Feedback on 13-day loop in May starting and ending in Essaouira

Hi everyone! :)

I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.

We’re planning to rent a vehicle and are pretty active—we’re not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).

Here’s my proposed itinerary:

Trip Proposal Summary: From May 13 (morning arrival) to May 26 (morning departure) Arrival and departure: Essaouira Day 1 (May 13): Arrival in Essaouira – Settling in / Exploring / Rest Day 2 (May 14): Essaouira – Water activities Day 3 (May 15): Essaouira to Tafraoute (~5h30) – route via Agadir – arrival and first exploration; Question: Is a detour to Taroudant worth considering? Day 4 (May 16): Tafraoute – Hike in the granite rocks – wild bivouac Day 5 (May 17): Tafraoute – Aït Mansour gorges – oasis – night in a hostel Day 6 (May 18): Tafraoute → Foum Zguid (~5h) – transition route – simple overnight or bivouac Day 7 (May 19): Foum Zguid → Zagora (~3h) – Draa Valley – desert prep Day 8 (May 20): Zagora → M'Hamid El Ghizlane → Erg Chigaga – departure with 4x4 guide – entering the dunes – bivouac Day 9 (May 21): Erg Chigaga – full desert day – walking, exploring – bivouac Day 10 (May 22): Desert → Ouarzazate (~5–6h) – leaving the desert – rest Day 11 (May 23): Aït Benhaddou – early visit – short hike – overnight stay Day 12 (May 24): Aït Benhaddou → Telouet – route toward the Atlas – start of trek – bivouac Day 13 (May 25): Atlas → Essaouira (~5–6h) – end of trek – return to Essaouira (overnight) Day 14 (May 26): Essaouira – free time + return flight

What do you think?

I aimed for an excursion to the Chigaga desert from M’Hamid because it seems less touristy and allows for a more compact loop. Is that a good idea? Is the drive to M’Hamid maybe too tedious?

Open to your great tips if there’s room for optimization!

All ears! :)

Thanks in advance and have a great day!

Clément

Hello,

Essaouira to Tafraout via Taroudant is interesting. A few hours in Taroudant is nice. It's a mini Marrakech without tourists—or very few. A fortified city with beautiful souks. I like it a lot.

When you say "bivouac," do you mean with your own gear? It’s unnecessary bulk. There are plenty of budget accommodations available.

Zagora to Mhamid isn’t really exciting. Stop in Tamegroute, where they make a specific green pottery unique to the region.

In Mhamid, the paved road ends. Mhamid itself isn’t interesting—it’s just the gateway to the Erg Chigaga dunes, which you can only reach by 4x4. Stay in Ouled Driss or Bou Nou instead. Any local accommodation can organize your 4x4 expedition—it’s what they’re there for.

Before Mhamid, I recommend the Esprit Désert campsite run by Phil, who can arrange your Chigaga trip. He’s quite the character with lots of experience!

A one-day trek in Chigaga—I’m not sure where you’d go.

You could also trek along the Ounila Valley between Ait Benhaddou and Telouet. There are a few places to stay in the villages along the way.

Staying in Ouarzazate isn’t very inspiring. Here are a few alternatives: - Kasbah Ouled Othmane - Tamnougalt near Agdz - Fint Oasis

Hope this helps!

Hello everyone :)

I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.

We’re planning to rent a vehicle; we’re active and not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).

Here’s my proposal:

Trip proposal summary: From 13/05 (morning arrival) to 26/05 (morning departure) Start and end: Essaouira Clément

Hi! Is there an airport in Essaouira? Best,

Hello! Is there an airport in Essaouira? Regards.

Yes, Direct international flights to/from Brussels, Marseille, Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon... Transavia, Ryanair, EasyJet.

Hello! Is there an airport in Essaouira? Regards.

Yes, Direct international flights to/from Brussels, Marseille, Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon... Transavia, Ryanair, Easyjet.

My bad. It's Mogador Airport. I was only thinking of Essaouira. 😉

The airport is called "Essaouira Mogador Airport"... 😎

The airport is called "Essaouira Mogador Airport"... 😎

No way! 😎

Hello! Is there an airport in Essaouira? Regards.

Yes, Direct international flights to/from Brussels, Marseille, Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon... Transavia, Ryanair, EasyJet.

Allow me to set the record straight. Actually, Essaouira - Mogador doesn’t serve all European cities or all airlines.

According to the airport’s website, which should be up to date, we mainly find Ryanair and, to a lesser extent, Transavia.

Ryanair: Brussels Charleroi, Marseille Transavia: Paris Orly But that’s already not bad.

https://aeroport-essaouira.com/

For other options, Agadir has more flight possibilities.

I really love Essaouira, but that wind, that wind... I’ll leave it to the kite-surfers!

oops! Sorry for not listing the airlines in order of their frequency at the airport...

and yes, "we" have Agadir, Marrakech... and "we" also have specific criteria for choosing an airport: proximity between home and airport, prices, flight schedules and days, the purpose and exact destination... But of course, personal bias against an airport can also come into play, even if it's off-topic.

Have a great weekend! !

Oops! Of course, personal bias against an airport can also come into play, even if it's off-topic. Have a great weekend!

Who mentioned anything about bias?

Me. About your messages (tone, content).

Me. Regarding your messages (tone, content).

Well, well... Another talented analyst...

Oh wow! No, no analysis—I won’t go there. But you’re right, maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe it’s just your need to always have the last word. It strays from the topic and drags us into something pointless. I’ll stop here, then. Have a good day.

Oh wow! No, no analysis—I won’t go there. But fair enough, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it’s just your need to always have the last word. It derails the topic and turns it into something pointless. I’ll leave it at that, then. Have a good day.

I’m not badmouthing Essaouira-Mogador Airport. I’m just recontextualizing or "reframing the facts." Since I don’t fly Ryanair or Transavia, I wasn’t familiar with this airport.

Best regards.