Highlights of Morocco

Overview

Sleep in the Sahara, walk through the Atlas Mountains and tour the great Imperial cities

Experience the very best of Morocco, from mazey medinas and lively souks to the broad-shouldered Atlas Mountains and stretching sands of the Sahara. Over two immersive weeks, we ride a camel over desert dunes, sip mint tea with friendly Amazigh hosts, navigate the ancient ksar of Ait Benhaddou and enjoy a remote village walk through the High Atlas range. There’s also time to visit the Todra Gorge and tour all four great Imperial Cities of Morocco: Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech. One of Our Top Recommended Trips for 2026… Here’s Why We run so many incredible trips to Africa that it takes something truly special to be top of the pack. This adventure has done just that, being one of our most popular Africa trips of 2025. Upgraded hotels for the 2026 season mean this adventure will be better than ever! − Holly Parkinson, destination expert

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the very best of Morocco, guided by our expert tour leader
Discover all four Imperial Cities: Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakech
Journey through the Sahara by camel and stay in a traditional desert camp
Explore the grand ksar of Ait Benhaddou – a World Heritage site
Visit Tighza, a remote Amazigh village that has welcomed our groups for years
Relax in laid-back Essaouira, an old Portuguese fishing port on the Atlantic

Key Information

Accommodation: 13 Classic nights (6 riad, 4 hotel, 2 lodge and 1 auberge), 1 Simple night (Sahara camp)
Travel by private minibus and camel
Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Included

All breakfasts and four dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

Not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request)
Visas or vaccinations

