2 weeks in Southern Morocco from Marrakech: does this itinerary work?

Hi there, We’re a small group planning a road trip loop with a rental car, starting and ending in Marrakech. Two weeks at the end of October. We’d like a mix of nature discoveries, villages, ksars (ideally some photogenic and/or abandoned ones), a few hikes, and if possible, one or two nights sleeping on a rooftop/terrace in a village. What do you think of this itinerary? Thanks for your insights, and have a great evening, everyone! Christophe

10/17 Marrakech airport → Cascades Ourika Ourika Valley, Promenade des 7 Cascades – 65 km

10/18 Cascades Ourika → Telouet Toufliht (km 99) – 163 km

10/19 Telouet → Aïd Benhaddou Walks in the stunning Ounila Valley – 47 km

10/20 Aïd Benhaddou → Gorges Dadès Skoura (Association des femmes) – 168 km

10/21 Gorges Dadès → Départ Saghro Tinghir, Todgha Gorges – 154 km

10/22 Départ Saghro → Départ Saghro Walk in the Saghro (24 km) – 0 km

10/23 Départ Saghro → Tagounite Dunes Tinfou – 192 km

10/24 Tagounite → Tamnougalt Zagora – 156 km

10/25 Tamnougalt → Tamnougalt Draa Valley – 0 km

10/26 Tamnougalt → Taliouine Tazenakht – 178 km

10/27 Taliouine → Imlil Tizi n Test – 202 km

10/28 Imlil → Marrakech – 63 km

Hard to follow your route—it’s way too confusing.

Oops, sorry. Hope this is readable now...

That does make it more readable, indeed. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the Ourika Valley—it’s mass tourism. Every agency in Marrakech runs packed buses there daily, and the site is really spoiled. Plus, the valley was badly damaged recently by heavy storm rains that caused a lot of destruction. The government has just decided to restore some order and demolish the terraces built in the riverbed. I think you’d be better off heading up to Oukaïmeden instead—it’s much more beautiful. Given that your itinerary already includes stunning landscapes, you might as well skip Ourika.

I don’t know what the status of the construction is on the Tizi n'Test pass. Last time I went through, it was pretty rough. The earthquake had caused a lot of damage.

Hi there, The most interesting spots are Telouet—absolutely stunning—Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Gorges (better than the Todra ones), and the Saghro if you can find a good mountain guide. Next time, head toward M’semrir—it’s extraordinary! Have a great day.

Hi there, and thanks for your advice! Ksar Ait Haddou: did you mean Aït Ben Haddou? M'semrir: what did you particularly enjoy there?

Yes, Ait Benhaddou is a must-see, but it takes two hours, two and a half hours. Telouet was interesting for visiting the Glaoui kasbah, but it’s been closed since the earthquake. The Ounila Valley is really beautiful. So it’s an itinerary you shouldn’t miss.

Hi, Yes, that's Aït Haddou. We were in Tinghir and passed through the Dades Gorges toward M'semrir. The mountain landscapes are stunning!!! Then we left M'semrir heading to Imilchil via Agoudal. At the time, that road was horribly rocky—I still don’t know if it’s been paved or not. I’d love to find out if any forum members could let us know, thanks. Here are 3 photos of the road to M’smrir.