Gold And Salt Caravan Tour

Day 1: Marrakech

Welcome to Morocco. Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation for the night.

Day 2: Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Ben Haddou

After breakfast, we head toward the Atlas Mountains. We cross these majestic peaks on a dramatic drive offering spectacular vistas, perfect for photography. We stop to visit the Kasbah of Telouet, a small town once noted for its gold and salt production. It was a principal stop for traders traveling to Sub-Saharan Africa and the powerful Glaoui family, who once resided here.

Upon leaving Telouet, we descend from the Atlas Mountains to Ait Ben Haddou, a well-known ksar in Morocco. We have time to visit this jewel of the country, walking through the streets and climbing to the top of the ksar for awe-inspiring views. (B, D)

Day 3: Ait Ben Haddou – Zagora

Depart Ait Ben Haddou and travel to the nearby city of Ouarzazate, where we may visit the movie studios if interested. We then continue our journey toward Zagora. Upon arrival, prepare for a desert experience atop dromedary camels, often called the “Ships of the Desert.” These camels carry us through the stark beauty of the landscape.

You may choose to spend the night in the desert, enjoying an evening meal cooked over a campfire, accompanied by traditional drumming, dancing, and songs, before falling asleep under a blanket of Saharan stars. (B, D)

Day 4: Zagora – Taroudant

Depart Zagora and journey to Taznakht, an important crossroads of southern Morocco. In a country famous for its carpets, every Moroccan knows that some of the finest come from Taznakht. From here, we continue to the small town of Taliouine, renowned for its saffron production. We then reach Taroudant, often referred to as “Little Marrakech.” (B, D)

Day 5: Taroudant – Tafraoute

Spend the morning strolling through the streets of this hidden gem of Morocco. In the afternoon, we travel to Tafraoute, located in the Ameln Valley. Today’s journey takes us across stunning roads and dramatic mountain ranges. (B, D)

Day 6: Tafraoute

Spend most of the day exploring the Ameln Valley and visiting the beautiful rock formations surrounding the town. Many of these rocks bear imaginative names describing their shapes, such as the Finger, the Gazelle, and Napoleon’s Hat. Tafraoute is known throughout Morocco as the premier destination for high-quality babouches, the traditional leather slippers owned by nearly every Moroccan. (B, D)

Day 7: Tafraoute – Tiznit – Agadir

Today, we travel toward the Atlantic coast, passing through small towns where life seems to move at a slower pace. It is fascinating to see how people thrive with very little. We stop in Tiznit, famous for its silver jewelry, before continuing along the coast to the modern, European-style city of Agadir. (B)

Day 8: Agadir – Essaouira

Enjoy a free morning in Agadir. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1960, the city was almost entirely rebuilt in a European style. As a result, Agadir does not have an old medina like other Moroccan cities, but it more than makes up for this with its beautiful beaches. Enjoy a swim or a relaxing walk along the boardwalk.

In the afternoon, we depart for Essaouira, approximately a two-hour drive away. (B)

Day 9: Essaouira

Explore Essaouira at your own pace. The city is home to many small workshops producing a wide range of crafts, including leather goods, jewelry, lamps, teapots, embroidery, ceramics, pottery, paintings, and the famous inlaid boxes made from polished thuya wood, found only in Morocco.

The old Portuguese-built ramparts are a favorite gathering place for stray cats, which amusingly wait near the docks, hoping fishermen might accidentally drop part of their catch. (B)

Day 10: Essaouira – Marrakech

This morning, depart Essaouira for the imperial city of Marrakech. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour of the city, visiting highlights such as the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the ever-bustling main square, Djemaa El Fna. (B)

Day 11: Marrakech

Transfer to the airport for your departure.