8-Day South Morocco Adventure: Chigaga, Taroudant & the Atlantic Coast

Leaving Marrakech behind, the road climbs into the High Atlas Mountains and crosses the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest paved mountain pass in North Africa, with sweeping views over Berber villages clinging to the slopes. A stop at the crumbling Telouet Kasbah reveals the faded grandeur of the Glaoui dynasty, while a short detour to Ait Benhaddou — the UNESCO-listed fortified village famous from Gladiator and Game of Thrones — is a highlight for photography lovers. After lunch in the former garrison town of Ouarzazate, the route continues along the Skoura palm oasis and through the fragrant Valley of Roses before reaching Boumalne Dades at the entrance to the dramatic Dades Gorges, where the night is spent in a kasbah-style guesthouse.

Leaving the Dades Gorges, the route crosses to the Draa Valley, Morocco's longest oasis, passing a succession of earthen kasbahs and palmeries before reaching Zagora, famed for its historic camel-caravan signpost pointing the way to Timbuktu.

The road continues south through Tamegroute, known for its green pottery and ancient Koranic library, to M'Hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the true Sahara. From there, a 4x4 or camel convoy crosses into the vast, untouched dunes of Erg Chigaga for an overnight desert camp.

Encounters Sunrise over Erg Chigaga M'Hamid & the Draa Valley Zagora, Agdz & Ouarzazate Tizi n'Tichka Pass (return crossing) After a desert sunrise and breakfast at camp, the 4x4 or camels return travellers to M'Hamid, from where the tarmac road retraces the Draa Valley through Zagora, Agdz and Ouarzazate, crossing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass back to Marrakech in the late afternoon or evening.

Leaving the dunes, the route crosses the arid plains toward Foum Zguid and over the Anti-Atlas range to Taroudant, a walled city nicknamed “Little Marrakech” for its red pisé ramparts, but calmer and more authentic, with lively souks specialising in silver jewellery and leather goods.

The drive from Taroudant crosses the fertile Souss Valley, Morocco's citrus and argan heartland, before reaching the coastal city of Agadir.

The coastal road north passes the surf breaks of Taghazout and the banana plantations of Tamri before reaching Essaouira's fortified medina for the final overnight.

The final drive back to Marrakech follows the argan tree route, with the option of a final stop in the Chichaoua region, known for its distinctive tribal carpets, before returning to the Red City.