Itinerary

Show All

Day 1: Adventure starts in Marrakech
Buzzy Marrakech is a whirlwind of tradition and culture, an invigorating introduction to Morocco. However, today is a relaxing one, a chance for our group to congregate and settle in. Usually around 6pm, you'll say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Moroccan welcome over an optional dinner together (which is included for all in 2026). Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Explore the enormous Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca • To the capital, Rabat
We drive (3hr 30min, including a coffee stop) to Casablanca this morning, a modern and commercial seaport. Here, we visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the world, which has a soaring 655ft (200m) minaret and a sliding ceiling to enable the sea breeze to cool the building. We have a guided tour of the mosque and the stunning ablutions hall with a local specialist. Please note: knees and upper arms must be covered. After, we drive (1hr 30min) to Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to Casablanca in importance. Here, we have free time to explore. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old town, where you can see distinctive buildings with Moorish and Andalusian designs. Also visit the Jewish Quarter (Mellah) before continuing to the busy souk to sample locally made treats, such as harsha (a semolina bread) with the special almond paste, amlou. Accommodation: Rabat Hotel Bouregreg (or similar)
Day 3: Explore Meknes old town and the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis • To Fez
Strike out from Rabat on a 2hr 30min drive (with a stop in Khemisset) over the northern plain towards Meknes. The scenery changes as the land becomes more cultivated, this being one of the most fertile areas of Morocco. In Meknes, we meet our local guide for an exploratory walk in the old town. Built in the Spanish-Moorish style, the medina has crumbling ramparts with nine immense gates. We plunge into a busy local market, where vendors vie for attention and craftsmen sharpen their tools, before walking to El Hedim square, a scaled-down version of Djemaa El Fna in Marrakech. Then, we stand before the monumental Bab El Mansour gate, which was built in 1732. In the afternoon, we take a 45-minute drive to the largest and best-kept Roman ruins in Morocco: Volubilis, once a large Roman town and now a World Heritage site. Under the Romans, it was an affluent city. This can be seen in the beautiful second-century forum, the basilica and the capitol. We wander through the streets, discovering remains of townhouses with mosaic floors and see baths, oil presses, aqueducts and shops, all of which reveal the daily lives of the inhabitants. After exploring this site with a local guide, we continue our drive (approximately two hours) to the ancient city of Fez, where we spend two nights. Accommodation: Riad Dilar/Riad Al Mozyane (or similar)
Day 4: Tour the medina and tanneries of Fez
The fascinating city of Fez is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, it has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges), including the ninth-century al-Karaouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. Fez medina is one of the largest in the world, an immense warren of souks, home to thousands of craftsfolk with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy and pungent, the medina is an absorbing experience. Our city guide walks us through different sections of the souk, including those selling leather, brass and copper. No visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina, we visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive up to a panoramic viewpoint over the city. Accommodation: Riad Dilar/Riad Al Mozyane (or similar)
Day 5: To Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara
Today, we travel to the edge of the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. It’s a nine-hour journey but with frequent stops and beautiful scenery along the way. We travel over the stunning Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley and to the spectacular site of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge (inn) by the dunes. Tonight is a good time to pack your overnight bag for the Sahara. Accommodation: Auberge La Caravane (or similar) Drive time: Nine hours
Day 6: Walk in the sand sea • Camel trek through the dunes • Camp in the Sahara
A free morning means we have time to explore the largest erg (sand sea) in Morocco, or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famed for its pink tones that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset. In the late afternoon, we take part in a classic Saharan experience – a 45-minute camel trek through the dunes, where we watch the sunset (it is also possible to walk). We then return to the edge of the desert to spend the night in a camp. This evening, we enjoy a home-cooked meal and sit under the stars. Accommodation: Azawad Camp (or similar)
Day 7: To Skoura • Stop to explore the Todra Gorge
After sunrise, we leave our desert camp and head towards the little city of Skoura, which is nestled on a beautiful palm grove near Ouarzazate. Following the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs, we have vistas of ancient kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves. After around four hours of driving, we stop to explore Todra Gorge. We take a short walk along a narrow road through the gorge and have time to take photos. Of course, there is also the usual pop-up souvenir stalls to tempt you. Accommodation: Skoura Lodge (or similar) Drive time: Seven hours with three stops
Day 8: Optional hike through an Amazigh village • Enjoy Skoura, the palm grove capital of Morocco
There is the opportunity to take a one-hour drive to Toundout Valley and enjoy a four-hour guided hike through an Amazigh village, where you learn a little of their culture. Alternatively, relax in and around the lodge, walking through the lush palm groves. Considered the palm grove capital of Morocco, Skoura offers peace and relaxation through its various walks discovering multiple palm groves and kasbahs. Accommodation: Skoura Lodge (or similar)
Day 9: To the mountain village of Tighza • Stop to explore the earthen clay alleys of Ait Benhaddou
Leaving Skoura, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs via the desert city of Ouarzazate and to the well-preserved ksar (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most spectacular in the Atlas range, and the location of several Hollywood films including Gladiator (2000). Here we tour atmospheric alleys and see the earthen walls of the dwellings. Continuing into the mountains, we branch east through a wide flat mountain valley, finally arriving at Anmiter, where we leave our bus and take a 1hr 30min to 2hr walk on an uphill gradient to the Amazigh village of Tighza, where we spend the next two nights. Tighza is a rural village set in the Atlas mountains. From the terrace of our Riad you can look down into the valley and enjoy the sunset over the surrounding mountains. It is a peaceful retreat and provides the opportunity to meet local villagers and share their way of life. Our luggage is transported to the village for us. For those who do not want to walk, mules are available (170 dirhams, payable locally). We’re greeted with a mint tea on arrival at the village. Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud/La Cigogne/Riad Tamkdakht (or similar) Drive time: 1hr 30min
Day 10: Half-day of walking in the High Atlas • Authentic hammam experience
We start our day with an optional walk through the villages of the Tighza Valley, heading into the hills on mule tracks with the High Atlas peaks as our backdrop. The length of our trek depends on the group’s ability, but it is likely to be approximately four hours. The afternoon is free to relax with a book, enjoy the mountain views, take a stroll through the beautiful landscape or challenge the village children to a game of football. Tighza is one of just four villages in this remote valley and has been supported by us for more than 10 years through various responsible tourism projects. We visit the village hammam, built with money raised by our clients. This is an authentic experience and terrific fun. It is very much a traditional hammam and you are likely to get the opportunity to mix with the villagers, which further adds to the experience. A standard treatment is included, but you need to purchase a scrubber and soap for 20 dirhams (US$1.90) plus a customary tip of 20 dirhams. Refreshed, we return to the accommodation for our final dinner in the mountains. Accommodation: Riad Bouchahoud/La Cigogne/Riad Tamkdakht (or similar) Drive time: 1hr 30min
Day 11: Over the High Atlas Mountains to the seaside town of Essaouira
Leaving the riad, we take a 2.5mi (4km) walk back to our bus on an unpaved road for a short drive to the palace of Telouet. This once-grand building stands abandoned and crumbling and we have deemed it unsafe to enter; however, we can walk around the outside and take photographs. We continue our scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which at 7,415ft (2,260m) above sea level is the highest road in Morocco. The scenery is spectacular and there are some wonderful views of the mountains. We also stop at a women’s cooperative argan oil farm, where you can see the trees, get a demonstration of the production process, and purchase products if you’d like. Our journey finally brings us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech, and then onwards to the pretty seaside town of Essaouira. Accommodation: Maison Du Sud/Riad Benattar (or similar) Drive time: 7hr 30min
Day 12: Free day to explore relaxed Essaouira
Enjoy a free day in Essaouira, an old Portuguese fishing port overlooking the Atlantic. The settlement dates to the 15th century but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, the town is extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to the desert, kasbahs and cities we have so far visited. Our hotel is situated in the heart of the old walled city, where we have plenty of time for shopping in the souks or strolling along the beach. With many pleasant cafes and some outstanding seafood restaurants, there is plenty of choice for our evening meal. Accommodation: Maison Du Sud/Riad Benattar (or similar)
Day 13: To Marrakech • Tour the city highlights including the Bahia Palace and Djemaa el Fna
After breakfast, we drive back to Marrakech. In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour to find our bearings and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide takes us to the opulent Bahia Palace, a one-time royal residence, and ends the adventure in the Djemaa el Fna square, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is worth seeing this renowned landmark in the evening, as Marrakech revolves around this open-air central square, with food stalls, juice sellers and acrobats. It is a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists. Accommodation: Ayoub Hotel (or similar) Drive time: Three hours
Day 14: Free day to explore Marrakech
Today is free in Marrakech and there is no shortage of things to do. You might wish to visit the largest mosque in the city, Koutoubia, or venture through the souks and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs, we have time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After, you could take a 30-minute calèche ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and were once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. For lunch, we recommend the Amal Women’s Training Centre and Moroccan Restaurant, which we support in their cause to empower women from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are a non-profit organisation dedicated to training students to become self-sufficient and improving their quality of life through acquiring new skills in a professional restaurant setting. For a superb traditional Moroccan meal and the opportunity to support this worthy cause, do pay them a visit. This evening, it’s common for the group to enjoy a final meal together on Djemaa el Fna. Accommodation: Ayoub Hotel (or similar)
Day 15: Adventure ends in Marrakech
Enjoy your final breakfast this morning and take the chance to reflect on your unforgettable Morocco adventure. You’ve navigated lively medinas, ridden a camel in the Sahara and experienced a traditional hammam in the Atlas Mountains. Now, however, is the time to start your journey home and start planning your next adventure. Alternatively, if you would like to extend your time in Morocco please speak to your sales representative who will be happy to advise.

