A nine-day adventure linking Agadir's coast to the great Sahara: beach and argan country, the palm oasis of the Draa, the Tafilalet, and an overnight under the stars on the dunes of Erg Chebbi, looping back over the Atlas to Marrakech.
Day by day
Your 9-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Agadir coast
Settle in on Agadir's bay, the marina and the Oufella viewpoint — a relaxed start before the long inland journey begins.
- Agadir Bay
- Marina
- Oufella viewpoint
- 2
Day 2
Taroudant & the Souss
Inland to the walled town of Taroudant, the 'grandmother of Marrakech', then across the Souss plains toward the Anti-Atlas foothills.
- Taroudant ramparts
- Souss plains
- Berber souks
- 3
Day 3
Over the Anti-Atlas to Ouarzazate
A spectacular mountain drive via Taliouine, Morocco's saffron capital, crossing toward Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert and home to its film studios.
- Taliouine saffron
- Anti-Atlas passes
- Ouarzazate
- 4
Day 4
Aït Ben Haddou & Draa Valley
The UNESCO-listed kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, then southeast down the palm-fringed Draa Valley toward Zagora and the edge of the desert.
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Draa Valley
- Palm groves
- 5
Day 5
Toward Erg Chebbi
Across the Tafilalet to Merzouga and the towering orange dunes of Erg Chebbi, arriving for a camel trek and a night in a desert camp under the stars.
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi dunes
- Camel trek
- Desert camp
- 6
Day 6
Dunes sunrise & the Dadès
Sunrise over the dunes, then west along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' through the Todra and Dadès gorges with their dramatic rock walls.
- Dune sunrise
- Todra Gorge
- Dadès Gorge
- 7
Day 7
Over the Tizi n'Tichka to Marrakech
The high pass of Tizi n'Tichka across the High Atlas down into Marrakech, arriving for an evening at the Jemaa el-Fna.
- Tizi n'Tichka
- High Atlas
- Jemaa el-Fna
- 8
Day 8
Marrakech medina & palaces
A full day in the Red City — the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Jardin Majorelle, with a hammam to ease the road miles.
- Marrakech souks
- Bahia Palace
- Jardin Majorelle
- 9
Day 9
Departure
A final Marrakech morning before flying home from RAK, or transferring back down to Agadir for an AGA flight.
- Last morning
- Airport transfer
Good to know
Practical notes
- This is a big-distance loop — expect several long but scenic driving days; a private 4x4 with driver-guide is the comfortable way to do it.
- Desert nights are cold even in summer, so pack a warm layer for the Erg Chebbi camp.
- The route ends in Marrakech; fly home from RAK or build in an extra transfer back to Agadir for AGA.
Frequently asked
Can you reach the Sahara from Agadir?
Yes, but it is a long way — the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are well across the country, so allow at least nine days to do it properly with an overnight in the desert and the return over the Atlas to Marrakech.
Is the long drive from Agadir to the desert worth it?
For adventurous travellers, very much so — the route takes in Taroudant, the saffron town of Taliouine, the Anti-Atlas, Aït Ben Haddou, the Draa Valley and the gorges, so the journey itself is a major part of the experience.
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