Marrakech & the Sahara

• Accommodation: 5 Classic nights (hotels), 2 Simple nights (1 gite, 1 Sahara camp)
• Travel by private minibus and camel
• Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16

From April to June, and in September, Marrakech and the north are pleasantly hot, with temperatures averaging 26C (79F) in the day, 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 clear and sunny, and a particularly attractive feature of the winter months is the clear views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains.

The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher than those prevailing 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 plateaux (in which case it is cold at night and early in the morning on the southern side of the Atlas).

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Driving: There are sometimes long journeys on this trip, but this is the only way to see everything Morocco offers. We are not confined to our vehicle though, as there are plenty of photo stops and opportunities to stretch our legs. Approximate drive times are noted on the daily itinerary.

Weather: Morocco is hot in summer but we try to make the most of the coolest parts of the day for our sightseeing, so expect some early starts. Morocco can get cold in winter, normally with mild daytime temperatures. Pack winter clothes and nightwear for November to March, when nighttime temperatures can drop considerably, especially in the desert and the mountains. During these months, there can also be rain throughout the country and snow in the mountains. As Morocco is generally mild to hot it is not set up for colder temperatures and so there may not be heaters available. Of course, you can also ask for more blankets from the hotels.