Important Information

The trip destination

Accommodation: 13 Classic nights (6 riad, 4 hotel, 2 lodge and 1 auberge), 1 Simple night (Sahara camp)
Travel by private minibus and camel
Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

Food

Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Where meals are not included, budget for the following approximate prices. Lunches: 60-100 dirhams (US$6-US$10) Dinners: In cities: 80-250 dirhams (US$8-US$25) In small towns and villages: 60-120 dirhams (US$6-US$12) Drinks in restaurants Soft drinks: 10-20 dirhams (US$1-1.90) Beer: 40-80 dirhams (US$4-US$8) Wine: 180 dirhams (US$18) and more Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. If you have special dietary requirements, inform us prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (eg coeliac or vegan), you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home.

Weather

From April to June, and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot, with temperatures averaging 26C (79F) in the day and falling to 16C (61F) at night. It is unusual for there to be much humidity, so it is quite pleasant except at midday when the sun is very strong. Desert temperatures are like those in Marrakech, with the nights usually a little cooler and the days a little hotter. Mountain temperatures are cooler than in Marrakech.

In winter, the daytime temperatures in Marrakech are around 18C-22C (64F-72F) with night temperatures falling to 4C-7C (39F-45F). The days should be sunny and a particularly attractive feature of winter is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas. The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those north of the mountains. There is a small chance of rain and it has even been known to snow very infrequently in January and sometimes February on the higher desert plateau (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Journeys: To see the highlights of Morocco, there are some long journeys. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch our legs. The approximate drive times are noted in the daily itinerary.

