Day Trip: Nature & Essaouira Desert
Description
Travellers should book this tour as it offers a complete and authentic experience, away from the classic sightseeing tours. It combines nature, culture and local discovery around Essaouira, with varied landscapes ranging from argan trees to peaceful valleys and the magnificent oasis of Lalla Takandout. Participants enjoy a guided hike, visit a women’s argan cooperative, discover historical sites like Dar Caïd M’barek Kasbah and share a homemade Berber lunch in a traditional house. With small groups, personalized support, local guides and a fluid organization including pick-up and drop-off, this excursion guarantees an immersive, rewarding and memorable day in the heart of rural Morocco.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up from your Inn, Riad or meeting point in Essaouira. The driver confirms the pick-up time and place before Check-out.
Explore an open nature area filled with argan trees, where travelers can often see goats climbing branches and local camels resting nearby. It is a beautiful place to enjoy a desert-like landscape, breathe fresh air and take memorable photos of the unique landscape of Essaouira.
Visit Afous Argan, a renowned women’s cooperative in the Essaouira region. Travellers will discover the traditional and artisanal process of producing pure argan oil, from the breaking of nuts to the grinding and extraction of oil. This stage offers authentic insight into local crafts while supporting women-led initiatives.
This stop takes travellers to an old school linked to the historical figure of Sidi Jazouli. The site offers an overview of local spiritual heritage and traditional teaching. It is a peaceful cultural stopover, conducive to reflection and photography.
Head to the beautiful oasis of Lalla Takandout. Travelers walk through valleys, natural rock formations and green areas while discovering the landscapes of the area. It is the perfect time to reconnect with nature and enjoy a peaceful setting and the view of the valley.
Experience an authentic Moroccan break in a traditional Berber house near the oasis. Travellers will enjoy a pleasant mint tea ceremony, accompanied by a selection of delicious homemade Moroccan pastries. It is a friendly moment to relax, discover Moroccan hospitality and admire the peaceful atmosphere of the surroundings.
Explore the lake and surrounding mountains, and enjoy the natural beauty of this peaceful oasis, ideal for relaxing, reconnecting with nature and admiring authentic scenery.
Explore the historic ruins of Dar Caïd M’barek Kasbah, an important site representing the region’s past. Travellers walk through the ancient structures, discover the role of the kasbah in local history and take pictures of its impressive stone architecture.
At the end of the tour, guests are comfortably dropped off at their Inn, Riad or at the central location of their choice in Essaouira.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We contact travellers on WhatsApp prior to the excursion to confirm the exact pick-up time and location. Pick-up is available from the airport, hotels, riads and central meeting points in Essaouira, such as Bab Marrakech car park and Moulay Hassan Square. Please be ready 10 minutes before Check-out.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(16)
Morocco in its purest state! sublime landscapes, souk, historical site... A must-do!
MERCI BEAUCOUP
It was an excellent tour and the guides were very well knowledgeable and trustworthy, highly recommend them
Thank you very much for your kind review
The excursion was very interesting: we visited the Atlas hills whose colors are magnificent, the first Berber school in the region containing ancient books, the Berber prayer house, the turquoise-colored water dam.... Then we went to the coast to eat and swim. The guide Aziz is an excellent driver, which is important in the mountains, and very attentive to the smooth running of the day.
merci beaucoup
An absolutely magnificent excursion to discover the Neknafa Oasis. Between the wild landscapes, the goats in the argan trees, and the mountains, the change of scenery is total. The welcome from the locals is incredibly warm and the traditional lunch at a local's home was a pure delight. I recommend it to discover the authenticity of the Essaouira region far from the crowds.
merci beaucoup
The vehicle picked us up 45 minutes later than the agreed time, giving unbelievable excuses; the route did not match the program description.
Respecto al retraso: El día de su excursión coincidió con la celebración del Festival de Gnawa, lo que generó un tráfico inusualmente denso y una enorme cantidad de vehículos en las calles. Para complicar aún más la situación, un coche sufrió una avería en medio de la vía principal, bloqueando por completo la calle y deteniendo la circulación. El conductor hizo todo lo posible por llegar lo antes posible y les ofreció sus disculpas de inmediato por este imprevisto de fuerza mayor. * **Respecto a la ruta (Programa):** El punto del itinerario que no se visitó corresponde a una parada que se realiza específicamente para la hora del almuerzo. Nuestro equipo les consultó directamente si deseaban detenerse a comer, a lo que ustedes respondieron que no. Al rechazar la opción del almuerzo, se continuó con el resto de la ruta programada. Agradecemos mucho sus comentarios, ya que nos ayudan a mejorar. Esperamos que, a pesar de estos contratiempos ajenos a nuestro control, hayan podido disfrutar de los bellos paisajes del recorrido. Atentamente, El equipo de Oasis Neknafa Desert
If you are staying in Essaouira and fancy seeing life away from the town, this trip is well worth considering. Azziz was very friendly and took into account what we wanted to see. We were offered a short visit to a women’s argan oil cooperative which we accepted, had a quick explanation of how the oil is produced and had an opportunity to buy argan based products. That was where the touristy part ended. The rest of the day was spent somewhat off the beaten track, in what Azziz called the ‘mini Atlas’. Azziz stopped the car several times to let us take photos of the beautiful landscape. First real stop was Zaouiat Sidi M'hend Benslimane, site of a school - perched on top of a rocky outcrop - founded by a famous Moroccan writer and traveller. We then drove (and then walked, crossing a small river) to a local Berber farmhouse for a lunch of biscuits, bread, and goat tagine - very tasty! The owner was a very considerate and friendly host. We then walked to the nearby Grotte de la Sainte Lalla Takandoute, which is an old Berber religious site built into the side of a gorge. An interesting labyrinth of rooms, lived in, but very simply furnished. Our route back to Essaouira passed the Dar Caïd M’Barek Neknafi, a ruined fortress overlooking a beautiful lake, but we did not stop there. Overall, the itinerary was not exactly as advertised, but we still thoroughly enjoyed it. Azziz speaks fluent French, his English is more limited. We managed to get by with our limited French. In summary, we think this trip will be very rewarding for those who are a bit more adventurous with their sightseeing, and are happy to get somewhat off the beaten track.
Thank you very much for your kind review
Very nice excursion to Essaouira. The guide was punctual, friendly, and provided us with many interesting explanations about the local culture and the market. He also proposed an additional stop on his own initiative, which made the visit even more enjoyable. I highly recommend it!
merci beaucoup
Magnificent day spent with Aziz off the tourist trails! A day filled with fabulous landscapes and authentic places that Aziz shared with us through historical tales. Aziz is passionate and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to discover.
merci beaucoup
Aziz is a very kind guide who helped us discover a part of this beautiful country.
merci beaucoup
The opportunity to visit unique places and discover great addresses. Thank you, it was perfect and contributed to making our stay in Morocco unforgettable!
merci beaucoup
