marrakech airport with a sign bearing your names and take you to the riad. Cars can't get into many of the medina's streets, so a porter carries your luggage to the door.

   At the riad you're welcomed with mint tea and pastries, and there's a welcome gift in the room. We suggest resting and going up to the roof terrace as the afternoon fades. For dinner we book you a table on a terrace overlooking the Koutoubia, a few minutes' walk away. At that hour you'll hear the call to prayer.

   Riad in the Marrakech medinaDinner

2. 2

   Day 2: Marrakech with a private guide and a couples' hammam

   In the morning an official Spanish-speaking guide takes you round historic Marrakech: the Bahia Palace with its cedar ceilings, the Saadian Tombs and the craftsmen's souks, where they explain how to haggle without getting stressed.

   Lunch is at your own expense. In the afternoon you have the hammam for two: steam, a scrub with black soap and a massage with argan oil. Afterwards there's free time for the Majorelle Garden or for Jemaa el Fna square, which fills with food stalls at dusk. A warning: if someone in the square puts henna on you without asking, they'll ask for money afterwards.

   Riad in the Marrakech medinaBreakfast

3. 3

   Day 3: Marrakech – Imlil Valley, High Atlas

   We leave mid-morning for the High Atlas. In an hour and a half you go from red city walls to walnut terraces, rivers and mud-brick villages. We stop in Asni, which has a market on Saturdays, and climb to the Imlil valley at the foot of Toubkal.

   In the afternoon a mountain guide takes you on an easy walk through the villages, among orchards and small waterfalls. The lodge has views of the massif, a fireplace and home cooking. Dinner is with the Atlas in front of you and no city noise. It gets chilly in the mountains at night, so keep a jumper handy.

   Lodge in the Imlil valleyBreakfast and dinner

4. 4

   Day 4: High Atlas – Agafay Desert

   Breakfast on the lodge terrace and the drive down to the plain. On the way you can stop at a women's cooperative that makes argan oil and see how they produce it.

   In the early afternoon we reach Agafay, about 45 minutes from Marrakech. The tent has a large double bed and a private bathroom. Before sunset you head out by camel across the stony hills, with the Atlas in the background. Dinner is private, in a secluded spot away from the rest of the camp, with candles, lanterns and a fire. Far from the city lights, the stars are very clear.

   Luxury camp in AgafayBreakfast and dinner

5. 5

   Day 5: Agafay – Essaouira

   If you'd like to start the day with a balloon flight over the desert and the villages of the plain, it can be added as an extra. You set off before dawn and have breakfast after landing.

   After breakfast we head for the coast. It's about two and a half hours to Essaouira, through hills and argan forests, and sometimes you'll see goats up in the trees. You reach your accommodation in the middle of the afternoon, inside the walled medina or facing the beach. For the first evening, our advice is to walk along the Skala ramparts as the sun goes down over the ocean.

   Hotel or riad in EssaouiraBreakfast

6. 6

   Day 6: Essaouira, the windy city

   Today there's no schedule. In the morning you can see the medina with a local guide. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with white and blue streets, thuya wood workshops and a harbour where the blue boats unload their fish.

   At midday the simplest option is grilled fish at the harbour stalls or a restaurant with a sea view. In the afternoon you can walk the beach, which is very long, try a surf or kitesurf lesson, or stay reading on the terrace. Dinner is at your own expense and there are good restaurants in the medina. Bring a jacket: the wind blows almost all year.

   Hotel or riad in EssaouiraBreakfast

7. 7

   Day 7: Free day in Essaouira and a horse ride

   For the last full day we suggest a ride on horseback or by dromedary along the beach and the coastal dunes, towards Diabat or Sidi Kaouki. It's best late in the afternoon, with the sun low over the Atlantic. The ride is paid on the spot.

   The rest of the day is free: a last souvenir in the souks, such as a thuya box or a small rug, or a massage at the hotel. If you like, we'll book a table for a farewell dinner on a seafront terrace. If you want more, you can add an extra night here or in Marrakech.

   Hotel or riad in EssaouiraBreakfast

8. 8

   Day 8: Essaouira – Marrakech Airport

   Breakfast and then, at a time we agree based on your flight, the driver picks you up to return to Marrakech. It's about two and a half hours.

   With an afternoon flight we can leave early and stop for lunch on the way, or leave you a few hours in Marrakech for a last walk through the medina. We drop you at the airport with enough time for passport control. If your flight leaves from Essaouira or Agadir, we arrange the transfer there instead of returning to Marrakech.

   Breakfast

What's included

Prices per person

The vehicle and driver are paid per day and shared between the travellers, so the price per person goes down the more of you there are. Accommodation is charged per person per night (7 nights).

• Standard: Comfortable hotels and riads, standard desert camp
• Superior: More characterful accommodation and a superior desert camp
• Children aged 3 to 11: 3% less than an adult.
• Groups of more than 7 people travel in two vehicles. The booking calculator takes this into account.

Payment and cancellation

You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.

Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Destinations on this trip