Weather: Temperatures are hot in summer (May to September) but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day for our sightseeing, so expect some early starts. During winter (November to March), the daytime is usually mild, but it can get cold at night, particularly in the desert and mountains, so pack some winter clothes.

Prices / Dates

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sdsd AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	Single room supplement	TRAVEL STATUS
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 / Sun, 10 May 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 10 May 2026 / Sun, 24 May 2026	NOK 20 095 NOK 17 070	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 16 May 2026 / Sat, 30 May 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 06 Sep 2026 / Sun, 20 Sep 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Sat, 26 Sep 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 / Sun, 04 Oct 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 26 Sep 2026 / Sat, 10 Oct 2026	NOK 18 080	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 04 Oct 2026 / Sun, 18 Oct 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 / Sat, 24 Oct 2026	NOK 22 785	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 / Sun, 01 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 24 Oct 2026 / Sat, 07 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 15 Nov 2026 / Sun, 29 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sat, 05 Dec 2026 / Sat, 19 Dec 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	Available
Sun, 17 Jan 2027 / Sun, 31 Jan 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 07 Feb 2027 / Sun, 21 Feb 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 21 Feb 2027 / Sun, 07 Mar 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 07 Mar 2027 / Sun, 21 Mar 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 21 Mar 2027 / Sun, 04 Apr 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 18 Apr 2027 / Sun, 02 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 25 Apr 2027 / Sun, 09 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 02 May 2027 / Sun, 16 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 16 May 2027 / Sun, 30 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 05 Sep 2027 / Sun, 19 Sep 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 12 Sep 2027 / Sun, 26 Sep 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 19 Sep 2027 / Sun, 03 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 26 Sep 2027 / Sun, 10 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 03 Oct 2027 / Sun, 17 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 10 Oct 2027 / Sun, 24 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 17 Oct 2027 / Sun, 31 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 24 Oct 2027 / Sun, 07 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 31 Oct 2027 / Sun, 14 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 07 Nov 2027 / Sun, 21 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available
Sun, 05 Dec 2027 / Sun, 19 Dec 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	Available

AVAILABLE DATES	PRICE (1 ADULT)	PRICE (1 CHILDREN)	SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT	TRAVEL STATUS
Sun, 26 Apr 2026 / Sun, 10 May 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 10 May 2026 / Sun, 24 May 2026	NOK 20 095 NOK 17 070	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 16 May 2026 / Sat, 30 May 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 06 Sep 2026 / Sun, 20 Sep 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 12 Sep 2026 / Sat, 26 Sep 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 20 Sep 2026 / Sun, 04 Oct 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 26 Sep 2026 / Sat, 10 Oct 2026	NOK 18 080	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 04 Oct 2026 / Sun, 18 Oct 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 / Sat, 24 Oct 2026	NOK 22 785	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 / Sun, 01 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 24 Oct 2026 / Sat, 07 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 15 Nov 2026 / Sun, 29 Nov 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sat, 05 Dec 2026 / Sat, 19 Dec 2026	NOK 20 095	On request	NOK 4 300	On request
Sun, 17 Jan 2027 / Sun, 31 Jan 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 07 Feb 2027 / Sun, 21 Feb 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 21 Feb 2027 / Sun, 07 Mar 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 07 Mar 2027 / Sun, 21 Mar 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 21 Mar 2027 / Sun, 04 Apr 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 18 Apr 2027 / Sun, 02 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 25 Apr 2027 / Sun, 09 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 02 May 2027 / Sun, 16 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 16 May 2027 / Sun, 30 May 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 05 Sep 2027 / Sun, 19 Sep 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 12 Sep 2027 / Sun, 26 Sep 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 19 Sep 2027 / Sun, 03 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 26 Sep 2027 / Sun, 10 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 03 Oct 2027 / Sun, 17 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 10 Oct 2027 / Sun, 24 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 17 Oct 2027 / Sun, 31 Oct 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 24 Oct 2027 / Sun, 07 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 31 Oct 2027 / Sun, 14 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 07 Nov 2027 / Sun, 21 Nov 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request
Sun, 05 Dec 2027 / Sun, 19 Dec 2027	NOK 21 440	On request	NOK 4 505	On request

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Highlights of Morocco

Overview

Itinerary

Photos

Important Information

Prices / Dates