The short answer
Yes. Stopping where you like is the main reason to take a private car over the train or a shared shuttle. Tell your driver where to pull in for photos, a mint tea or lunch. Planned stops, such as Aït Ben Haddou on the way south, go into the quote. A guided visit is quoted as a day tour instead.
In more detail
Our drive times are for the road alone, without sightseeing. Marrakech to Ouarzazate is about 4 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka; Marrakech to Essaouira about 2 hours 45 minutes on the argan road. Add your stops on top and we pace the day around them.
On the longer runs we build in breaks anyway and never hurry a mountain pass. The natural stops are the argan cooperatives on the Essaouira road, the summit of the Tichka, Aït Ben Haddou, and the Dadès and Todra gorges on the road to Merzouga.
If you want a guide at a stop, for the ksar at Aït Ben Haddou or the Essaouira medina for instance, say so when you ask for a quote, so it is arranged before the day.
Good to know
- List your stops in the quote request so the timing is realistic.
- Ask your driver for lunch suggestions on the route.
- Long legs: aim to arrive before dark, stops included.